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Caleb Williams
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p.1 #1 · Buying a 30D

If you read my first post, you know that I'm going to be buying a new camera. i don't have too much money, so it's going to be starting small and then expanding. The package I'm looking at is a 30D 3 lens combo below:

Canon EOS 30D W/18-55mm AF Lens 2GB, 3 Lens Package
2GB 100x CF Card
High Speed Card Reader
6 piece Filter Kit
Digital Camera Case
Lithium Ion Battery
70-300mm AF DG Lens
2x Tele Converter (140-600mm)
5 Piece Cleaning Kit
LCD Screen Protector
Opteka 70" Tripod
30D DVD Training Video
Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth

Camera Includes
# BP-511A Lithium-Ion Battery (7.4v 1390mAh)
# CG-580 Portable Battery Charger
# CR2016 Lithium Battery (for Date/Time Functions)
# IFC-400PCU USB Interface Cable
# VC-100 Video Cable
# Eyecup Eb
# Neck Strap
# R-F-3 Camera Cover
# EOS Digital Solutions Software CD-ROM
# User's Guide

I'm also planning on getting a 50mm f/1.8 II Standard Lens, possibly matched with TC, for lowerlight situations I can't access well with my camera. I'll also buy a speedlight of some kind and then the grip/battery holder.

The camera will be primarily used for photojournalism, especially sports (so a lens upgrade sometime in the future will be needed, but not now)

Any thoughts?

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 06:57 PM

timbop
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p.1 #2 · Buying a 30D

Save your money and don't buy the bundle, the 2x extender in particular is a waste. You will have to manually focus the lens with it, and the image quality (IQ) will suffer terribly. The other stuff in the bundle isn't that great, and you can get by without a tripod for PJ and sports work. If you really want to shoot sports, the AF motor on the 75-300 will probably not be able to keep up either. I am not sure what price you are paying, but for a little more money you might want to get the 70-300IS or the 70-200/4. There is a double rebate going with canon right now, so if you buy the 30D + 70-200 you can save $270. I believe you can still get $200 if you get the 30D and 70-300IS (there is no rebate on the 70-300).

So, if you just get the camera, 18-55, and 70-200 you will probably make out better. Prices from B&H including double rebate:
70-200/4: $509
30D + 18-55: $1091
2GB sandisk ultra 2 CF: $65

Add in a bag/backpack for about $40 and you're set with a great kit for $1700.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 07:48 PM

timbop
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p.1 #3 · Buying a 30D

Actually, if you shop around for the 18-55 you can get it on ebay or elsewhere used for around $75, so you'll save another $50-$60 bucks.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 07:52 PM

csd2020
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p.1 #4 · Buying a 30D

If money is tight, I'd wouldn't hesitiate to recommend a used 20D from here on the B&S board. I've seen them going for around 650-675. I'd also look at something like a Sigma 18-125 rather than the kit lens (or Tamron 17-50 if funds allow) and I agree on the 70-200/4 L as a long lens option. Forget a 2X TC. Get a Kenko pro 300 DG 1.4X (inexpensive and very good). The 30D is a great camera but the 20D's are close and going at great prices right now if you're on a budget.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 08:06 PM

hkitty
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p.1 #5 · Buying a 30D

I agree with timbop, don't get the bundle. A few things in there are not quite necessary for you. But I believe if you get the 70-300 IS, you will only get $100 rebate for your 30D since there is no rebate for the 70-300 IS and you will not be able to double the rebate since you only have the 30D that qualifies. And for indoor sports, you might need a faster lens than the 70-200 f/4 or 70-300 IS.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 08:06 PM

timbop
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p.1 #6 · Buying a 30D

Yep, now I will agree with hkitty. The f/4 will probably be slow for indoors unless it is a really well lit arena, but in a pinch the 50/1.8 ($75) will do. For indoor sports like basketball the 85/1.8 is the standard tool.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 08:38 PM

bethany
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p.1 #7 · Buying a 30D

Another vote for NOT buying the bundle. To be honest, most of those bundle deals are an enormous ripoff where they offer you kinda cheap crap at not kinda cheap crap prices. That tripod is a piece of junk. The cleaning kit is probably worth $3, and I have NEVER seen filters in those bundles that didn't mess up image quality. So much better to shop around for a good deal on the individual components than to buy into those bundles. Also, I hope you aren't listing a bundle from bestpricecamera or express camera, or any of those scam websites in New York. Run any site you are thinking about buying from through resellerratings.com. I've bought my cameras from amazon and B and H and have had great experiences with both.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 08:52 PM

EA6B
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p.1 #8 · Buying a 30D

Ditto!

