My Shopping list is ready, Final Check.

[Persian-Rice]

Hey guys,

I think i have completed my shopping list, but before I go blow four or five grand, i really need to double check.

After some research, I have narrowed down my choice's on Lenses & Camera's. Lens choices have changed alot since my last post, but I think I am finally ready.
Keep in mind I will be doing outdoor sports photo's, but these are mostly intended for school.


Camera's:
Canon EOS 10D - $2000 (Canadian BTW)
Canon EOS Elan7 - $375 (Used)

Lenses:
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM - 1000
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - 150
Sigma 24-70mm f3.5-5.6 -200
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM - 1000

In all honesty, the Sigma is in there just incase I really want to get anything the Canon's cant cover zoom wise. Its affordable and is a pretty darn good lens for what it is.
My only concern is that the 70-200 is too slow for sports. Is it something I can manage? I know the 2.8 is perfect, but its more then double the price and just ot of my league for a single lens for the time being.

I decided on these lenses for a couple reasons, I cover everything from 17-200mm, really really good quality and best bang for the buck, especially the Canons. If I need more then 200, I'll sell my car to get a good 400'ish L hahaha. I think getting less lenses but getting quality ones is more important to me. I rather do this then to have 10 lenses but ones that wont produce the best images.

If you guys think these are bad choices for me or you have better ideas, im all ears. If its all good, I end up on being broke by August.

Cheers

[timmyquest]

I say ditch the sigma and buy a flash.

Also, where do you live???

[Persian-Rice]

I say ditch the sigma and buy a flash.

Also, where do you live???

Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
but once I graduate I think I might move over to europe for half the year to take photo's and whatnot.

Good tip on the flash, thanks

[timmyquest]

I say ditch the sigma and buy a flash.

Also, where do you live???

Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
but once I graduate I think I might move over to europe for half the year to take photo's and whatnot.

Good tip on the flash, thanks

Just wondering about your location because of the prices...make a little more sense now.

You'd have to kind of ditch more then just htat lens to get a good flash (420EX or 550EX) but it would be an investment worth while.

[timmyquest]

One more thing i'd like to add.

People get obsessed with covering ever single milimeter possible from their widest to ther longest.

Ya'll gotta learn how to move your feet :twisted:

[Jesper]

The others already hinted at it... I think you won't be using the Sigma 24-70 much if you have the other three lenses. Don't buy the Sigma right away, you can always get it later.

I have three lenses: Canon 17-40 L, Canon 28-135 and Canon 70-300 DO. Most of the time, I only take the 17-40 and 70-300 with me. The gap between 40 and 70mm is almost never a problem. I would like to get the 50 f/1.8 to have a small, light, fast lens in the middle, but unfortunately that lens seems hard to get (it's so popular that it's out of stock all the time).

[RichardtheSane]

I agree

With the 17-40, the 50mm and the 70-200 you have the ground covered so forget about the sigma.

Do you think you'll use film much once you have digital? I kept my Elan 7 (eos 33) for a while but I have only put two rolls of film through it in the last year. Even if you do often you have you spend money buying film and developing... then time scanning the film and getting it digitised how you like it... I would definitly ask yourself why you are buying a film camera...

[Cadenza]

I say ditch the sigma and buy a flash.


Really, I must agree. A good external flash is the
single most important accessory anyone could have,
unless you're only planning to take outdoorsy
daylight shots (and even then it can be useful as
fill flash). With film, it was awfully tricky to learn
how to use it properly, due to the lack of immediate
feedback; now it is a lot easier. At $180 for a 420EX,
it is also a great value.

As a non-pro; in order of importance this is my
list of equipment acquisition:

* 10D [got it!]
* 50 1.8 [got it!] - for everything, especially low light
* 420 EX [got it!]
* 17-40 f4L [got it -- arrives tomorrow!] for landscape, group shots
* 85 1.8 [will have to wait] - for portraits and low light
* 70-200 f4L [will have to wait] for wildlife, candids, etc.

Nice to have:
Battery grip, extra batteries, extra chargers,
filters, shoe cord, tripod, etc.

[nosquare2003]

f/4 should be sufficient for "outdoor" sports photo. Is 200mm long enough for that purpose?

(I mean it is sufficient for taking sports photo in the daylight.)

[defordphoto]

Ditch the Sigma and the film camera. Get a flash and bump the 70-200 to an f/2.8. For outdoor, f/4 is PLENTY fast enough. For indoor, it's marginal at best with the 10D.

Once you shoot digital you will most likely never shoot film again. But, some people hang onto that film thing because they're familiar with it. Most of us go 100% digital and never look back. Unless you have some particular purpose for the film camera, it's a waste of $$, IMO.

