My First DSLR???

Cloudkicker

Hey guys/gals this is going to be my first DSLR and was wondering if i was going with right combination to start out with? Any other suggestions will greatly be appreciated. And is the MACK warranty worth the money? Everything is going to be purchased at bhphoto.
Canon 30D - 1,349.94
Canon 17-40 f/4L (USM) Lens - 629.95
Canon Rechargeable Battery - 49.95
Sandisk 2GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card - 85.95
Mack Lens 7-Year Warranty - 24.95
Mack Camera 3-Year Warranty 79.95
Total = 2,241.05 including shipping
Im I missing anything? Thanks

blackwaterstudio

I would also pickup a good flash.

Some will say the Canon line of flashes, others will say the sigma line of flashes. I have the Sigma Super 500 DG ETTL-II flash for my 20D and love it. It ranks up there with Canon's 580 and about half the price of the 580.

Also depending on what you'll be shooting more of, I would also pickup a good tripod. They are worth their weight in gold.

Oakley

Cloudkicker wrote:

Hey guys/gals this is going to be my first DSLR and was wondering if i was going with right combination to start out with? Any other suggestions will greatly be appreciated. And is the MACK warranty worth the money? Everything is going to be purchased at bhphoto.
Canon 30D - 1,349.94
Canon 17-40 f/4L (USM) Lens - 629.95
Canon Rechargeable Battery - 49.95
Sandisk 2GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card - 85.95
Mack Lens 7-Year Warranty - 24.95
Mack Camera 3-Year Warranty 79.95
Total = 2,241.05 including shipping
Im I missing anything? Thanks

Looks pretty sweet. I'd get the 50mm 1.8 - a great lens for <$100 = can't go wrong.

And you'll want to put all that stuff somewhere - why not a crumpler bag?

Good luck with your purchase and your new camera.

I just got my first dSLR last week - a Nikon D50!!!

Eric&amp;Susan

I'd save the $50 on the canon battery and go with some from www.sterlingtek.com other than that it looks good to me.

Eric

Liza

I agree with Eric. The Sterlingtek batteries are only 12 dollars and are just as good as the Canon batteries. You might also consider the 430EX flash. It doesn't have as many features as the 580EX, but it would be fine for an enthusiast.

Cloudkicker

Thanks.
After reading some reviews I think im going to go with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L EF Lens. Any thoughts on this lens? Im going to hold out on the tripod and flash till next time. Also do i really need the mack warranty? Does it come in handy? Thanks
So as of now I have in my basket.
Canon 30D - 1349.95
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L EF Lens - 1099.95
Mack 3 Year Camera - 79.95
Mack 3 Year Lens - 39.95
Sandisk 2GB Ultra II - 85.85
Total = 2678.10 Thats with shipping.

Richard

Cloudkicker wrote:

Thanks.
After reading some reviews I think im going to go with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L EF Lens. Any thoughts on this lens?

It's a great lens but the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is also a great lens and costs far less. You could put that money into a good tripod or other lenses. I have the Tamron and am delighted with it.

Just a thought.

Regards,

arroyoshark

quote=Cloudkicker]Thanks.
After reading some reviews I think im going to go with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L EF Lens. Any thoughts on this lens? Im going to hold out on the tripod and flash till next time. Also do i really need the mack warranty? Does it come in handy? Thanks
So as of now I have in my basket.
Canon 30D - 1349.95
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L EF Lens - 1099.95
Mack 3 Year Camera - 79.95
Mack 3 Year Lens - 39.95
Sandisk 2GB Ultra II - 85.85
Total = 2678.10 Thats with shipping.[/quote]


You haven't said much about what kind of photos you like and your profile is not filled out, so I am presuming general photography.

You seem to be sticking with all Canon gear, so I think the 24-75mm is a bit long for general use with the 30D's 1.6 crop factor sensor. I think your original idea of the 17-40mm L lens is a better one. At least you get a wider angle capability here with an extremely sharp lens. Actually, if you could consider a 3rd party lens, I think the new Sigma 17-70mm lens would be an excellent choice for a first, and for perhaps a long time, only lens (about $360 from Sigmaforless.com). Reviews indicate is excellent sharpness & resolution, especially when compared with the Canon 17-85mm, plus the Sigma is f2.8 on the wide end.

Mack on a camera body....perhaps. Mack on a lens....I wouldn't, but that is me.

cmr164

Cloudkicker wrote:

Thanks.
After reading some reviews I think im going to go with the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L EF Lens. Any thoughts on this lens? Im going to hold out on the tripod and flash till next time. Also do i really need the mack warranty? Does it come in handy? Thanks
So as of now I have in my basket.
Canon 30D - 1349.95
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L EF Lens - 1099.95
Mack 3 Year Camera - 79.95
Mack 3 Year Lens - 39.95
Sandisk 2GB Ultra II - 85.85
Total = 2678.10 Thats with shipping.

A 2G card isn't big enough!

ScottMcLeod

cmr164 wrote:

A 2G card isn't big enough!

It is as a first card. He can always buy another later.

2G should get him ~250 RAW on 8mp? (10 rolls of film)
2G gets me about 350 RAW on my 10D.

I second the comments about the Tamron 28-75, and the Sigma 500 Super DG Flash. (I wish we carried these at the store I work at. I send people to other stores that have them)

Better to get a Sigma 500 than a Canon 420/430.

As much as crumpler bags are tempting, they're more expensive than other alternatives. Consider how the bag feels, rather than who makes it. Also, check to see if they have lifetime warranties and such, because bags take a beating while protecting your gear.

JimM

rsinmadrid wrote:

It's a great lens but the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is also a great lens and costs far less. You could put that money into a good tripod or other lenses. I have the Tamron and am delighted with it.

Just a thought.

USAIR

Get the 50mm good lens and cheap
24-70 f/2.8L awesome lens you will love it
2 gig not enough...get 2 - 2gig cards
Look at the non Canon batteries I have one works great
Not sure abt warranty I didn't get one with the 20D and have had no troubles...you might save some money here

Fred

Red Baron

Unless you need the f2.8 I'd opt for the 24-105 f4 IS - it's a fabulous lens, lighter weight and a great, general-purpose, walk-around lens. I agree with other posters that you'll probably want to add a flash into the mix.