Which Canon 60D Kit Lens? (Plus 550D)

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I bought a Olympus 50mm f/1.7 last weekend for $15.  Since we were talking a 15-85mm IS lenses at $800, $50-$100 is cheap.

The Nifty 50 is a good lens, but, for video, its manual focus, and if you have ever done much manual focusing with the 50/1.8. you would be very happy with the feel of a vintage manual focus lens.

The low resolution of 2K video does not require a super high resolution lens unless you are doing it for the big screen.

[Josh11]

About the body choice, I agree a 550D + better lens would give the better picture, but I'd rather get myself the 60D with a lesser lens then can add more in the future. I kinda ignored the 600D based on the price isn't all that far away for the 60D so would rather just stretch a bit further.

[AG]

Honestly there is not that huge a difference between the 60D and 600D, Not for video.

If i had to choose between either of them and the 500/550D id grab the 60/600 any day.

Personally i'm using the 60D (w/ Tokina 11-16 2.8 Lens) atm and it works fantastically for video. The articulated screen is a life saver at times and allows for a lot smoother hand held footage thanks to not needing to occasionally move the camera to see the screen on the 550D.

As for lens again as others have said the 50mm is the best all round for video. If your budget allowed then try go for the 1.4 instead of the 1.8.

But don't kid yourself ether. If you want a camera for video then buy your equipment for that reason. Don't try to buy something that you think will be handy as an all round lens etc because it will just gather dust.

The kit lenses are a waste of money (if you can buy the body cheaper) but if you had to go for one mainly for video use then the stock 18-55 is not great but not too bad. But on saying that it is a really cheap and noisy lens.

People will tell you to buy what they like, others will tell you to avoid particular model numbers and others again will tell you to try and extend your budget.

For me i say as long as it shoots 1080p/24 it should be able to cover your needs for video (and all lower formats too eg 720p/60). Then spend that bit more on decent EF grade glass. That way if you decide to upgrade down the track the lenses can come with you and the body didn't put you too far out of pocket.

But thats just my choice. End of the day its your wallet

[neuroanatomist]

About the body choice, I agree a 550D + better lens would give the better picture, but I'd rather get myself the 60D with a lesser lens then can add more in the future.

The usual advice is glass before body.  The 550D and 60D use the same sensor - no IQ difference.  As AG points out, most of the features that distinguish them (e.g. better AF system) do not matter for video (the articulating screen might, though - suggesting the 600D). 

There's an article about choosing a tripod that makes good points that apply to other gear - the idea is that if you buy the cheapest, low-quality options at the start, you end up spending more money in the long run.  So, you start with the 18-55mm kit lens, which is £70 in the kit.  But you want more reach, so you later add the 18-135mm for £400.  But the IQ isn't a match for your growing skills/needs, so you get the 15-85mm for £630.  Then you figure out that the slow aperture is hampering your creativity, so you end up with the 17-55mm for £800.  Along the way, you'd have sold the other lenses and taken a loss each time, probably summing up to ~£300, so in the end you could have just spent the £800 at the outset, instead of the cumulative £1100 for an £800 lens. 

The point is to identify your needs at the outset, to the extent possible.

Also, keep in mind that you'll likely go through a few camera bodies over the duration you own a particular lens. 

Not to contradict what I just wrote, but starting off with a better body is not a bad idea.  The 60D also has better ergonomics than the xxxD line, and that can make a big difference.  If you really don't know what you want, you may be better off just getting the cheapest kit lens (18-55mm) and saving up for a better lens. 

[dstppy]

I bought a Olympus 50mm f/1.7 last weekend for $15.  Since we were talking a 15-85mm IS lenses at $800, $50-$100 is cheap.

The Nifty 50 is a good lens, but, for video, its manual focus, and if you have ever done much manual focusing with the 50/1.8. you would be very happy with the feel of a vintage manual focus lens.

The low resolution of 2K video does not require a super high resolution lens unless you are doing it for the big screen.

Okay, let's look at same-priced options:
60D $900 + $17 lens
Costco, get a T2i (18-55mm & 55-250mm) $849.99 + tax

Which do you think a non-pro is going to get more mileage out of for all around use?

I think you need to consider the audience; $17 is nice, but no zoom or AF is pretty much a deal breaker for anyone starting into photography. 

Your suggestion has merits, but when most entry-level DSLR shooters don't even exit auto mode . . . recommending  Manual Focus Only options seems like it will fall on deaf ears.

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Now that I look at it, you could score $200 on the two kit lenses there and have a 15-85mm for $560 providing you felt like working for a deal.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I bought a Olympus 50mm f/1.7 last weekend for $15.  Since we were talking a 15-85mm IS lenses at $800, $50-$100 is cheap.

The Nifty 50 is a good lens, but, for video, its manual focus, and if you have ever done much manual focusing with the 50/1.8. you would be very happy with the feel of a vintage manual focus lens.

The low resolution of 2K video does not require a super high resolution lens unless you are doing it for the big screen.

Okay, let's look at same-priced options:
60D $900 + $17 lens
Costco, get a T2i (18-55mm & 55-250mm) $849.99 + tax

Which do you think a non-pro is going to get more mileage out of for all around use?

I think you need to consider the audience; $17 is nice, but no zoom or AF is pretty much a deal breaker for anyone starting into photography. 

Your suggestion has merits, but when most entry-level DSLR shooters don't even exit auto mode . . . recommending  Manual Focus Only options seems like it will fall on deaf ears.

-----
Now that I look at it, you could score $200 on the two kit lenses there and have a 15-85mm for $560 providing you felt like working for a deal.

You missed the point.  earlier in the thread, I suggested that he consider buying the camera with kit lenses and since they are not that good for video, to add some cheaper 3rd party manual focus lenses as a alternative to the $800 15-85mm lens which other posters as well as myself think would be a good choice..

If he wants to save some money, take a old broken Canon film SLR or a powershot and call Canon customer loyalty program to get 20% off their refurb prices.

Using the CLP, a refurbished 60D with kit lens would cost $832 plus tax and shipping with that deal.

Their cameras available come and go weekly, so check frequently  http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_29252

They also have discounts on refurb lenses, but no CLP trade in.

[AJ]

Hunt around a little and you may find a 60D + 15-85 kit combo.

Here's one in my city, Calgary Canada.  I know it doesn't help you being over in the UK, but you may find something locally.
https://www.thecamerastore.com/products/kits/canon/canon-eos-60d-15-85mm-f35-56-usm

[kkt262]

Read this http://flickfire.com/forum/tid/39

Get the 550d (aka t2i) and be happy =)

[dstppy]

Read this http://flickfire.com/forum/tid/39

Get the 550d (aka t2i) and be happy =)

You could save hundreds more by installing CHDK on a SX30 IS -- that at least will let the camera shoot RAW, which will make a difference in post processing.  Then you'll have an articulating screen. 

[Josh11]

Read this http://flickfire.com/forum/tid/39

Get the 550d (aka t2i) and be happy =)

I'm aware of the Magic Lantern software.

Reasons I'm more looking at the 60D is:
- Screen
- Body is of pretty much the same size/shape as the 7D or 5D
- Manual Audio (yes, ML could add that to the 550D)
- Better build quality

Anyone know whether the 600D has manual audio control? I'd guess it does seeing as they're released together but not read it has.