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View Full Version : Looking to buy D Rebel, a few questions...


MarkK0120
4th of March 2004 (Thu), 00:16
I'm looking to get a D Rebel, but am very limited on budget (can't really go much over $1000).

I currently have an Elan IIe, and a S30. I haven't used the IIe in over a year, as I love the digital (no film processing costs!), and the shots are nearly as good (at my level of expertise). I do miss using my lenses and flash though - I have the 28-90 that came with the IIe, a 75-300, both Canon USM, and a EX420.

Most of my shooting involves travel - everything from landscapes, architecture, landmarks to friends and family and other people shots.

Now, the questions:

1) Should I go ahead and get the lens kit with the Rebel, with the 18-55, or get just the body and buy a 50mm f1.8? I have the telephoto end covered, and I have read such good things about the 50mm f1.8, but am concerned about the crop factor on the Rebel and losing the wide angle end without the 18-55, leaving me with 28 x 1.6 = 44.8mm as my widest angle shot.

2) I hate dealing with Canon on warranty repairs - I've had my ZR20 camcorder in to them twice, and it still doesn't work right. I don't want to spend the extra money to purchase at Best Buy, but their extended warranty program is intriguing, given my experience with the ZR. I have never had trouble with my IIe though, so could it be that their still cameras are less prone to trouble? Or is it worth it to go ahead and pay the sales tax and extra $100 for the warranty?

3) On the Best Buy warranty issue, my S30 came from there (as a gift), and with it was a 4 year warranty. I read a few threads on here about people taking a camera under warranty back to BB, and getting a credit toward a "replacement" for the original purchase price. I thought I would try this, so I took my S30 to BB and told them I was having some problems with the sliding lens cover (which is true). They said "ok, we'll send it off for repairs." I was disappointed, to say the least. While I would like to keep the S30 as a point-and-shoot I can take with me anywhere, I would be willing to give it up if it got me a substantial "discount" on the D Rebel - original purchase price on the receipt is $599.99. Any suggestions as to getting them to credit me the purchase price instead of "repairing"?

Thanks for all your help. I've been reading these forums for a couple of months in preperation for my purchase, and have gleaned a great deal of knowledge - thanks to all who post here!

Mark

Kinger
4th of March 2004 (Thu), 00:25
Well I think that a lot of people would agree with me when I say, get the kit lens. It is a really good lens for the money you will spend on it ($100), then save a bit to get the 50mm 1.8. You will not be able to relplace the wide angle range for less money later on.

Johnnynf
4th of March 2004 (Thu), 09:21
I would agree...get the kit lens. Having the wide angle is definately a must, especially if you are going to take pictures of friends and family. When you are indoors, there is a limit as to how far you can back up to try to get the whole family in a picture (walls hurt if you run into them and aren't expecting it). For the money, the kit lens is really good.