All,

I finally took the DSLR plunge and went with a Canon 30D + 2 x 2GB Sandisk Ultra II CF cards. This is my first go with DSLR ... (or any SLR by that matter). This was highly recommended by a photographer that I know (he has a 5D). Reviews sound good as well.

Started off with a trip to BestBuy to "feel" how the camera was in my hand. My initial inclination was to go with a Rebel XTi, but with my 'man hands', the camera felt so small. It was awkward trying not to touch the LCD screen while taking a picture (I am left-handed ... would that make a difference?) They also had the 30D model to view (neither Canon had a lens ... ?) and that camera felt a lot better.

I brought the GF to the store later that evening (we had to go grocery shopping) ... and stopped by BestBuy. She was OK withe either camera but she said we should ask our common friend on his opinion (ie value). I spoke to him -- he told me that the 30D is the 'pimp' one and should go for that model.

Since he works in the States, I asked him to buy it for me online via Amazon.com -- got the whole package (Canon 30D + lens kit + 2 x 2 GB CF cards) for a wee over US$1200. (Amazon is selling the 2GB Ultra II cards for $46.34 with super saver shipping!)

I am eagerly awaiting the package next week. I plan on going to Hawaii in March so I can practice there. In the mean time ... I'll read up on accessories (batteries, flashes, etc) and possibly learn a little about digital photography. Hopefully once I finish up school, I will learn to compose decent pictures as well as play around with Photoshop (on my Mac).

One question (since my search didn't pull up anything remarkable): What battery would you recommend? Should I go OEM? Usually for electronics, I usually go that route. And furthermore, should I buy the extra battery pack for the 30D? It sounded as if it isn't that good, based upon Amazon customer reviews.

 

sweet

 

Congrats!

Sterlingtek seems to be the battery of choice around here. I ordered one last week for my XT. $12.99 USD + 8 shipping.

 

Did you end up keeping the XTi?

 

Congrats, Derrick!

 

Yup ... I got sucked in ... now I have to learn to use it and start taking pictures. I have most of the tools needed (camera, somewhat fast CF cards, decent computer, Photoshop CS2) ... now I need something to compose and process!

 

Yes. Going to put the money saved into another lens.

 

which lens??


Congrats on the 30D, we got another member on the camera sub forum.

 

Most likely a Tamron 17-50mm as my general purpose walk around lens. I picked up the Canon 50mm 1.8 a few weeks ago as well, and later on down the road I hope to add either the canon 70-200 f/4 or 70-300mm IS.

 

thats great news! looks like you got a smoking deal on it too!

 

Congrats Derrick! It's a great camera.

 

How expensive is the tamron 17-50?? the reason I ask is I too am looking for a walk-around lens which is decent. I am considering a 17-40 with the 70-200 to get in on the double rebate.

 

Up here its about $479 CDN. You can probably find it for a bit less down in the US. I dont think it will be quite as good as an L lens, but its considerably cheaper and reviews for this lens have been really great.

 

Congrats

 

Congrats Derrick.

I didn't see any mention of lenses? What are you planning on getting?

As for batteries, the sterlingtek batteries seem to be pretty decent. Just get two of them and don't bother worrying about the battery grip - unless you start shooting weddings or something critical. Just be sure to charge them for 12 hours or so the first time.

 

Congratulations!

 

derrick,

Canon is offering $200 rebate on this set up. You may want to check up on it. Not sure if you can get. But your buddy who order sure be able to turn in.

Because of your thread, the money in my sock draw is now gone. I just order the 30D body only from amazon, it will be here Friday. I'll be selling my 300D soon. Any offers??, it will come with the 18-55 lens

Does anyone know a good book to get on this camera??

Thanks

 

I'm going to start small so I bought the 30D with the kit, so: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.

Based upon the Amazon.com listing, there is a $100 rebate and I am asking my friend to mail that sucker in. That way, the camera is $100 less.

 

You might benefit if you get another qualifying item from canon, which will double your rebate to 200 on just the 30d and double the rebate on the other item too.

