Buying 650D...what lens?

[areza1]

Hey guys,

My kit currently consists of -

Canon 450D
Canon 430ex II Speedlight
Standard 50mm Kit Lens IS
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 IS Lens

Now with the budget I have ($1300),

I'll be getting a 650D from DWI/Camera Paradise which ultimately leaves around $400 for a lens.

The camera will mostly be used for gigs, concerts etc.
Also will be used for amateur music videos etc.

All suggestions are welcomed

Thanks

[2SHY]

Learn the limits of your camera body and lenses first then upgrade. Then upgrade lens then body.

[DJ_Hippster]

Any reason you are buying a 650D?

Looks like you need to upgrade your glass first.

Don't fall into the 'body upgrade' trap, it'll only burn you later.

[Modafroman]

Originally Posted by DJ_Hippster

Any reason you are buying a 650D?

Looks like you need to upgrade your glass first.

Don't fall into the 'body upgrade' trap, it'll only burn you later.

^

450D to 650D seems like an odd 'upgrade', frankly if you want to upgrade bodies youd be much better off waiting until september to see what Canon comes out with at Photokina (60D/7D successors), or just get a 60D or 7D.

My standard (crop) canon recommendations for lenses go like such:

General Purpose: Tamron 17-50mm (vc/nonvc), Sigma 17-50mm, Canon 17-55mm, Canon 15-85mm.

Wide Angle: Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6, Canon 10-22mm, Tokina 11-16mm.

Primes: Canon 50mm 1.8, Sigma 50mm 1.4, Sigma 30mm 1.4.

Do some research on all of those and you'll see. The Sigma 17-50mm is usually my recommendation as a general purpose lens, it's sharp, has great bokeh/colours, has fast/quiet focusing, is built well, has OS and is cheaper than the Canon. The Sigma 30mm 1.4 is also a fantastic prime to have on crop, and wide angles are just fun (tokina 11-16mm is usually the most recommended).

Take that how you will. Like I said, do some research and make your own mind up

I'd also recommend staying away from the 24-xx or 28-xx lenses on a crop body (same goes with the 17-40mm). Don't fall into the L trap They're just not that useful on a crop body.

[areza1]

Maybe I should've included more details

I'm upgrading because I have few freelancing opportunities and projects which require video so I require a DSLR that shoots video.

I could wait to Photokina and the prices will probs drop however I need it in the next few weeks for work as well.

Specs wise and feature wise, it seems the 650D is better then the 60D so I don't know why people recommend the 60D of the 650D other then the fact its bulkier, bigger etc.

I could go for a 7D however that would leave me no money for a lens. Not sure if its worth getting a 7D but only using the stock lens.

[Modafroman]

Originally Posted by areza1

Maybe I should've included more details

I'm upgrading because I have few freelancing opportunities and projects which require video so I require a DSLR that shoots video.

I could wait to Photokina and the prices will probs drop however I need it in the next few weeks for work as well.

Specs wise and feature wise, it seems the 650D is better then the 60D so I don't know why people recommend the 60D of the 650D other then the fact its bulkier, bigger etc.

I could go for a 7D however that would leave me no money for a lens. Not sure if its worth getting a 7D but only using the stock lens.

Right, well carry on then.

The only thing the 650D is 'better' at than the 60D is the fact that it has a touchscreen and AF in video. Otherwise they're exactly the same. The 60D body is just better in so many ways (Assuming the 650D is the same as the 550D, 600D). It's better built (isn't plasticfantastic), feels better in the hands, is weather sealed, has dual control wheels and has a top screen. It's a higher end body than the 650D.

Like I said, above, those are my standard lens recommendations. Depends what you're after, a general purpose zoom, a wide angle zoom (which could be fun/helpful for events and what not) or a prime.

If you're after a standard gp zoom, given your budget, try and push it to get the Sigma 17-50mm, otherwise go for the Tamron 17-50mm (VC version if you're doing video - the AF on the tamron's is still pretty useless tho).

Like I said, do some searching around here/whirlpool/potn, there are heaps of threads about all of the lenses

[phreeky82]

If you can live without a flippy-screen then I'd recommend a 2nd hand 550D so that you can shoot video and spend the rest elsewhere (or just save it).

What about the audio side of things? Are you recording sound separately? Should you buy some mics?

It's hard to recommend a lens without knowing the sort of gigs you're shooting. Is 50mm long enough? Can you set a tripod up at the back of the room with a longer lens where something like a 85mm F/1.8 might work? Or if you're shooting from up close handheld you might like the effect of an ultra-wide, and the extremely wide focal lengths are VERY easy to handheld for a steady image without IS.

Based on the limited info:
- 550D
- Rode mic or something
- Tokina 11-16mm

That's probably close to $1300 as is. Canon 85 F/1.8 or 100 F/2 are both possible options for a longer lens, but you'll need to watch the purple fringing on them however the low res of video will make it less problematic.

