Canon EOS 500D - what are your thoughts?

[PND]

A colleague at work has offered to sell me the following kit:

Canon EOS 500D Digital SLR Camera + 18-55mm + 75-300mm Twin Lens Kit

Twin Lens Kit contains:

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II Lens
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Lens

Also included is a Canon Custom Gadget Bag 100EG.

It has only been used a couple of times so is all in 'as new' condition, but I've read in a few places that neither of these lenses is of great quality. 

What are your thoughts please?  I've never owned an SLR of any kind so it's all kind of new to me!  If the price is right, is it a good kit for me to start learning with? If so, what would you say I should be paying for it all?  I would be wanting to use it for anything from holiday snaps to birdwatching, etc..

Thanks for any thoughts / suggestions!

Cheers

Paul.

[JPC]

its hard to have an opinion without knowing how much you will be buying it for. Its a good camera no doubt. Its not going to break the bank to buy and its got a good enough spec to get some great snaps!

go for it mate, id say pay around £375 and you gotta good deal ;)

[PND]

I haven't been given a price yet.  I'm just trying to get an idea of what it's worth. Thanks for your reply. 

[JMP]

I have used a 500D for about 3 years (IIRC) and have been very happy with it. Anyway, those kit lenses are limiting the performance of the camera. I would look for a different set with better lenses if I was you (unless this is very cheap). For example with a Tamron or Sigma 17-50 f2.8 would perform a lot better then this basic Canon 18-55. Or you can try a prime if you can live without zoom lens, Canon 50mm f1.8 is cheap and performs great. It all depends on what you primarly want to shoot.

[PND]

Forgot to say that I've borrowed the camera to 'have a play with'.  What do you think so far?  Sorry the subject matter isn't particularly interesting!

Any more thoughts about the camera and lenses.. are they worth buying do you think?

[MC71]

^^^^ that's very goog bud 

Yes it's not a bad camera and a good start into DSLR which can daunting to begin with at times!! Would also recommend you get some filters for that puppy, will really help the contrast with some of those shots.

 

[PND]

I've been watching a series of tutorial videos on YouTube all on the 500D.  I didn't know anything about exposure, aperture, etc before today, but now the basics make sense. 

I can see how people spend years understanding it all! 

[baggedmk5]

Its a good camera to get started with mate! Enjoy it. Its a perfect platform to learn on, and get all the basics/ more advanced techniques down pack.
Have fun with it, you won't regret it, especially with a good editing program!