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 09:04 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #9 · Buying a 30D

Thank for all your feedback.

1. I have considered a 70-200mm, but an f/4 is not adequate for the low level lighting conditions available here at Augsburg. I can't say for sure, but the f/3.5 on my powershot s3 is is inadequate, but I'm not sure as to how well those compare anyway, but it seems that a 2.8 would be the only one that work. The only problem is that it seems to cost double that of the f/4.

2. As for buying a d 20d used, I've considering that too, but this camera would have to be significant investment for at least the next 3-4 years, the length of time I'll be working for this paper. I'd just be able to get more use out something new, especially because I'd be using for so long, all the time.

I will look into the pricing at B&H.

Thanks again. I'll post some more ideas later, but I have to go now.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 09:39 PM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #10 · Buying a 30D

So if f/4 isn't enough, then why are you even thinking about an even slower f/4.5-5.6 70-300mm zoom?

What about the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8? Might be able to pick up a used one for a hundred more than a 70-200 f/4L.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 10:01 PM

tooltime47
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p.1 #11 · Buying a 30D

I agree with the others. The bundle is not a good deal.

Dell Business site has 15% discount and another 10% by using coupon code PMS93P$63ZP$95 . That code is good until 12/8/2006.

So the 30 D with 17-55 and 70-200 F4L comes to $1746 before tax. This will make you a good starter package and the 70-200 F4 will give you excellent IQ.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 10:18 PM

tooltime47
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p.1 #12 · Buying a 30D

Oops. I didn't see your post stating that F4 was too slow. You can still qualify for the double rebate by buying the 30D and the kit lens. Dell has Sigma lens also.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 10:29 PM

hkitty
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p.1 #13 · Buying a 30D

I don't think buying the 30D with the 18-55 kit lens alone qualifies for the double rebate. I believe you will only get $100 rebate with that combination.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 10:36 PM

timbop
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p.1 #14 · Buying a 30D

Caleb,

Not to belabor the point about f/4 being adequate, but the 30D has phenominal high ISO (1600+) performance. As long as you don't crop too much, use neat image or noise ninja, and expose properly the noise is virtually unnoticable. You also have the option of the $75 50/1.8, which can get the job done. I'll have to dig them up (I had to clean up my hard drive), but I have many shots of indoor sports with my 28-75/2.8 at f/4 and ISO 3200. This was shot with my 70-200/2.8 @3200 1/200th f/2.8 at night on a field with temporary light stands at each 18 and nothing in the middle- probably the worst lighting possible:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 10:50 PM

danmitchell
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p.1 #15 · Buying a 30D

To chime in here, especially if you are short on funds, do not bother with a bundle like this - it is just a way for the reseller to make a bit of extra money off of you on items that no one buys otherwise.

Look for a good deal on the camera and kit lens from a reputable dealer... and avoid like the plague any of those "too good to be true" deals.

You probably do not need an additional battery to start out with. The included battery will take hundreds of pictures before you need to recharge it. A 2 GB memory card is fine, though you might get by with two 1 GB cards or even a single 1 GB.

Card readers are nice, but they are also extremely cheap through just about any online reseller.

I have found that it is usually better to get a high quality version of something rather than getting a cheaper version right away - even if this means waiting awhile. Tripods and lenses certainly fall into this category. I have purchased inexpensive versions of each that I thought would be "good enough" only to have to replace them before long.

Do you really need a teleconverter? If you get a 300mm lens, it gives the same field of view that you would get from a 480mm lens on a full frame camera - and that is quite long enough for the majority of users. 600mm is very long and would require a very solid (and expensive, unfortunately) tripod to work satisfactorily. In addition, you need to use a wide-aperture lens with a 2X teleconverter or you will lose autofocus capability

A comment on the low-light prime lens... The 50mm f/1.8 is indeed regarded as a fine lens for the price. But do keep in mind that it is not what is typically regarded as a "normal" lens on this camera. Because of the smaller sensor on this camera, the 50mm lens acts like a lens with a focal length of 80mm. This can be a useful lens for some things (e.g. portrait photography) but many find it a bit too long for general use. Relatively inexpensive alternatives include the 35mm f/2 Canon lens or the f/2.8 28mm lens.

