Newbie with a wish.

[cmM]

Hello big boys of photography!
I have just registered to these boards, and wanted to say hi to everyone. I've been into photography for about a year now (i know, that's nothing). I know a few things, but "my vision is still blurry as h*ll"... Oh well, I had a Nikon CP990 digital camera; not a SLR, but decent camera, took nice pics (I mostly took macros with it), but last month I lost it at the auto show here in Chicago after I took well over 150 pics... :cry: (now I gotta get rid of my flashes, my teleconverter lens and all other accessories :evil:
Anyway, the bottom line is: I want the EOS 300D ! I turn to the boards for help with this decision, because for me it's quite a large amount of money if I want to buy it, and if I do, maybe some help with the purchase (find a decent package for a decent price)
Thank you

[daaaveman]

cmM, welcome to the board. You've found a wonderful forum here.

You'd be buying a great camera in the 300D. Realize though that your lenses are more important than your camera body so don't think that spending $999 is going to give you all you need. It will be much more than that......

Beware the "great deals" on the internet. Stick with a trusted vendor. www.resellerratings.com can help.

I know that Amazon had a deal on the 300D kit for around $900 yesterday and Costco carrys it for $999 but gives an extra battery (usually about $50).

[Belmondo]

The answers to all your questions have been answered many times before. You're not the first to be faced with the bewildering choices that greet the new DSLR user. What I would suggest is going back through a few months of this board and read anything that looks like it might be relevant to your concerns. If after you've done that you still have questions, I predict they will be much more specific in nature and thus easier for the 'big boys' to answer.

The 300D is a great camera. The availability of the Canon line of lenses is perhaps one of its most redeeming qualities, however, and the likelihood that you will graduate beyond the 300D's kit lens is almost a near certainty. This however, is a digression. Back to your question……

It’s hard for the experienced users to answer questions that are too broad and vague. Once you become a bit more familiar with the recent discussions pertaining to digital SLRs generally, and the 300D specifically, you’ll find everyone here much more willing (if not anxious) to answer you questions.

Glad to have you.

[ssim]

Welcome to the board. You'll find a wealth of information here from some very smart people.

I had (my son has it now) a Nikon 995 and it took reasonably good pictures for a P&S camera. There was no question when I want a DSLR that it would be Canon. I've had about 7 or 8 film SLR in my life and all have been Canon. A very solid product.

If your intention is to do macro, I would suggest the 100mm lens. I have this one and is deadly sharp.

As for a normal lens I would recommend the 24-70 f2.8L. "L" you say, and you're thinking that you don't need that. Mark my words you will be back here in no time saying "gotta have L". If you can swing it, it is also a good lens.

[daaaveman]

The answers to all your questions have been answered many times before. You're not the first to be faced with the bewildering choices that greet the new DSLR user. What I would suggest is going back through a few months of this board and read anything that looks like it might be relevant to your concerns. If after you've done that you still have questions, I predict they will be much more specific in nature and thus easier for the 'big boys' to answer.

The 300D is a great camera. The availability of the Canon line of lenses is perhaps one of its most redeeming qualities, however, and the likelihood that you will graduate beyond the 300D's kit lens is almost a near certainty. This however, is a digression. Back to your question……

It’s hard for the experienced users to answer questions that are too broad and vague. Once you become a bit more familiar with the recent discussions pertaining to digital SLRs generally, and the 300D specifically, you’ll find everyone here much more willing (if not anxious) to answer you questions.


Well said Tom. Perhaps we should just copy and paste this answer to many of the new threads here....

[2new]

cmM,

IMHO, most of the 'packages' or pre selected camera package deals are not the best for the money. Typically a low quality lens or a flash card that you’ll want to upgrade is included in the package. I have found that buying the individual components separately that I have been able to get better value for my money.

For the camera (300D) I actually ended up buying it just after it was released (from Dell). Dell had a 10% off coupon code that I saw on www.slickdeals.net. I then price matched a lower advertised DRebel in the back of a photo mag with my credit card company (American Express). At the time they were offering a ‘Best Value Guarantee’ for purchases and would price match advertised prices for the identical item.

For the memory I would check out www.bananapc.com , www.slickdeals.net , www.techbargains.com , daily. The later 2 sites post internet deals and coupons from multiple vendors and it changes 2 to 3 times a day.

For the best selection of new and used equipment I go to www.bhphoto.com , www.keh.com , and www.adorama.com

Welcome & Best of luck

Michael C

[Tapeman]

Welcome.

WARNING: you will be encouraged to spend all your money.

:D

[angrybunny]

Welcome.

WARNING: you will be encouraged to spend all your money.

:D


I thought it was "You will be encouraged to spend money you don't even have" (HINT: Credit)

[robertwgross]

Anyway, the bottom line is: I want the EOS 300D ! I turn to the boards for help with this decision, because for me it's quite a large amount of money if I want to buy it, and if I do, maybe some help with the purchase (find a decent package for a decent price)


This is silly. Obviously you have made your decision. People here can't make the decision for you.

---Bob Gross---

[chris.bailey]

Welcome to the board, I reckon on learning something useful here on each visit. Beware that lurking here can be injurious to your financial state. If you have made your mind up for the 300D dont expect anyone here to try and talk you out of it, its a great camera however I would expect the price of the 10D to be falling before too much longer as we move towards the announcement of its replacement late in the summer (?guess?)

