Proposed Purchase: Feedback?

[Zeke]

Ok... After a few months of forum lurking, extensive research and contemplative meditation I think I have arrived at my planned purchase to delve into the world of D/SLR photography. It's a significant financial outlay so I want to be as sure as possiblie that my needs will be adequately met. This is the package I am leaning towards at the moment:

Canon EOS 300D Enthusiast Kit
- Canon EOS 300D Body
- EF S 18-55mm f/3.5 5.6
- 55-200mm f/4-5.6 II USM
- Scandisk ULTRA 256MB CF Card

Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Sandisk Ultra II 1GB Compact Flash Memory Card

Canon Speedlite 420EX

Manfrotto 680B MonoPod

Keep in mind that one of my main desires is to capture some quality sports photography (AFL & Cricket). Do you think this is a good setup to introduce myself to D/SLR?

[timmyquest]

Few questions for ya.

First, how much is that kit.

2nd are these sports going to be at night?

3rd, when spending so much money on this equipment, why chimp on the flash (not that the 420 is a bad flash...but why not a few more bucks on the 550?)

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think it looks good.. but I'm sure you'll never use the 55-200mm when you have the 100-400m... the hole between 55 and 100 will not be a big deal really.. so wait to fill it with another qulaity lens.. see first if you even need to fill it... if you do.. then wait a few months and grab a 70-200mm f/4


Also.. that 256 card with the kit.. pretty small... so maybe you want the "nonenthusiast" kit with just the 18-55mm?

[Zeke]

First, how much is that kit.

The best price on the 300D 'Enthusiast Kit' I have located so far is AU$1990

2nd are these sports going to be at night?

Rarely. I estimate that 95% of the shooting I will do (sports) will be in daylight.

3rd, when spending so much money on this equipment, why chimp on the flash (not that the 420 is a bad flash...but why not a few more bucks on the 550?)

Mainly just for basic indoor shots, to be honest I'm not very knowledgable when it comes to flash units.

[CyberDyneSystems]

:wink: I still don't own a flash :wink:

[Zeke]

I think it looks good.. but I'm sure you'll never use the 55-200mm when you have the 100-400m... the hole between 55 and 100 will not be a big deal really.. so wait to fill it with another qulaity lens.. see first if you even need to fill it... if you do.. then wait a few months and grab a 70-200mm f/4


Also.. that 256 card with the kit.. pretty small... so maybe you want the "nonenthusiast" kit with just the 18-55mm?

That's a great suggestion, and I did wonder whether the 100-400mm would render the 55-200mm obsolete in my kit...

[RichardtheSane]

Another recommendation from me is the battery grip.

That 100-400 L IS lens sucks up juice pretty quick and the number of shots from one battery can be quite small (150-250 on my 10D). I use 3rd party 1300 Mah batterys and a pair of those lasts a good 600 shots.

Good luck :)

[nosquare2003]

You don't gain much CF card speed for the 300D:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007-6425

If you've got a good offer of the Ultra II, get it. Or you can choose a cheaper card. It seems that there will be a price drop for CF cards (next year?) Wait and get those fast cards when needed.

[defordphoto]

The Drebel is NOT a sports camera. It's slow. It has a tiny buffer and you'll spend gobs of time waiting for the camera to write to CF while the action goes on. It does not have AI Servo which is a must for sports photography IMO. Well, it kinda-sorta has AI Servo, but it's a mode you cannot select and even the hacks have not been able to get it to work as a selected mode yet.

Either way, I cannot recommend the Drebel as a sports camera. The 10D is the minimum choice for shooting sports.

[Zeke]

Either way, I cannot recommend the Drebel as a sports camera. The 10D is the minimum choice for shooting sports.

I kinda had a hunch this was the case, and you've confirmed my fears... I may have to compromise on glass and buy a better camera to start with...

[Cadwell]

Mmmm..... I'm not going to say Jim is wrong but I do think he is over-stating things a bit. You can shoot sports with a 300D. I've seen plenty of people do it. I've also seen some great results. There is no doubt that the 10D is better for sports photography for all the reasons Jim mentioned.

It's up to you whether you want to spend the extra money for the 10D's features. They certainly make it easier to get the shot but a skilful photographer can overcome the 300D's weaknesses.

I do agree with CDS. I suspect 3 months down the line you will consider the 55-200mm lens a waste of money and you will certainly want more/larger CF cards.

As far as your last statement goes... never compromise on glass. You will only regret it in the medium/long term. Think of the lenses as an investment that are going to be on your next camera and the one after that.

[Zeke]

Ok... Following advice etc. I have changed my proposed purchase to:

• Canon 10D Body
• EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6 USM
• Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM
• Sandisk Ultra II 1GB Compact Flash Memory Card
• Canon Speedlite 420EX
• Manfrotto 680B MonoPod

How's that?

[Cadwell]

Well if you can stretch to it I'd substitute the Tamron SP 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di for the Canon 28-105mm...

[Zeke]

Well if you can stretch to it I'd substitute the Tamron SP 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di for the Canon 28-105mm...

It's double the price of the Canon, but yeah, I can see what you're saying.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Zeke,. this latest set-up is looking great..

I think the move to a 10D will pay off for you in the long run.

One last possibility from me.. would be to hold off on the flash to give you the added couple hundred to invest in your lens and 10D set-up.

I know this thought has to be going through your mind allready.. but as Cadwell says.. it is the lenses that you'll want to get the most from here... so if it comes down to a few hundred to make or break the deal on a premium quality lens.. dump the flash.. and get it in a few months. 10D and Drebel do have a built in flash in a total emergency (yes I know.. it's not the same.. but it's better than nothing)

[chris.bailey]

I'd go with CDS, dont skimp on the glazing for the sake of a flash, easy to add that later.

[defordphoto]

Ok... Following advice etc. I have changed my proposed purchase to:

• Canon 10D Body
• EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6 USM
• Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM
• Sandisk Ultra II 1GB Compact Flash Memory Card
• Canon Speedlite 420EX
• Manfrotto 680B MonoPod

How's that?

Much better.

[Zeke]

Thanks for all the valuable advice, guys - I really appreciate it! The common theme I keep seeing is to not buy sub-standard glass for the sake of having another lens. Hold off until I can buy quality and it'll be a much better long term investment.

8)

[nosquare2003]

Well if you can stretch to it I'd substitute the Tamron SP 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di for the Canon 28-105mm...

Agree.

[RockSlut]

regarding the 420ex...it's an awesome flash (I use mine with the G3 very happily) however...

Do yourself a favour and buy your flash from OS. Mine came from amazon.com via a friend (amazon wouldn't ship it to Australia) and is cost a total of $300AUD- and this included 2 x lots of shipping. Maybe BH would ship to Australia?

The best price I could find locally was $400AUD. Admittedly the AUD was a little better than it currently is but I think you'll find the same principal would probably apply and you'll save a nice few dollars.

Admittedly there won't be a Canon Australia warranty, so consider that. Anyways...I'm really happy with how I managed to get mine.

Buy lenses and be happy! I know I would.

Angus