Last minute help with Canon XT and Lense purchase.

01/04/2006 01:14:25 PM · #1

Ok, well, I am finally ordering the Canon XT today and am deciding between these two lense options:

Option 1.)
Canon 50mm f1.8
Tamron 28-75
and another telephoto lense (in time)

Option 2.)
Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6
or
Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm l f/4

Then I would have to save up for a lot longer for the 50mm and the Tamron.

I was thinking possibly option 2 because of the double rebates - I could get $150 off on the Rebel XT and $30 off one of those lenses. So basically, for buying another Canon product, I'd get an additional $105 off the sticker price (If I buy it before the 15th)

But then, of course, I thought option 1 might be more realistic - I could have a walkaround lense and the 50mm right away. I am a digital newbie, so, maybe that's the way I should go.

Put yourself in my position, if you can, and tell me what you think! Thank you so much for all your help in previous threads.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/04/2006 01:20:14 PM · #2

Unless you shoot outdoors a lot, I'd go with option 1. I generally only bring out the telephotos when I'm shooting wildlife.

Canon EOS-20D

01/04/2006 01:24:26 PM · #3

Even though I love long lenses, I'd say go with option 1 as well. Having your widest angle be 70mm (or 112mm if we consider the crop factor) would be pretty limiting. The Tamron and the 50mm are both excellent lenses.

Prof_Fate

01/04/2006 01:27:34 PM · #4

Some depends on what you shoot.
I agree with scalvert. I have a sigma 70-300 i am going to sell later this month as i rarely use it. My walkaround is a Tamron SP 24-135 3.5-5.6 and 135 on 1.6x crop is enough 95% of the time for me.

300 is not enough for the wildlife around here (small birds). Bigger stuff and sports i can get better with a 70-200 2.8 or 4.

You have chosen good glass. Go with that for now and i/m sure your tastes will change over time. I have had my Rebel 1 year today (Happy Birthday to my camera!) and have sold my first lens (a 28-80) and will be selling my third (the 70-300). The 50 1.8 i have and do use on occasion - it's nice light and cheap, so it stays.

I suppose you could live with a 50 and a 70-200, and fill in the 'walkaround' part later when you know what you like. But i think that will be sooner rather than later, where was the 70-200 can wait.

01/04/2006 01:29:44 PM · #5

One of the main thoughts behind the zoom lense was the fact that it would give me an extra 105 bucks off the rebel. If that wasn't the case, I would go option 1 without looking back.

01/04/2006 01:30:35 PM · #6

It also wouldn't take much saving up to buy the 50mm, being its 69 from Amazon (via adorama)

01/04/2006 01:48:44 PM · #7

If you're getting the camera with the kit lens, you could use that for now and go with the other option. Otherwise, having 70mm as your widest lens will cripple your photography indoors.

01/04/2006 01:50:19 PM · #8

Yah, not getting the kit lense.

01/04/2006 01:51:47 PM · #9

No-brainer then. Get the Tamron and 50mm. The other route might save you some dollars, but your widest angle would effectively be 112mm. You'd be cursing within the week.

Message edited by author 2006-01-04 13:55:34.

LoudDog

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/04/2006 02:04:33 PM · #10

I would reccommend the Sigma 70-300 APO DG for $220 over the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 any day, but if you do not need the 300mm the 70-200 F4 L is even better.

1 or 2 depends on if you shoot more wide or more telephoto. If you are split 50/50, get the Tamron 28-75 and the Sigma 70-300 APO DG and ask for the 50mm F1.8 for your birthday.

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

01/04/2006 02:13:13 PM · #11

Originally posted by LoudDog:

I would reccommend the Sigma 70-300 APO DG for $220 over the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 any day

Note that the Canon 70-300 is a new lens model that's FAR better than their old 75-300. It was on my Christmas list, but I had to settle for the 100-400L instead. ;-D

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

01/04/2006 02:15:00 PM · #12

I'd go with the first option, IMO it would be better for everyday general photography. Grab a telephoto off eBay later - I got my 75-300 from there for $120 just last month.

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

01/04/2006 02:15:13 PM · #13

jeeze, I'm trying to order the XT and I called Butterfly Photo. Horrible service - I was passed around to nearly 6 different people and none could take my order. Finally they told me it wouldn't be in stock till next Monday. Gives me an odd feeling.

I was going to do Abes of Maine, but looks like this store has had complaints as well. Then I checked Adorama (Amazon's seller) and they had even more complaints. This is stressful!

Any experiences or recommendations for where to buy this camera? (Cheap but safe) Any of you have experience with Butterfly photo, Abes of Maine or Adorama?

Thanks!

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

01/04/2006 02:19:55 PM · #14

B&H is safest. I can't remember where I bought mine, although it was someplace different from B&H. But check ratings first, there are a TON of places that will play those scam games with you.

01/04/2006 02:22:59 PM · #15

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

B&H is safest. I can't remember where I bought mine, although it was someplace different from B&H. But check ratings first, there are a TON of places that will play those scam games with you.

I may be naive, but that bait and switch stuff makes me mad. I'm sure I'm not the only one. I guess I'll pay the extra 30 dollars for good service at B/H

LoudDog

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/04/2006 02:23:07 PM · #16

Butterfly is cheap and honorable, but they are annoying as hell as they always make you call them before they ship it so they can try to sell you more stuff. I'm good at saying NO so I still use them when they are considerably cheaper then B&H.

01/04/2006 02:26:44 PM · #17

$779 before rebate at BuyDig.

cresus

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

01/04/2006 02:31:23 PM · #18

I second buydig/beachcamera. Awesome prices, good retailer.

01/04/2006 02:35:01 PM · #19

Originally posted by scalvert:

$779 before rebate at BuyDig.

Originally posted by cresus:

I second buydig/beachcamera. Awesome prices, good retailer.

BeachCamera has the black one for 769, 10 cheaper than buydig. No shipping. That brings it within 8 dollars of Butterfly when tacking on their shipping. BeachCamera is legit?

Thanks a lot for the help, as usual. I would be lost without you guys. Even my close friends aren't as patient with me as you all!

01/04/2006 02:41:20 PM · #20

BeachCamera has a great rating.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

01/04/2006 02:51:48 PM · #21

Originally posted by scalvert:

Note that the Canon 70-300 is a new lens model that's FAR better than their old 75-300. It was on my Christmas list, but I had to settle for the 100-400L instead. ;-D

Life's just one long round of disappointments, isn't it ? :)

Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical IF Super II for Canon

01/04/2006 02:52:30 PM · #22

I wonder if their free shipping listed at 8-10 days really takes that long or if they are just trying to get some money for an upgrade to 4-6.

wanger114

Canon EOS-30D

01/04/2006 03:31:22 PM · #23

While most of the NY shops are sketchy (including Butterfly), Abes of Maine is in fact a real store in Brooklyn. I've seen mixed reviews on the place, and was about to ride the subway out there before I found the best deal on craigslist ($700 for the XT w/ kit lens).

Buydig.com was excellent.

Another recommendation ... check B&H's used section. I work a block away from the NYC store and have been in to check out their used equipment several times. Anything rated 8+ is in excellent shape, and you can usually get an awesome price.