Good luck.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 05, 2006 at 11:43 PM

tooltime47
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p.1 #16 · Buying a 30D

hkitty wrote:
I don't think buying the 30D with the 18-55 kit lens alone qualifies for the double rebate. I believe you will only get $100 rebate with that combination.
You are right about this. I read it wrong. They offer the 30D with a 17-85 kit lens and that does qualify for the double rebate but not the 18-55. Sorry for the confusion.
Dave

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 01:41 AM

Xavier Rival
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p.1 #17 · Buying a 30D

They package a 2x with a 70-300 zoom

:worried:

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 01:49 AM

Hersch
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p.1 #18 · Buying a 30D

As others have mentioned, don't get the bundle. My suggestion would be to get the 20D and concentrate on glass. The 20D is highly capable of doing all that the 30D can. Other than the larger LCD it has more ISO settings and a spot meter over the 20D but I wouldn't sell my 20D just to get these options for the amount of difference in $$$. The Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 would be a good starting point for PJ and the 50mm f1.8 or even the f1.4 for low light situations. Neither the Lens or TC with the package will be very good.

Grant

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 02:13 AM

justruss
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p.1 #19 · Buying a 30D

Agree tha 28-75 tammy 2.8 is a good place to start for PJ on a budget. Or maybe tammy 17-50 is more appropriate.

Get a 20D. You are on a budget, the glass is more important, the 30D is nice, but not worth the difference if your budget is THAT tight and you have specific needs.

Maybe think about a sigma 70-200 2.8.

All that other stuff in the "package" is near worthless.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 02:54 AM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #20 · Buying a 30D

Again thanks for the ideas, would buying the 20d used or new make more sense?

As for the fact that I was considering the slower lens, it was only what came with the package. I was considering buying the 50 f1.8 because it was faster and i was planning using it with TC for added range, mostly for indoor sports shooting.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 04:02 AM

RyanFlynn
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p.1 #21 · Buying a 30D

I doubt the 50 works very well with a TC ... someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I think the 20D is a fine camera, and probably a better idea for you.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 06:06 AM

dpmurray
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p.1 #22 · Buying a 30D

Nothing shorter than 135 mounts to the Canon TC.

The Sigma 70-200/2.8 is a good option used, and can be found here or on Ebay affordably. If you buy it used and decide to step up to the Canon in the future, you can resell at the same price you bought it for. I have one in my bag, and it has worked very well. The AF isn't quite as good in extreme lighting as the Canon is (or my 300/2.8 is) but it works pretty well.

SanDisk 2 gig Ultra II's are about $40 right now. That's what I bought mine for two weeks ago.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 01:25 PM

Andy Witkowski
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p.1 #23 · Buying a 30D

also check resellerratings.com and make sure this bundle (if you get it) isn't some scam that many online dealers try to sell.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 02:28 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #24 · Buying a 30D

I have concidered the Sigma 70-200 2.8 too.

The bundle is from http://47stphoto.com/.

EOS 30D Digital SLR Camera With 8.2 Megapixle CCD, 5 FPS, 2.5" LCD&cr;&lf;With 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF Lens, 2GB 3 Lens 24 Piece Package
$1,849.95
URL here: http://47stphoto.com/item.asp?invky=3949963&catky=8237725&subcatky1=4612695&subcatky2=1033747

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 07:08 PM

Mike Mac
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p.1 #25 · Buying a 30D

I would look around for a better merchant. In fact, I believe 47th Street Photo is another of the New York area merchants. I'll never try to deal with anybody in that area again, and I wish everybody else would follow suite. The only way the states attorney general is going to make a major move on all the cons in New York is if the honest merchants start losing enough money from everybody refusing to do business in that area until all the scum is cleaned up.

Have a look at their six month rating and read the reviews here...
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/47st_Photo

Save yourself the headaches and find a reputable merchant.

Edited on Dec 09, 2006 at 12:53 PM

Dec 06, 2006 at 07:32 PM


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