[cmM]

Thank you for the info.
My mind's not rock steady on the 300D, but there's no other camera at this price range (SLR)... even this is out of my league (financially speaking).
WARNING: you will be encouraged to spend all your money.
Yea.... warning came too late. Before I read the replies, I had my mind set on waiting a couple weeks (or more) and then buy a camera; well, after your replies, I have decided to wait a couple days (or less) until I get my paycheck in the mail. Anyway, I have been living without a real camera for more than a month now, and I am growing white hairs (BTW I'm 20)

I love this forum :!:
:P

[Volatile]

I strongly recommend you stay plugged in to this forum. You will be required to read web pages and tutorials from the oh-so-many links available, so not only will it drain your wallet, it will consume your free-time, but you will be amazed at how much you learn in such a short amount of time.

At least that's what happened to me.

Now, when I see a photo from my P&S days, I feel ill. I compare it to switching from a dial-up isp to cable or dsl. You can never go back...

[cmM]

Okay....
Today, after work I drove by a photo equipment store and checked out the 300D.
They have 2 options:
-Body only -->$899
-Kit (includes the 28-55 Lens) --->$949

I played around with the camera for a little, didn't have a lot of time to dig too deep through the menus... Anyway, the camera looks nice, only thing that was kinda unexpected was the weight... it's LIGHT !!! I knew the plastic body was going to make it lighter, but it's realllly light ! Anyway, I'm gonna buy it.

My question is: Is that lens decent enough for everyday photos , or should I buy the body only and then get a nicer one later on.... Oh, and after I buy the camera, money will be an object, can't go too far away from the $50 range.

[Belmondo]

Yes. Buy the kit. You're getting a very decent lens for only $50, and that's a fantastic deal, especially if you price the other wide-angle alternatives available. :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

[2new]

YES - Buy the lens. You can always sell it (and for that price at a profit) on ebay.

[Mthorpe_Davies]

Hello I've just gone through the same purchasing process that you are now facing. I was very impressed with the Nikon D70 but wasn't too impressed with the price of Nikon glass, I also didn't like the 300d and I thought it was inferiour to the D70. This led me to look at the Pentax ist and Canon 10D. The Pentax was impressive but again Pentax glass isn't cheap, so I ended up going Canon.

I purchased an EOS 33 and a swag of really nice L glass, 17-40, 24-70, 70-200 and 300 f4.0, I'm going to get the 10d replacement when it turns up around Christmas. I hope they improve on the focusing and increase the buffer and then I'm sold. Maybe between now and then I might even convince myself to get a 1d Mk11 if I can sneak it past the wife. All the lense when they turned up almost put her into a coma. But heck I just spent up large on the wedding so I owe myself something.

Having been a huge Minolta fan I almost considered waiting on the Digital Dynax 7 as I've always been a huge fan on Minolta glass. In my opinion G series is just as good and some maybe even better than L. Pekka please don't ban me for saying this.

[cmM]

Okay.....I'm starting to freak out now.

I just got home after spending 45 minutes at Calumet photographic (the store that has MY rebel) chatting with the salesman. I was going to buy it today, and the salesman tells me that there is a Canon even this coming thursday, and if I buy it then I get a discount (equivalent to the sales tax), so I'm gonna save almost 100 bucks...3 more days without the camera :shock:
Well, I reserved it, and all I gotta do now is wait.

I'm keeping this thread alive until I get my friggin camera :!:

[Belmondo]

That's great! Samy's has a couple 'no sales tax' events each year in the Los Angeles area. I know the next one is Mother's Day, and they also do it on Veteran's Day, I think. Chances are there are other holidays as well.

At 7.75%, that can be a significant savings for Californians anyway.

[robertwgross]

That's great! Samy's has a couple 'no sales tax' events each year in the Los Angeles area. I know the next one is Mother's Day, and they also do it on Veteran's Day, I think. Chances are there are other holidays as well.

At 7.75%, that can be a significant savings for Californians anyway.

Belmondo, then you ought to buy your mother a few new lenses to celebrate.

Get them bounce-tested.

---Bob Gross---

[Belmondo]

That's great! Samy's has a couple 'no sales tax' events each year in the Los Angeles area. I know the next one is Mother's Day, and they also do it on Veteran's Day, I think. Chances are there are other holidays as well.

At 7.75%, that can be a significant savings for Californians anyway.

Belmondo, then you ought to buy your mother a few new lenses to celebrate.

Get them bounce-tested.

---Bob Gross---

Bob:
My mother (rest her soul) would have wanted the lenses for her own use. She had an AE-1 Program that her adoring son bought for her many years ago, and she used it a great deal until she was well into her nineties. I still prefer to buy my lenses from out of state to avoid the sales tax (although there is talk that California is going to start taking aggressive steps to collect sales tax on purchases made on the internet).

On items more than a few hundred dollars, it’s cheaper to buy from B&H et al and pay the shipping. It’s invariably cheaper in the long run except when a dealer (like Samy’s) is waiving sales tax.

How about if I buy myself some lenses on Veteran’s Day. I qualify.

[Bruce Hamilton]

...the salesman tells me that there is a Canon even this coming thursday, and if I buy it then I get a discount...so I'm gonna save almost 100 bucks...

Now, theres something you don't see very often... A salesman actually screwing himself out of a C note... :lol: