good beginning packages for me?

i have almost narrowed it down to these packages for my first dslr

Canon Digital Rebel XT Black SLR Camera Kit, with 2 GB CF Memory Card, Spare NB-2LH Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery,

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Auto Focus Lens

Lowepro SlingShot 100 AW

Canon Speedlite 220EX TTL Shoe Mount Flash (im not yet sure on if i need/want a flash yet, and this fits in my budget the best)

all for about $1,112 on adorama

or the XSI with the same lenses and bag for about $1,350 with no flash


i still wish i can get a 40D but that is now looking harder to get now for my budget

tripod ?

Save a bit longer. Go straight for the 40D and 1 lens. You'll out-grow the XT really quick.

Deals are to be found but you are going to have to shop around.

Scratch the spare battery as you can get them much cheaper from Sterlingtek or Diamondback.

Look at either EBay or here in the sell forums for the Slingshot 100AW (There are several people, including myself, that have them for sale for about half retail). As for EBay, there are a couple Lowepro authorized dealer that sell them dirt cheap (Prodigital and Sellnsend are two that I have used).

You should be able to pick up a used 430EX flash for the same price as what you are looking at the 220 for (once again, check in the sell forum here). Hot shoe flash is a HUGE difference over on board flash.

Quite honestly, if you are picky you could put together a 30D package with those lenses in your price range.

It took me 2 years to outgrow the XT. The Speedlite 220EX serves little benefit over built-in flash, and you'd be just as well off and have more power available with a Sunpak 383S.

Shop pricegrabber.com for good prices on compactflash memory.

Sterlingtek.com has great batteries at low prices; buy batteries from them.

What you listed as first option is, to me, worth $900 at most, the second option no more than $1200.

those are good choices. ditch the 220EX & just get a decent tripod. save up for a 430EX.

drumebskater wrote in post #5818436
Lowepro SlingShot 100 AW

I'd thoroughly recommend going for at least the 200, you'll very quickly outgrow the 100.

Pete

nordstern1 wrote in post #5818991
those are good choices. ditch the 220EX & just get a decent tripod. save up for a 430EX.

Ditto. Don't buy a flash until you're ready, i.e. know exactly what you want. 200EX is almost useless (no advantage over built in flash).

Also, I highly recommend EF 50/1.8. It's cheap, small (so makes a perfect backup lens), fast, and it's sharper than most other lenses. It's a perfect portrait lens.

And its autofocus is REALLY bad. I can no longer recommend that lens, because it's virtually useless to me now. I need to sell mine and buy a 50 f/1.4 or 85 f/1.8 or 100 f/2 or 135 f/2.

form wrote in post #5821320
And its autofocus is REALLY bad. I can no longer recommend that lens, because it's virtually useless to me now. I need to sell mine and buy a 50 f/1.4 or 85 f/1.8 or 100 f/2 or 135 f/2.

what's autofocus is really bad?

Are you going to buy the kit or body only? I personally don't see a use for the kit lens and the 18-55 IS.

Hey, I just realized that you also live in Rowlett!

50mm f/1.8 II's autofocus is bad.