OK - reasonable DSLR and lens suggestions please

[Skywatcher]

I simply cannot go to Africa without taking some decentish pictures of the local wildlife and surroundings

My beloved eos 350d has now been butchered so it can only take astronomy photos.

This has left me with the standard 15-55 lens that comes in the box and the 75-300 Zoom again they are in the garage and its cold - the second isn't really a brilliant lens and was cheap but it was bought for a purpose at the time.

Not sure whether just to but a cheapo 350d body and get a better zoom lens or to go for a better camera

I would want something for Macroish work as there are apparently phenomenal butterflies etc( to be honest I always thought the lens I got with the camera was pretty good for that) but also want something that could do the bird life justice as well

I do not have a huge budget, but I would like something I can get soonish to practice with before the trip - we are definitely talking 100's and not 1000's here

Fire away chaps

[catrancher]

My quick tuppence worth.

Get a quick 50mm. If you're looking at Canon, I think they've got a 1.4 also. I'm a Nikonite (hey, I just invented a word) so can't comment too much about specific Canon lenses but I absolutely LOVE my Nikon 50mm.

Tom (... takes great low light shots!)

[Keith]

I think he said "reasonable" just so I can't reply

[Keith]

My quick tuppence worth.

Get a quick 50mm. If you're looking at Canon, I think they've got a 1.4 also. I'm a Nikonite (hey, I just invented a word) so can't comment too much about specific Canon lenses but I absolutely LOVE my Nikon 50mm.

Tom (... takes great low light shots!)

canon do have a 50mm 1.4 (and a 50mm 1.2!) but sadly the 1.4 is soft and the 1.2 is expensive.

The nifty fifty in the canon range is the 1.8 for about 70 quid or so

[josh.p.]

I'm gonna go against the grain and say I'm REALLY pleased with my sony model I got the a200k, not sure if it's even around anymore but when I tested them I much prefered the look and feel of the camera as well as the menus, when compared with the Canon and Nikon equivilents (price wise.) I think the lowest end sony out is the a230. I love mine and get some good results, too

I'd reccomend a different lens than the kit one if you are looking for a REALLY good macro, though but with the price difference between the canon/nikon equivilent, you could easily afford a new lense

[Britchick]

50mm 1.8 fantastic- about £70 you won't regret it. brilliant for low light and i use it on the camera most of the time.

for your macro solution try this one- i have it or the one before it and it isn't bad value for money. I got it for £99 as part of a bundle

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...6320/show.html

I have heard good things about the 500D- it has hd dvd- got £60 cashback at the moment. There are some bundle deals here. This is everything you need i think

Canon EOS 500D with 18-55mm lens - Jessops

[Britchick]

oh and if you're looking for a new camera bag i have a slingshot 100AW for sale at a very reasonable price

[Skywatcher]

Hmm that doesn't look bad what do you think Keith? Quite like the video function as well for tiny shots.

This lens has IS would it be reasonable or useless

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom AF Lens for Selected Digital SLR:Amazon:Electronics & Photo

[Keith]

absolutely! the latest 500 is a really nice camera no doubt at all

In terms of lenses, the 55-250 is a good little buy to be honest! generally I hear people saying all the time that 250/300 is still not long enough for safari but jeez, to go much longer than that you're talking expense. You could perhaps go for an extender as well perhaps.

The other option is to hire some really top class lenses for a couple of weeks Lenses For Hire Ltd.

[Skywatcher]

I am presuming the white 100-400 lens would be pretty good - cheapest that is going for is about 1,100 though