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FORUMS Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Canon Digital Cameras 
Thread started 18 Feb 2009 (Wednesday) 19:58
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What do you think of this deal??

 
becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 19:58 |  #1

I have absolutely nothing for camera use, not even lens cleaners yet, so i need everything to get started.... and i found this on ebay, he has great ratings and positive feedback..

This looked like a pretty good package and he's willing to switch out the Hard shell case (i will not need a hard case) for a small carry soft shell case and extra battery and possible extra SD card........

Just wondering what you all think of this package and lenses, etc.... Is it worth the deal or would it not be worth it?! He's also willing to mix and match several other accessories.. what would i be missing???

http://cgi.ebay.com …%3A1%7C293%3A1%​7C294%3A50 (external link)




  
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ozziepuppy
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Feb 18, 2009 20:07 |  #2

I do not recommend this "deal." Have you read the negative and neutral feedback comments? That is one problem. The second problem is that many of the accessories either are basically worthless or come with the camera anyway or can be bought very inexpensively. I suggest going to newegg.com or else to B&H Photo (also online). Otherwise you are just spending extra money for semi-worthless "accessories." Don't count on a "deal" like this to give you what you need.


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becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 20:19 |  #3

ozziepuppy wrote in post #7355676 (external link)
I do not recommend this "deal." Have you read the negative and neutral feedback comments? That is one problem. The second problem is that many of the accessories either are basically worthless or come with the camera anyway or can be bought very inexpensively. I suggest going to newegg.com or else to B&H Photo (also online). Otherwise you are just spending extra money for semi-worthless "accessories." Don't count on a "deal" like this to give you what you need.

Thanks for the quick response! I am totally new to this... and when i did the math, those lenses with that camera alone would cost me more than his price i thought? maybe i'm wrong.... BUT so if those are semi-worthless accessories, then what would be a good starter group to purchase?? My budget is between 800-1000.. i can NOT go over 1000! I will mainly be shooting my kids at home indoors/outdoors (1yr and 3yr) and taking it with me when we are out and about to get shots of my family at places.. What would i need??? I think i've decided on the xsi... so start from that :) Becky




  
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Nistelrooydude
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Feb 18, 2009 20:25 as a reply to  @ ozziepuppy's post |  #4

Yeah, there's a lot of junk in there you can do without. I'm always skeptical of these eBay deal things. Those coverter things are junk and the flash looks like a small flashlight in a box.




  
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becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 20:29 |  #5

I thought that too about the flash, will i really need an external flash? from what i take i'll be spending:

650 (on amazon or whatever) on the camera and the kit lens
85 on the 50mm prime lens
-then i'd like a remote, the lens cleaner, extra battery, i need SD cards!, a bag to put it all in as i don't have one.. anything else i'd need? are the lens or uv filters neccessary and what about that larger canon lens?? I am just clueless as to what i need for my purpose?




  
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LostShootingStar
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Feb 18, 2009 20:31 |  #6

I'm always weary about buying high priced items on ebay. I always stick to Amazon when it comes to things like this

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becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 20:33 |  #7

hmmmm.... I have spent soo many stinkin' hours on the net trying to research what i should get and yet i am just as clueless as when i started, LOL




  
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becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 20:36 |  #8

I have a blog that i've kept for 3 yrs to keep in touch with family (as i live near none of mine) .... www.babyjacobpage.blog​spot.com (external link) and so my kids and family will be my main focus for pictures but i hope to get into a photography class here in town to help me learn how to take better pictures and use my camera, etc... I love taking photos, i just know I am not good at it YET and i really want to say yet because i hope one day i will!!! I currently have an old kodak easyshare z760 and its nothing to brag over...




  
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infinite012
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Feb 18, 2009 20:41 |  #9

The Canon 75-300 III is not known for high quality. It's a cheap starter zoom that will allow you to play with a large zoom range. I had it at one point, but I quickly sold it for the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 because the Canon was 1) slow to focus, 2) soft throughout the zoom range, 3) obnoxious when zooming in/out because the front element will extend out.

Instead of the 70-300, try looking into the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS (external link) lens. Although it still has the extending barrel, you get the added benefit of IS and sharper optics, so more of your pictures will come out in focus and sharp.

