Yet another thread on dSLR opinions/advice...

08/29/2006 09:16:24 PM · #1

Well, it's about that time to start gathering some advice and opinions for the plunge into the wonderful world of SLR cameras. I'm still about 2 months out before buying one, but if I'm going to drop $1k or more, I want to start the research now. Anyway, here's the deal as of now: I've pretty much settled on the Canon line mainly because of lower lens prices and better high ISO performance. With that said, I cannont afford any sort of 1D or 5D (although I wish I could...). So I'm narrowed down to either the 350D, 400D, 20D, and 30D. My mom has agreed to buy me a Tamron SP 28-75mm f/2.8 lens for my birthday, and I will probably use that as my main lens. I am going to budget about $1000 of my own money towards this new camera and accesories (I also need some advice on what to get as far as accesories go) although I can probably push for $200-$300 more if I really need to. I found a 350D body only on butterflyphoto.com (opinions on this site?) for $608. If I were to get that, I would have about $400 left to spend. With that $400 I would want to pick up the 50mm f/1.8 lens, memory card(s), a backpack, and if there's money left, a 430ex flash. Another route is to get a 20D (also body only) for about $850, and have only $150 left to spend on that stuff which probably means no 50mm lens and no flash. I could also wait for the 400D (I want to see the comparison of this to the 350D first though) to release, and that would set me back about $800 so I don't know if I might as well drop the extra $50 and spring for the 20D or not (opinions on that too?). The 30D is pretty much out of the question right now because of the price issue. For the future, I would like to pick up the 70-200mm f/4L, a wide angle lens, and a macro lens. As for what I shoot, right now it's mainly landscapes and still life but I want to get into portraiture. Examples of what I can do can be seen in my portfolio. If you've gotten this far in my post, I apologize for making it so long but I want to get this right the first time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, opinions, and/or words of wisdom you can give me.

Message edited by author 2006-08-29 21:29:09.

Count

Canon EOS-30D

08/29/2006 09:26:57 PM · #2

I would wait for the 400D and stick with a dealer like B&H. Butterfly photo isn't known as a good dealer, you can check their ratings HERE

The Tamron 28-70 f/2.8 is a fantastic lens, and also doubles as a nice macro lens too.

Getting the kit lens will give you a good (considering the price) fairly wide angle lens for cheap.

Pickup the 70-200 f/4L when you have the money later on and you won't be disapointed.

Hope this helps...

08/29/2006 09:40:32 PM · #3

I just bought the 430EX and I'm pretty sure I paid 300 bucks or more for it.

I would buy

- 350d (650 bucks)
- 50mm 1.8 (80 bucks)
- extra battery (50 bucks)
- backpack (100 bucks)

and then try and squeeze two 2Gig cards out of whats left.

08/29/2006 09:52:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by routerguy666:

I found the 430ex on BH Photo for $240. Also, I want to get the Canon 200EG backpack which goes for $50 on BH. Also, how are generic batteries in comparison to Canon ones? They are a heck of a lot cheaper than the Canon ones, but do they not work as well?

08/29/2006 09:57:51 PM · #5

They probably work fine.

Point about the flash was it eats your budget. At your prices, you get camera, flash and bag and that's it. You should think on it. I thought I would use the hell out of the flash - I've used it twice since I bought it. Sure I have it for when I need it or when/if my interests shift in a direction that necessitates its regular use, but if you are just putting your first bag of gear together I personally wouldn't put a speedlite at the top of the list.

- camera
- cards
- GOOD BACKPACK
- lenses
- batteries
- tripod
- remote control/shutter release cable
- cleaning materials (blowers, rags, lense pen)
- filters

etc.

Message edited by author 2006-08-29 21:58:36.

08/29/2006 10:05:04 PM · #6

Originally posted by routerguy666:

Thanks for the advice, maybe I will skip out on the flash for now. Would you advise against the 200EG backpack? And if so, could you suggest a good one that isn't insanely (<$100) expensive? I have a tripod and a friend of mine recently upgraded to a 20D and is willing to give me both the remote control and the shutter release for free or very cheap. I would also like to sell my current camera and buy a cheap P&S camera for entertainment uses and portability, so I might be able to use some of the funds from that for other accesories.

08/29/2006 10:07:17 PM · #7

Sorry, wasn't inferring the canon bag wasn't good. Was just saying a good one is a must.

JonPM

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

08/29/2006 11:21:30 PM · #8

If I were you I would get the 350D w/ kit lense, but only after the 400D comes out. Hopefully that will drop the price of the 350D by 10% or more. Definetly get that Tamron lense (I just got it and its awesome). Then get what routerguy said, but skip the 50mm (for now) and get the mem cards (2gig cards are about $60 on ebay).

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

08/29/2006 11:28:53 PM · #9

Don't get anything with rebel in the name.

You already want to use one flash, chances are you'll want to use more later, and the PC sync port will probably come in handy. Not to mention the ergonomics on the XT aren't that good, and it's not built too well. And the little extra X-sync speed on the 20D can't hurt.

I'd get the 20D, 2GB card, LowePro MiniTrekker AW (you can fit a whole lot of equipment into one of those, seriously), and a Sigma 500 Super. The sigma's only $200, but it's basically equivelant to the Canon 580EX in everything but build quality. If you need to hold off on something, hold off on the flash IMO. The 50 1.8 is really good. You'll want a really good tripod later, but get something cheap and simple for now I guess. Don't plan on being very efficient with a cheapie, and forget about windy nights.

edit-
I've had my XT for about 9 months, and I do wish I had gone with the 20D instead. I probably could have worked more to make up the difference, or bought less stuff, or at least waited longer to get my lenses.

