First Canon SLR digital camera purchase

Hi everyone,

Glad I found this forum. I'm a rookie to the canon world of digital cameras. Have used a Fuji FinePix S3000 digital camera (don't laugh) for the past 5 years taking quick snapshots of my growing family.

I'm looking for a more advanced camera that will allow me to take wide angle pictures as well as telephoto action shots of my daughter on the soccer field. My current camera's zoom makes her about 1" tall in my photos.

Can someone please recommend which Canon model I should purchase? I need one that doesn't have a long delay after I press the shutter release (my action shot attempts w/ my Fuji are frustrating as I have to anticipate when the camera will actually take the picture). I was thinking perhaps the Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel xTi with a 28-135mm lens, but wanted to check w/ the real experts.

Thanks so much,
Aurora

The XTi/400D is a great place to start. The 28-135 won't give you especially wide angle shots since a 28mm lens mounted on an XTI is equivalent to a 45mm lens on a film camera. The flipside is that the 135mm tele end becomes a whopping 216mm!

All things considered, this is a good combo. You could spend a little more and pick up a wide angle zoom and a long telephoto zoom (such as the 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM) but if you only had to pick one lens for general use the 28-135 is a good bet.

Furthermore, shutter delay won't be an issue with the XTi or any Canon DSLR for that matter. If you find the XTi to be a little too small and plasticky for your tastes, look at a used 10D or 20D which sell for around $300/$450 respectively. They are higher-end cameras with rugged magnesium bodies, faster AF, bigger, brighter viewfinders and a host of other goodies.

You might consider the XSi body with the 18-55 & 55-250 IS lenses. Nothing wrong with the 28-135, but I think you would appreciate having a wider angle of view as the 18-55 offers.

I believe a member(s) here recently got this combo, so a search might provide more info.

The 18-55 IS lens sells for around $200 if bought separately, but adds $100 the price of the 'kit' with the body.

+1 and keep checking around for the best price.

beepclick wrote in post #5463813
You might consider the XSi body with the 18-55 & 55-250 IS lenses. Nothing wrong with the 28-135, but I think you would appreciate having a wider angle of view as the 18-55 offers.

I believe a member(s) here recently got this combo, so a search might provide more info.

The 18-55 IS lens sells for around $200 if bought separately, but adds $100 the price of the 'kit' with the body.

Thanks very much for responding. I had no idea that the 28-135mm wouldn't offer the wide angle view that I'm looking for. Will continue the search. Any recommendations for quality retail sources for purchasing canons?

asquared2008 wrote in post #5464098
Thanks very much for responding. I had no idea that the 28-135mm wouldn't offer the wide angle view that I'm looking for. Will continue the search. Any recommendations for quality retail sources for purchasing canons?

here's a bestbuy coupon with 10% off
http://forums.slickdea​ls.net …php?sduid=33894​5&t=808941
should save you some money

You da best! Thanks!

asquared2008 wrote in post #5464098
Thanks very much for responding. I had no idea that the 28-135mm wouldn't offer the wide angle view that I'm looking for. Will continue the search. Any recommendations for quality retail sources for purchasing canons?

There are a few pretty reliable online retailers: B&H, Adorama, and Amazon (direct) to name a few. If you are near to retailers like Best Buy, and you can get a discount like was mentioned in an above post, that could be a way to go.

If you shop online, you should be sure to check a possible "bargain" with resellerratings.com because there are a lot of "dealers" out there that cause people grief in one way or another.

And remember.. If it sounds too good to be true.....It probably is... A huge tip off is a place offering X model for $300 or $400.00 hundred less then everyone else....

I'd highly recommend trying out DSLR bodies and lenses at a camera shop when making a decision. Don't let the first time you use your new lens be when it arrives at your door.