UV filters will generally not be necessary unless you are shooting in harsh conditions where junk will be flying onto your lens. For example, at the beach, there will be sand blowing around, so having a UV filter may help prevent pitting and scratches on the lens' front element.

Extra batteries can be had for cheap from SterlingTek (external link)

If you've got a camera store local to you, check it out and see if they have any sales on camera bags and tripods. If they don't, just go anyways to see if they have any nice bags or tripods that you would want to buy, then check the price online at places like Adorama.com or BHPhotoVideo.com.

Same thing with SD cards. You can find them super cheap online compared to at a place like Ritz or Best Buy. Just remember to purchase everything from a reputable shop online. Not eBay. eBay is known for sellers with fake/stolen/grey market goods.

To break down the extra "accessories" found on that eBay auction:
"Wide Angle Lens" and "2X Telephoto Lens" is an attachment that you screw to the front of your existing lens. These generally degrade image quality and you don't get a noticeably wider image. You'd be better off without one.

3 piece filter kit will generally be unnecessary. It will come with a circular polarizer, a fluorescent light filter, and another one that I can't remember. You will never use the last 2, but the polarizer might come in handy if you shoot things with lots of reflections (i.e. cars, buildings, windows...).

Hard shell case is not needed, and it's actually fairly easy to break/crack.

Digital flash looks like junk. Wouldn't put it on my camera if it was free.

Remote control you can pick one up for $5 on ebay.

Tutorial DVD might be useful, but you could just as easily watch a few videos on youtube.

Mini travel tripod will not work if you mount that 75-300 lens on the camera.

Lens cap holder? Really?

USB card readers are cheap, but you could just as easily (and FREE) use the supplied USB cable to transfer pictures from your camera to your computer.

LCD screen protectors are debatable, but the consensus here is that you will not need a LCD screen protector for your existing LCD screen protector.

I've never used a "lens cleaner" before. I'm the type of person who just uses his breath and t-shirt to wipe down the front element. It's tough enough for everyday use, so it's tough enough for a t-shirt wipe down.

Memory card wallet is not useful unless you have more than 2 memory cards. Even then, it's generally not needed because memory cards come in their own little plastic containers. Kind of a redundant thing.

Canon "Wide Strap," charger, "start up battery," video cable, USB cable, and software CD comes in the box. These are not an added accessory.

The "start up battery" is the right battery to use. There is nothing that distinguishes a "start up battery" from a "normal" battery. Although, like I said before, SterlingTek has cheap batteries and good quality.

Hope this helps.


Michael
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jwcdds
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Feb 18, 2009 20:51 |  #10

clueless, eh?

Well, here, make a running check list:
1. What's your budget?
2. Do you plan to print big or mostly for web?
3. Is weight and size (equipment weight: body, lenses) an issue?
4. Do you prefer to shoot in "auto" mode, or do you want to shoot in Av/Tv/M modes eventually?

I'm sure there are a few more that people can add to the list but it'll help you determine what to buy, and what to start off with.

#1 is key because you can melt your credit card and deplete your savings so fast just mindlessly shopping for camera gear.

#2, I see your short-term goals are to fill your blogs with photos to share with family. So you shouldn't have to worry too much about how many megapixels the camera has. But if you do plan to print big (and we're talking 20x30 or greater), you should factor in sensor resolution.

#3, a lot of people are surprised by the size and weight of DSLRs. You're going from a P&S that weighs relatively light to a setup that can weight 3-5 lbs or more depending on lenses. Are you prepared for the extra bulk and weight of lugging things around?

#4, are you familiar with post-processing techniques? Granted DSLRs are capable of taking good photos when set in full auto mode. But you can take equally good photos with P&S cameras in auto mode. IMO (and this is just my opinion), stepping into the realm of DSLR generally means you want to start having more control over the photos you plan to take. More controls = more room for user error, but when you get it right, the results are so much more rewarding.

But if you're not prepared to spend time tweaking your photos in what we now call the "digital darkroom", are you really better off with a DSLR?

