Much to my surprise my little brother just expressed an interest in learning photography! He has a go-pro 3 black edition which he uses to make surfing videos but I suspect the root of this new found interest is his new girlfriend who shoots a bit of film. Keen to encourage this new found enthusiasm I want to buy him a DSLR set up for his birthday and would appreciate some advise from the experts on this forum as I've not shot with some of the cameras I'm considering.
A couple of points to keep in mind:
1) I'm not rolling in cash but my girlfriend and I can probably stretch to round 400 quid, anything over that and he'll have to chip in
2) We're about to go travelling through Central America together for 6 weeks so whatever gear he is going to get is going to take a bit of a kicking (also 1 or two lenses only)
Our trip is why I'm going to get him a DSLR rather than a film camera and a fridge full of film.
so far I was considering
1)a 5D classic: not a camera I've used but one I've heard a lot of good things about. probably with a 28-135 lens of some type (will recommend he also picks up a nifty 50 or a shorty 40)
Advantage: image quality, rugged
Disadvantage: body cost, lack of good cheep wide zoom options, something about some 5d's having a wonky shutter?
2) a 40D and a 17-85mm I used to have a 40D and loved it before it got stolen in Peru. Not used the 17-85 but heard good things (again will recommend he also picks up a nifty 50 or a shorty 40)
Advantage: dual control wheels, magnesium alloy body
Disadvantage: no cheep normal prime
3) A rebel of some type: Not familiar with the rebel line at all. Everything since 500D shoots video?
Lenses: again tempted to go with the 17-85 as I cant afford the good EF-S lens zoom with F2.8 (17-55?)
Advantage: Video, Cheapest body option, smallest and lightest
Disadvantage: might not survive the trip, Single control wheel (A hindrance for learning?)
4)? is there something I've overlooked?
So what would you do in my situation. Is there a gem of a lens or a combo that I've overlooked?
All help greatly appreciated!
Here's some travel photos to counter the gear and request heavy nature of the thread
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28976399@N06/8130166533#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28976399@N06/8130190696#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28976399@N06/6837786574#
Ps. Is it possible to have photos hosted on Fickr appear within the post?
A couple of points to keep in mind:
1) I'm not rolling in cash but my girlfriend and I can probably stretch to round 400 quid, anything over that and he'll have to chip in
2) We're about to go travelling through Central America together for 6 weeks so whatever gear he is going to get is going to take a bit of a kicking (also 1 or two lenses only)
Our trip is why I'm going to get him a DSLR rather than a film camera and a fridge full of film.
so far I was considering
1)a 5D classic: not a camera I've used but one I've heard a lot of good things about. probably with a 28-135 lens of some type (will recommend he also picks up a nifty 50 or a shorty 40)
Advantage: image quality, rugged
Disadvantage: body cost, lack of good cheep wide zoom options, something about some 5d's having a wonky shutter?
2) a 40D and a 17-85mm I used to have a 40D and loved it before it got stolen in Peru. Not used the 17-85 but heard good things (again will recommend he also picks up a nifty 50 or a shorty 40)
Advantage: dual control wheels, magnesium alloy body
Disadvantage: no cheep normal prime
3) A rebel of some type: Not familiar with the rebel line at all. Everything since 500D shoots video?
Lenses: again tempted to go with the 17-85 as I cant afford the good EF-S lens zoom with F2.8 (17-55?)
Advantage: Video, Cheapest body option, smallest and lightest
Disadvantage: might not survive the trip, Single control wheel (A hindrance for learning?)
4)? is there something I've overlooked?
So what would you do in my situation. Is there a gem of a lens or a combo that I've overlooked?
All help greatly appreciated!
Here's some travel photos to counter the gear and request heavy nature of the thread
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28976399@N06/8130166533#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28976399@N06/8130190696#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28976399@N06/6837786574#
Ps. Is it possible to have photos hosted on Fickr appear within the post?