Which Canon and which lens?

rykerlike · Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Posts: 2 Location: London, UK

Hi, I studied Photography at school (SLR with film/developing, not DSLR - wasn't invented) in 1984 but have forgotten most of it. I have just set up an Interior Design company and need to do the following on a limited start-up business budget -
take photos of my interiors for my website,
take photos of interiors for publication into A4 size brochures etc,
take photos of worldwide architecture to frame and sell for customers 12" by 12" and possibly bigger.
I would like the interiors to look wide angle to make the space look bigger and take in the whole room.
After a bit of research I have decided on the Canon 550d or 60d. I would like to be considered fairly professional once I get back into photography.
I have heard about audio problems on the 550d (may do some video for website) and auto-focus in video mode. Also something about focusing problems on 550d for stills?
Also is it true that kit lens is plastic and buying the body only and then another lens/lenses will be a better investment because it is better quality?
IF ANYONE OUT THERE CAN ADVISE ME WHICH CAMERA IS BETTER FOR MY NEEDS AND WHICH LENS I SHOULD BUY I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT AS I AM GOING ROUND IN GOOGLE CIRCLES.
Having spent most of my life buying on a whim I am trying to be a lot wiser and do research.
Many thanks.

Tiberius · Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 369

Honestly, if you have forgotten most of it you should learn it again before you think of starting up a business doing it. If you are really serious, then you'll probably look into getting a tilt shift lens for architecture, but these are insanely expensive.

Out of the two cameras I'd probably go for the 60D, because it's a higher end camera. But have a look at the features offered by both and make your decision based on which gives you what you need.

As for wide angle lenses, I've used the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens and it is very good, but there are a lot of other similar lenses out there which have good reviews as well.

rykerlike · Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Posts: 2 Location: London, UK

Many thanks for your help.

I think the 60d is good and I'll probably get that but I am confused with the lens choices. Should I get the kit lens 18-135 (kit lenses apparently aren't any good)? Or should I get a seperate lens?

The shots I will be taking are -

architecture,
wide angles of interiors,
close up of furnishings.

Lots of people say get the body only and then find the lenses.

With the subjects above in mind which one lens would you get?

Tiberius · Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 369

The 60D is a good camera and will serve you well for a long time.

AS for lenses, you can get a standard lens with a constant f2.8 aperture. This will generally be better quality than the kit lens. Although if you are just getting back into photography then you might want to go for a kit lens until you find out what focal length lenses are best for you.