Best Camera Setup for under $1500

[Spargo]

This is crazy, so many choices and I'm only getting more confused. Let me put it this way: What is the BEST digital camera setup I can get for under $1500 and where is the place to buy it?

Requirements:
Must obviously take excellent pictures
A lens to take close-up shots (not necessarily 1 inch away but 2-3 feet or so at the closest)
A lens to take far away shots. Obviously the farther away the better. I would prefer a 4" long miniature hubble space telescope if at all possible. :P
A memory card (as big as possible)
A soft carrying case

Thanks for any help. :D

[DocFrankenstein]

Is this a joke?

[Spargo]

I need help. I'm really confused now (and a n00b) on what to buy but I would like a Digital Rebel. I know what memory card I want but the lenses are just beyond me.

Oh, and the hubble space thing was a bit of a joke. :wink:

[DocFrankenstein]

If I had 1500 right now, I'd get...

First choice

Used 10D body
50 /1.8
70-200 f/4 L
18-55 EFS and a high speed grinder

Second choice:
Rebel with kit lens (also used)
70-200 f/4
50 /1.8

Everybody's gonna suggest that

[Spargo]

So for the Rebel setup, pretty much get these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=297501&is=REG
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=183198&is=USA
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12142&is=USA
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-160-116&depa=1

Correct? That adds up to roughly $1650 all NEW w/o tax or shipping. And for the sake of learning, why would I need the 50 f/1.8 if I had the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 that comes with the camera?

[Quinn Porter]

DocFrankenstein has given good advise and very few people would say otherwise. Based on your posts to date, you seem very unsure of your needs, which is normal if you're not familiar with various lenses and corresponding fields of view, speed, optical quality, etc.

My advise is to buy a drebel with the kit lens (18-55) and a 1GB card. Worry about another lens and the bag later. Use the camera as much as possible and you will begin to better understand your needs and which lenses will satisfy them. In just one week you will have a much better understanding.

I recommend the drebel because you are on a tight budget for a digital SLR system. I would even buy used if you are comfortable with that.

Holding off on the bag my seem strange, but I think you'll find that just about everyone here bought the wrong bag the first time around. Buy it after you better understand your needs.

[Quinn Porter]

By the way, I'm not one of those who would tell you to hold off on more purchases for a year while you learn the art of photography. You may be much better able to make your decisions in a week and certainly within a few weeks if you use the camera as much as possible.

[Spargo]

DocFrankenstein has given good advise and very few people would say otherwise. Based on your posts to date, you seem very unsure of your needs, which is normal if you're not familiar with various lenses and corresponding fields of view, speed, optical quality, etc.

My advise is to buy a drebel with the kit lens (18-55) and a 1GB card. Worry about another lens and the bag later. Use the camera as much as possible and you will begin to better understand your needs and which lenses will satisfy them. In just one week you will have a much better understanding.

I recommend the drebel because you are on a tight budget for a digital SLR system. I would even buy used if you are comfortable with that.

Holding off on the bag my seem strange, but I think you'll find that just about everyone here bought the wrong bag the first time around. Buy it after you better understand your needs.

I think I will probably do that. Get the Rebel with the 18-55 for now, and a 512MB Sandisk Ultra II CF Card ($72 at NewEgg until tomorrow!). Then once I get more used to it probably buy a bag and a telephoto (or another lens). Thanks for the advice guys. Just to confirm something, http://www.bhphotovideo.com is a great place to order from, right?

[Quinn Porter]

B&H Photo is one of the best on the web. Good luck with the camera you, should really enjoy it.

[DocFrankenstein]

I regret not getting a 10D. Maybe he should get a 10D while they are still around... maybe at a big higher price, but it's gonna be worth it IMO...

[Spargo]

My dad has a 10D so I've had plenty of time to play around with it. But personally I wouldn't use half the features on it. I know that the Rebel will be more than enough for me.

[DocFrankenstein]

:shock:
What lenses your dad have? You could have a "test drive" of his system you know...

[robertwgross]

And then, if you have any budget money left after getting the camera stuff, go out and sign up for a local community college class in photography.

---Bob Gross---

[Spargo]

I was planning a photography class at my college later this year, and all I know is he has 1 Sigma lens for now. Not sure what it is but it's somewhere in the 18-80 range.

[Andy_T]

Spargo,

just three words of advice....

... don't buy anything before you've spent a day or two looking at this forum and reading about the stories of countless others in your position and how it turned out for them. The advice given here so far is very good, but you should look at some of the 'DRebel vs. 10D' or 'which lens to get' threads.

... you might think about getting a used camera in very good condition. At the moment, there's a new model out (the 20D) that has some advantages over the 10D and 300D (but unfortunately also a 1500$ price tag), so many users who are out to always have the latest and greatest will offer their used equipment now for sale.

... when you find a 'great offer' on the internet, ALWAYS check the site www.resellerratings.com !!!! This can not be emphasized often enough. You will see offers for a DRebel or 10D for 600$ new ... but when you try to order it you'll find out the hard way that they charge you an extra 150$ for the charger and the battery (that are normally included :shock:), charge your credit card immediately and never ship the camera.

Best regards,
Andy

[Spargo]

I ordered the Sandisk 512MB Ultra II Compact Flash card, because it was only $72 and I will never take that many shots before I get to my computer to transfer them over. I have also heard it's the fastest card out there. Besides, I could always buy another later. As for the camera, should I hold off a bit longer? Will the prices drop once the 20D is released? Last thing I want to do is get messed over with prices. I once ordered a $420 processor, then within the next 2 days (before it had arrived) the price had dropped to about $285. :shock: