I have to advise a girlfriend about purchasing an EOS and a first lens. I have an EOS 5 with an EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM lens and I am glad with it. But my friend wants a cheaper equipment, but capable of creative posibilities and acceptable optics quality.

I am thinking in the EOS 33 but I do not know which lens could be adequate for her quite variable photo-matters: children, travel, landscapes... but seen in an amateur-creative way.

In the EOS 5, I value also the good built-in flash (quite powerful and controllable in exposure)and the AF eye-control, which I use most of the time, but I do not if it is necessary. The EOS 33 does not have AF eye-control, and I do not know its performance in the focussing, but I suppose that will be O.K.

Could somebody help me in choosing the best suited equipment?

-- Fernando Egia (egiaretana@euskalnet.net), February 02, 2002

Answers

If she likes the Eye control also, then look at the the EOS 30, which is the same as the 33 with the addition of eye control. That would seem an excellent choice of body.

Lens wise, best to go with a 28-105 or 24-85 for good optical and build, along with the convenience of a zoom. If primes are acceptable, the ubiquitous starting point would seem to be the 50mm F1.8.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

The 30/33 will focus faster than the 5 in most lighting conditions. In dim light it is not quite as good and it does not have the discrete dark red AF assist illuminator. Nor does it have a real spot meter. But in most other respects it is about equal to the 5. The 30/33 is a bit quieter and the built in flash doesn't make that awful noise when you zoom. The 30/33 has better external flash options as well.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), February 03, 2002.

Yo tuve la EOS 5 y recientemente me he actualizado a la EOS 3. Yo te aconsejaría que buscaras otra 5 de 2ª mano. Se pueden encontrar cuerpos por menos de 90.000 ptas. (en segundamano.com o en ibazar.es), que es menos de lo que vale una 33 nueva. Referente a los objetivos, regalale el tuyo a ella, y compra un 28-135 IS con estabilizador para tí. Lo del estabilizador es una maravilla, disparas a pulso a 1/8 sin problemas. Yo tengo una de 2ª mano, habiendo pagado por ella 70.000 ptas.

Eta dirurik baduzu, joan pentsatzen EOS 3 bat erostearena (nik berria 180.000 ordaindu dut)... izugarria da. IM PRESIONANTE.

Eskuminak.

Peio Ezkurra - Basque Country.

-- Peio Ezkurra (peio_e@hotmail.com), February 04, 2002.