Thank You POTN'ERS

Hi All
The story starts. I enjoy taking pictures of family events, weddings and vacations.
I have an old P&S camera that I have used for years and was happy.
One night I watched a program on the Civil War that was nothing more than photos and narration.
It was a great program that caught my eye. Now, I went to the web to find software to make slideshows.
I came across Photostory by Microsoft. Its a nice free program and when combined with MovieMaker it produced excellent results. I made a slideshow of are new Grandson and the Kids loved it.
The problem came when you pan and zoom on pictures, you really see how bad they are.

This was all I needed for an excuse to get a new camera,
I wanted one that would entertain me for awhile.
I had been looking at DSLR cameras for sometime now. So I was sent here to be educated.
I know nothing about these cameras.

My budget $1000,
This is what I got based on the advice I found on this forum.
I worked the search button overtime.
Canon 20d, ebay refurb,4gb compact flash card, two batteries with charger and a case for the camera a few other things came with it. =$557.50
(This camera is a tank. I love it)
I bought on this forum the kit lens. = $65.00
(Already getting better pics then my P&S camera).
Ebayed a Canon EF 28-105mm USM lens, first version with 7 blade lens.= $175.45.
Ebayed a Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM lens. =$165.00.
( needed for those candid shots)
This should cover my Hardware for awhile.

Software,
PhotoStory,MovieMaker.​= FREE
DPP = FREE
Element 3.0 =$25.00
The reason for Element 3.0 is the budget and my knowledge of photoshop.
I would like to find out if I even need photoshop. The advice I found on the forum was that Element is a good start. The other reason for Element 3.0 is the use of Gants Tools or Paul Shipley tools.
Version 3 is the only one that will support all there addon.
I would like to play and learn about Layers Masks, Curves, Channel Mixers.
It also has some RAW support 16 bit color.

I didn’t need the best. But I feel confident with my choices.
This should keep me busy for the summer.

Total cost = $987.95 (well with in the budget)
If I skip on the Starbucks next month I may be able to get that Nifty Fifty.

Thanks POTN’ers

Looks like you've really researched this, except the 20D is not a tank, it's compatible to any film SLR.

hoods wrote in post #2946295
Hi All
...If I skip on the Starbucks next month I may be able to get that Nifty Fifty...

Uh oh, sounds like you got 'the' bug....


Steve

Good for you. Enjoy!

yeah! good job searchin for your needs!

Welcome to the Forums!

We could all benefit from doing a little research. It sounds like you did yours very well. Congratulations. The 20D is a great camera.

We, All I can say is I hope you have as much fun with your new toy,
as I have with mine. And welcome to the club Or as some of the
people call it "Camera Aholics"

--Evan

Seems like you've got it all figured out!

Mark