Say you went with the 430ex flash, which goes about 230~ which also has a 10 dollar rebate. You can then get 220 bucks back in rebates, so the actually cost of the flash would only be around 100 bucks to you.

Thats only if you want another item.

 

Better hurry too. Rebates expire on Friday.

 

READ THE REBATE FORM, BUYING THE 30D WITH THE LENS, I think is a $200 rebate. The small print under the binoculars listings.

 

Congrats.

 

The 18-55 does not qualify.

 

Damn, I had my numbers mixed up.

Luckly I've already purchased 2 lenses in the past 4 weeks. Hopefully those will count for the double rebates for the 30D.

 

Sucker finally came in! (well ... that's what I had to do to take advantage of the 'super shipper saving' discount)



NB: I ordered 2 x 2GB ultra-II cards ... 1 is in the camera.

 

Congrats! I'm jealous.

I'm still deciding which DSLR to purchase for myself.

 

The Super Saver Shipping is nice, but they take so long. I had a problem with them a few months back and got Amazon Prime for half price, free 2 day shipping in the States. I got mine the day after I ordered, they sent next day, instead of 2 day.

I got a 4gb Extreme III card today from Best Buy for $120. CompUsa has on sale, but as always not in stock, so I went to Best Buy for price match.

Have Fun

DONT FORGET YOUR REBATES!!

 

Thanks everyone for the advice and the support.

Seriously ... 2 weeks for it to ship (to save a fair bit on shipping costs) really doesn't hurt me. I'm a bit saddened that I didn't take this camera to the Detroit Autoshow (but used my P&S Canon A70). Oh well. I'll just have to try it out elsewhere before I head out to Hawaii in March.

I'm working on the rebate -- I'm not going to forget to claim US$100! (C$118). Also have to look for a replacement battery since I think I'll be taking a lot of shots.

PS mrsteve -- $1200 is a lot of money. If what they rumor is true (ie 40D to replace the 30D) then the price might go down even more!

 

$1,200 is a lot of money and I'm waiting to see if the price on the 30D drops when it is discontinued. Right now I don't think it's worth the extra coin over the XTi. At least for my purposes.

 

I went with the 30D because it's large camera. I think they made the xt and xti smaller so more women would buy them.

 

I happened to be in a camera shop yesterday and they had an XTi with a battery grip, so I gave it a try. With the grip it really wasn't all that bad, although it's not the best fitting grip Canon has ever made. I'd probably use it almost exclusively with the grip if I owned one, but it's nice to be able to take it off and have a very compact camera when you want to travel light.

I still prefer my 30D though.

 

I was contemplating taking the 5D to the upcoming auto show and concluded it was just too big for such purposes. Removing the grip didn't strike me as an option immediately, since I basically installed it immediately after opening it, and got it at the same time I got the camera. But I tried it last night - and its totally doable without the grip. The grip sure makes it a lunker. So anyway, looking forward to the show! It should be fine with one battery too.

btw that's a quip I have with the 2 batteries, I never really know how much juice I have left. And obviously I don't wanna run out on the field. I guess ideally I would have 4 batteries. But, I just think in this day and age there should be some slick graphical way of knowing how much juice is left, rather than the 3 levels "full", "almost empty" and "dead"...

 

I completely agree. If my laptop can tell me what % battery i have left, why can't my camera?

 

I think Sony (Infolithium) is the only one and they own the patent. So others are not going to pay them for it.

 

I heard they made the 30D bigger for people with small dicks

 

Good thing they don't require proof.

 

oh well f that, I'd rather have the mysteriousness of an unknown battery life than an exploding camera

 

oh no its a Canon civil war!! lol

 

I mis-typed in my post about the DIY light sphere. It's actually a DIY Ringlight. Might be worth looking into down the road. Not exactly the same thing, but interesting, nonetheless.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nassau/...7594493205397/

 

This wasn't meant as a mean statement.

When they released the 300D, which I had. I remember many saying the camera was too big. Hence they made the xt and xti smaller so that women would actually buy them.

Hell many people bought the xt and xti just for more pixels.