n00b equipment questions...
12-13-2007, 01:09 PM
#1
n00b equipment questions...
A few questions for the pros. I'm a complete photog n00b and am looking for some advice. I'm looking at buying a DSLR and need some confirmation I'm barking up the right tree.
I'm looking at the Canon Xti, but am wondering whether i'm better off to get the kit lens, or buy the body and go for a lens thats a little better from the aftermarket? I would need something thats versatile, to cover beginner needs. I can get the camera at store cost so i'll stand to save a little coin there.
Also these are the accessories i'm eyeing, how am i doing?
SanDisk CompactFlash Card Extreme III 4GB - 133x (SDCFX3-4096-901) $85.99
HAKUBA S4500 TRIPOD W/QR 3-WAY HEAD
Digital/Video/Photo Tripod 3-Way Panhead 3-Section Aluminum Legs Maximum Extension - 60.25" Quick Release ...Price: $39.99 Save: $40.00
Jianisi Digital SLR Remote for Canon $4.71
What else should I consider?
I'm looking at the Canon Xti, but am wondering whether i'm better off to get the kit lens, or buy the body and go for a lens thats a little better from the aftermarket? I would need something thats versatile, to cover beginner needs. I can get the camera at store cost so i'll stand to save a little coin there.
Also these are the accessories i'm eyeing, how am i doing?
SanDisk CompactFlash Card Extreme III 4GB - 133x (SDCFX3-4096-901) $85.99
HAKUBA S4500 TRIPOD W/QR 3-WAY HEAD
Digital/Video/Photo Tripod 3-Way Panhead 3-Section Aluminum Legs Maximum Extension - 60.25" Quick Release ...Price: $39.99 Save: $40.00
Jianisi Digital SLR Remote for Canon $4.71
What else should I consider?
12-13-2007, 02:27 PM
#2
Because you said "store cost". Skip the kit lens and get a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.
12-13-2007, 04:29 PM
#3
Drifting
Originally Posted by The Dougler
A few questions for the pros. I'm a complete photog n00b and am looking for some advice. I'm looking at buying a DSLR and need some confirmation I'm barking up the right tree.
I'm looking at the Canon Xti, but am wondering whether i'm better off to get the kit lens, or buy the body and go for a lens thats a little better from the aftermarket? I would need something thats versatile, to cover beginner needs. I can get the camera at store cost so i'll stand to save a little coin there.
Also these are the accessories i'm eyeing, how am i doing?
SanDisk CompactFlash Card Extreme III 4GB - 133x (SDCFX3-4096-901) $85.99
HAKUBA S4500 TRIPOD W/QR 3-WAY HEAD
Digital/Video/Photo Tripod 3-Way Panhead 3-Section Aluminum Legs Maximum Extension - 60.25" Quick Release ...Price: $39.99 Save: $40.00
Jianisi Digital SLR Remote for Canon $4.71
What else should I consider?
I'm looking at the Canon Xti, but am wondering whether i'm better off to get the kit lens, or buy the body and go for a lens thats a little better from the aftermarket? I would need something thats versatile, to cover beginner needs. I can get the camera at store cost so i'll stand to save a little coin there.
Also these are the accessories i'm eyeing, how am i doing?
SanDisk CompactFlash Card Extreme III 4GB - 133x (SDCFX3-4096-901) $85.99
HAKUBA S4500 TRIPOD W/QR 3-WAY HEAD
Digital/Video/Photo Tripod 3-Way Panhead 3-Section Aluminum Legs Maximum Extension - 60.25" Quick Release ...Price: $39.99 Save: $40.00
Jianisi Digital SLR Remote for Canon $4.71
What else should I consider?
my advice:
buy the XTi body only. then buy the updated "kit" lens for the XTi, which is the 18-55mm IS lens (online $180 USD, street $200-ish USD). its nearly identical but somehow has better IQ. the 18-55mm IS gives you a rough crop range of 28-90mm on the XTi, so you can get a lot of peole in the picture without backing onto a wall. the 28-135mm IS costs twice as much but limits your wide end (how many will fit when you do landscapes or group shots), as its roughly a 44-216mm range.
definitely get a fast CF card for those burst shots, as well as a cable release. and pony up the $ you saved from getting a body only XTi & the 18-55mm IS lens separately and buy a 430EX flash (online $240 USD).
for a beginner, that should be good to go.
good luck.
