Thinking of Buying a 20D

[b16pwrdej1]

I am thinking of buying a 20D with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III Lens. It also comes with a 58mm 3 piece filter kit, tripod, 4gb microdrive, auto bounce digital flash, and a carrying case. What other pieces would you suggest?

I am using a Kodak Point & Shoot 5mp now, but the lack of options are hindering me from better captures. I recently went to the U.S. Open golf tournament and it's lack of zoom capabilities cost me many great photos.

Any suggestions or tips about the 20D would also be appreciated.

[tim]

Give us a link to the ebay auction, so we can trash everything they say and point out better options. Microdrives aren't worth the risk IMHO, the zoom lens is average at best. I've no idea what an auto bounce digital flash is, but I bet it's cheap and nasty. The 20D itself is great, but don't handicap it buying crappy accessories, it's better to have fewer good quality parts than lots of poor one IMHO.

[Skip Souza]

If that is an on line avertised kit then you had better check the vendor at www.resellerratings.com. It sound like a scam site offer that I investigated before I bought my 20D.

[b16pwrdej1]

I don't think I am going to get the "special" ebay auction, because to me it just sounds to good to be true. I am pretty set on getting a 20D; What lenses would you suggest?

[tim]

Have a look in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56752). The Tamron 28-75 is popular and great value, the 50mm F1.8 is great value and liked by many, but not me so much (focus issues). Any 70-200 lens is good, Sigma or Canon, either then F4 or F2.8, with or without IS. The 10-22 EF-S is a great wide angle lens. For a flash the 580EX, 420EX, or Sigma super DG 500 will do the job well.

[b16pwrdej1]

Thanks for the list. I'm searching the internet now trying to find good deals from reputable sources.

[tim]

http://bhphotovideo.com
http://adorama.com

Use use http://froogle.com to find a good price, then check them out on http://resellerratings.com

[b16pwrdej1]

So far adorama has the best price on the 20D with the 18-55mm lens and I'm just gonna buy acessories (such as tripod, flash card, bag, other lenses) seperately. Thanks for the good advice and keeping me from buying a dumb ebay auction.

[cubano100pct]

Newegg has the 20D body for $1209.95.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830120026

and $1379.5 for Body with EF-S 18-55mm Lens
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830120025

[lostdoggy]

Buydig has the body only for 1293 w/ free shipping before rebate
NewEgg is 1309.95 after $50 instant rebate and another $10 for shipping.

Newegg is exchange only Buydig is returnable subject Restocking fee and terms and conditions.

[Music to my eyes]

If you are serious about getting good images, you are spending (relatively) way too much money on the body and not enough on the lenses. Spend some cash on a decent lens like the Canon 70-200L F4 - VERY sharp lens. Canon's L lenses are their Pro lenses - very sharp, and well built. Also the Canon 17-85 IS is a great alrounder. The Image stabiliser is a fantastic feature when you shoot low light situations..of course if you can afford it, go the 20D with those other lenses as well. A good flash unit to start with is the Canon 420 Ex. I'd recommend lens hoods to minimize flare too.......also good for protecting your expensive lenses. The Rebel XT is a also a 8MP camera, just not as fast or as rugged and 'flexible' as the 20D. But a lot cheaper.
Avoid microdrives - very slow compared to CF cards like the Sandisk Ultra II or Lexar. Forget filters for now........you can photoshop them instead. Save your $$.
Your camera system is a strong as the weakest link, and the standard lenses are CRAP.

[jgjulio]

I agree with the previous post about the kit lens. Put the $100 towards a nice lens that you will not want to replace. The old adage "Buy Cheap Buy Twice" applies here.
The L lenses are great. They can not be beat. I did not buy one because they are huge and heavy. I bought my first lens - Canon 17-85mm with IS. Image Stabilization is very very cool. It works great! The 17-85mm lens is NOT in the same league as the L lenses but it is a very nice walkaround lens that wont draw a crowd when you are using it.

[b16pwrdej1]

I think I figured out what I am going to get:
-Canon EOS 20D w/ 18-55mm Lens
-Canon EF 70-200mm f4.0 L
-1 GB Sandisk
-Canon 200-DG Bag

How does that sound for a good "starter" kit?

[Southswede]

Sounds real good to me!

[b16pwrdej1]

I just bit the bullet and ordered a EOS 20D and the EF 70-200mm f4.0 L lens. I'm so excited and can't wait for it to get here.

[lostdoggy]

I think I figured out what I am going to get:
-Canon EOS 20D w/ 18-55mm Lens
-Canon EF 70-200mm f4.0 L
-1 GB Sandisk
-Canon 200-DG Bag

How does that sound for a good "starter" kit?

I seen that bag (Canon 200-DG) and its pretty smallish. You'll going to run out of room real fast especially with the 70-200f/4 L lens. It might not even fit. Make sure if you are going to get the CF it is at least an Ultra II

[mikewendell]

THE Canon 70-200L F4 lens is one of the best lens Canon makes. They took it out of production for awhile, and were going to discontinue it, because it wasn't selling at first. They soon realized what a mistake was when the demand picked-up, and started producing them again. It is not as easy to find as their other lenses, but the supply is getting better and it can be found.

It's interesting that they almost blew it with such a good product.

[houman310]

I just received my 20D today, since I'm at work - I can't really stop working and play with it. The 70-200L is an AWESOME lense, and affordable (unless you get the IS version instead - bit pricey but worth it) - however it's HUGE and Heavy. I don't know if you already purchased your package or not, but you might want to start with a good prime. The 50mm F1.4 is well worth the price difference when compared to it's 1.8 counterpart. The stock lense that ships with the camera sucks, so go body only and put that extra savings towards the purchase the Canon 24~70mm f/2.8L. You'll probably never take the Canon 24~70mm f/2.8L off of your camera. If you need a more affordable zoom in the meantime then go with Canon 28~135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 IS zoom.