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.
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.
Get a used 20d and use your remaining money to get good glass. Also get at least 2 memory cards whatever the combination may be from what you have stated I would suggest 2- 1GB cards that way if something happens to one you will have a back up.
Also from what I have found it's hard to beat B&H's prices if you find lower prices be very very careful. That said don't buy from 47th Street Photo.
I agree, find a reputable dealer, and don't get a bundle with cheapo lenses you won't even use and will have a hard time sellilng.
Not all NY sellers are bad--B&H is in NY and is the gold standard.
But somebody recommended NOT getting an extra battery? That's just dumb to have no bakcup battery. The generic 3rd party batteries are just as good as the Canon ones so you can save some money there.
Used, mint 20D from this forum: $750 (If you MUST get a 30D, $950-1050 used)
New Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, from Sigma4Less.com (reputable): $750
Used Tamron 17-50 f.2.8, from this forum: $350 (New: $425)
Total: $1,850
Then you can always buy yourself some bigger memory cards, and a REAL tripod if you find you need one. Also, pick up a fast prime.
Get batteries from sterlingtek for around $11 each, and plenty of places online to buy fast 2gb memory cards for around $50 or less.
All that crap 47th photo is trying to hoist onto you is, well, crap, and they bundle it because they wouldn't sell it with DSLRs otherwise. I see no reason for you to get a 30D over the 20D.
jvarszegi wrote:
I suspect "Caleb Williams" is having a bit of fun with the other posters here.
He might be, but I took a look at his website (The Star Tribune entry), and he is something of a newbie-- absolutely NO offense meant by that term-- to DSLRs. First year college student.
Even my brother who is 30, and works in hollywood as a director of photography (I'm not talking wanna be, I'm talking, real DP), thought about trying for one of those cheap websites with all the goodies (that turn out to be crap).
I think Caleb is having the struggle we all have between wanting the newest and best, and balancing his budget. That's why he is smart to turn to FM for advice-- hopefully he'll take the collective advice, filter it through his own judgement, and buy what is smart!
If you are pulling our leg, Caleb... naw, I don't think you are (I hope).
One other thing to note, any tripod that costs $25, isn't worth any money at all. In my opinion, the lowest end tripod you should be thinking is one of the less expensive Manfrotto tripods.
jvarszegi wrote:
I suspect "Caleb Williams" is having a bit of fun with the other posters here.
I can guarantee one thing, I'm not pulling anyones leg. I'm seriously considering buying a new camera. One of the reasons I joined was to get the advise here.
I don't really want to spend more than 2500, because it's all coming out of my pocket. This setup especially the body, whatever it turns out to be in the end, will have to last several years, so I want to have some that will be good for many years and if I've noticed anything about the 20D, it's been around for a few years now and isn't really showing any signs of disappearing.
Fair enough, but the kits you mentioned have a lot of stuff you really don't need. The grip, cheap filters, cleaning kits, and cheap tripod really are a waste if you are on a tight budget. You can always get that stuff later as birthday presents or just save up a little at a time. As others have mentioned, you also have to be careful of the vendor, it is easy to get ripped off on the internet.
From what you mentioned, spend the money on the glass that will get the job done. If you have to shoot night sports, indoor sports, and general PJ type work you'll need a good fast telephoto zoom and a reliable midrange lens. The sigma 70-200/2.8 and tamron 28-75/2.8 are very good values - giving great performance at relatively inexpensive prices. Combined, those 2 will cost you around $1150, you can add in a used 420EX and new 30D from a reputable dealer (B&H, amazon) and be just below your price range. The 220 is a fixed head, so you won't be able to bounce it or attach a nice diffuser like the gary fong lightspere.
Hi Caleb,
If you have a $2500 budget, I would offer the following advice on what to buy. First, do not buy from 47th St. photo. From all I have read and from the warnings they are not a reputable merchant. They build in hidden costs and rip you off. The two merchants in New York city that have good reputations are B & H and Adorama (although a few people complain about customer service from Adorama--I have found them to be excellent). For what to buy I would get a refurbished 30D for $900 from Adorama. This body has been refurbished by Canon and I think is an excellent deal. For a wide angle to short telephoto zoom, I would get a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for $450 from Adorama. This is a highly rated lens that would work much like a 27-80mm zoom would work on a film or full-frame sensor camera. I would then get a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L (non-IS) for $920 in excellent condition from KEH camera based in Atlanta (this is another on-line dealer with a great reputation especially for used merchandise - I have used them and been very happy). This would bring your total so far to $2270. Buy an extra non-Canon battery from Adorama for $30, buy 2 1GB CF cards from any local electronic place for $60. I like the Sandisk ultra II for good performance and good price. This leaves you with about $140 left over. This is enough for a used 420EX flash or a grip if you think you really need it or the 50mm f/1.8 (you could even get a used MK I that is a little nicer than the MKII). This should give you a good start. I hope this helps.
Steve Spencer wrote:
I would then get a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L (non-IS) for $920 in excellent condition from KEH camera based in Atlanta (this is another on-line dealer with a great reputation especially for used merchandise - I have used them and been very happy). ...I hope this helps.
I couldn't find the 70-200 on KEH's site. It does help, the more different options I have the better I can evaluate pricing.
Caleb Williams wrote:
The only reason I want the grip is from experience using it and the fact that I take a great deal of vertical shots.
Yes, I've used one as well and it is a very nice accessory. However, it is an accessory - I don't have one and I don't have any trouble taking shots in portrait orientation. I think right now it is probably a luxury you can't afford.
As for refurbs, that is how I got most of my gear. Both my 20D and 70-200/2.8 are refurbs, and have served me very well without a single problem. However, I bought them both from local sellers so I could test them out first, but that is just a precaution I wanted to take. Anyway, good luck, and let us know how you make out.
Steve Spencer's and Timbop's buying plans are good ones. I use a tamron 17-50 and canon 70-200 2.8 combo all the time and it's great. You could also think about getting 85 1.8 and 200 2.8 primes and save a little (very little) money over the 70-200 zoom while getting a great low light portrait lens.
Dec 07, 2006 at 04:47 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
Caleb,
If you go to the KEH sight and select Canon Autofocus (not Canon Digital - this will only give you EFS lenses) from the top menu and zoom lenses from the bottom menu you will find two different 70-200 f/2L lenses rated as being in excellent condition and both priced at $919, one on the very bottom of page seven and one at the very top of page 8.
Edited by Steve Spencer on Dec 09, 2006 at 08:07 AM GMT
