Which Camera Bundle for Novice?

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And Phillip there is nowt wrong with the Pentax. If I didn't shoot wildlife I might have bought a pentax years ago....

Tony query for you - what do you intend to shoot??

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Generally landscapes, but hopefully some wildlife.

I would also like to say thank you all for your helpfull comments - I now need to spend a little time studying them and I will hopefully make the correct choice for me :)

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Originally Posted by Donald

But I'm not sure what you are suggesting as an alternative. Therefore, what are you suggesting given the budget figure set out by Tony? I don't think he is saying he wants everything. I read him to be saying that he would like the best he can get within the budget he has available.

I thought Robin's suggestion was extremely helpful and a very realistic option.

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This is directed to everyone,

Good assessment but don't get Tony thinking that availablity is the deciding factor, I think he should increase his choices up to three different models, whether they are the same brand or different brands. Also, don't let haste make the decision either. Buyers remorse can set in very quickly.

To close this off, I would like to thank everyone who contributed, particularly Robin, who stuck to the brief and after much deliberation and further research I went for the Canon 1100D with Tamron 300 -700 mm additional lens.

So Sunday I was out on a clear, sunny and frosty morning and here is one of the first photos with my new Cannon :-

http://i39.tinypic.com/29nilom.jpg

Sorry if I pee on someone's parade here, but I think that a small warning would be in place.

The Tamron 70-300 zoom is not a decent lens, not even half decent. They really should have discontinued it. It is not about its sharpness, the image quality is fine, but there is another issue.

You are almost certain to at one point break the AF mechanism, because of a design flaw, which is pointed out in the manual.

The lens has limitations to its "macro" setting, forcing you to set it to Manual focus to switch between modes, and in normal operation, you thus have to operate the focusing mechanism by hand. It cannot focus close at short focal length, but must be set to above 180 mm.

When focusing, the front of the lens rotates, making it difficult to use with polarisers. Moreover, the manufacturer demands the lens to be set to manual to attach or to remove the hood. I know of three people who have broken the AF mechanism, small plastic cogs, by completely normal operation of the lens.

So it is important that you follow the directions given in the operation manual, to set the lens to MF whenever switching modes from normal to macro or back, and that you never turn the lens barrel when the lens is in AF mode. If you are careful, it will last longer.

http://migrated.ifokus.se/uploads/fb.../skarmbild.png

Thanks for the info - it's appreciated

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Originally Posted by Inkanyezi

Sorry if I pee on someone's parade here, but I think that a small warning would be in place.

The Tamron 70-300 zoom is not a decent lens, not even half decent. They really should have discontinued it. It is not about its sharpness, the image quality is fine, but there is another issue.

You are almost certain to at one point break the AF mechanism, because of a design flaw, which is pointed out in the manual.

The lens has limitations to its "macro" setting, forcing you to set it to Manual focus to switch between modes, and in normal operation, you thus have to operate the focusing mechanism by hand. It cannot focus close at short focal length, but must be set to above 180 mm.

When focusing, the front of the lens rotates, making it difficult to use with polarisers. Moreover, the manufacturer demands the lens to be set to manual to attach or to remove the hood. I know of three people who have broken the AF mechanism, small plastic cogs, by completely normal operation of the lens.

So it is important that you follow the directions given in the operation manual, to set the lens to MF whenever switching modes from normal to macro or back, and that you never turn the lens barrel when the lens is in AF mode. If you are careful, it will last longer.

http://migrated.ifokus.se/uploads/fb.../skarmbild.png

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I have sold dozens and I mean dozens of these lenses and I've yet to have one returned.

1. You don't need to use manual focus to use the macro mode or use it to switch it into macro mode. I demonstrate this to customers every day and do so using auto focus.
2. The reason the macro focussing isn't operational below 180mm is you wouldn't get the 1:2 magnification so there is little point.
3. ALL similar priced zooms have front elements that turn (including the kit 18-55mm lenses that comes with most DSLR's) and ALL of them should be either switched to manual focus when attaching the hood or you should carefully hold the front mechanism to stop it from turning against the drive motors. Nothing unique about the Tamron in this respect and not a reason for it to be discontinued.

Ps. Crackin' shot Tony - glad you like your camera and lucky you to have had spectacular frost to go out and try it.

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Originally Posted by Inkanyezi

Sorry if I pee on someone's parade here, but I think that a small warning would be in place.

The Tamron 70-300 zoom is not a decent lens, not even half decent. They really should have discontinued it. It is not about its sharpness, the image quality is fine, but there is another issue.

You are almost certain to at one point break the AF mechanism, because of a design flaw, which is pointed out in the manual.

The lens has limitations to its "macro" setting, forcing you to set it to Manual focus to switch between modes, and in normal operation, you thus have to operate the focusing mechanism by hand. It cannot focus close at short focal length, but must be set to above 180 mm.

When focusing, the front of the lens rotates, making it difficult to use with polarisers. Moreover, the manufacturer demands the lens to be set to manual to attach or to remove the hood. I know of three people who have broken the AF mechanism, small plastic cogs, by completely normal operation of the lens.

So it is important that you follow the directions given in the operation manual, to set the lens to MF whenever switching modes from normal to macro or back, and that you never turn the lens barrel when the lens is in AF mode. If you are careful, it will last longer.

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Every lens that doesn't have internal focus has the issues you mention. That doesn't immediately make them bad lenses. You just get what you pay for, and that means it doesn't take as much abuse as the top brands do.

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Originally Posted by Tonykro

So Sunday I was out on a clear, sunny and frosty morning and here is one of the first photos with my new Canon :-

http://i39.tinypic.com/29nilom.jpg

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Great picture when viewed fullsize in the LyteBox Tony.

Cheers,

Not to muddy the waters, but----; maybe buy a used Nikon D90 (or Canon, Pentax, Sony,etc) and Tamron 18-270. This was may first and current outfit, and I have been quite pleased.

I'm only giving you a suggestion regarding the lens because I think that it is better for you to get the best camera you can within your price range. You will be using that camera for quite a long time so I think it is a must that you get one good enough now and next year and the year after that maybe.
My advice? go for a much cheaper lens. It is much easier to buy other lenses (and I am pretty sure you will buy some soon) than buying a camera.

Two of my lenses are a Canon EF-S 55-250 (the cheapest zoom lenses for Canon) and a Tamron 18-270 (their so called "anniversary edition"). Their prices were around $150 for Canon and $700 (AUD) for Tamron. It proves that the images I get with the Canon one, are very often better than what I get with Tamron (it isn't supposed to be like that). How better? Better auto-focus, better manual focus (focus goes over the "infinity" mark on Tamron) and much less chromatic aberration. For my actual needs, Canon 55-250 delivers good performance.

I have just bought a Canon EOS 600D.The camera came with a Canon 18mm-55mm lens fitted with a stabliser.This was my first DSLR and I am still learning how to use it.This camera bundle from Amazon has exceeded my wildest expectations.
John

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Originally Posted by jdathebowler

This camera bundle from Amazon has exceeded my wildest expectations.

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That's brilliant John. You've got some good kit there that will certainly allow you to make quality images as well as allowing you to explore the flexibility for creative work that a DSLR and good zoom lens can bring. Have fun ....... and don't forget to post some of the results up on here fro comment and/or in competitions.