12-13-2007, 04:31 PM
#4
wow that lens is 699 (retail) canuck bucks at future shop where I can get cost pricing, I'll have to give my friend a shout and see what it's really worth. Considering it's 400 on Amazon, hopefully cost will be 350. at these prices I might have to stick with the kit lens to start.
12-13-2007, 04:46 PM
#5
sixsixfour: I did a little digging and the "kit" lens at Future Shop here is the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM is this the same lens you speak of? Also advantge/disadvantage of cable release of IR? and I think the 133x CF card is the fastest currently out other than lexar WA cards, which Canon currently does not support.
12-13-2007, 04:53 PM
#6
Photography Nerd
Originally Posted by The Dougler
sixsixfour: I did a little digging and the "kit" lens at Future Shop here is the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM is this the same lens you speak of? Also advantge/disadvantage of cable release of IR? and I think the 133x CF card is the fastest currently out other than lexar WA cards, which Canon currently does not support.
The Extreme III is a great card, I use a few of them. Just be sure to get a fast card reader, such as the Sandisk Extreme USB reader, otherwise much of that speed will be wasted.
IR camera triggers are handy for doing group shots when you want to be in the scene. Cable releases let you do bulb exposures.
12-13-2007, 07:45 PM
#7
Originally Posted by Dan Martin
The Extreme III is a great card, I use a few of them. Just be sure to get a fast card reader, such as the Sandisk Extreme USB reader, otherwise much of that speed will be wasted.
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imo) and get a Nikon 
12-14-2007, 10:08 AM
#12
Drifting
Originally Posted by The Dougler
sixsixfour: I did a little digging and the "kit" lens at Future Shop here is the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM is this the same lens you speak of? Also advantge/disadvantage of cable release of IR? and I think the 133x CF card is the fastest currently out other than lexar WA cards, which Canon currently does not support.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...6_EF_S_IS.html
there are basically 3 versions of the 18-55mm "kit" lens from Canon. one is the lens bundled with most XT/XTi's, another version adds USM, and this recent one adds a 3-stop Image Stabilizer but drops the USM (Ultrasonic) motor.
frankly, id pick the IS over the USM for this lens, since its slow enough that it needs IS to minimize blur at slower shutter speeds. if it were a faster lens, id go with the USM.
cable release is more reliable and lasts pretty long, with physical range being the only downside (i think most OEM cables are about 2ft long). on my XT i do have both the cable release and the IR (both inherited from my Elan 7e), on the 30D, I just the cable release.
As far as Lexar goes, its a good brand, especially the ones with Write Acceleration. thing is, i noticed Lexar seems to be a Nikon-backed (based on ads - Lexar ads usually show a photographer using Nikon cameras) product, and Ive had a couple lexar cards fail on my at different times. i read somewhere that there is a proprietary firmware that Lexar released to Nikon that Canon wasnt privvy to, but Im not sure if that affects how some Lexar cards perform on Canon DSLR bodies.
12-15-2007, 05:03 PM
#17
before I go an pull the trigger, this is the IS lens that sixsixfour and Dan Martin are talking about correct? http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-18-...7759617&sr=8-1
I'm getting the body on monday, and asked for the CF card and reader for Christmas, I also asked for the Understanding Exposure book that everyone recommends on here. I can't wait to start shooting!!!!!
I'm getting the body on monday, and asked for the CF card and reader for Christmas, I also asked for the Understanding Exposure book that everyone recommends on here. I can't wait to start shooting!!!!!
