Canon EOS 1200D Alternatives?

[robbivip]

So I'm looking to get into photography and I want a decent DSLR. I've been looking into the 1200D but should I get something else?

 

Let me know!

[Prastupok]

So I'm looking to get into photography and I want a decent DSLR. I've been looking into the 1200D but should I get something else?

 

Let me know!

 

Nikon D3300

[Samfisher]

So I'm looking to get into photography and I want a decent DSLR. I've been looking into the 1200D but should I get something else?

 

Let me know!

 

A used 60D with a 50mm f1.8 is about the same price as a new 1200D.

[ZetZet]

I would get Nikon D3300 or D3200.

[mcmxcii]

A used 60D with a 50mm f1.8 is about the same price as a new 1200D.

 

 

60d with 50mm, is equivalent to 80mm... which is not very practical as a only lens for a camera.

[Samfisher]

60d with 50mm, is equivalent to 80mm... which is not very practical as a only lens for a camera.

 

It is if you shoot mainly portraits, which I do  Otherwise, get the 18-55 kit lens as a starter and decide your lens from there on out.

[mcmxcii]

It is if you shoot mainly portraits, which I do  Otherwise, get the 18-55 kit lens as a starter and decide your lens from there on out.

 

He says "So I'm looking to get into photography". I would NOT recommend a 50mm on a cropped sensor for any beginner. Especially if it is their only lens.

[Samfisher]

He says "So I'm looking to get into photography". I would NOT recommend a 50mm on a cropped sensor for any beginner. Especially if it is their only lens.

Personally, I would still recommend a 50mm cos :

 

1 ) It's a prime, with a fast aperture, allowing you to take pics in much lower light than a 3.5-5.6 kit lens

2) It's a prime, which forces you to learn composition as there's no zoom for you to play with.  It's an accelerated learning curve lens.  Your zoom is your legs.

 

I'm a very strong proponent for the 50mm lens, as I learnt proper and/or interesting composition as a result of it's drawbacks.

 

But for general use, kit lens will serve you well.

[mcmxcii]

Personally, I would still recommend a 50mm cos :

 

1 ) It's a prime, with a fast aperture, allowing you to take pics in much lower light than a 3.5-5.6 kit lens

2) It's a prime, which forces you to learn composition as there's no zoom for you to play with.  It's an accelerated learning curve lens.  Your zoom is your legs.

 

I'm a very strong proponent for the 50mm lens, as I learnt proper and/or interesting composition as a result of it's drawbacks.

 

But for general use, kit lens will serve you well.

 

There are too many draw backs for it too be worth it, Sometimes you just don't have enough room to zoom with your legs. How far back you would have to stand to go from 24mm to 50mm is huge... It can teach you composition but any lens can teach you composition. Composition is just how you frame your image. Cropping in Photoshop can teach you composition. f1.8 sounds nice but will be frustrating for new photographers learning to focus... And Portraits, well lens are typically sharpest in their middle apertures so if you are in a controlled lighting environment, e.g. a studio or with studio lights you wouldn't even use f1.8.

 

But what works for you, works for you. We all have our own ways.

 

I just see people only talk positively about the 50mm 1.8. But i don't think having a 50mm on a cropped sensor is not all sunshine and roses.

[ShadowCaptain]

I just see people only talk positively about the 50mm 1.8. But i don't think having a 50mm on a cropped sensor is not all sunshine and roses.

 

I agree

[Ruostunut kokis]

There are too many draw backs for it too be worth it, Sometimes you just don't have enough room to zoom with your legs. How far back you would have to stand to go from 24mm to 50mm is huge... It can teach you composition but any lens can teach you composition. Composition is just how you frame your image. Cropping in Photoshop can teach you composition. f1.8 sounds nice but will be frustrating for new photographers learning to focus... And Portraits, well lens are typically sharpest in their middle apertures so if you are in a controlled lighting environment, e.g. a studio or with studio lights you wouldn't even use f1.8.

 

But what works for you, works for you. We all have our own ways.

 

I just see people only talk positively about the 50mm 1.8. But i don't think having a 50mm on a cropped sensor is not all sunshine and roses.

Indeed. I have the EF 50mm f/1.8 II, and it was my first (and only) separate lens that I bought for a DSLR. The bigger maximum aperture really helped overcome the 1000D's poor performance in low-light (maximum ISO is only 1600). It was nice for the shallow depth of field too and all, but I just found myself not being nearly as restricted with the field of view of the 18-55mm kit lens than with the 50mm prime. What I usually shoot just happens to require wide angle more than a 50mm cropped into 80mm by the sensor, essentially making it a portrait lens. Heck, in-doors I can even feel just a little restricted at times with the widest focal length of 10,4mm (FF equivalent is 28mm) on the RX100 Mk. 1 I nowadays shoot with.

 

So the kit lens is probably the best starter lens, for the price and the versatility. If he would want a prime at some point, keeping the kit lens' focal length as the same as the prime(s) he would want, this could help to see which focal length(s) would suit him the best.

[Williamchan87]

having a 50mm on a crop sensor isn't for everyone, personally I like it on Nikons but iffy on Canons