Please tell me i made a right decision

My initial plan was to purchase 5D with a decent zoom lens 28-135mm.

But yesterday i completely changed my mind and used a portion of that fund for a new Sony Vaio laptop (Core 2 Duo) as my post-processing unit and get 30D instead. About an hour before purchasing Vaio, i had a touch at two cameras. 5D on the left, 30D on the right. I thought to myself, why not use the 2,000 dollar difference and divert it to something else like laptop and better lens - Canon EF f/4 24-105mm. Then i thought that canon 5D is too heavy for a person who will constantly hold a camera on one hand and snap it in quick moments.

If i bought the 5D, then i have to purhcase the external flash as well as larger memory. In the end maintaining the 5D cost much more than 30D because it is more suited towards professionals or in studio.

I haven't taken DSLR shots for ages and i don't have that driving momentum to go out and take photos as i used to. I used to own Nikon D70. But after a year of absense and other commitments in particularly my uni studies, i just don't have that urgency.

But since i bought the laptop (photography + uni study aid), i thought that i may as well buy it. Since not taking much photos, i am kind of lost of what i would use my camera for. To me, it's reclaiming the lost personal hobby i perviously enjoyed.

How well does Canon EF f/4 28-105 lens does it suit for 30D? Is it a decent well-rounder primary lens? It feels weird that my first Canon lens purchase it more expensive than my camera body itself!

sounds like you aren't really into photography, why don't you get something even cheaper than the 30 d ? Xti perhaps?

It's really the decisison whether to get the 30D or no camera. I used to have Nikon D70 and to me, if i get a Xti i would be 'downgrading' even if it is better than the D70.

Xti doesn't have that edge i want. It is too small and just doesn't feel right for me.

30D and laptop ... nice choice. I have a feeling that once your University studies are done the camera time will increase.

I for one look towards graduation, when I will have more time for photography, and spend less time buried in textbooks.

For me, the 28-105 would be a poor choice, but then again all I do is wildlife photography, which I have been able to tie into my studies...

I use a 20D with the 100-400, the best choice for my style and preferred subjects

You did not say what type of photos you plan on taking. The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is a very good walk around lens. Light weight and very sharp. Mine stays on my 30D most of the time.

I'm more into street photography. Urban photography such as architecture. Also will be using the camera on nightclub where it IS is needed most.

just buy a cheaper camera, or just get a nice point n shoot that has manual settings. at least if you don't use it much you won't be out too much money.

30D + 17-85 gives you the wide angle and the IS. Go for it, lovely camera.

I don't know why you are getting what seems to be negative feedback? I think you did well and thought it out in a logical manner.

I think the reason for the negative feedback is because many of us will do whatever needed for the best equipment and thats like him posting in a Ferrari forum that he went with a Hybrid Honda because its made more sense rather than getting that new 07 Ferrari and wants to know if thats a good decision..

Of course they are gonna say no... So are we...

I think for him the logic makes sense, even tho I would not do it...

I need a new hard drive to store my images and when I got the cash I bought more glass...

M2One wrote in post #2296951
My initial plan was to purchase 5D with a decent zoom lens 28-135mm.

But yesterday i completely changed my mind and used a portion of that fund for a new Sony Vaio laptop (Core 2 Duo) as my post-processing unit and get 30D instead. About an hour before purchasing Vaio, i had a touch at two cameras. 5D on the left, 30D on the right. I thought to myself, why not use the 2,000 dollar difference and divert it to something else like laptop and better lens - Canon EF f/4 24-105mm. Then i thought that canon 5D is too heavy for a person who will constantly hold a camera on one hand and snap it in quick moments.

If i bought the 5D, then i have to purhcase the external flash as well as larger memory. In the end maintaining the 5D cost much more than 30D because it is more suited towards professionals or in studio.

I haven't taken DSLR shots for ages and i don't have that driving momentum to go out and take photos as i used to. I used to own Nikon D70. But after a year of absense and other commitments in particularly my uni studies, i just don't have that urgency.

But since i bought the laptop (photography + uni study aid), i thought that i may as well buy it. Since not taking much photos, i am kind of lost of what i would use my camera for. To me, it's reclaiming the lost personal hobby i perviously enjoyed.

