Good starter package?

[Cloudy]

I'm about ready to add to my long list of expensive habits and was looking at the following Rebel package to get started. Is this a good mix at these prices?

http://www.buydig.com/shop/basket.aspx?sku=act=edtsks=

I've spent some time on the board reading many posts and believe this is close to what I want, but any comments to this newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[pcasciola]

I can't get to your shopping basket from that link because it is specific to your browser "session".

I think the Digital Rebel is a great deal right now, especially if you are considering a lens or two to go with it, since that will increase your rebate from $100 to up to $400 or more on the entire package.

[gramps]

I can't get there either. How about just showing us the list.

[Cloudy]

I PM'd pcasciola but am posting the list here also. I'm cheking B&H as we speak since they seem to be highly recommended here and their prices are probably in the ball park.

Thanks


Shopping Cart
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL EF-S 18-55MM KIT
Price $803.00 Quantity
Availability: In Stock. Usually Ships in 1-2 Business Days
Mail In Rebate: $100.00

Sandisk ULTRA II 512MB Compact Flash Memory Card
Price $89.00 Quantity
Availability: In Stock. Usually Ships in 1-2 Business Days

Crystal Optics 58mm Deluxe Filter Kit
Price $69.99 Quantity
Availability: In Stock. Usually Ships in 1-2 Business Days

Canon EF 75-300MM IS LENS (CANON 1 YEAR USA WARRANTY INCLUDED)
Price $419.00 Quantity
Availability: In Stock. Usually Ships in 1-2 Business Days
Mail In Rebate: $15.00



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7-10 Business Days $22.93
3-5 Business Days A Smart Choice $33.43
2 Day Air (2-3 Business Days) $48.43
Fedex Overnight (1-2 Business Days) $64.93
*Click here for shipping information and description.
Subtotal: $1,380.99
Shipping (Ground Service): $22.93
Tax (0%): $0.00

Total: $1,403.92

[gramps]

You might consider not getting the filter kit and just getting UV filters to keep on the lenses. Also how about the 70 - 200 instead of the 75 - 300?

[pcasciola]

That's a nice starter package, and the rebates are actually higher than what you listed, because buying the 75-300mm lens doubles the Digital Rebel rebate to $200 and the lens rebate to $30. Add another lens and the rebates go to $300, plus $45 on the first lens and $45 or more on the 3rd lens.

However, the prices are not that great considering buydig is a little on the shady side. At Beach Camera, the Digital Rebel is just under $800, and the 75-300mm is around $390. Not that much lower prices, but it's one of the places I buy from regularly and have never had a problem.

As far as the memory card, get that somewhere else altogether. You can get a 1Gb Sandisk Ultra II for $85 from a more reputable place. A lot of these cheaper places (Beach included) make up some of the low margin by selling the memory cards for a higher price.

Newegg has the Sandisk Ultra II 1Gb for $86.50 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=20-171-046&ATT=Memory+Flash+Memory+&CMP=OTC-yah00TT)

[Cloudy]

Without reading thru a bunch of posts, why the 70-200 instead of 75-300? I did see that recommendation (200 suggested) but can't remember why unles it was the x1.6 issue with the Rebel. The UV filter alone probably will be all I'll need during the initial learning curve.

Pcasciola - will check out Beach and thanks.

[gramps]

Without reading thru a bunch of posts, why the 70-200 instead of 75-300? I did see that recommendation (200 suggested) but can't remember why unles it was the x1.6 issue with the Rebel. The UV filter alone probably will be all I'll need during the initial learning curve.

Pcasciola - will check out Beach and thanks.

just my opinion about the 70 - 200 vs: the 75 - 300............BETTER OPTICS

[Cloudy]

That would be the $1600 70-200 is lens verus the ~$400 75-300 is lens right?

