Alright so I read the sticky thread more or less...(noob thread alert)

[Broadzilla]

And my ADD is kicking in, I'm also a bite sized neophyte in this particular field so I ask you all for patience. I appreciated the info in that thread but I believe I'm looking for more specificity.

I'm in the market for the 300D and I'm a broke chick with a little bit of change to burn, but I'd like to avoid making any more purchases after I get this camera until i develop myself and learn the equipment to its best potential before investing in other lenses and such. So I'd like to make this a self sustaining purchase for a good chunk of time.

That means I don't want to buy the damn thing and realize the battery pack sucks and I need to buy X brand when I could've just gotten another instead of the included batteries. And I'm also learning that cameras write at different speeds on the memory and in some cases buying a really fast card would be superfluous.....

So since you guys are serious nerds on this matter, I say this enviously by the way, I'd appreciate it if you give me some recommendations.

[Steven M. Anthony]

In addition to the 300D with the kit lens, I'd recommend at least 1 extra battery and a couple of 256MB or 512MB CF cards. If you are just learning and not going to be shooting sports, the 40X cards should suit you well. I have the 10D with 3 batteries and 3 512MB cards. This which lets me shoot all day without needing the camera to be in sleep mode and I rarely need to download images to my iPod while out shooting. I get about 80 RAW images per card.

[Broadzilla]

are there any particular varying types of quality brands when it comes to battery packs or mem cards? i'd love for you to expound on it if so

[mbze430]

There are so many variables. They have some generic cards that range from $9 - Sandisk Ultra III that cost several hundreds of dollar. Here is a link for CF test on different cameras
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007


In reality. It really doesn't matter. Specially if you are on a budget. Get something, and go out and shoot. All the techincal bleep-blah will give you a head-ache

[Steven M. Anthony]

I use Canon batteries and Lexar media cards. I don't know if there is a range in quality for either batteries or cards. I'm supersticious about off-brand batteries, so I always buy from the camera manufacturer. But I bought the Lexar cards because that's what the camera shop had.

[Todd Jacobsen]

Lexar Media cards claim fast speeds due to WMA technology. In order to capitalize on this technology your data "creator" (ie your camera) has to know how to use this technology.

CANON cameras do not utilize WMA capabilities.

Stick with Sandisk Ultra II or III (III being more expensive)

BTW, you can check write/read rates on the web for any card.

[Broadzilla]

I read somewhere the Rebel doesnt write that fast though, so I have a liberal list of decent cards to pick from right

[Longwatcher]

Just to let you know since you are going for the 300D (which is basically a 10D with broken legs),
Any card faster the 12x is not going to be noticeably faster. You will get a touch faster out of a 40x over 12, but not very much and it is not likely to be noticeable unless you fill the buffer and have a stop watch.

The Standard 1GB sandisk cards work pretty well with the 300D. Although I have also used Lexar 12x 256MB cards a lot. The only reason to get faster cards is if you plan to upgrade to newer camera within 3 years.

Whatever you get, I recommend you pick a size where you can afford two of them.

As to Batteries,
My Canon Batteries are still going strong, but the generic ones I got are barely there any more. Although in the beginning the generic ones actually seemed to be working slightly better. Then again I seem to remember I can get 3 generic for the price of one Canon BP-511

Just my experience and opinion,

[mbze430]

Use the link I have attached up above, it gives you an idea which card works good with the rebel. Than you can start searching for prices from the list of cards you choose.

[Steven M. Anthony]

I don't know if the buffer on the 300D is the same as that of the 10D (9 shots), but I rarely bump up against the buffer.

[Broadzilla]

You guys kick all sorts of ass. Thanks for the information/links.

[robertwgross]

If you hear one opinion about a purchase of accessories, you can think about that. If you see the same opinion over and over from a majority of users, then you can probably take that to the bank.

Also, learn how to use the Search function on this forum. The only trick is to choose the right keywords to search for. Part of that is complicated because of terminology. Some will call it a CF card. Some will call it a compact flash card. Some call it a memory card. Some will call it by a brand name.

That just makes digital photography interesting. If it was easy, then they could have hired just anybody.

---Bob Gross---

[Tdragone]

Okay...
I would like to chime in here...

I have a few memory cards; my latest purchase was the lexar 1 gig CF PRO; and I also have a Kingston elite pro 512 meg card. I went to spring training 2 weeks ago to watch the Padres and filled my 1gig (Lots of burst shooting). I popped the 512 in and started snapping again; and I got frustrated because I could only take 3-4 shots of a delivery by a pitcher instead of 6 with the lexar card using my digital rebel.

The r/w speeds from Rob Galbraiths site for these 2 cards and my camera are not too far off; 1.295/mb compared to 1.338 mb/sec but I DID notice a huuuge difference between the two cards when actually using them side by side.

I do know that Canon does NOT specifically use the Lexar Write Assist; but this card is WAAAY faster than what the difference should be on Rob's website.

My .02 worth; the Lexar card IS worth the $$.

