Canon 20d + what min. gear I need??

I have been reading and searching this forum for weeks. I am finally ready to get 20d, but I am still not sure what lenses, other accesories I need to get with it.

More info about me:

this will be my first dslr
take hundreds of photos weekly. It is becoming my biggest passion.
have Fuji s7000(for my canoeing trips) and a very light Panasonic fz5(for my long backpacking trips)
my typical photos: animals and birds in the wilderness, landscapes(rivers , mountains), white water kayaking photos, recently a lot of Jack Russell Terrier racing photos
what I need: fast lense for sport photography and very difficult light conditions(dog racing often done in the covered pavilions at Fair Grounds) cannot use flash, do not use tripod
money: would like to spend not more than 3000 dol at this point and get camera body, lense, filters, camera bag, flash cards, spare battery. Lenses cannot be very heavy - travel a lot, will carry in the backpack which already weights 70 lbs in difficult foreign lands

What do you think about ef-s 17-85 and ef50/1.4 for my first lenses. any better combination?

I know that these kinds of questions have been asked many times before but everybody has a bit different needs/ financial situation. I would really appreciate your input,

m

though, I'd say, now that I see your budget, the 17-85 + 50 will do you well. but for wildlife and birding, you're definitely going to want something more.

Canon EOS 20D $1,119.95
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

TWO Canon BP-511a Batteries $22.98
http://sterlingtek.com​/twocabp18bap1.html

Sandisk 1GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card x 2 $119.90
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L $679.95 -> For Landscape and walkaround lens
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 $314.95 -> For lowlight situations
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

Canon 70-200mm f/4.0L $584.95 -> For wildlife
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

TOTAL: $2,842.68

That leaves you with everything but your bag and filters. The 50mm f/1.4 could be swapped for an 85 f/1.8 if you think that you need the extra reach for those dog races.

Some of these lenses I purchase right away and some I waited longer than I should have to purchase. If I were to do it all over again I would have done purchased my lenses in the following order for my Canon 20D:

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM (great all-purpose lens)
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM (wonderful landscape and wide angle lens)
Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM (great low-light indoor lens...50mm is a little long on the 20D)

As for accessories I would get the following accessories in order:

* 2GB Sandisk Ultra II CF card
* Second battery
* Giottos Rocket Blower
* Good, safe camera bag
* Polarizer filter(s) for the EF-S 17-85mm & EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5
* Good, sturdy tripod and good sturdy attachment to said tripod
* Canon Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3
* Speedlite 580EX flash
* Second Sandisk 2GB Ultra II CF card

There are of course other accessories, but these I think are by far the most important.

I'm so glad you posted your budget and what you like to shoot because some people might bash me for simply giving wrong advice. Just j/k.

Seems like you can benefit from EF 100-400L IS when shooting wildlife, kayaking, and other outdoor sports. It's not as heavy as 70-200f2.8L IS but gives you more reach plus IS while retaining the versatility and IQ.

For landscape/citiscape/ar​chitecture, I don't know your preferecen but i like ultra wide such as the EF-S 10-22, Sigma 10-20, or Tokina 12-24. If those are too wide, then perhaps a EF 17-40f4L fits the bill.

Indoor dog racing, depends on how close/far you are from the subject. Perhaps a 85mm f1.8?

Just my humble suggestion based on the budget.

Oh, and don't forget a good post-processing software package. It doesn't have to be Photoshop CS2, but I would make sure that I have that base covered.

Don't over look the new 17-55f2.8 USM which is a tad faster then the 17-40F4L

Thank you so much for your great recommendations.

m