[Cloudy]

Just wondering if I'd be better off with some Tamron non is lenses to start off with and upgrade later as prices fall? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[DocFrankenstein]

I think he meant 70-200 f/4 non IS

Cost around 500, but it's a keeper, unlike the 75-300

[Cloudy]

Thanks.

Obviously I don't know one lens from another and will be making a purchase before I know what I'm doing; as usual I lack patience. Suffice it to say I'm now considering the basic Rebel kit with the "stock"18-55mm lens, and a 70-200 Canon f/4 lens - all from Beach Camera. Total cost without the rebates of about $250 is around $1360. Will order the Sandisk 1Gig Ultra 2 from Newegg.

This sound like a decent package for the money to those who know?

[gramps]

sorry about that I meant the 70 - 200f4 L NON IS................it is a GREAT lens.

[tim]

Personally I wouldn't bother with the filters for the kit lens at all. I got a UV filter for the more expensive Tamron 28-75 lens I bought, mainly as protection.

The Canon 75-300 IS isn't a highly rated lens. When I compared it with the cheaper 90-300 I couldn't see any difference at all. To my eyes (and i'm new to this) using only a couple of test photos taken on a city street, the 70-200 F2.8 IS didn't give significantly better pictures than either of the former, although I suspect given it's price it should be a lot better. IS definitely helped with hand held photos though.

For lens reviews see the links below. If you want a zoom the 70-200 F4 is meant to be great quality, but it's still reasonably expensive at around $550. Instead I ordered this Sigma lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=163657&is=REG), which should be here in a few days. It's not as good as the 70-200, but it's not bad and it's only $209.

http://www.photographyreview.com/Lenses/PSC_3787crx.aspx
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showgallery.php?cat=27

[tim]

Also, the 512MB Ultra II card is good, and should hold around 150 photos. I have a 1GB card, and when i'm away for the weekend I often find myself having to delete photos off the card to make room for more. I take loads of photos though, a lot of them are just me experimenting with the camera. I wouldn't mind a 2GB card now...

Also, if you want spare batteries check out these (http://www.sterlingtek.com/ln03-canon-bp-511-dlc511.html) for $12 each. A friend gave me that link, I bought a bunch of batteries, and they work better than the one that came with my camera :)

[Cloudy]

Wanted to thank you all for your input and let you know I ordered the following from Dave at Beach Camera.

Rebel w/18-55mm lens
Canon 70-200 F/4L
UV Filters for both lenses
Sandisk 1 Gig Ultra 2 (we agreed on a $100 price for this)
Additional 1600 mah LI battery and charger.

Total cost out the door after rebates, is around $1325, which seems inexpensive compared to what I can get at any nearby brick and mortars.

Again, I appreciate your time and comments.

[tim]

The rebel comes with a charger which will charge your existing battery - mine does. It might be a bit of a waste to buy another one.

[Cloudy]

It was pretty much a giveaway at something like $30-45 as a kit. Figured since they worked with me on the Scandisk Ultra 1gig price I'd go with it, get the extra battery, and let them make a few dollars.

[Ogrt48]

Actually, that Sandisk 1 Gig Ultra 2 is only $84-$91 from other well known sites, probably even cheaper if I spent more than 2 minutes looking for it. :D

[Olegis]

Cloudy, congradulations on your purchase.
Now, forget about buying any more stuff - and just go out shooting. Shoot as much as you can with your existing gear and then come back and post your pictures here for critiques. Learn from them. Then go out and shoot some more.

What I mean is - after you get to know your gear better and develop your own style of picture making, you'll know exactly what gear you should buy next. Then come back to this forum and we all will help you to spend your money better 8)

[DocFrankenstein]

Oleg... what do you mean go and shoot?

You can't shoot without the 50/1.8 :? :wink:

[Cloudy]

Thanks for the support all. Will get back with some prelim work once I get the camera and spend some time with it.

[Olegis]

Oleg... what do you mean go and shoot?

You can't shoot without the 50/1.8 :? :wink:

That's why I said that he should come back :wink: