Here is my shopping card-comments please

My first DSLR system- 30 d system- after months of researching and waiting I am ready to buy it TOMORROW!!!

first, here are my needs:

1. landscapes
2. wildlife
3. outdoor sports - Jack Russell Terrier(JRT) racing & white water kayaking
4. indoor sports(horrible light conditions) - sometimes JRTs races are inside in the barns at the very dusty fairgrounds
5. indoor portraits - low light conditions - portraits of JRTs during confirmation classes

Here is my shopping card. Hope to order it tomorrow after getting some input from you and answers to my 3 questions. I am starting from point zero. What do you think? Have I covered the essentials(no flash here-will have to wait-cannot use it with dogs anyway)?

Canon:
EOS 30D, 8.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera with Canon EF-S 18-55mm

Zoom Super Wide Angle EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Autofocus Lens

Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens

Telephoto EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Autofocus Lens

B+W:
77mm UV Haze 010 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating Glass Filter
77mm Circular Polarizer (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating Glass Filter
67mm UV Haze 010 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating Glass Filter Slim
67mm to 77mm Step-Up Ring (Lens to Filter)
58mm UV Haze 010 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating Glass Filter Slim

Sandisk:
1GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card
2GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card - 2

Canon
BP-511A Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery - 2

Bogen / Manfrotto
681B 3 Section Monopod (Black) with 3025 3D Head

Giottos
Lens Cleaning Kit with Small Rocket Air Blower

Lowepro
SlingShot 100 AW Camera Bag - for Film or Digital SLR 3 Lens

---------------

$4,047.85 at b&h
also need to order hood for canon 85mm f/1.8 - on backorder at b&h;

I have five more questions:

1. what is the difference between slim and regular filters?
2. still not sure about Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8. Should I instead get so much cheeper 50 mm f/1.8? Price is not so much my problem. After reading every possible review of both lenses there is no question that 85 mm f/1.8 is a lot better lense. Just not sure which one will be better for MY needs. Portraits and sports under low light conditions? Pros and cons please.
3. does anybody know the size of Pelican waterproof case I need for the camera and these three lanses. This camera will spend 90 + days a year in my canoe.
4. does it make sense to get only lenses and camera at b&h and try to shop for the best price for all other accesories?
5. any idea of single book/CD with tutorial for 30d or manual will be sufficient?

Will appreciate any comments you may have. Thanks SO MUCH. I do not know what I would do without your expertise,

marysia

It has been whole hour and there is no single comment on my list. I know that everybody is tired of giving advices on the same subject to ignorant first time buyers - but, please could you make one more effort for ME?

thanks,

m

I had a couple of questions. Why are you getting the kit lens with the body if you are getting the 17-40L? Also, if you leave out the UV filters, you might be able to get the flash instead. I am of the opinion that UV filters aren't necessary as long as you use the lens hood.

Personally, I'd scrap the 1 gig card, the lens kit, the 85mm, the monopod and the head.

2 gigs is a heckofalot of space, a simple blower brush for a couple bucks is as good as a lens cleaning kit, they 85 mm lens is good but I think you've got a couple great lenses there in your list already. I'd go for the thrifty fifty (50mm 1.8), I wouldn't say the 85mm is A LOT BETTER, but that's my opinion. You'll get better/more use out of a regular tripod, especially starting from square one. I think you'll like a ball head much much more, and they're quicker/easier to use. LIke previously mentioned, I wouldn't get the 18-55 lens if you're getting the 17-40L. PLUS, if you're doing indoor shoots, you HAVE to have a better flash. Heck at 4K+ you're almost at 5d range!
If I were you, I'd go:

30d body only
17-40L
70-200L
50mm 1.8
Hoya Circular Polarizer
2 Gig card
Bogen 3021 Tripod
Bogen midi ball head with RC0 plate

I wouldn't suggest a 30d manual other than the one included, the best way to learn is to read a John Shaw book and go out to practice. You also could price shop for better prices, but if you buy at one place at least you save time shopping!

THEN AGAIN:
Only my opinion

i like the ideas of mr. clean. it says 2 after your 2gb cards. if this means that you're going to get two of these then i'd also say scrap the 1gb. but, i like the idea of having atleast two just incase. definately scrap the kit lens!!!

look into the sigma 70-200 2.8. this is only $200 more then the canon you chose, but's comparing it to the canon counter part which is a few hundred more. this will be better in the low light settings then the canon f/4.

also look into the sigma 17-70. i was looking into the 17-40 L and decided on the sigma. better focal range, great glass and great build quality also. i'm quite happy with my choice. i was stuck on the whole "have to have canon" until i got this lens. these two sigmas have great reviews.

http://www.photozone.d​e/8Reviews/index.html

In addition to the sound advice already presented, I'd pick up the BG-E2 battery grip. With two batteries in it your camera will run for a veeeerrry long time between charges, and you have the flexibility of being able to use AA's in a pinch. I also would probably skip the 18-55 (I rarely if ever use mine) and pick up the 50 f/1.8.

HTH... Rich

I would get rid of the kit lens and 1 gb card. As for the monopod, I guess it would be good for all the outdoor stuff you plan to shoot, but may be hard to use for indoor portraits. As for the batteries, in my personal experience, generic sterlingtek batteries seem to go farther and are cheaper. Other than that, nice setup!

