My first DSLR

I agree with shaftmaster, kids are almost always in motion. As the father of a 16 mo. old boy, good indoor shots without a flash and wide aperature are a challenge. Get a decent flash and learn to use it. You won't be dissapointed. I haven't been in the didital age too long myself, there is ALOT of help on this forum. Get a lens with at least f/2.8 and you will be able to get some good shots with window light during the day. IMO your budget will get some real nice gear. Shop around, Canon is offering some good rebates right now. Have fun with the little one!

W900 wrote in post #11185655
I agree with shaftmaster, kids are almost always in motion. As the father of a 16 mo. old boy, good indoor shots without a flash and wide aperature are a challenge. Get a decent flash and learn to use it. You won't be dissapointed. I haven't been in the didital age too long myself, there is ALOT of help on this forum. Get a lens with at least f/2.8 and you will be able to get some good shots with window light during the day. IMO your budget will get some real nice gear. Shop around, Canon is offering some good rebates right now. Have fun with the little one!

yes, flash and f2.8 zoom = great pics (with practice!)
but you can get also get good pics with the 50mm or 18-55IS !

When I got 40D I got 28-135 and it was OK lens for outdoor shots. Then I add 17-55 and it was much, much better

60d / 17-55 will hold u for a very long time .. verryy long...for a beginner or even a intermediate to "pro" hobbyist.. nice budget too...

It looks like you all have provided me with some very helpful information! Thanks so much. I look forward to playing with my new camera and posting some more in here.

HoosierJoe wrote in post #11185530
What you are demonstrating is that you do not know how to use a shoe mount flash.

A flash would solve your issues if you knew how to use it.

You are absolutely right, I do not know how to use a shoe mount flash. I still have so much learning to do!

Do any of you have any suggestions for books or online self study programs that would be helpful? There isn't much offered in my city other than going to the University and signing up for the Arts Program, but I am a working Mother (part time working, full time mother!) so I cannot devote the time a University Program would require. I do have a friend who has offered me to tag along to a few of her Wedding shoots this summer, so hope to learn a ton from her, but would like to have a firm understanding of my camera by that point.

I have done a little shopping around where I live and I am coming up with pretty much the same prices. Are you talking locally or on line? Any suggestions for on line?

I love how every time someone gives a budget, people on here suggest spending 2x that amount... Don't get me wrong, I got talked into spending a little more than I said I wanted to at the start but that is because I gave a lower number than I was really willing to spend.

JennV wrote in post #11187193
I have done a little shopping around where I live and I am coming up with pretty much the same prices. Are you talking locally or on line? Any suggestions for on line?

Online. A post about current rebates:
http://www.canonrumors​.com/2010/10/canon-usa-rebates-4/

EF-s price watch：
http://www.canonrumors​.com …/price-watch-ef-s-lenses/

JennV wrote in post #11187136
You are absolutely right, I do not know how to use a shoe mount flash. I still have so much learning to do!

Do any of you have any suggestions for books or online self study programs that would be helpful? There isn't much offered in my city other than going to the University and signing up for the Arts Program, but I am a working Mother (part time working, full time mother!) so I cannot devote the time a University Program would require. I do have a friend who has offered me to tag along to a few of her Wedding shoots this summer, so hope to learn a ton from her, but would like to have a firm understanding of my camera by that point.

Go to the strobist.com website and run through the bootcamp 101 archive he has up. His sight is devoted to using flash (especially cheap, manual flashes) for photography and teaching others how to do it.

2k budget?

40D 550*
15-85 650*
Sigma 30 400
55-250 200
Bag/Filters 100

* = used

rioni wrote in post #11189316
2k budget?

40D 550*
15-85 650*
Sigma 30 400
55-250 200
Bag/Filters 100

* = used

Don't forget a used 430EX flash!

I think for $2000 you could get some nice gear that would fit your needs, but you mentioned wedding photography and that's an entirely different ball game. For just taking pictures of your kids, you can spend much less than $2000 and get good results. I've taken some great pics of my kids with a Rebel XTi, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom lens, and an external flash. If you purchased used gear, that kit would easily cost less than $1000.

for 2k....

50d=800
18-55IS=100
canon 35 f2=300
canon 70-200 f4=600

there you go!

or 2k....

T2i/550D=700
18-55IS=100
canon 55-250IS 200
canon 50mm 1.8 100
Yongnuo ETTL flash 50
Tamron 90mm Macro 300
off camera flash triggers 50

grand savings $500

There you go !

Wow, you're starting out great. As for the flash, try bouncing the flash off the ceiling(as long as it's white. Or, put a piece of tissue paper over the flash to diffuse the light (just tape it over the flash head).