Chaps,

My daughter needs a DSLR for university where she's doing a textiles art degree. I have 2 Canon DSLRs myself a 1DmkII and 5DmkII and a number of lenses etc so it makes sense for her to get a canon so she can use my extra kit if she needs to when she come home. She wants her own camera as she doesn't want the responsibility of using mine away from home so I'm considering the above 2 as a possibility. The plus I can see with these 2 over more expensive EOS options is both have their own on camera flash so she can take indoor shots of her work easily enough and can always borrow my 580ex if she needs something more powerful. Have any of you bought either of these cameras and if so which and why.

Thanks

Ade

I'd have thought having a 1 and a 5 yourself you'd appreciate the difference in quality to be had with bodies a little further up the range. I'd be tempted to go for a used 50D or similar or if you budget stretches a used 7D. Better build quality / durability and better all round package. I'm not knocking xxxD models but can't help but think she'll want an upgrade fairly soon if she gets as in to it as you are.

My wife has the 600D. She had the 60D before and found it too big and heavy to carry all the time so we changed to the 600D that she prefers. <br />I have the 7D and used pretty much every canon camera and still like the little 600D. <br /><br />The 650D has the new sensor that allows AF in live mode and also has a touch screen so read a bit about it to see if you prefer it.

Livemode AF sounds handy right enough :-)

Especially when recording video!

Made this choice at work recently. Went for the 650 for the extra features for video. If it were for stills only I'd have saved the extra cash for lenses/accessories and gone for the 600.

Personally I'm really hating the touchscreen on the 650 and am about 3 shoots away from turning it off. It's probably me, but after many years using cameras with buttons, the touchscreen just seems unintuitive and in the way.

Also, don't forget AF in video is absolutely useless unless you have one of the new STM lenses. So unless you're investing more in the camera for video work then it's a bit of a trojan feature.

I have a 7D and wonder if you would consider a used one? Mainly because it is a full sized alloy body with decent weather sealing (better than the 5DII) and Pro style controls. I have mine gripped and would think that with it's decent metering and quick focusing, when she came home and used your Pro cameras the leap up wouldn't be too huge. I admit the images would be better, but at least the feel and controls would be similar. Mine had been subject to the elements on many occasion and seems to be holding up very well. My previous 40D was a tough old thing too. Otherwise I agree with Mort about the touchscreen thing. Btw the video on the 7D is excellent

Especially when recording video!

There is a caveat! It only works with STM lenses. Currently just 2 available: the 40mm f/2.8 and an 18-135.

There is a caveat! It only works with STM lenses. Currently just 2 available: the 40mm f/2.8 and an 18-135.

it 'functions' with any lens. Personally I'd hold off using the word 'works' even with the STM lenses

Thanks all,

Some good ideas here. As far as secondhand is concerned do you know of any good dealers I can try? I'm not prepared to take a chance on ebay simply because with my daughter away it'd be too much trouble to try and sort any problems out and as she's always working to a deadline I can't take the risk of buying a lemon.

She's already said she wants 'something smaller and lighter' than my kit which as she's quite petite seems a good idea as it'll help avoid camera shake.She's not mentioned wanting to video anything, so I guess it'll just be stills. The search continues....

The London Camera Exchange have a place in Worcester and a couple of second-hand 7Ds, although they look a little pricy to me. They have several shops if you click on the right hand dialogue box

Here's a link

Ta, I hadn't considered LCE and as they're only 15 miles away that could be a good option rather than buying new as she'll be able to get the feel of the vrious bodies before she commits herself, though as you say 800 for a 7D body is a bit steep. No doubt they'll have changed their stock by the time she's home next time from Uni so I'll keep them in mind and see what they've got when she decides to buy and pay them a visit.

MPB have the 7d at £739 at the moment. Nothing but great experience with them for a lot of stuff: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk

MPB have the 7d at £739 at the moment. Nothing but great experience with them for a lot of stuff: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk

That must be the going rate for them. LCE are asking roughly the same. I didn't realise they had kept their value so well. Mine must be worth a few quid still as it's gripped too. Hopefully the prices will still be firm when (if ever) they get round to launching the 7DII I have to say I adore mine, it's a superb camera and is certainly better than I am if you know what I mean.

Littleade, I don't have huge hands but when I got my first DSLR it was the 350D and even though I added a grip it always felt a bit toy like. I replaced it with the 40D, which felt much better and ultimately I got my current 7D. For me the grown up body and pro style features make the camera so flexible it really is all the camera I need. Admittedly I mostly take pictures of things that are moving (I don't have an artistic bone in my body :( ) but the camera does excel at sport/wildlife.

MPB have the 7d at £739 at the moment. Nothing but great experience with them for a lot of stuff: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk

Thanks, as above this'll be another option once she decides she's ready to buy one