Comments on 20D package I am putting together

[Moody Blues]

I have been shooting my 300D w/28-105 and 50 /1.4 for a while now but long for the quality of the 20D. Here is the package I have set up so far.

Canon 20D
Lexar 2 Gig card
Battery Grip with 1 extra battery
580 EX Flash
24-70 /2.8L
70-200 /2.8L
B+W MRC Haze Filter 77mm Slim
B+W MRC Circ Pol Filter 77mm Slim

Does anybody have any comment about this package?

Here is an Idea of what I shoot.
70% of shots are candids of the kids and there friends
10% are action shots while fishing (offshore, lots of action, aerial fish, etc.)
15% are marine landscape shots
5% are landsape shots in the mountains

[pcasciola]

Sounds like a great setup to me.

I use multiple 1Gb cards instead of the 2Gbs, though. The 1Gb hold about 100 20D RAWs or 300 JPEGs. Big enough that it's convenient and small enough that I'm not worried about having too much on one card, although 11K shots on my 20D and I haven't had a CF failure yet with any of my Sandisks, but it is known to happen from time to time.

[Bill Ng]

I have been shooting my 300D w/28-105 and 50 /1.4 for a while now but long for the quality of the 20D. Here is the package I have set up so far.

Canon 20D
Lexar 2 Gig card
Battery Grip with 1 extra battery
580 EX Flash
24-70 /2.8L
70-200 /2.8L
B+W MRC Haze Filter 77mm Slim
B+W MRC Circ Pol Filter 77mm Slim

Does anybody have any comment about this package?

For the record, absolutely no one can determine if your "package" is good except for you. What you like to shoot, what requirements you have, what style of shooting you like ... that's all up to you.

For wedding or potrait work, a DRebel or Drebel XT will be fine. For more sports oriented shooting the 5fps of the 20D will be important. If you shoot a lot in manual mode, the extra dial on the back of the 20D will be important. If you do nothing but shoot flowers or landscapes, the 70-200L will be an absolute waste. If 80% of your shots are head shots, or candid family photos, the 24-70 will be a waste of money for the relatively small number of shots you take with it. I think you get my drift.

Everyone around here seems to fall into this trap, "Let's ask a forum what I should get next." .... nonsense. Ask yourself what part of your photography is hurting, determine your budget, and go shopping.

Bill in Brooklyn

[CyberDyneSystems]

Looks like a perfect package to me :)

[Muhfahsa]

Before we can comment on the package we need more information. What are you shooting? Are there budget concerns, etc.

[WaveRider57]

My only comment, as a landscape and street photographer, is that your widest lens is not that wide (equiv 40mm). I own and LOVE the 17 - 85mm EF-S image stabilized lens, and it gives me a 27mm wide angle, which makes me very happy to have it at times.

Just a thought.

[Moody Blues]

Before we can comment on the package we need more information. What are you shooting?
I updated the above post to include what I shoot.

Are there budget concerns, etc.
Money is money, memories are priceless

My only comment, as a landscape and street photographer, is that your widest lens is not that wide (equiv 40mm). I own and LOVE the 17 - 85mm EF-S image stabilized lens, and it gives me a 27mm wide angle, which makes me very happy to have it at times.

Just a thought.
I will probably add the EF-S 10-22 soon or maybe wait until an affordable full frame comes out and get the 16-35 /2.8

[Dchemist]

My two cents: I noticed that you have chosen the Slim versions of the B+W filters. I have a slim version of the polarizer and slim means that the threaded portion of a "regular" filter that holds the normal lens cap in place is not present (you also can not stack filters). My filter came with a rubber lens cap that is held on by friction which comes off easily (as in when you take the camera out of the bag or when it ribs against a person). It quickly became missplaced. I would not buy this version again for regular use. I believe they are only useful for a very wide angle lens.

[Moody Blues]

Dchemist

Thank you very much for that advice. I will switch to the normal filters and only get the slim if I end up getting a super wide angle down the road.

[mdr]

Get two 1GB CF cards instead of the one 2GB CF card.

Get the non-slim B+W filters. The slim ones don't have a front thread, so you can't use the Canon lens cap with them. The supplied push on cap is an absolute pain in the neck. You don't need the slim versions with your lenses, not even if you would consider a 16-35 or 17-40 lens.

You might find the 24-70 not wide enough for your subjects (equivalent to 38-112mm on full frame).

The 70-200mm f2.8 L has not got a good write up for digital (struggles to resolve detail), consider the IS version.

[Moody Blues]

Well, everything was ordered late yesterday and should be arriving today.

Thanks for all of the help.

[canon2od]

Looks like a great package--have fun!!!!

[gastroboy]

looks expensive. :-)

[Moody Blues]

looks expensive. :-)

After 800 Shots, I can say that this package is worth every penny. I cannot believe the qaulity and speed of these lenses. The 20D is really a great camera. The 580EX is the perfect flash for this camera.