How well does Canon EF f/4 28-105 lens does it suit for 30D? Is it a decent well-rounder primary lens? It feels weird that my first Canon lens purchase it more expensive than my camera body itself!

I'm not a big believer in throwing money into computers, since they depreciate to zero over a few years. Beentheredoneit. Am a 5D owner instead.

However, the 30D is outstanding VALUE. It leaves more money over for other things, and of course, your priorities are very much up to you, where you want to re-allocate those funds. So I would say to anybody, if cash is a concern, get the 30D. Or if you simply want to invest more in glass, get the 30D. The 5D is far from a pro-or-studio-only camera though. Increasingly I am seeing more hobbyists packing the 5D - in fact, a surprising amount. In the field, too.. which is precisely where I use mine. The 350D is now pulling indoor duty being semi-retired and the only camera that is (officially) compatible with my 60mm macro.

I cannot stand a 24mm or 28mm lens on a 1.6X crop camera. WAY WAY WAY too narrow for me. I own the 24-105 but it only really comes into its own on the 5D where 24mm is a TRUE 24mm, or on my 1D where it is a 30mm (BARELY acceptable). I am a big wide angle user, so it matters to me. Architecture, street shooting, nightclub - you will want 17mm (to get 28mm equivalent) on a 1.6X crop camera.

The 30D has one magnificent asset for nightclub/low light shooting - the 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. This lens is phenomenal and if Canon had made sure there was one in my hands early on, there may have been no 5D in my lineup at all. However, sour graping aside, I agree this lens is costly. QUITE costly.

17-85 is a nice lens, my 350D's permanent lens. It will serve you well...

M2One wrote in post #2296951
My initial plan was to purchase 5D with a decent zoom lens 28-135mm.

But yesterday i completely changed my mind and used a portion of that fund for a new Sony Vaio laptop (Core 2 Duo) as my post-processing unit and get 30D instead. About an hour before purchasing Vaio, i had a touch at two cameras. 5D on the left, 30D on the right. I thought to myself, why not use the 2,000 dollar difference and divert it to something else like laptop and better lens - Canon EF f/4 24-105mm. Then i thought that canon 5D is too heavy for a person who will constantly hold a camera on one hand and snap it in quick moments.

If i bought the 5D, then i have to purhcase the external flash as well as larger memory. In the end maintaining the 5D cost much more than 30D because it is more suited towards professionals or in studio.

I haven't taken DSLR shots for ages and i don't have that driving momentum to go out and take photos as i used to. I used to own Nikon D70. But after a year of absense and other commitments in particularly my uni studies, i just don't have that urgency.

But since i bought the laptop (photography + uni study aid), i thought that i may as well buy it. Since not taking much photos, i am kind of lost of what i would use my camera for. To me, it's reclaiming the lost personal hobby i perviously enjoyed.

How well does Canon EF f/4 28-105 lens does it suit for 30D? Is it a decent well-rounder primary lens? It feels weird that my first Canon lens purchase it more expensive than my camera body itself!

The 5D is very nice, I'm sure.

With the 30D + 24/105L, your effective range is 38 to 168 - quite workable (it works very well for me).

However as you no doubt have read here and elsewhere, the standard good advice is to invest in good glass (what you have done) and not concentrate too much on the body (what you have done).

As a student, you also have other needs (the laptop).

Conclusion: I think you've done the right thing, based on sound thinking.

Comment: From my personal experience, you will never regret the 24/105L.

Danger: With this combination, you may neglect your studies.

I think what naturally lead me to pick 24-105mm lens is because of the third generation IS, EF lens and an option for body upgrade in future. I have used Nikkor 24-120mm and it was my walkaround lens.

In the future i will purchase more lens and probably external flash.

I have just ordered a purchase for Canon 30D and 24-105 lens.

Congratulations...

BTW, I forgot to mention in my earlier post - if the focal length suits you, the image quality is amazing, whatever platform you shoot it on. 1D, 5D, 350D, 30D, doesn't matter. It's awesome.

I think you will be fine with the 30d.
the only thing I can tell you is that I have had the vaio core dou for 3 months now and am looking to sell it.
Its not good enough for post processing and battery life is awful if you plan to use it away from the ac cord.
get an HP or Acer instead, thats what I am going to do