I'm ready to buy a new camera!!Need Help!!

[trying2bpro]

Ok guys I finally got the go ahead from my husband to spend about $800.00 on a new camera. Have a 35mm rebel that I have had for about 3 years--havent used it much in the past few years, really dont like dropping off film, waiting 7 days to get it back...yada yada!! Am taking a photography course in the hopes of one day doing this professionally. So still pretty new to all the digital stuff, I'm kinda gun shy on what to buy because this camera is going to have to last me for a while, and I'm not wanting to buy something that I will be disappointed in and will not give me all that I need. I have read quite a few post and researched several cameras--the question is will a rebel xsi, 30d, or 40d be the best bet for me The rebel xsi seems the be the closest to my price range (i really want to get a bag and memory card etc.) I also want to buy new and not used or refurbished. Also where is the best place to buy and should I wait until after christmas (prices seem to be higher than a few months ago.) Sorry I know I'm asking lots of questions but any info would be appreciated.

[BrandonSi]

Forget the money and the numbers and letters on the camera.

What do you plan on using it for? Sports, cityscapes, portrait? Do you have any lenses to use with the new body? Flashes?

The best place to buy is the one with a good price and a good reputation. If it's seems to good to be true it is.

[beepclick]

Well, hard to say in that you want gear that will "give (you) all that (you) need" for
$800.
Still, wanting new, I'd say get XSi with kit lens from Amazon $634.95.

That leaves money for CF card (4GB Sandisk Ultra II) and bag (try the Canon 10EG bag).

Good luck.

[basroil]

You had an old rebel and seemed to like it, so why not a new rebel? Cheap AND not much different than your old one, except for the crop.

[pragan4]

It's too bad you won't consider refurbished... right now the XTi is $300 for the body. I don't think that there's a $300 difference between the XTi and XSi. It comes with a 90 day warranty so you don't have to be worried about defects, and, assuming you don't already have decent lenses for it, you could pick some up that would make a much bigger difference in image quality than a slightly newer body.

edit: sample budget for you

XTi - $300
50mm f/1.8 - $85
Crumpler 5 million home: $60
Spare battery - $50
Memory card - $15
Some other lens (55-250 IS maybe) - $223
Total: $733
Also, if you want you can get the kit lens for $50 or so

OR

XSi and kit lens - $635
Crumpler - $60
Battery - $50
SD Card - $15
Total: $760

[kevinmcdade]

Originally Posted by trying2bpro

Ok guys I finally got the go ahead from my husband to spend about $800.00 on a new camera. Have a 35mm rebel that I have had for about 3 years--havent used it much in the past few years, really dont like dropping off film, waiting 7 days to get it back...yada yada!! Am taking a photography course in the hopes of one day doing this professionally. So still pretty new to all the digital stuff, I'm kinda gun shy on what to buy because this camera is going to have to last me for a while, and I'm not wanting to buy something that I will be disappointed in and will not give me all that I need. I have read quite a few post and researched several cameras--the question is will a rebel xsi, 30d, or 40d be the best bet for me The rebel xsi seems the be the closest to my price range (i really want to get a bag and memory card etc.) I also want to buy new and not used or refurbished. Also where is the best place to buy and should I wait until after christmas (prices seem to be higher than a few months ago.) Sorry I know I'm asking lots of questions but any info would be appreciated.

Just asking, but is there any particular reason why you don't want to buy used or refurbished? As pointed out above, the $800 could go much further.

Edit: Just ran across this while browsing: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...13&postcount=1

[nordstern1]

go for the XSi. its a nice little camera.

i also avoid buying used...unless i know the seller personally. i like the peace of mind that buying new gives me.

[trying2bpro]

I am just scared to buy used or refurbished--dont want to go through trouble of sending it back and all that. So it seems that the Xsi would be a good bet. So would this be a good camera if I wanted to take portraits and possibly make a little money?? And would it be a good body to have around for a while and just upgrade lenses when I have the money? Thanks for all the feedback!

[trying2bpro]

Another question---Is amazon a good place to buy?? I'm looking at what seems to be really good deals!! Packages with the camera, kit lens, extra lens 75-300mm, bag, memory card, battery,etc. for only $859.95. Also found a few that offered different lenses (tamron and sigma)for only $769.95,are these good lenses?? Do these sound too good to be true?? Does Amazon deliver good products?? Questions, Questions, Decisions, Decisions!!

[JeffreyG]

Amazon is OK, e-bay is fraught with peril (especially new kits full of all kinds of junk).

My overall take is that $800 is tight for a 'serious' dSLR kit. I think that a willingness to consider a refurb or used body would open the door for a better set of lenses.

That said, I saw in the paper ads today that the XSi + 18-55IS + 55-250 IS is running close to $900 which is not far beyond your range. This gives you a capable body and two slow but sharp image stabilized lenses covering just about the whole range you might need.

Missing though are: External flash unit and tripod, plus any kind of a fast lens. A person who only shoots people might be able to live without the tripod (minus taking a group shot) but they will miss the flash unit.

[trying2bpro]

Did check B&H and they had a Xsi with 18-55mm and 55-250mm for $789.95-- I have 18-55mm lens that came with my 35mm rebel, will this still work with the Xsi? If so then I can skip buying the same kit lens with this one and maybe get a 55-250mm lens and maybe a flash? Does this sound like a better idea?

[DDCSD]

Originally Posted by pragan4

It's too bad you won't consider refurbished... right now the XTi is $300 for the body. I don't think that there's a $300 difference between the XTi and XSi. It comes with a 90 day warranty so you don't have to be worried about defects, and, assuming you don't already have decent lenses for it, you could pick some up that would make a much bigger difference in image quality than a slightly newer body.

edit: sample budget for you

XTi - $300
50mm f/1.8 - $85
Crumpler 5 million home: $60
Spare battery - $50
Memory card - $15
Some other lens (55-250 IS maybe) - $223
Total: $733
Also, if you want you can get the kit lens for $50 or so

OR

XSi and kit lens - $635
Crumpler - $60
Battery - $50
SD Card - $15
Total: $760

I think that that first option is an outstanding suggestion.

[Jimmer411]

B&H has free overnight shipping on all canon cameras FYI. And amazon charges tax usually...


I just ordered a 50D for 1085 shipped, where amazon wanted 1150~ for example.

[pragan4]

If you're happy with the kit lens then keep it and get the body by itself (but be warned--the lens is USED!). A different kit lens comes with the XSi, but neither is fantastic. If you're interested in portraits try and get a good portrait lens like the 85 f/1.8 instead of a super zoom. It will be a lot sharper and work better in low light than the 55-250.

[dynastysmartparts]

xt xti xs xsi and maybe a better peice of glass then the kit lens