[areza1]

Originally Posted by phreeky82

If you can live without a flippy-screen then I'd recommend a 2nd hand 550D so that you can shoot video and spend the rest elsewhere (or just save it).

What about the audio side of things? Are you recording sound separately? Should you buy some mics?

It's hard to recommend a lens without knowing the sort of gigs you're shooting. Is 50mm long enough? Can you set a tripod up at the back of the room with a longer lens where something like a 85mm F/1.8 might work? Or if you're shooting from up close handheld you might like the effect of an ultra-wide, and the extremely wide focal lengths are VERY easy to handheld for a steady image without IS.

Based on the limited info:
- 550D
- Rode mic or something
- Tokina 11-16mm

That's probably close to $1300 as is. Canon 85 F/1.8 or 100 F/2 are both possible options for a longer lens, but you'll need to watch the purple fringing on them however the low res of video will make it less problematic.

Audio wise I'm all set. Will be using external mics which the audio engineer will be looking after.

I have all stage access to all gigs so I can be extremely close or far back as well.

I can buy a brand new 550d for $530 which leaves $770 for the lens.

Would I benefit more from having a more expensive lens over getting a 650D/60D ?

I always use manual focus so the autofocus cross points don't really bother me.

[phreeky82]

Originally Posted by areza1

Would I benefit more from having a more expensive lens over getting a 650D/60D ?

In many cases probably not. That's why I didn't bother suggesting another ~50mm lens, you've already got the F/1.8 which should be fine. Whether the lenses you're using are of sufficient quality is best judged by yourself based on your experiences with them - don't go replacing gear unless you know why it is you're upgrading.

[Modafroman]

The difference between the 550D, 600D and 650D are all pretty minor. They share the same basic body/build quality (read: plastic). The 600D and consequently 650D had a few minor design tweaks, and obviously the 650D has the touchscreen, other than that they're all pretty similar.

Whether you need the feature difference is up to you

600D over 550D:
Vari-angle display
Scene intelligent Auto Mode
'Basic+' creative controls in scene modes
'Creative Filters' can be applied to images in playback mode
Multi-aspect ratio shooting (3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1, previewable in Live View)
Integrated Wireless flash controller with multi-flash support
'Video Snapshot' mode
Auto Lighting Optimizer now adjustable in 4 levels
Feature Guide
Image rating (1-5 stars)
Eye sensor for LCD display replaced by 'DISP' button
Marginally larger and heavier
(Source: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/)

650D over 600D:
'Hybrid CMOS' sensor with integrated phase detection AF for live view and video
Continuous AF in Live View and during video recording
Touchscreen interface including touch shutter / touch focus
9-point AF, all sensors now cross-type
High ISO range increased to 12800 standard / 25600 expanded (vs 6400 / 12800)
DIGIC 5 processor
5 fps continuous shooting (vs 3.7 fps)
Integrated stereo microphone

(Source: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/can...0d-rebel-t4i/3)

Whether those differences make any difference to you is up to you, they're the same basic camera with the same sensor (granted the 650D sensor has been tweaked) and body.

Originally Posted by phreeky82

In many cases probably not. That's why I didn't bother suggesting another ~50mm lens, you've already got the F/1.8 which should be fine. Whether the lenses you're using are of sufficient quality is best judged by yourself based on your experiences with them - don't go replacing gear unless you know why it is you're upgrading.

^

Considering video is rather low res, i'd say (like phreeky suggested), the difference between most lenses won't be noticeable. Up to you to decide what focal length you need. You have my standard recommendations. If they're too short, like phreeky said, look at the 85mm 1.8 or 100mm 2, or maybe a 70-200mm.

[spectre257]

Had a play with the 650D at work. Autofocus with its all cross points are a huge improvement over the hunting 600D.
Low light is a minor improvement over the 600D looks much better at 6400 ISO, the touch screen is well implemented, the higher fps will also be useful if you shoot sports.

The catch is though is you need good lenses to take full advantage of the more accurate autofocus. Video autofocus is still slow even with USM lenses so you'll find yourself manual focusing anyways.

Saying that if you do music gigs you'll definitely appreciate the ability to focus much more accurately, I did when I changed over to a D800 but saying that I had all the lenses for it.
So get yourself all the lenses you'll need then upgrade your body.

Edit: Only upgrade when you know what you need. If you're asking this question as to what you need you haven't found what you need just yet.

[h4xx0r]

With that sort of money, i'd try and save around 300 more and go buy a 5D2, FF>>>>Crop (coming from a 350D=>7D=>5D3)

h4x

[areza1]

Just going through realistic situations that I'll be placed in at gigs and concerts etc, I keep going back to the Sigma 30mm f1.4 Prime Lens.

So I feel like the Canon 60D + Sigma 30mm f1.4 would be the most suitable option for me currently and then further along the track, invest into a zoom lens.

Thoughts?

[sir_bazz]

Originally Posted by DJ_Hippster

Don't fall into the 'body upgrade' trap, it'll only burn you later.

Literally!!!....but only your hands.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/07...-650d-T4i-grip