12-15-2007, 06:42 PM
#18
Drifting
Originally Posted by The Dougler
before I go an pull the trigger, this is the IS lens that sixsixfour and Dan Martin are talking about correct? http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-18-...7759617&sr=8-1
I'm getting the body on monday, and asked for the CF card and reader for Christmas, I also asked for the Understanding Exposure book that everyone recommends on here. I can't wait to start shooting!!!!!
I'm getting the body on monday, and asked for the CF card and reader for Christmas, I also asked for the Understanding Exposure book that everyone recommends on here. I can't wait to start shooting!!!!!
12-15-2007, 07:34 PM
#21
Photography Nerd
Originally Posted by The Dougler
Nice pic, I'm going to order that lens and a UV filter for a little protection.
12-15-2007, 08:28 PM
#23
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Originally Posted by The Dougler
lens and hood ordered from B&H, shipping is wack! and I know UPS is going to kill me with brokerage fees.
Move to the US
12-15-2007, 08:43 PM
#24
Originally Posted by The Dougler
lens and hood ordered from B&H, shipping is wack! and I know UPS is going to kill me with brokerage fees.
12-15-2007, 09:22 PM
#25
Originally Posted by jupitersolo
I can't remember who (maybe Dan) said that if you use a more expedited method UPS won't hit you with those charges.
12-17-2007, 10:09 PM
#27
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Nice!
12-17-2007, 10:11 PM
#28
Earth-bound misfit
Congrats KaM!!
KaM great choice!
12-17-2007, 11:31 PM
#30
Needs more Lemon Pledge
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! 
12-17-2007, 11:36 PM
#31
^^That's a nice rig. Can't wait to get all my pieces. Camera my buddy is delivering tomorrow, lens sometime this week, CF card probably for xmas, then it's just a tripod and bag I have to pickup. Geez starting from scratch is expensive lol.
12-17-2007, 11:38 PM
#32
Needs more Lemon Pledge
I have EVERYTHING else (minus tripod) sitting in a pile waiting for a photo for the "post your equipment" thread, just no camera! 
12-18-2007, 12:58 AM
#33
Sounds like we will both be off to the races at about the same time, pending how long I take to purchase the rest. I'm reading lots about exposure and pp on the net in anticipation of getting started, seems there are tons of great sites.
First shoot is already planned too, Detroit Autoshow! I think it will present some technical challenges with heavy indoor lighting and reflections off the shiny cars, +1000s of people in the way.
First shoot is already planned too, Detroit Autoshow! I think it will present some technical challenges with heavy indoor lighting and reflections off the shiny cars, +1000s of people in the way.
Last edited by The Dougler; 12-18-2007 at 01:01 AM.
12-18-2007, 08:24 AM
#35
Originally Posted by The Dougler
^^That's a nice rig. Can't wait to get all my pieces. Camera my buddy is delivering tomorrow, lens sometime this week, CF card probably for xmas, then it's just a tripod and bag I have to pickup. Geez starting from scratch is expensive lol.
12-18-2007, 08:46 AM
#36
Drifting
Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
u can say that again.. i still gotta pick up the CF card, and bag... and need to research a flash...
2) whats your budget?
3) how often would you be shooting with flash?
12-18-2007, 09:36 AM
#37
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
that isn't good for me... because that is where i ordered all my stuff... including that exact lense... 
The 40d was about $100 less from Amazon than B+H, but the wait is killing me....
12-18-2007, 09:57 AM
#38
B&H has the same price for the 40D body $1199, they show in stock. Amazon is showing both body and lens kit in stock, why are they not shipping????
12-18-2007, 10:33 AM
#39
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Hmmm... Calling Amazon now. I bought for $1400, two months est. delivery time. They currently have it in stock for $1424, shipping now.... 
12-18-2007, 10:53 AM
#40
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Got them to reprocess order! Delivery by Dec 24.