[888]

After spending the day doing some research this is what I would like to order:



Cash flow is slow right now so I chose a good body and reasonable lenses (I think). Please comment on my choice. I also would like to get a Tamron aspherical 17-35 Lens but can’t find one available.

[oneintheory]

That's a terrible, terrible idea. Anybody will tell you to get good glass before you get a good body. Those lenses are crap. At least get Sigma glass. Their lower end stuff is pretty good but still cheaper than Canon L and EF-IS glass.

[scorcherjf]

I kind of went the opposite of you... I just ordered a T1i body with the Canon USM 2.8 17-55mm lens. The lens costs 1.3 times the body! =)

(I plan to upgrade to the 60D when it comes out eventually)

[clubspec330i]

Originally Posted by oneintheory

That's a terrible, terrible idea. Anybody will tell you to get good glass before you get a good body. Those lenses are crap. At least get Sigma glass. Their lower end stuff is pretty good but still cheaper than Canon L and EF-IS glass.

Ditto!! If that is the price range, I would forego 50D and look for used 40D instead. You can pick up a used 40D+Tamron 17-50F2.8 from Craiglist or local cassified.

In term of picture quality, 20D is still take a good picture. I still fond of mine 20D and my kit lens 24-105F4L. Even though I used 5D most of the time but the 20D is perfect with 70-200F2.8 for my son's T-Ball game.

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

I kind of went the opposite of you... I just ordered a T1i body with the Canon USM 2.8 17-55mm lens. The lens costs 1.3 times the body! =)

(I plan to upgrade to the 60D when it comes out eventually)

T1i has the same processor as 50D and it is a great camera but mate with 17-55 will push his budget to close to 2k. Beside the price factor, this combo is probably best all around setup for daily usage.

[BMW F22]

Where are you getting the 50D for $894?? I'm looking to get one so can u post/send me the link please? Thank you!

[888]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Where are you getting the 50D for $894?? I'm looking to get one so can u post/send me the link please? Thank you!

http://www.camerakings.com/

thanks for all the help guys, more input welcome.

[TurboFan]

Not a fan of tamaron lenses, or sigma. You buy canon and nikon for access to their lenses.

As for the retailer, run!! I've been around this hobby/profession for about 10-15 years, and if the price is too good to be true, it is. They part out the camera, send you a grey market or used camera, etc. You get minimal protection from your credit card, it's a pita. Amazon, b&h, adorama are reputable retailers.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by 888

http://www.camerakings.com/

thanks for all the help guys, more input welcome.

Thank you! The deal does seem too good to be true though. You can get the body for about the same price with live cash back on ebay. You might want to go that route and buy from an authorized seller on ebay instead. Those lenses, if they are similar to the canon ones, are crap. Canon has a 75-300mm and it's crap (not to be confused with the 70-300mm). I think you should maybe just buy the 50d body and invest in a walk around lense like the 17-40, 24-70, 17-85, or the kit lens that comes with the 50D kit (28-135mm?).

[TurboFan]

From an old thread I wrote on buying a camera....

You need to understand something in the camera industry called "gray market". It's equipment made in the same factory, but imported by someone other than the authorized agent for your area (Canon USA or Nikon USA in the US). This equipment can not be serviced at a factory repair location, but is generally cheaper. Your warranty is through the place you buy it, and you have no recourse with the mfg if you are not happy. Buyer beware, but you probably want to stay away from this equipment at first.

Shady retailers won't tell you something is gray market. These are usually the retailers that have a crazy low price that is not to be believed. If they are selling US spec equipment, they're likely removing everything including the battery cover from the box, and then charge you more for that down the road. When you buy a camera body, it comes with the battery, the charger, body cap, etc. It won't come with a memory card or lens, unless you get a kit. Watch out, kits sometimes include useless extras that you don't need. Stick to the manufacturers kits to avoid being duped.

If you stick to retailers like Adorama, B&H photo, Amazon or Ritz/Wolf Camera, you'll be fine. You'll get good service and be treated with respect (usually ), but they are reputable. You can find good buys on used equipment on eBay, but until you are an experienced photographer, I would stay away from the 'bay.

[888]

thanks guys all good info.

[sootyvrs]

I've done all the upgrades up to a Canon 5D with 35L, 85L, 135L, etc..... but as my primary subjects (kids) no longer like to have their picture taken by their geeky dad with geeky big camera I decided to sell them and now use a 450d with 18-55 IS & 55-250 IS kit lens.

Much smaller and I occasionally just use my 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8 lens which I kept as they are relatively small lenses.

I intend to go smaller still to the Olympus E-P1 compact camera when it becomes available after the initial mad rush

[PNF]

Sorry man, like the above posters said, those lens are crap and are usually for those who just want to have some telephoto capabilities who do not care about image quality.

If budget is concern, and all you plan to spend is, maybe upwards to $1200, then I'd say you get a used Xsi, which are very cheap now that the next gen T1i is out at $899 with kit lens.

OR, if you do have $1300 to play with, and want a starter lens kit, get this one

Canon 40D + 18-200mm IS f3.5-5.6 lens.

Buy a used 40D here for $700 shipped

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/5...R_Digital.html

Read the review here

Buy Canon 18-200 IS f3.5 here at B&H ($600)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...C=CA1820035&Q=
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

My friend just got the 18-200mm IS f3.5 and the image quality is EXCELLENT at f3.5 from 18 - 125 or so, and at f5.6 at 200. It is a perfect everyday-go around lens.