-Tom Dragonetti

[markubig]

Compactflash Cards:
I have a 2GB Sandisk Ultra II and 1GB & 512MB Sandisk Type I. I honestly do not see a difference between the three cards, in terms of read/write speed in my 300D. The 300D, itself, isn't the fastest dslr to write to the CF card anyways, so you'd probably be fine with the Type I cards. I agree that you should definitely get two cards. There are numerous times when I went out and forgot to take my CF card out of the reader. Luckily I have the extra cards in my bag.

Batteries:
I have been using Sunpak BP-511s and they work just fine. You can get 3 of those (depending on where u buy it) for the price of the canon.

[prime80]

In my opinion, you definitely need a high capacity CF card or two, but I'd hold off on the extra battery until you see if you actually need one. The battery that comes with the camera is VERY good, and will last you for hundreds of shots between charges. I just got a rebel XT 3 weeks ago, and I've taken about 600 pictures with it, and still have not had to recharge my battery. It's actually still showing a full charge. I'd use the camera for a while and then buy an extra battery after you see that you actually need one.
If I was going to make a suggestion that would cost you more money, it would be to spend the extra $200 and get the rebel XT. It's quite an improvement over the 300D.

[Billy Ocean]

Okay...
I would like to chime in here...

I have a few memory cards; my latest purchase was the lexar 1 gig CF PRO; and I also have a Kingston elite pro 512 meg card. I went to spring training 2 weeks ago to watch the Padres and filled my 1gig (Lots of burst shooting). I popped the 512 in and started snapping again; and I got frustrated because I could only take 3-4 shots of a delivery by a pitcher instead of 6 with the lexar card using my digital rebel.

The r/w speeds from Rob Galbraiths site for these 2 cards and my camera are not too far off; 1.295/mb compared to 1.338 mb/sec but I DID notice a huuuge difference between the two cards when actually using them side by side.

I do know that Canon does NOT specifically use the Lexar Write Assist; but this card is WAAAY faster than what the difference should be on Rob's website.

My .02 worth; the Lexar card IS worth the $$.

-Tom Dragonetti



Hey Tom I was just at spring training in Port Saint Lucie two weeks ago and experienced the same thing with my 300D using a FC 512 I got in my kit with the the D-reb. I was only getting bursts of 3 or 4 shots while I was shooting a medium size with compression. I appreciate your feedback on this and was wonder if you used the lexar 1 gig CF PRO 80X?
Thanks.

[Tdragone]

Yes I do have the 80X card.

I shoot the largest resolution jpg with the best (least) compression equating to the largest file (except raw).

Looking at my camera; the first pic was done saving before the 4th shot was taken; so I was actually getting bursts of 5-6 pix instead of 4.

Note I was either shooting infield (lots of grass) or outfield (big blue fence) and if you understand how jpg's work (not to say anyone's stupid) you know solid colors are better for compression than bits of different colors scattered all over the place.

Sorry to hijack this thread.

-ToM D.

[Billy Ocean]

Yes I do have the 80X card.

I shoot the largest resolution jpg with the best (least) compression equating to the largest file (except raw).

Looking at my camera; the first pic was done saving before the 4th shot was taken; so I was actually getting bursts of 5-6 pix instead of 4.

Note I was either shooting infield (lots of grass) or outfield (big blue fence) and if you understand how jpg's work (not to say anyone's stupid) you know solid colors are better for compression than bits of different colors scattered all over the place.

Sorry to hijack this thread.

-ToM D.


Tom-

Thanks for the info. I'm a total rookie.... so maybe you can explain how jpgs. work with compression. I'd appreciate it. How much do the pics in each burst increase when you set it to a lower setting (ie. small medium) with compression.

[ron chappel]

There is no need to spend much at all besides buying the normal 300D + lens kit.

I bought mine with two 128 Meg cards and that's all i still have! (i'll get a 512 or 1 Gig just before a friends wedding soon)
Card write speed is also not a serious issue.For sports ,focus speed is MUCH more of a worry i find.
I also went for ages with only one battery, i finally bought one of those ultra cheapies from Epay which comes in very handy.

On a budget i'd recommend the basic camera + lens kit ,one 512 Meg card and a spare cheap brand battery (both from ebay).
If you want a telezoom lens,the basic minimum model for image quality is the canon 75-300 ...but get something better if you can like the Sigma 70-300 Apo macro super II
For natural light/low light shots and a great portrait lens you can't go past the awsome canon 50/1.8 II lens -canon's best value lens! :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Hi Broadzilla! Welcome to the Forum :)

You wanted a geek,. you got 'em by the dozen!!! :lol:

Batteries:
I wouldn't bother with Canon brand,. anything with the Canon name on it commands a premium,. often justifiably,. in this case,. not so much to justify it.

Canon is buying there batts from Someone and putting there name on them.
Get a Name brand battery though,. not a generic,.

I like "PowerEx" available here;
http://www.thomasdistributing.com/maha_lithium_rechargeable.htm

CF Cards:
300D writes slow,. no matter what speed card you put in it.. if you put the fastest cards availbale in it (and the most epensive) they will still perform in the 300D 5 TIMES SLOWER than they will in a faster camera.

Sandisk, Lexar, Ri-Data, Transcend, Viking, Kingston,. all make lower speed cards that are more affordable and yet reliable.
Look for them here;
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=0