Yay!! Canon Equipment Upgrade!! - DPChallenge Forums

08/02/2005 08:16:37 PM · #1

Well, I've decided on what I'm buying & upgrading:

- Canon EOS 20D (selling my Digital Rebel XT)
- Canon 17-40 F/4L
- Canon 70-200 F/2.8L IS (OK, not totally sure if I'm getting the IS or the non-IS)
- Vertical grip extender for 20D
- Slik (forget model #) tripod
- Camera/laptop backpack

Questions: Will I need a second battery for the grip extender? Or does it come with one? Any glaring problems with my buy list?

ed: Making the purchase sometime this week. Does it really matter much whether I go B&H or Amazon? Any other reliable places where I can get a good deal?

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 20:17:31.

CorySmith

08/02/2005 08:18:58 PM · #2

get the is for sure, your gonna kick yourself if you didnt
and get anohter battery for sure

08/02/2005 08:27:58 PM · #3

Originally posted by Fetor:

get the is for sure, your gonna kick yourself if you didnt
and get anohter battery for sure

I'm not sure... you can get the 70-200 non IS for about $900 used, vs $1400+++, that's considerably cheaper than the IS. It's also (slightly) sharper and lighter (almost half a pound). The IS does have closer focusing by .3 meters. Another possitive thing about the IS is it has weather sealing, for when you upgrade to that 1-Series body, while the non-IS does not. They are both great lenses, but you have to remember that there's a 50% price difference.

CorySmith

08/02/2005 08:32:35 PM · #4

bah dont worry about the price thing right away, wait till the credit card bill comes in

08/02/2005 08:33:51 PM · #5

Originally posted by aboutimage:

You don't need 2 batteries in the grip, but you'll want to have 2. Definately. Now that's the bp511 right? you can get them for almost nothing anyway if you buy them from somewhere other than canon. I had one from //www.power101.com and it worked perfectly (better than the canon).

How long have you had the XT? It seems like it might not be the best upgrade of bodies. Maybe you should put the money into a 135L or some other lens that you will love? I'm guessing you just want the bigger buffer and higher FPS, which if that's the case, go for it.

Sorry to push it again but the tamron 17-35 is a fabulous substitute for the 17-40L if you would even consider non canon glass. I do have test pictures from it if you need convincing. For $200 less, you could put money towards that IS, or whatever else you need.

08/02/2005 08:53:47 PM · #6

I haven't had the XT for very long (maybe 6 weeks), but every time I see the 20D I keep thinking I should have gotten that one. I like the bigger viewfinder, bigger buffer, faster FPS, and more "pro" looking body. Since it's not a huge cost increase, I figure I might as well just get it over with.

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 20:54:06.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/02/2005 08:59:34 PM · #7

I was not aware of a larger viewfinder for the 20D O_o???

I thought it was directly proportional to the size of the sensor.

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 21:07:28.

RobotBanjo

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/02/2005 09:11:19 PM · #8

Already have a buyer for that Rebel XT?

08/02/2005 09:17:01 PM · #9

Originally posted by NightShy:

Already have a buyer for that Rebel XT?

Not yet.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/02/2005 09:17:28 PM · #10

Originally posted by kyebosh:

I was not aware of a larger viewfinder for the 20D O_o???

I thought it was directly proportional to the size of the sensor.

Ooh... I hope not. I was told it was bigger. 20D users?

HERE is a side by side comparison I was able to find.

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 21:25:21.

RobotBanjo

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/02/2005 09:32:55 PM · #11

Originally posted by aboutimage:

Originally posted by NightShy:
Already have a buyer for that Rebel XT?

Not yet.

How much? Just the body, yes?

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

08/02/2005 09:33:44 PM · #12

from your site

"The EOS 20D has a pentaprism with a 0.9x viewfinder magnification, the Digital Rebel XT has a pentamirror with 0.8x magnification."

edit: to clarify... this means the XT has a smaller viewfinder than the 300D which had a .88x viewfinder. This is of the already 1.6x crop so it's getting about half the light of a film camera. I would guess that the .9x would be noticably better in some situations.

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 21:39:35.

RobotBanjo

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/02/2005 10:22:34 PM · #13

Originally posted by NightShy:

Originally posted by aboutimage:

Originally posted by NightShy:
Already have a buyer for that Rebel XT?

Not yet.

How much? Just the body, yes?

Eh eh eh?? :)

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

08/02/2005 10:36:06 PM · #14

Just a sec on pricing... gotta give the kids baths and put them to bed. But I do have the camera (silver), 18-55 kit lens, extra battery, and camera bag. I'll sell the whole thing for less than I bought it (within reason), I just haven't had time to figure out how much I should ask.

nsbca7

08/02/2005 10:36:22 PM · #15

Originally posted by kyebosh:

Originally posted by Fetor:
get the is for sure, your gonna kick yourself if you didnt
and get anohter battery for sure

I'm not sure... you can get the 70-200 non IS for about $900 used, vs $1400+++, that's considerably cheaper than the IS. It's also (slightly) sharper and lighter (almost half a pound). The IS does have closer focusing by .3 meters. Another possitive thing about the IS is it has weather sealing, for when you upgrade to that 1-Series body, while the non-IS does not. They are both great lenses, but you have to remember that there's a 50% price difference.

I have the non-IS version and don't miss it. I do have IS on my 600/4 and never use it.

08/02/2005 11:01:12 PM · #16

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I have the non-IS version and don't miss it. I do have IS on my 600/4 and never use it.

So it's something you can turn on and off?

08/02/2005 11:11:19 PM · #17

OK. Price for camera:

-Camera w/ 18-55 kit lens - I paid $950, $889 seems to be average "real" price on eBay
-Extra battery: I paid $35-ish
-GadgetBag: I paid $29

Additionally, I have it in the shop right now for a complete cleaning (including CCD). They're also going to do some work on the internal piece that displays the focus points - it strangely not in good focus. It doesnt' affect the outcome of the photo, but the fact that the left focus points don't focus correctly drives me nuts. Shop is charging me $125 for the whole thing.

It seems to me a fair used price for the whole thing would be around $850?