nice problem to have

There is a possibility we may finally be getting a decent camera at work. I've been purchasing P&S bodies (mostly Olympus) as that is all that they seem to want. We also have a Canon S70 as the decent P&S. Well now I may get the chance to add a DSLR.

The budget will be no more than $1500, and that really means no more.
There will be no "and then later...." part, it needs to be complete now.
That needs to include tax so now we are at roughly $1400
There is no starter stuff so you need to knock $100 off for case and memory card. - $1300
The kit needs a body and walkaround lens (obviously).
Plus a fast prime.
Plus a long lens.
Each lens will need to include a hood and filter.
All stuff needs to be new. Prices either from BH or Amazon only.

So, Xti ($665) or Xt ($500)
Canon 18-55 ($100), Sigma 17-70 ($350) or something else?
Canon 28 2.8 ($170), Sigma 30 1.4 ($380), Canon 50 1.8 ($80), or something else?
Sigma 55-200 ($140), Canon 75-300 ($195), or something else?
(Lens costs only, need to add filter for all and hood where not included)

What about other lenses like the Tamron 18-50 to cover walkaround and fast?

Got an opinion? My personal kit has been unchanged for years and I don't own any small sensor lenses. I realize a lot of this stuff (the long lenses particularly) are far from top quality but I need to stay within the rules. Suggestions please.

Will you need an external flash?

What will you be shooting? I would determine the actual need for the various focal lengths and then detemine lenses from that point.

Mark

jr_senator wrote in post #3073524
Will you need an external flash?

That would always be useful but with the limited budget I was discounting it in favor of the built in and fast lenses.

Mark_Cohran wrote in post #3074534
What will you be shooting? I would determine the actual need for the various focal lengths and then detemine lenses from that point.

Mark

A fairly wide variety of stuff unfortunately. The list would include basic product shots (I do already have a tripod fortunately), indoor meetings/presentations​, outdoor meetings/presentations​, landscapes (of various field projects), portraits of key staff, and then really whatever the marketing department decides they want next.

To go with the point you were making though, I really will have very little use for anything in the 200-300 range, an X-200 would be more than enough. Even something like the 28-135 IS would probably be long enough, pity its (relatively) expensive. The wide end is definitely more important than the long end. I don't need macro either. Anything even half decent at close-up stuff will definitely suffice.

Interesting puzzle!

It doesn't sound like the XTi offers anything over the XT that you really need.
The nifty fifty is excellent value for a fast prime if you don't need wider.
That's $580 so you have $720 for your walk-around, telephoto, filters, hoods.
Sigma 17-70 and Canon 75-300 is $545.
So that leave you $175 for filters and hoods.
Sorted.

StewartR wrote in post #3074673
Interesting puzzle!

It doesn't sound like the XTi offers anything over the XT that you really need.
The nifty fifty is excellent value for a fast prime if you don't need wider.
That's $580 so you have $720 for your walk-around, telephoto, filters, hoods.
Sigma 17-70 and Canon 75-300 is $545.
So that leave you $175 for filters and hoods.
Sorted.

I agree, with one comment.......

For about $ 65 less (including the 25 extra for the canon hood for the 75-300), the sigma 55-200 includes the hood.

Think I may go hunting for reviews and see if the Sigma 55-200 is worthwhile. It's fairly accepted that the 75-300 gets crappy beyond 200 (and I used to own one personally) so maybe that would be a $65 worth saving.

Thanks for the comments on the Xt vs Xti. I've used neither so it helps.

Budget is confirmed at $1500, and we will definitely be getting something.

It was suggested (by the person who will sign my expense report) that he sees a more use for an ultra wide than a tele. For the indoor stuff I agree it may well be useful. It may mean loosing either the fast lens or the longish lens.

So, I'll throw into the mix the Canon 10-22 ($670) or the Sigma 10-20 ($460). With the limited budget it'll probably have to be the latter.

Well we almost went with the XT, 17-85 IS, and 28 2.8 for around $1450. Then, the budget actually got increased! So, $1800 later I have on order an XTi, Sigma 17-70, Sigma 10-20, Canon 50 1.8, 4Gb Sandisk Extreme3, LowePro Slingshot 100, and a few other odds and ends (spare battery, cleaning kit, etc).

I think this is going to be absolutely perfect for what we need. It'll do a great job and give the marketing folks some good images to work with. Assuming that is I remember to point it in the right direction.

rebel xt + sigma 10-20 + tamron 28-75 f/2.8 + canon 70-200 f/4 L = $1800 that would be my choice in that range

bestfromnw wrote in post #3153788
rebel xt + sigma 10-20 + tamron 28-75 f/2.8 + canon 70-200 f/4 L = $1800 that would be my choice in that range

XT ($500) + 10-20 ($500) + 28-75 ($350) + 70-200 ($580) = $1930 and thats before you add in shipping ($50) and the other accessories needed to start a kit ($200) and tax ($170) for about $2350 total. Or about $500 more than I spent.