50mm f/1.4 instead of 85mm f/1.8, 2GB card instead of 1GB card, YOU NEED A DECENT FLASH.

All good advice here. That kit lens is pointless with all the nice glass you're getting in addition. The 1GB card is redundant wit hthe pair of 2GB cards. I'd also drop the Canon batteries; the camera comes with one & if you really need a second, go with a Sterlingtek--better reserves & only costs about $20.

The 85 is going to be pretty long for portraits on the 30D, the 50/1.8 might be a better bet. For lower light, I'd go with a 70-200/2.8 though the f4 is very nice if you have enough light.

I'm not too sure about all those filters. Haven't gotten any myself yet & don't feel too much need to run out & grab any right now. BTW, the slim versions are for wide angle lenses to prevent vignetting (this would apply on the 17-40).

Wish I had that kind of wad to drop on camera gear.

Looks like you don't need a whole lot of advice...you've made solid choices. One thing: if you have dogs go for the UV filters. At least from my experience their tongues will go to the front of your lenses like moths to a flame. I too strongly recommend an external flash. I'd recommend the 85mm over a 50mm for your purposes. Although the 50 is probably more useful overall, the 85mm is unbeatable for the price for indoor arena sports and also does a great job on portaits providing you give it enough room.

thanks a lot for your comments.

few additional points which may explain few strange items:

Batteries. Need at least three. This need is based on my previous experiences with other cameras but I think the same will apply to 30d. I take very long backpacking trips including 3 week long backpacking trip every late September in the mountains in Wyoming (have not missed one for the last 13 years). Stay above tree line for at least 2 weeks. Nights are very cold then. I spend incredible energy trying to keep them warm including keeping them inside my sleeping bag at night but these temperatures definitely decrease batterie's life expectancy. So, I always carry three. Typically, come back with a bit life left in one. I just cannot imagine being in front of some majestic scene or animal and having no more juice to take photos. Same goes for cards-three cards for the same reason. I cannot use camera to delete any photos trying to make them last-so I have a lot of photos on the cards.

I did remove the lense kit. I origianally thought that for 100 dollars why not, but, I will not use it so what is the point.

Flash - I really do not have any places where flash would be useful. No flash around dogs-they do not like it. I will get it one day.

Filters- I understand that majority of good photographers do not believe they should be used. I am considering them for one and one reason only - rough places this camera and lenses will go. A lot of time in the canoe with some splashing, a lot of time on the gravel bars where I camp while canoeing. Hood will not provide any protection from sand and gravel. It also will not provide protection during dog racing inside very dusty barns. Lenses will also be exposed to rough conditions during my backpacking and hiking trips. I know that I should be probably buying 1Ds - a lot better camera for these conditions, but I just do not want to spend that kind of money right now. Maybe one day.

I did not expect to have to get dedicated filter for each camera but unfortunately each lense has different filter diameter and when I posted question regarding this issue yesterday I got responses that I should get one for each one. As you maybe noticed I am getting only one polarizer and step up ring to cover both f/4 lenses.

Monopod- I guess I will scrap it at this point. Not sure about trypod. I move alot while taking photos of racing Jacks. Hard to do with trypod. All professionals use monopods, if anything at all during these trials.

So, thanks again for your input. I still do not know if I should get 50mm or 85 mm lense. I am concerned with 80 mm being a bit too long for inside shots but it is alot better lense for low light inside dog racing. Need to make my mind soon.

m

With your lens selection, I'd ditch the kit lens. The monopod could be scratched, the 70-200 is a pretty light lens. I'd also take a look at the accessories forum and check out some threads on bags. With your kit, the slingshot 100 might be too small, consider the 200.

Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun. Keep the 17-40L whatever you do. You don't need the 18-55, so buy the body by itself and get a battery pack.

what bout a battery grip???

Forget the kit lens. I personally use the 24-70L 2.8 when I am needing a variety of focal lengths or moving and needing to shoot fast. Its the most useful focal length.
Hold off on the 85 1.8. Get it later if the focal length is right and you really need the extra light. Usually just upping the ISO (remember you now have a workable ISO 3200!) will buy you the needed shutter speed whereas a really wide f stop may be to shallow a DOF. How do you know you wont want the 135 or 50 1.4 instead?
Consider the 50 1.8 for now and add to it later. If I were highly restricted to the number of lenses I probably would stay with zooms for mid and tele at least.
Get a 1.4x teleconverter for your 70-200 you may really value the extra length for some of the sports and events unless you can get quite close.
Start off with a minimum number of filters, add them slowly as you may find they cause more flare or get in the way of switching. many don't us UV but keep the hood on whenever the lens is on the camera.
I would start off with at least 4 gb or more. Thats only 350 something RAWs not that much when you are shooting action. For a long canoe trip you will need a dowload device.
Get filters at http://www.2filter.com​/
Get Batteries at http://www.sterlingtek​.com/ Way cheaper and lasts longer too. How are you going to recharge them on the canoe trip?
Get information on line, there have never been really detailed books out there, (mostly beginner fare) especially for the 30D since it just was introduced.
Mike K