Message edited by author 2006-08-29 23:31:35.

08/29/2006 11:39:46 PM · #10

Everyone has their opinion of course. I used and abused the 350 for a year and had no problems with it at all. No complaints. For the money, it is a great camera. If you want to double your budget, it's a whole different conversation.

08/30/2006 02:00:53 AM · #11

Just out of curiousity, are there any attachments that you can use to connect the 350D to a PC sync port?

Prof_Fate

08/30/2006 07:28:34 AM · #12

buy at b&h.
for this month's sales in the search box type in PSAUG (and for september PSSEP) For example in august the 580EX is $20 off and the 5D $50 off. These lower prices can only be found via that search.

Lowepro minitrekker classic is a good backpack with room to grow, about $80
400D - not that much more than the 350 but some really nifty new features. Unless you plan to upgrade to a 30d within a year or two, the 400 will serve you well. $700? Body only now - you don't need or want the kit lens, and can always get one on ebay for $70 if you need one for some odd reason.

flash - sigma EF500DG super for $200ish (i got a used one for $170) - more power and features than the 430 and about the same cost. it works - very well!
battery - see ebay or sterlingtek.com - i am using 2 batts I got off ebay - $20 for both. they work just fine. sterliingtek batts are good and there you know more what you're getting.

Lenses - the tammie 28-75 is nice, but not very wide, as it was designed for film/full frame. the 'proper' lens for a 1.6 crop is an 18-50 or so - check out the sigma 18-50 2.8 EX and tamron 17-80 2.8 SP. Both are good, the sigma a tad less expensive and might be found used as it's been out a year longer.

For longer, a 70-200f4 is about $550. look around for a used tamron 70-210 2.8 LD. Great lens and can often be had for under $400! I got mine for 300!! For a stop-gap check out the sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO lens - under $200 and good.

for wider - tokina 12-24 f4.

Prof_Fate

08/30/2006 07:29:04 AM · #13

Originally posted by routerguy666:

there are hot shoe to PC adapters, nikon makes a good one.

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

08/30/2006 10:07:29 AM · #14

Thanks Prof_Fate. For the Sigma flash, does it still have ETTL II and the rest of the same features that are on the 430EX? Also will the sterlingtek batteries last as long as the canon ones and still charge in the canon charger, or will I have to get a different one?

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

08/30/2006 10:28:00 AM · #15

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

there are hot shoe to PC adapters, nikon makes a good one.

Yep, and I use one. It doesn't work with one of my PC sync cords, but it does work on the second one I bought. Both of them work on my 1N with a real PC port.

Also, if you want to get into night photography, or time lapse, or anything like that, you'll be able to use one of These with the 20/30D, but not with any of the rebels. I don't think there are any features you'd be kicking yourself about that are in the rebels if you went with a 20/30D, but the other way around there are plenty.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/30/2006 10:43:37 AM · #16

PQI 2G 60x CF $38 bucks at Outpost (aka Fry's) I got the 133x version for 30 bucks last weekend. They also have 4G for $80 bucks... so don't spend $60 for a 2G that is too much...

Andy

JonPM

08/30/2006 11:48:40 AM · #17

Originally posted by awpollard:

PQI 2G 60x CF $38 bucks at Outpost (aka Fry's) I got the 133x version for 30 bucks last weekend. They also have 4G for $80 bucks... so don't spend $60 for a 2G that is too much...

Andy

It's $60 for the 2GB SanDisk Ultra II 2.0 CF cards. That's pretty cheap for the quality and speed you get. Plus it comes with the rescue software in case something did happen. Don't buy cheap CF cards, you'll regret it later on.

Prof_Fate

08/30/2006 01:55:07 PM · #18

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

sterlingtek batts will last just fine and may be more Mah so last longer on a charge. On my 300D i'd get 400-600 or so pics on a charge. My 30D has gone as long as 1400, on the same batteries. They all charge in the same canon charger that comes with the camera.

I have a metz54 and a sigma EF500DG super (there is an ST model for $130 ish new that is more like the 430 in features). What you get with the 'better' flash is an LCD panel for settings, more settings and features. It will work with the canon wireless setup if you go that route in teh future. And yes, it's eTTL2 compatible and works great.

10/30/2006 01:28:50 PM · #19

Ok, it's almost time to buy so I need some last minute opinions from you guys so I have a few questions:
1.) Lowepro Nova 4 or Canon 200DG bag?

2.) How is Sigma4Less.com? There are quite a few horror stories on resellerratings.

3.) What accessories other than memory cards and batteries do I need?

4.) What model wireless remote works with the Rebel XT/XTi?

And last but not least (for now that is):

5.) Is the Canon 400D worth the extra $200 over the 350D?

Edit to add: One more question.

Message edited by author 2006-10-30 13:45:44.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/30/2006 04:46:29 PM · #20

Bump...

mist

Canon EOS-60D

10/30/2006 05:00:30 PM · #21

Originally posted by SamDoe1:

5.) Is the Canon 400D worth the extra $200 over the 350D?

Well, that really depends on how much $200 is to you, but we have a copy of the 400D and it's a great little camera. The LCD screen is very large, which is nice for reviewing photos, and, of course, it has the anti-dust thing and the extra MP. But aside from that I think they are the same camera.

10/30/2006 07:12:28 PM · #22

Thanks mist, anyone else want to answer the other questions?