[MarkH]

What's the Sigma lens for? I believe that is a pretty crappy lens. I read some posts on this forum which suggested that the Tamron SP 28-75MM F2.8 XR-DI is a good lens for the money (about $350US) and it is reasonably fast.

If you skip the film camera then you could always get one later, if necessary.

The 10D is good.
The 17-40 is good.
The 50 f1.8 is good.

The 70-200 f4 is good, not as good as the f2.8, but half the price and weight. Whether it is fast enough would depend on available light. Outdoor daytime the f4 should be fine. Regardless the f4 would sell well if you need/can afford to change to the f2.8 later on.

[Persian-Rice]

Hey guys, thanks for all the very good responses.

I think that im definatly getting the flash instead now.
As for the film camera, I am going to college in september for a 2 year photography program.

The course requirements require me to have both digital and none digital camera bodies. Trust me, other then school, I have no plans on using the Elan 7. Thats one reason Ill be getting that camera used.

I might as well throw one other question at you guys now. Which of the two flashes would you guys suggest? I have read that the 420 is usually more then enough.

Thanks alot guys.

[timmyquest]

The 420 is a great flash but the 550 is more powerful and much more flexible.

[brainwerks]

Jesper,

The 50mm 1.8 is currently in stock at B&H. I bought one yesterday and the site still says in stock...

[chris.bailey]

Drop the film camera and the Sigma you wont notice the odd gap here and there. With the savings go for the 50mm 1.4 over the 1.8 so you have at least one really fast lense in the middle. Personally I would also consider a small P&S (Im ready to be flamed on that score) but having and S50 for pure portability is for me a must.

[vfilby]

Perhaps it may be worth a trip to the states or order from BH to save costs. I am not sure on the equipment you listed but the 300D is $900USD ($1200CDN) from BH and $1400CDN here in the Guelph area. Plus add taxes and you are up to $1600 CDN.

If you cross to the states you will save on shipping, and maybe even taxes is customs doesn't know about your purchase. I was thinking about looking up some Niagra area camera stores to see if any had good prices on the equipment I want, and then taking a drive over for the day.

Any thoughts on this for US members in the area?

[Steveo31]

I think the 70-200mm f/4 is a good deal. I would save up for the 2.8 or 2.8 IS however. Better bang for your buck.

[Persian-Rice]

Perhaps it may be worth a trip to the states or order from BH to save costs. I am not sure on the equipment you listed but the 300D is $900USD ($1200CDN) from BH and $1400CDN here in the Guelph area. Plus add taxes and you are up to $1600 CDN.

If you cross to the states you will save on shipping, and maybe even taxes is customs doesn't know about your purchase. I was thinking about looking up some Niagra area camera stores to see if any had good prices on the equipment I want, and then taking a drive over for the day.

Any thoughts on this for US members in the area?

My problem with that is, I can find a 10D for $1300, which is about $1750, but then we have duties and shipping. Shipping is 30-40 bucks, im not really concerned about that, its the 500-600 worth of duties that scares me.
Im looking to see if anyone is selling the 10D body mint/used locally, which will cut my cost and I will save on taxes if its a private sale.

I also have considered going to the states, buying all my stuff in one shot, ditching the boxes and putting everything in a bag and claiming I crossed the border to take pics. Its something I will do If I can find a good seller that will have good prices in the Buffalo area.

As for you guys saying ditch the film, please read on, I need the film for school. As for the 2.8L its something I really want. Unfortunatly, I need all this stuff by September, and spending $2400 Cdn on a single lens at this time is just not possible. I plan on upgrading to a 1DS or whatever is best available when I graduate + some very very good lenses. For the time being I have to be very carefull with my purchases. I'm a student, I have school costs as well and not enough time to work full-time to afford alot of things I want. So I cant afford really "badass" lenses.

Cheers.

[vfilby]

Shipping is 30-40 bucks, im not really concerned about that, its the 500-600 worth of duties that scares me.

I completely understand which is why I suggested it. Doing something like that would save me $400-$600 CDN. Although I think that I would drop the manuals, boxes, etc in the mail. I don't think that I would be ready to part with them.

This is course just hypothetical, I would never dream of doing anything illegal like this. :-)

***Edit***

Please let me know if you find anything in the area. It is the same area I would be looking in.

[Jesper]

Jesper,

The 50mm 1.8 is currently in stock at B&H. I bought one yesterday and the site still says in stock...

Hmmmm..... :? I just had a look and it says "Back-ordered". I've switched the "Notify when in stock" option on a long time ago but never got a notification message.

