Should I buy only D300 body? Need an advice.

[Jonas]

Need an advice. I have been using for about 8 years 35mm Mamiya and for the last couple years EOS300 with standard 20-90 lens. I am now seriously thinking of buying Digital Rebel.

The advice I am seeking is whether to buy only body and save $100, since I will be able to use lens from my old EOS300 or should I go with the whole set, but then I will end with two similar lenses.

P.S. I do think to keep using my EOS300 for a winter photography, as I read Digital Rebel instructions it says it does not operate below 0 Centigrade temperatures. Has anyone experiences with D300 any problem in winter?

Thanks

[2new]

Jonas,
IMHO -I would buy, and did buy the kit lens. For $100 the downside risk is small, and the lens is a good value for $100. If you decided that you did not like the lens you could always seel it, and currently you would not have to sell it at a loss based on what they are going for on ebay. I like the lens. It's not L glass, but it is a quite capable lens in the right hands.

Also when it comes time to upgrade my camera I plan to sell the kit lens with it, hopefully creating a more attractive package for the 1st time DSLR buyer.

I am glad I spent the extra $100

[Belmondo]

Jonas:
2new is giving you good advice. The kit lens that comes with the Rebel is a great bargain when taken in the context of the $100 price. There is no other lens solution that will give you anywhere near the wide-angle capabilities of the 18-55 standard lens, at least at that price. Admittedly, it isn't the finest quality, but it isn't bad, either.

My vote is: buy the camera with the lens.

[Jonas]

Thank you 2new and belmondo for the sugestions. I guess you are right, if one decides to spend almost 1K for camera $100 is probably not a big issue; especially since both of you are happy with the lens.
Thanks

[Andy_T]

Jonas,

bear in mind that the 300D has something called a 1.6 x 'crop factor'.

This means that your 20-90 on the 300D will give you the same picture as a 32-144, as only the center of the lens is used and the outer part is 'cropped'.

In order to get as wide as 20 mm, you'd need to have a 12.5 mm lens on the 300D - and there are not that many of these lenses at acceptable prices.

The 18-55 kit lens is important for many users who have old Canon lenses to get at least as wide as 28 mm. Other options include the (very good, but also very expensive) 16-35 L and 17-40L .

You have to decide whether the additional 2 mm on the wide end are important for you. Otherwise, the two lenses have a lot of overlap!

Best regards,
Andy

[RichardtheSane]

I shoudl think the lens is actually a 28-90, which would become a 44-144 mm.... :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

For $100.00 grab the Kit lens so you can then focus your lens dollars on telephoto zooms knowing that you have the wide end covered for the time being! :)

[dtrayers]

Has anyone experiences with D300 any problem in winter?

Thanks

I've shot a lot lately in temperatures between 10F and 25F with no problems. Just watch for condensation when you go inside.

[Jakov]

"Just watch for condensation when you go inside"

:D :D :D Yeah, don't open the film door when you go inside :lol: 8)