If you are serious about a Canon EOS, especially an older one, my Dad has a 300d for sale. Hardly used and not a mark on it. I believe it will come with a kit lens but as a starter it’s not a bad lens. User the “Contact Me” on my blog if you’re interested and I will get more details for you.

I have heard a lot about the wobble of the barrel with kit lenses, is this something that could be a problem?

I’d highly recommend Canon all the way. I am personally not a fan (at all) of 3rd party lenses after my experiences with a certain Sigma lens, which was apparently one of the best Sigma lenses money can buy in that zoom range. Although I know a lot of people who have Sigma’s, Tamron’s, etc, who are more than happy with their lens.

I now own all Canon equipment (besides memory card and filters) and all is VERY nice to use, all works perfect and is a joy to look at the results.

I haven’t ever tried out a Nikon, but I am well aware they are on the same par as Canon, if not better in some ways. Personally though, I have always thought of Canon as the masters in cameras, and everyone else trying to catch them. If you know what I mean?

Finally, as for the kit lens being shite. They are not all that bad, but only bad after you experience a “good” lens. My 18-55mm USM was sharp enough for me most of the time, the speed of focusing was quick (about the same as my L-glass), just the build quality wasn’t quite up to scratch. Its a good starting point, put it like that.

I might get an older EOS so I can get a nice lens, I really don’t want a kit lens as I have read on here and other places they are shite.

Thanks.

That said, I had a play with a D80 a few days ago and apart from a couple of minor niggles It was great. Niggles:

Bloody loud shutter compared to my 10d. Then again the 20/30d and 300/350/400d are loud compared to the 10d.

Tiny tiny tiny little body. I have large hands. I’m not Japanese. Make a camera body that bloody fits! One of the reasons I haven’t upgraded from the 10d yet. Money is the major factor though!

Ad – No, you can only use Canon lenses on Canons, Nikon lenses on Nikons. This is because the mounting system is completely different. When you start talking about third parties (Tamron, Sigma etc) they produce lenses to fit a variety of bodies. For example you can get a Sigma lens to fit a Canon or a Nikon. Logically though, you can’t a Sigma lens for a Nikon and put it on a Canon.

Does that make sense?