Look4chrisng

I was in the same boat about 1.5 yr.  I tried Nikon and Canon.  It really doesn't matter.  

For me, a new beginner needs to learn 2 things first:
1.  What does your in camera meter do, (google 18% gray, Zone system)
2.  Learn what is perspective.  (get yourself a 50mm or 35mm for corp sensor fixed lens).  No zoom.

You can learn all these by googling.  No need to go to class.

lo_pak

回復 10# Helissio

Since you are a beginner, I won't recommend you to pay too much on your gears before you get used to DSLR.
FS/BB won't trap you. However, if I were you, I would rather purchase used equipments. There are plenty on CraigsList and you don't have to pay HST ...

FS/BB on sale - New Canon XS with kit lens 18-55IS - $510 incl. HST; New Canon XSi with kit lens - $700 incl. HST.

Used - Canon XS or XTi with kit lens~ $300-$350, XSi with kit lens ~$400-$450. 50mm f1.8 MkII ~$100. 55-250mm IS ~ $250.

(The so called 窮人三寶 kit - 18-55IS; 50mm f1.8 MkII; 55-250mm IS)

Take your pick...

Catpiano

Well .. nowadays beginer ..   dont know how much they will spend ga ..

Especially in Vancouver and mainland ..  many people with no SLR experience, go for 5DII, D3 ..  etc ..  

Anyway, getting a 500D or 3100D package + flash is a good start.

Does't matter what body and lens ..  Flash is damn important, don't forget about it!

lo_pak

回復 13# Catpiano

I agree, but do you think that's a "good" way to start with the "pro" gears??...
Most of those fellows can't even figure out the function of the dials...
I've seen a new Chinese immigrant in QE Park using the continuous shot function on his 5DII (I don't know why he doesn't use the video function instead) tracing his running daugther for couple minutes...

Lik

In addition to a cheap, good entry level dSLR (there are plenty of Craigslist), I know the good and proper way is to pick up a cheap 50mm (Canon 50mm F/1.8 is ok) and start experimenting from there. But since I am a really lazy photographer, I don't particularly like primes. With Canon, I'd much rather pick up a Rebel XTi and a 18-135 IS or 18-200 IS all-purpose lense and just go nuts with them. Even the 18-85 (or is it 17-85? I dun remember la) is acceptable at this early stage, but it is an utterly crappy, crappy lense with extremely poor CA problems.

If you want to do video as well, then I think T1i is your best choice in the Canon camp la. But then that one is newer and more $$.

-Lik

siumaibb

60D is a good choice, go for it.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1008/10082620canoneos60d.asp

Look4chrisng

Well .. nowadays beginer ..   dont know how much they will spend ga ..

Especially in Vancouver and ...
Catpiano 發表於 2010-8-31 08:58

I saw one guy's pic with D3s and zeiss 85mm 1.4.  the new parent doesn't not how to meter, his baby's face is all dark.  

I think it is very unethical to push these pro-gears to newbie parents.  At the very minimum, give the guy a simple lesson no how to use them, you just sell the poor guy $7000 of "stuff".

Lik

I don't see anything unethical here ge. After all, nobody is forcing the buyers to buy ar mah. The problem is, too many people have the $$ but not the brains to know how to make an informed decision in buying. Or, they may have so much $$ anyway that the really don't give a damn. And it doesn't just happen with cameras ga la. Lots of people buying super ging expensive cars, drinking Lafite wines, eating caviar and stuff, but do they really know how to savour and appreciate it?

To them, all these material stuff is just a means to show off their wealth la~

On a different note, Ferrari offer (mandatory?) performance driving programs to people that buy some of their high end cars. Now that's being ethnically responsible la.

-Lik

Look4chrisng

回復 18# Lik


    the sales person probably regard he didn't have the M9 and the 50 f1.0 lens in stock.

And the prophoto strobes.

Helissio

Well .. nowadays beginer ..   dont know how much they will spend ga ..

Especially in Vancouver and ...
Catpiano 發表於 2010-8-31 08:58

Well, if I am those sky is the limit powered by parents kid then I would just go get myself a Leica or Hasselblad rather then asking advise here.
But thanks everyone for recommandations, seems like I will do some more reading before making up my mind