Canon EOS 50D Kit - Suggestions

Hi All

I am a novice to SLR photography. I am planning to foray into the world of Photography by getting a starter kit.

My main subjects for photography are my Kids 8 & 2 , vacation and everyday photography.

I found the below kit for 1500 USD. Are the included lens satisfy my requirements. Any suggestion and idea will be highly appreciated.

1. Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera Body"

2. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilizer IS Lens
f/Stop Range: 3.5-22

3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilizer IS Lens
Lens Construction: 12 elements in 10 groups, 1 UD-glass element
Diagonal Angle of View: 27° 50' - 6° 15'
Focus Adjustment: DC motor, gear-driven


4. 58mm Wide Angle Autofocus Lens

5. 58mm 2X Telephoto Autofocus Lens

6. TTL Flash for Canon

7. 2 x 16GB Compact Flash (CF) Memory Card

8. Canon Deluxe Backpack For Digital SLR Cameras
Model: 200EG

9. Tutorial DVD for Canon EOS 50D

10. 58mm 3 Filters Kit: UV - Polarizer - FDL

11. 58mm UV Digital Filter"

12. 58mm 3-Way Rubber Lens Hood"

13. Multi Section Large Video / Photo Tripod"

14. Mini Travel Tripod"

15. USB Compact Flash Card Reader"

16. Lens Cleaning Kit"

17. LCD Screen Protectors.These LCD Screen Protectors fit all Screen sizes up to 3.50"""

18. Memory Card Wallet"

19. Lens Cap Holder"

Also is it advisable to buy the camera from eBay seller

regards
Brainage2

Where did you find that at as that is really, really cheap for all that. Sounds a little fishy. B&H has on 50D + 17-85 lens and it is $1,449.95. IF it was me I would be highly suspect. Just my thought.

I found it on ebay. The seller provides 30 day money back guarantee and free return shipment.Also he has highest ratings from buyers.

I also found another deal from Amazon:

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
$519.97 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock
Condition: New
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC


Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras
$546.28 - Quantity: 1 - In Stock
Condition: New
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
$1,104.89 - Quantity: 1
Condition: New
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

Order Total: $1,721.14

Which package is better?

Any help is highly appreciated.

regards
Brainage2

don't buy the package... get the 50d....

then ask this forum what lens you will need... there is a wealth of knowledge here about every lens..

the kit for $1500 is not worth it imho its throwing a lot stuff in there that you won't use. your better off piecing a kit together yourself

One more option from Costco:

*
Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera Body
*
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
*
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

1800 USD

Can someone tell which will be the big bang for the bucks out of the three packages?

regards
Brainage2

Thanks for the response. Canon is running a promotion now for buying a body and lens together which reduces the package price by upto 450 USD.

So i would like to use the promotion and buy the Camera body with the lens.

My requirement is to shoot only my kids and vacation.Any lens suggestions to start with?

regards
Anand

weedwhackers wrote in post #8051164
don't buy the package... get the 50d....

then ask this forum what lens you will need... there is a wealth of knowledge here about every lens..

the kit for $1500 is not worth it imho its throwing a lot stuff in there that you won't use. your better off piecing a kit together yourself

The 70-300 IS is a superb lens. You will really enjoy that one.

You're putting the cart before the horse, fella. Exactly WHAT do you want to shoot? Determine needs, THEN spec your gear to meet those requirements. Make sure you have the right tools to get the job done.

dave

ylimehajile wrote in post #8051507
The 70-300 IS is a superb lens. You will really enjoy that one.

Can you tell me what are the lenses i should start with?

regards
Brainage2

snyderman wrote in post #8051605
You're putting the cart before the horse, fella. Exactly WHAT do you want to shoot? Determine needs, THEN spec your gear to meet those requirements. Make sure you have the right tools to get the job done.

dave

I want to shoot my kids - School concerts / Tennis / Vacation - Disney , road trips etc.

regards
Anand

What is your budget? There are many, many options.

I too shoot my kids - very similar to what you do. I started with the 17-85 IS and the 70-300 IS. They are just fine for what you are doing -just a tad bit slow for lower-light scenarios. If you start getting more serious with your photography you will want to upgrade to 'faster' lenses.

My girlfriend purchased a 50D 'kit' from best buy. It came with the 50D, 28-135, as well as the 70-300. It is a bit higher to buy all this than the prices you listed but i have used her lenses with my camera, and have used those lenses with her camera as well.

From my experience and IMO the 50D with the 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 is a terrific lens to start with! Its a very nice everyday 'walk-around' lens. When i had to pack light for a family vacation i brought my body, extra battery, and the 28-135. It worked great!

So id suggest as of now the 50D with the 28-135. The 70-300 is also a very nice lens, but since its a 70-300, you have to be pretty far back from your kids to get them fully into frame. With the 28-135, you can stand a little closer to them. Plus, wider is a little nicer to start out with as well.

So, check out the 50D with the Canon 28-135 f/3.5-5.6! I feel it will be a very good first lens to use and buy!


.Chris

ylimehajile wrote in post #8051918
What is your budget? There are many, many options.

I too shoot my kids - very similar to what you do. I started with the 17-85 IS and the 70-300 IS. They are just fine for what you are doing -just a tad bit slow for lower-light scenarios. If you start getting more serious with your photography you will want to upgrade to 'faster' lenses.

I am looking at getting a kit for close to 1800 USD. Can i go for the same combination you are having?

17-85 and 70-300 ?

regards
Brainage2

Not for that price. I'm not a huge fan of the 28-135 / 70-300 combo because there is too much overlap in the lenses plus the 28 isn't really wide enough for a crop body if that is going to be your widest lens. That is why I recommended the 17-85. You could get the 50D / 70-300 combo and buy the 17-85 used. That will push you closer to the 1800.

ylimehajile wrote in post #8052702
Not for that price. I'm not a huge fan of the 28-135 / 70-300 combo because there is too much overlap in the lenses plus the 28 isn't really wide enough for a crop body if that is going to be your widest lens. That is why I recommended the 17-85. You could get the 50D / 70-300 combo and buy the 17-85 used. That will push you closer to the 1800.

Appreciate your suggestion.But where do we buy used lens? What is the reliability?

regards
Brainage2