Canon Rebate Strategy

Zanotti

Please help me with this line of thinking.

I am about to get an XT body and a 50mm f1.4 lens. Looking at the Canon rebate structure, adding a third item pays me (rebates me additionally) about $100.

The lowest priced item to add (I think) is the Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III Autofocus Lens and it sells for $159 at B&H.

Does this mean that by adding this item, I get it for essentially $50!?

Is this right? What's the quality of this lens - its a Canon right, cant be too bad. Probably just for bright light and a little large to carry, but it does get me some extra reach. Even if I flipped it here on Andy bay for $100, I am still ahead!

Can anyone think of an alternative strategy?

Z

JCDoss

Get the $159 lens, and if you don't like it, sell it on ebay for $300.

ScottMcLeod

JCDoss wrote:

Get the $159 lens, and if you don't like it, sell it on ebay for $300.

... or sell it to me... (and buy the USM version instead!)

tom e

better
you have calculated correctly, but if you have no other lenses i think you can do better.

for the 3rd item get the canon 28-135. this is a good quality lens (way better than the 70-300) and much more useful for general photography. you can get it for about $425, with bigger rebate it ends up costing you $265. you spend an additional $160 but you will likely find it a much better combo.

if you really want longer reach, go for the 70-200 f/4L. it is an excellent lens. this will cost $400 net.

you spen more with these ideas, but you will get alot more. and resale for those lenses is also good. if your goal is to spend the least, then i guess your plan is best, unless you need a printer.

hesaias

Here is what I am looking into doing.

All prices are from B&H

EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro 239.95
28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM 419.95
EOS Digital Rebel XT w/Sandisk 1GB CF 869.95
Sub total 1529.85

Rebate

EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro 30.00
28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM 150.00
EOS Digital Rebel XT w/Sandisk 1GB CF 225.00
Sub Total 405.00

Grand total 1124.00

Im thinking this is about as good as I could do with a couple of good all-around lenses.

gluwater

I would stick with the body and the 50mm f/1.4 (sweet lens). Your not saving $100, your spending an additional $50 for something it sounds like you don't really even need or want. Why spend $50 for something you might not even use? These rebates(all rebates, not just Canon) are meant to get people to buy things they really don't need because they think they are saving money. Here is how to save money, keep the $50 and save up for a better lens you really want.

That looks like a nice combo Hesaias, you'll be happy with it. I have never used the 50 Macro but I absolutely love my 100 f/2.8 Macro.