I know one shop in Rotterdam that has it, but they want around € 120 for it - yes, that is more than twice what it costs in the USA !! :cry: :x If B&H has it, it would be cheaper to have them send it to me than buy it in the shop here.

[drisley]

Persian, I too was worried about duties.
However, after talking to many canucks here who ordered from B&H regularly, I now buy all my stuff from B&H.
As long as you dont ship UPS, there are NO duties! (actually there are no duties in any case, UPS just charges huge brokerage fees)
Ship FEDEX, or US Post, and you only pay GST (and sometimes not even that!). My last order was an 85mm F1.8 from B&H, and I shipped US Post Air. I got the item in 3 days, and they didnt charge any taxes. :D

Camera equipment is duty free because of NAFTA.

I've saved a few hundred dollars on 2 lenses buying from B&H compared to the cheapest place I could find in the Great White North!

I definately recommend B&H.

[Persian-Rice]

Persian, I too was worried about duties.
However, after talking to many canucks here who ordered from B&H regularly, I now buy all my stuff from B&H.
As long as you dont ship UPS, there are NO duties! (actually there are no duties in any case, UPS just charges huge brokerage fees)
Ship FEDEX, or US Post, and you only pay GST (and sometimes not even that!). My last order was an 85mm F1.8 from B&H, and I shipped US Post Air. I got the item in 3 days, and they didnt charge any taxes. :D

Camera equipment is duty free because of NAFTA.

I've saved a few hundred dollars on 2 lenses buying from B&H compared to the cheapest place I could find in the Great White North!

I definately recommend B&H.

Really? Hmm if I can get a couple more confirmation, Im willing to do that. Not that I dont trust you, just that i want to make sure I dont get a huge bill :D

I was planning on using my uncles PST exemption from his business at Henry's, but even using that would cost more then if they only charge gst on a US price.

[drisley]

Yup, I've ordered twice from B&H, and once from Adorama. Adorama is aware of the ridiculous brokerage that UPS charges, so they only use Fedex.
When I ordered my 70-200F4L from B&H, I saved $200cdn compared to the cheapest place I could find up here, and I even got next day delivery!

Have a look at this thread. Quite a few people here back up my story.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23336&highlight=ups+brokerage

Ignore the post by BytesU saying he can "almost guarantee they charge PST and GST and a stiff brokerage". That is a case of somebody stating something as fact, when they dont know from experience. You will get charged GST (but not always as they are sloppy sometimes), but you DON'T get charged PST. Brokerage is only a stupid UPS scam. Fedex, US Post (Global Air Mail), do NOT charge any brokerage.

Also, you can call Canada Customs if you want to be doubly sure.

[drisley]

Oh, I forgot to mentin something that is very important.
Canon lenses bought in the states with include both a Canon USA and Canon Canada warranty!!
They include both cards, and I also double checked with Canon Canada and they told me that the warranty is valid in both countries.

http://www.sharpnsmart.com/temporary/warranty.jpg

Just make sure you buy the ones at B&H that say "USA" warranty, not the gray market ones marked as "Imported" warranty.

[Persian-Rice]

Thats good to know, thanks.

If im going to buy some 5 grand worth fo stuff, I'm considering driving down to B&H to get it. If thats the case, I might be able to make some pickups for you southern Ontario guys to save on the taxes and whatnot.

Might as well get some good pictures of the Big Apple while im there, know what I'm sayin?

Well, thats if I go. I went to the Canadian GP earlier this month, so Im pretty tight on spending money as it is.

[drisley]

I'm not sure how it works if you drive across. There might be duties, but there shouldn't be. Maybe ask them first
YOu might just be better off ordering it. I know if it's shipped, there are no duties, just GST.

[Persian-Rice]

I'm not sure how it works if you drive across. There might be duties, but there shouldn't be. Maybe ask them first
YOu might just be better off ordering it. I know if it's shipped, there are no duties, just GST.

I just saw another link to a store in Montreal that has some very solid prices as well. Its called Simons something or other.

I called customs and they said what you said. If I were to drive across though, I would open everything and just say I went on a photography trip.

Anyway, thanks for the help man.

[drisley]

Yes, Simons Cameras in Montreal. They are fantastic! Probably the best in Canada. I bought my 300D from them, and their service is tremendous.
Many people here rave about them too.
However, as good as they are, they usually can't compete pricewise with B&H.
I would say the 2 best Canadian shops are Simons Cameras, and Camera Canada.

http://simonscameras.com
http://www.cameracanada.com

With things the way they are at the border, I would be scared lying about anything! :shock:
If you make it back, let us know.
Oh, and if you dont make it, just fyi, your cell mates name isn't actually "Ben Dover". :lol: