Canon EOS 500D Digital SLR Camera (15.1 MP, 3.0 inch Clear View VGA LCD) Body Only

I bought this as my first dSLR, a significant step up from the compact cameras I had previously owned. However I have in the past had a Minolta SLR and my wife had a Canon SLR with a couple lenses, hence we went for Canon over other brands so we didn't have to buy the kit lens. Instead I bought the cheap (but excellent) 50mm f1.8 to go with the 28-90mm we already owned. I've now had it for a couple months, taken a few thousand photos, and added a 55-250mm zoom lens to my collection.Having a scientific background I have really enjoyed getting the hang of all the settings. I bought the "For Dummies" book for this camera which is a thousand times better than the manual for explaining how things work. The only key tripping point with this camera (and I assume this is the same for most other dSLR's) is that you really need to keep the ISO at 100 or 200. In the auto-ISO mode the camera trades off between f-stop, shutter speed and ISO, often using quite a high ISO setting which gives low quality images. A bit of thinking about the lighting normally allows pretty good indoor photos during the day with a 200 ISO and using the 50mm f1.8 lens, however a flash is definately on my wish list.Moving from a compact to a SLR is quite a culture change, and I have wrecked lots of pictures through not really knowing what I am doing. However as I have been getting the hang of things much better results have been forthcoming. To be safe I have oftened use the fully automatic mode however this does not give quite as good results as one might expect from the equivalent mode on a compact camera, probably because you don't but a dSLR to just use in auto mode! I have now switched to using the P mode or creative auto mode for "non-thinking" shots and use the advanced modes when I have time to play with settings. To be honest I don't use the live view function and the video facility is a bit of a gimmick, especially as it only really works with manual focusing. The video is all right for spontaneous filming however my middle-of-the-range Panasonic video camera is much better.The only point of getting a dSLR is to combine it with different lenses, so the financial commitment is more than just for the camera. I didn't previously realise quite how much lenses cost, and you do tend to get what you pay for. I am not serious (or rich) enough to buy any of the professional lenses, however the few cheaper lenses I have bought are perfectly good for family pictures and day outings to the zoo etc. Indeed this set up is excellent if you are just a beginner and want to learn about photography. I would recommend this camera whole-heartedly to any beginner or amateur photographer as easy to use and, once you get the hang of it, capable of pretty good pictures.

I placed an order for the Canon EOS 500D on the 28th Dec and it came the next working day, how good is that? Well I'll tell you this, it's good but not as great as the camera itself. I have taken over 1000 digital photos with it already. I already had some Canon lenes, EFS 17-85 IS,EFS 28-135 IS, and EFS 70 - 250 IS which I used with my 400D so I was able to compare camera bodies quite easily. The 500D is magnitudes better than the 400D, I am amazed just how good it is, and at the price it's offered by Amazon it's a brilliant deal. Anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive DSLR should look no further than the Canon EOS500D. I have also purchased the Opteka Battery Grip and Remote Shutter Release through Amazon, I am really please with them all, do yourself a favour and order the Canon and accessories now, Amazon will get them to you fast, and at a great price.

I previously owned a Canon EOS 350D and had looked at the 400D and the 450D, but I am glad that I waited for the 500D to come out. Amazon had the best price - as usual - and the delivery was on time (it actually arrived one day ahead of forecasted delivery). I also bought the Canon EF Zoom 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens at the same time and together they produce spectacular results. I highly recommend the EOS 500D.

The only real shortcoming of this camera is that the new model came out. Still, it is has gone up in price with the introduction of the new model, and it is supposed to stay in production.A good investment in lenses is needed to take advantage of the sensor.`The video focusing is pretty basic, not any good for moving objects.Battery life is quite good, similar to a 350D, focusing is faster and it has spot focus.

I'm a semi-professional photographer and always had Canon, they have good reviews and this one is my current favourite.Easy to handle (not so bulky as most) and SO easy to use. I'd recommend it for anyone serious about photography.

Really flag with how quickly it came down and the quality of the product.

GREAT CAMERA AND GREAT VALUE

Perfect product thank you!