Noob to SLR possible $2000 budget or less

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Hello everyone! I'm completely new to SLR's, and I want to get one real bad. Love photography, want to learn as much as I can and have loads of fun. I'm torn between which camera to buy though, XT or 20D.....

I'll be using it for sports photography, flowers and bugs (love anything macro), some land scapes, and nature photography. Primarily nature stuff. 2nd sports. So, speed would be nice. 5fps on the 20d sounds sweet, but I donno...:cry:

Assuming I have a $1600-$2000 budget.... what would yall suggest camera equipt, and lens wise? Just for a start, I'll buy more and better stuff later.

[KevC]

350D/Drebel XT with 18-55 kit lens (it's really not as bad as they say, nice, light, WA that's sharp when it's stopped down)
1GB CF Card
Extra batteries (from ebay, cheap!)
Sigma 24-70/2.8 or Tamron 28-75XrDi
Canon EF50/1.8
Bogen/Manfrotto Tripod (or Slik if you're on a tight budget like me)
Canon 420EX or Sigma EF500DG Super

Then save up for a 70-200/4L or a Sigma 70-200/2.8.

Remember, a SLR is a sytem. You don't just buy the camera and be done with it. The 350D is an extremely capable camera. The 20D is rightfully a class higher, but considering you want to spend 1600-2000, there's not nearly enough budget for the accessories.

First and foremost, glass is most important. The lens is what makes the image, the body just records it.

Good luck!

[tim]

I 2nd what Kev said. I just played at B&H, and put together this list for $1980 not including shipping:
- XT with 18-55
- 1GB Sandisk Ultra II
- Tamron 28-75
- 50mm F1.8 (usa version)
- This (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=353324&is=REG) Bogen/Manfrotto tripod. Take my advice and buy a good one to start with, you'll end up buying a decent one eventually.
- Sigma Super blah blah flash (more powerful than 420EX, can act as a wireless master, but will it work on the 30D? Who knows).

The 20D would cost about $500 more, and is back ordered.

To add later:
- A long lens for sports
- A macro lens

That will more than get you started :)

[cactusclay]

Rebel XT, kit lens, 501.8 70-200/4L

[tim]

Just an addendum to my post: there's not way you can cover macro to telephoto distances and get all the other gear you need for $2000. You'll have to choose what you most want:
- Walkabout lens (eg the Tamron zoom, or maybe the Canon 1.8 prime)
- Low light lens (Canon 50mm F1.8)
- Telephone for sports (70-200 F4, but it's not ideal)
- Macro (Canon 100mm F2.8 macro)

Personally i'd got the Tamron and Canon 1.8 first, they fit inside your budget.

[Az2Africa]

I suspect that secretly(after re-reading your post) that you want the 20D.Just get it and play with the kit lens for a while. You will aquire the better glass as you are ready to. Just don't use your credit card!

[Titus213]

I suspect that secretly(after re-reading your post) that you want the 20D.Just get it and play with the kit lens for a while. You will aquire the better glass as you are ready to. Just don't use your credit card!

I have a 300D and an old Slik tripod. Would have bought the 20D in a heartbeat if the budget allowed. If you're serious and can afford it go for the 20D. Glass will come as will the other things. Learn how to take pictures, then buy more stuff. You don't NEED L glass or Bogen tripods or a whole array of lenses. Buy the camera and shoot pictures. I don't know what software comes with the 20D but you may also need something like Adobe Elements 3.0 for about $80. And definitely don't buy on credit!

BTW - personal opinion is that the kit lens is more than adequate.

[Jon]

Whichever camera you get, get the kit lens and the 50 f/1.8, two CF cards about 1 GB each, extra battery. But see which (the DRXT or the 20D) feels more comfortable in your hands. The DRXT should leave you with 400-800 to play with. The 20D will run you about 400 more (after the current $100 rebate).

The 70-200 f/4 L will run you $550 or so after rebate. That blows your budget with the 20D, but is possible with the DRXT. Alternatively, since you acknowledge you're going to get more/better stuff later, the 75-300 IS is under $400 after rebate. It's not in the same class as the 70-200, but its longer reach and Image Stabilization will help a lot in nature (for sports the 70-200 might be better, but neither's "fast" enough for low-light, as in indoor, sports).

Getting a 24/28-70ish zoom at this point would be nice, but wouldn't do anything for your sports/nature/wildlife interests, and you'd really find yourself regretting a lens that overlaps with the kit when you need a longer reach.

If it were me, I'd also try to get a dedicated flash, either the Canon 420EX or the Sigma EF500 DG Super and a good multicoated circular polarizing filter. Both the kit lens and the 75-300 take a 58 mm filter; the 70-200 will need a 67 mm. That's enough different that I wouldn't try to get by with a 67 and an adapter ring for the kit lens. The 50 f/1.8 takes 52 mm filters; a step-up ring and the 58 mm filter would work fine on that.

[fortinaa]

Kev gave you a great kit to start with. But, I also suspect that you really want to get the 20D. Really think about it before you buy... If you know that you'll have the cash in the next 6months and want to upgrade, just buy the 20D now and upgrade the rest in the next 6months instead. You just end up losing money on the body if you upgrade in the very near future. I just did the same thing when I replaced my 300D under warranty... get an even exchange for the 350D, or spend an extra $600 to get the 20D that I knew I really wanted.... my signature tells the ending.

Also, if you are new to SLR photography, the kit lens will be a good place to start and will give you plenty of time to learn the functions of the camera while you save up for the other goodies. I would think about a decent tripod with the initial setup though. You'd be amazed at the difference it makes. I've seen consumer glass look better than L glass when Tripod vs Handheld.

[intechpcx]

For what it's worth, everything in my signature plus a 256MB and 1GB CF card, a second battery, a couple filters and a lowepro case all came in at right around $2K (and that was when the 300D cost what the 350D does now). I'm not advocating it as the best solution but it does get you a good long lens, and a lens capable of doing some decent pseudo-macro work.

Also, check out PriceRite Photo (www.priceritephoto.com (http://www.priceritephoto.com/)). They have the 20D for $1,259.00 (body only - $1399 with the 18-55mm lens) right now. They are the company I bought my DRebel through. They usually have decent packages that will get you started with basic accessories for pretty cheap. I will tell you, they do the typical call to "Confirm" your order in which they'll try to sell you accessories or a warranty, but they aren't pushy about it like some are.

Hope that was at least somewhat helpful.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Sweet thank you so much everyone! Geat news too, I just won a photo contest! $500.00 prize! So, now I have a good chunk of extra change to invest. Now it's gonna be between $2100 and $2500 that I'll spend. Hm, now that I have the extra cash, I think I will go with the 20D. Now must a question of tripod, gear, and lenses.... so many choices to make! Anyone else got any words to wisdom?

[Jon]

Get what you'd been planning on for the DRFX, or replace the kit lens with the 17-85 IS.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Not a bad idea. The 17-85 IS I've heard is a pretty sweet lens. Or I could just buy kit lens and 75-300mm IS, but that might be a waste? I intend on buying a 100-400mm L in about 5 or so months.

[Jon]

If you're that close to getting a 100-400, then go for the 17-85 or the 70-200 f/4.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

yea, good idea. Then I wouldn't be over lapping any lenses. Thanks.