Want to buy a 300D/Rebel

[Claire]

I posted this in the Talk about photography forum, but I'll see if I get more responses here.
******
Hi,
Ok, so I'm fairly new at photography but I'm dying to buy the 300D. I have a Canon IXUS 300 since before, but want to learn more about photography, therefore considering buying the 300D.

There is a store in Gothenburg where they sell the Canona 300D with a Sigma 18-50 mm and tele Sigma 55-200 mm telezoom ($1499). I don't know anything about these things and wasn't sure if Sigma's a good brand. Also, not sure if those lenses are good, and being a beginner I'm not sure I need a telezoom!

Now, first of all I'm curious how much the camera + lens kit costs in the US (I won't buy it online). I want to see if I'd save any money having a friend get it for me and ship it to Sweden. Would it be worth it, or would the shipping itself cost me a fortune?

Also, durability. You don't really hear about analogue SLR's having too many technical problems. Has anyone heard of people complaining bout the 300D? I don't exactly want to end up with something that messes up now and then like my computer...

Hm, and just by curiosity, how much would a 256 or more memory card cost over in the US? Gosh, this photography thing doesn't come cheap!

And I need to calculate shipping costs too...

Thanks!
/Claire

[roanjohn]

Hey Claire............

I would suggest holding off on the additional sigma lenses........I'm not too sure about the quality of these lenses and would bet my money that they are the bad kind!!! :twisted: The kit lens on the other hand is proven to be a good enough starting lens for beginners.........it is also light w/ nice wide angle capabilities to boot.

The Rebel Kit cost around 950-1000 here in the states. I would not suggest you paying more than 1050 w/ tax. A 256 mb card should cost around 100-170 USD and would fit around 78 high quality 6 mpx shots. In my opinion, you probably would be better off with a 512 (minimum).

Don't worry about the technical mishaps of other people.....I can guarantee you that it probably doesn't happen that often.....You might hear about it a lot but most of the Rebel buyers have good copies right off the bat.

In any case.......hope this helps......

And BTW, the Rebel is the most exciting purchase I ever spent my money on. You won't reget it!!!

Ro1

[Skids]

Hi.

I bought the same setup as the one you are looking at plus a 256Mb CF Card in the UK for £900 about a month ago.

I am very happy with the whole setup, I am just waiting for some decent weather to get out a use it properly :?

I know this doesn't answer your questions thoroughly but just thought I would let you know my findings.

Darren

[kanwingshing]

DON'T SHOOT ME EVERYONE... :oops: .. But I think a lot of people might disagree with what I am going to say...
Claire, if you just wanna try to see if you like photography or not, I would not recommend to spend too much money on DSLR at this point in your case. Instead, get a cheap 2nd hand manual SLR with a normal lens (50mm). Learn the basics there. Save the money, take a few courses or get a few books. Try it out and see if you really like it first. Then think about upgrading. The money you save is gonna get many rolls of film and even taking consideration into developing cost it might still worth it (I don't know how much it is to get a roll of film and develop in your country)
If you don't like it? Sell the camera and you won't lose much.

[CyberDyneSystems]

The 300D is a great camera .. but those two lenses are two of Sigma's "Super Cheap" lenses..

If you can get it without the lenses and instead get either the Canon 18-55mm that is supoosed to come with it, or a 50mm f/1.8 that would be a better place to start. :)

[roanjohn]

DON'T SHOOT ME EVERYONE... :oops: ..

BANG!!! just kidding............

Ro1

[kanwingshing]

:O
I was hit I was hit!! AH~~~~~~~~

[Cadwell]

DON'T SHOOT ME EVERYONE... :oops:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/valaraukar/XXbazooka.gif

;)

[Avarond]

DON'T SHOOT ME EVERYONE... .. But I think a lot of people might disagree with what I am going to say...
Claire, if you just wanna try to see if you like photography or not, I would not recommend to spend too much money on DSLR at this point in your case. Instead, get a cheap 2nd hand manual SLR with a normal lens (50mm). Learn the basics there. Save the money, take a few courses or get a few books. Try it out and see if you really like it first. Then think about upgrading. The money you save is gonna get many rolls of film and even taking consideration into developing cost it might still worth it (I don't know how much it is to get a roll of film and develop in your country)
If you don't like it? Sell the camera and you won't lose much.

If your like me though, I like to have immediate results on what I am shooting, (and yes I Chimp). When I had a film camera I shot with it maybe on the weekends then then waited a couple of days before I made it to get the film developed and by the time I looked at the photo's and went and shot again I had forgotten everything else I wanted to try. Now I shoot practically everyday and its starting to show. My first shots (with the kit lens) were sporadic and ranging from really really blurry (too slow a shutter speed) to really nice. This forum has taught alot and I get to go out and try things after reading them, with a film camera I probably wouldnt do that.

As for the 300d, I love it. The kit lens makes very good pictures though not quite as nice as the 70-200L f/4 I just recieved. If I knew then I would like the camera so much I might have not got the kit lens and got a 17-40L instead, but I got the kit lens for free basically so im not complaining too much.

Here is the lens test guide giving ratings on the lenses by the way.

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm

Hope this helps..

[kanwingshing]

I agree with Larry that being able to see the result right away is a big plus. On the other hand, if you are shooting with film camera, you can also have a note pad in your pocket and write down what you have done and what you are trying to do. This is how I learn at the beginning. :wink:

[DAMphyne]

I'm an "Old" photographer, and I always said, "if you don't do darkroom work, You can't learn Photography". I stand corrected, I'm teaching a young man photography, and doing digital has greatly improved the speed in the learning of basics. You just have to pay attention to what you are doing, learn to bracket exposures (very costly when using film), and use what you learn.
I haven't used my film cameras for almost 2 years.
I say, get the Rebel kit with the Canon lens. You do need extra batteries, and if you don't have it, some version of photoshop.
Next year you'll know photography and will be able to judge what other lenses you need.
My $.02 worth :D

[Claire]

I'm an "Old" photographer, and I always said, "if you don't do darkroom work, You can't learn Photography". I stand corrected, I'm teaching a young man photography, and doing digital has greatly improved the speed in the learning of basics. You just have to pay attention to what you are doing, learn to bracket exposures (very costly when using film), and use what you learn.
I haven't used my film cameras for almost 2 years.
I say, get the Rebel kit with the Canon lens. You do need extra batteries, and if you don't have it, some version of photoshop.
Next year you'll know photography and will be able to judge what other lenses you need.
My $.02 worth :D

I have a Canon IXUS 300 and that's how I got into photography. Now I want to get the 300D so I can learn more how to use the manual settings. I like the immedicy that digital gives me, and yes, the learning process is much faster.

I've heard the Canon batteries that comes with the 300D are good. How long does it last normally for you guys?

[MacDuff]

I can't tell how many pictures can be taken with the Canon battery, but can say it depends on the type of pictures and if the on camera flash is being used. I have taken 300 at a couple different gymnastics meets and never had to change the battery. I was using no flash and a 50mm f1.8 lens, so no zoom to drive (did use auto focus).

[CyberDyneSystems]

You will easily get 300 - 500 shots on a fresh battery if your not using flash or using the LCD too much.