Wednesday, Sep 10, 2014 at 11:23
here goes... most typing I've done in one go for a long time!
I use a Nikon (and also have a Pentax). Anything (Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Sony) these days are good. Be careful wanting something with 'great zoom'. A lot of p&s and
Bridge cameras (look a lot like a SLR but you can't change the lens) have huge zoom capability but you can't actually take a decent
pic with one zoomed all the way in. The lens quality is terrible and you can't hold it still enough either! Same goes with the 18-200 and 18-300 superzooms that are available for SLRs. Convenient but not great image quality compared to a zoom of more modest range, however if image quality isn't on the top of your list of 'wants', these type of lenses can be a good choice.
Having another look at the lenses in this 2nd hand package they are not an ideal combo really for a APSC sensor camera. Why I say that is for an everyday 'walkaround' lens, you want a range from 16-18mm up to at least 50mm. This gives you a range from slightly wide angle suitable for scenic
views, indoors and areas where you can't back up more to get everything in. The longer end of the zoom range is good for portraits and when you can't walk up closer to something. I have a 16-85mm lens as my general purpose lens and on holidays that covers 95% of my needs.
So, what would I recommend… I’d start with saying I think technology has come a long way quickly and that a new ‘entry’ level camera is a better choice than an older ‘prosumer’ camera. The prosumer camera is built better and will feel better in your hands along with having better controls, however, the newer camera will take better pics. Especially in darker environments. So, having settled on the new camera I’d then work out what I can buy for my budget. For $700-800 you can buy a ‘
grey’ twin lens kit (like the Kogan linked 700D above). I haven’t looked but pretty sure there will be a Nikon deal at the same price point. I did notice they do another Canon deal that includes a 55-250 lens that has inbuilt stabilisation. That makes me question what the 75-300 one was in the 1st kit I linked to. A little bit more goggling indicates the 75-300 is an older lens and the 55-250 is much newer & has the inbuilt stabilisation. So, I’d immediately say although you miss a little on the long end, the 55-250 would be the better choice. This one
http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/canon-eos-700d-18-55mm-55-250mm-is-ii-lens-kit/
The Nikon kit of D3200 plus 2 VR lenses (VR is Nikons term for lens stabilisation) is $669. Eg.
http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/nikon-d3200-dslr-camera-18-55mm-vr-ii-55-300mm-vr-twin-lens-kit/
Either one would be fine IMO. Complicated isn’t it!
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