Now, if you have a little bit more money, say at $1400, you can buy a

Canon 50D
18-200mm f3.5

on Amazon. I believe they ahve a promotion going on right now for $300 off if you add 50D and 18-200mm lens together for less than $1400.


You can almost ignore most of Tamron lens as they are really not worth the price, given the quality/sharpness of the photos.

Sigma is much better option, although I'd get Canon ones most of the time. (Depends on what glass you're looking)

[lyndon_h]

Everyone is giving you good advice. Personally, I'd do what PNF suggested, then purchase a nifty fifty for $90 and start working with bokeh. You will be addicted to fast lenses.

[888]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Where are you getting the 50D for $894?? I'm looking to get one so can u post/send me the link please? Thank you!

some info on Camerakings!

Camera Kings (camerakings.com): Bait and Switch

CameraKings (Camera Kings) is an alias of Broadway Photo. Broadway Photo has a long, long history of bait and switch activities, and has been sued by the State of Texas. Read about the suit here.

The Better Business Bureau report is here.

Complaints to the Bureau indicate that this firm uses high pressures sales tactics after consumers place their orders. After ordering merchandise consumers report receiving a phone call from the firm’s customer representatives attempting to sell additional items. Representatives allegedly try to persuade consumers to buy the U.S. warranty, as well as accessories like cables, peripherals, and software, or lead consumers to believe the product will not work if additional merchandise is not purchased. In some cases, if the consumers declined, an email was sent advising them to cancel their orders because the item was on back-order despite being listed as available on the firm’s website. Consumers also reported unauthorized charges on their invoices. When trying to dispute such charges, consumers report difficulty talking to management, claiming they are verbally abused by the company’s staff.

Photo of Headquarters.

Don’t even think about trying to purchase something from them.

[TurboFan]

Good info. Broadway photo has been a shitty bait and switch scam operation for as long as I can remember. You used to see their adds all over pop photography and such. Things like $1500 cameras for $799. Then the screwing begins.

As I said, run! But knowing they are part of Broadway photo, run very fast, and very far!

[BMW F22]

Thanks for the info! I actually looked them up after you posted the link and noticed they were not an authorized dealer. In addition their prices seemed too good to be true so I didn't even bother.

[dcstep]

B&H is a great online dealer. Readjust your budget and try to get the best lens that you can afford. Start with one, like a Canon 24-105 f4 as a walk around and then add high quality lenses down the road.

www.dpreviews.com provide very good in-depth reviews of almost all cameras and many lenses. I stick with Canon, but there are some very good independent lens makers, but you have to see reviews and actual results.

If you have to compromise on the camera or the lens, then do it with the camera body and own at least one very good lens and a 1.4 teleconverter.

Dave

[888]

Originally Posted by PNF

Buy a used 40D here for $700 shipped

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/5...R_Digital.html

Read the review here

Buy Canon 18-200 IS f3.5 here at B&H ($600)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...C=CA1820035&Q=
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

done! pics will follow when the order arrives. they say I got the last 40d in stock .

[Yvette]

get wide lens for sure..

[PNF]

Originally Posted by 888

done! pics will follow when the order arrives. they say I got the last 40d in stock .

really?

Excellent buy. The value of your camera far exceeds the original combo you have, with spending only $100-200 more.

You should have the camera by now if you ordered on 7/15.

B&H typically take EXACTLY 2 days to arrive (or 1 day even, on my last order).


Trust me, you WILL love this combo I recommended. This is a perfect combo at a great price for everyday amateur DSLR users.

After this, you can try to save up for some top of the line lens.

As for wide-angle, if you're not keen on taking wide angle photos of landscape (or architecture), you can get away with 18-200, (at 1.6x crop for 40D).

I'd say, invest in some fast lens before you go any further, and you dont need those high end 70-200mm f4 or f2.8 lens for now, since these 2 are the only ones that I'd personally rate higher than the 18-200mm lens (I'm refering to zoom lens only and not prime lens).


Your next lens, IMO, should be this one

17-55mm f2.8 IS USM for Canon. It is an EFS lens, sure, but it wont matter if you're not upgrading your camera to a full frame one in the near future (which would have to be 1D/s or 5D)

17-55mm is a $1025 lens, and you will absolutely love it <-- many claimed its the best non-L lens available by Canon, with L quality.

I know I love mine.

[dcstep]

Great buy and good choice.

I agree with what PNF says in general, but many of us prefer a tele lens in the mix. I've got Canon 70-200mm f4L, which is an exceptionally sharp lens that I use A LOT. PNF prefers the wide end of the spectrum and that's ok, but lots of us use the reach of a longer lens and the different perspective it gives to certain shots, as well as versatility as a macro when used with an extension tube.

We agree totally about buying the best glass that you can afford and being very careful in your lens selections.

BTW, I'm moving more into wildlife images and hope that my Canon 400mm f5.6 L arrives today. I'll be stomping around the wildlife refuge before the weekend.

Dave

[888]

my 40D arrived from B&H. As recommended I got the refurb. It arrived on time. Upon inspection it did not look that good. I check the number of actuations and look at what it showed:



So I sent it back for a full refund. It was the very last one in stock! I have subsequently ordered and received a 40D from Adorama and I was lucky this time see:



This 40d I am convinced is new at the refurb price!

Thanks for all the advise, without you guys I would have made a big mistake. Things do go wrong and when they do you want to be sure that you dealing with reputable companies!

My next post will show some pics I have taken. I am very happy! Yes!