I'm just speaking/typing in general here. You might be very experienced and knowledgeable in the realm of post-processing. I'm just trying to help you narrow down your options so you can make a more informed decision on what to buy. :)


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becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 21:06 |  #11

jwcdds-
Alright, let me start from the top!
1. budget:800-1000 for everything
2. mainly for the web, but i would like to be able to print up an 8x10 at largest every now and then for the wall.. but nothing really big.... I also scrapbook so that would be your typical 4x6,etc...
3. weight and size not too big of an issue, i am used to hauling around a kid in a sling everywhere i go including a huge purse and diaper bags.. so i am used to hauling junk everywhere i go and i am fine with carrying a camera bag and let my DH carry the diaper bags from now on :) I have read that the xsi (which i've held an XS in a store before) is on the smaller side in comparison to other dslr's.. i had no problem with the size of the xs i held in the store, however it only had on the kit lens which i am sure is fairly small in comparison to others out there.
4. For everyday pics, auto would be ideal.. but I am really looking forward to learning how to do manual mode.. i've already started reading up on it at least on the web thru online tutorials and then also our local college here offers a class to help you learn about your cameras and photography, etc.. so i hope to learn more hands on with that.

I am not a spender.. i very much keep to budgets which is why i guess the package deals were appealing to me.. i wouldn't have to go out and spend more than i wanted and hope that i get all that i'd need....

And i take it by post-processing you are referring to Photoshop right? I had PSE 4.0 and this christmas as a gift got PSE 7.0.. I also have a dummy book on PSE that i've been reading up like crazy on along wtih tips from online.. but i've been using photoshop for the last 3 yrs i'd say.. i don't normally use it for my pics to much for my blog other than little unsharpen mask, contrast change, layering with soft light, and some clone and burn and dodge tools, etc. but i really feel limited by my camera sometimes that no amount of sharpening or blurring by hand makes things look as lovely as the dslr cameras do... SO to answer your question.. yes i realize i will be spending tons of time in photoshop and to be honest i can't wait! i love photoshop... now if only i could afford the full version of photoshop i'd be in heaven but i think PSE 7.0 should suit me just fine.. it is way better than my 4.0 version for sure- you can actually do actions in 7.0 !

But yes my short term goal is for my blog but i'd like to get good enough to take nice pics of my kids i'd be proud to put on my walls and not have to pay a photographer to do anymore!




  
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becky_us
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Feb 18, 2009 21:12 |  #12

infinite012
Thanks for the rundown! So, most of that stuff i see i WONT need, which is great!
Do you think i'd even need a camera with that big of lens.. I like to read blogs and when i see some great pics i've been asking around what lens is being used and several times i've gotten told a prime 50mm 1.8? i think it is? For my use which will mainly be indoor with kids, backyard with kids, zoo with kids, things like that... would i even NEED a lens with that large of zoom? or would the kit lens suit me fine and then the prime lens for closeups,etc...??? I am still learning what all these lens' do, so sorry if i sound stupid here...




  
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Dooms_day
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Feb 18, 2009 21:27 |  #13

i bought from a similar deal, i think you will get exactly what they say you will, but the accessories are cheap, id get the deal for the lenses, if they give brand names and milimeters at all then ur prety lucky already - on ebay lol


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SwiftFootTim
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Feb 18, 2009 21:35 |  #14

I'd say:
XSi Kit
50 f/1.8
SanDisk or Lexar SD cards as there are rebates out there to use to maximize profit.
Sterlingtek Battery
That should leave you about $175-$200 in my estimation to stay under $1,000.00. If you need a zoom I've heard good things about the 55-250 IS.

Also, don't forget, Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson for about $20.00 it's a starter book that can't be beat!


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SteveJa
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Feb 18, 2009 21:42 as a reply to  @ becky_us's post |  #15

I would go with the XSI / kit lens. $699

Get yourself an 8gig card. $40

Speedlite 430ex II $240

This will put you right at $1000 you would have no extra for camera bag / lenes tripod.....

Or you could drop the speedlite and get the 50mm 1.8 ($85) and then get a bag and other extras.....

you could also look for the kit with the 18-55 and 55-250 (good long reach lens/ zoo's/ kids /outdoors) I bought this at BH for $789. then you could get the 50mm 1.8 also and have a little left over.....

Good luck.... I have been looking for the last 3 days on a tripod.....


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What do you think of this deal??
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