DSLR setup w/$2k budget

I sold everything I had about a year ago due to financial issues but now have the money to get it back (I'm not a pro but I really did enjoy the hunt for good pics).

What I had is still in my sig and I've been researching trying to decide what to get since I have a fresh start. I loved the 17-50 and 85, never really used the 50 and liked the 75-300 even though it was slow.

What I'm considering now is the...

T1i body ------------ $650
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 --- $460
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 --- $800

I was also considering getting the T1i kit w/18-55 and 55-250 for $900 leaving me enough for the 85 and a flash.


I know these threads get old but please, bear with me. I basically just want to think out loud before I make my decision and make sure I look over every option.

Thoughts and/or opinions?

I recently got a Canon 50D, for a penny under £600, plus £118.99 Giottos tripod, have yet to figure out how to spend the rest of the £2K budget, probably a lens or two, plus 580 EXII if I have any spare dosh to buy it

I personally would ask if you can forget about the 18-55mm, see if they allow you another lens with the bundle, ok, may cost a bit more if want the 85mm, which I am sure it will

Here's my suggestion :

Canon T2i - 850$
Canon 70-200 F4 - 500$
Canon 18-55 - 100$ (I only use it for wide shots.)
Canon 50mm F1.4 - 325$
Canon 430EX II Flash - 225$
--------------Total------------

2000$

Do you need video?

Wile_E wrote in post #10100634
I sold everything I had about a year ago due to financial issues but now have the money to get it back (I'm not a pro but I really did enjoy the hunt for good pics).

What I had is still in my sig and I've been researching trying to decide what to get since I have a fresh start. I loved the 17-50 and 85, never really used the 50 and liked the 75-300 even though it was slow.

What I'm considering now is the...

T1i body ------------ $650
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 --- $460
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 --- $800

I was also considering getting the T1i kit w/18-55 and 55-250 for $900 leaving me enough for the 85 and a flash.


I know these threads get old but please, bear with me. I basically just want to think out loud before I make my decision and make sure I look over every option.

Thoughts and/or opinions?

I happen to know where you can get a T1i body a lot cheaper than $650....

400dabuser wrote in post #10100806
I recently got a Canon 50D, for a penny under £600, plus £118.99 Giottos tripod, have yet to figure out how to spend the rest of the £2K budget, probably a lens or two, plus 580 EXII if I have any spare dosh to buy it

I personally would ask if you can forget about the 18-55mm, see if they allow you another lens with the bundle, ok, may cost a bit more if want the 85mm, which I am sure it will

I find the 50D to be too big so I'd rather stay with the rebel series.

Rivest wrote in post #10100828
Here's my suggestion :

Canon T2i - 850$
Canon 70-200 F4 - 500$
Canon 18-55 - 100$ (I only use it for wide shots.)
Canon 50mm F1.4 - 325$
Canon 430EX II Flash - 225$
--------------Total------------

2000$

hmm, not bad. I'd rather save a few bucks by getting the T1i over the T2i though. The only main difference in the T2i and T1i is better video from what I read and that doesn't mean much to me as I already have a video camera.

I do shoot with wide angle more than tele too.

EmmaRose wrote in post #10100831
Do you need video?

no.

va_rider wrote in post #10100834
I happen to know where you can get a T1i body a lot cheaper than $650....

new or used?

I'm just going by average prices. When I make my final decision, I will hunt for the lowest price.

edit... duh, just saw your sig.

Wile_E wrote in post #10100875
I do shoot with wide angle more than tele too.

Oh, than don't go with that setup. I'm not an expert in wide angle so I can't really help you there

Rivest wrote in post #10100883
Oh, than don't go with that setup. I'm not an expert in wide angle so I can't really help you there

my 17-50 was my general lens. I liked everything about it except for it hunting in low light at times.

Wile_E wrote in post #10100634
What I'm considering now is the...

T1i body ------------ $650
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 --- $460
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 --- $800

Buy these used and you should have enough extra to buy a flash (and then some).

Or buy the Canon 70-200 f/4L instead that will save you a couple hundred you can put towards a 85mm.

I would look at the XSi if you do not need video. You can find them for $450 easy. Saving you another $200 to put towards something else

iAMB wrote in post #10100979
I would look at the XSi if you do not need video. You can find them for $450 easy. Saving you another $200 to put towards something else

I considered it but I thought the T1i would have an edge in the noise/iso department.

it does... I hate people saying "if you don't need video, just get a XSI, XTI, etc." ... the T1i is a different animal... the xsi shares nothing with the T1i...