[exAudiGuy]

Originally Posted by Nikki

LOL I'm still up but I don't know what to do with all of this lens info.

I'd say go with the 18-55 kit lens to start. It's about the only way to get a wide zoom without spending a lot of $$. When you've learned more about how you're using the camera, you can decide where to go next with a lens. There are plenty of folks that will sniff at the quality of the kit lens, but for $100 bucks, it's a pretty good performer.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by Nikki

LOL I'm still up but I don't know what to do with all of this lens info.

Yikes - we really geeked out on you! Just get the camera and kit lens and take it from there. Don't get too carried away with lenses at first. You never felt the need to change the lens on your point and shoot, right?

diesel - Are you trying to start a religious war bringing up Nikon among all these Canon folks?

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by Gripster

diesel - Are you trying to start a religious war bringing up Nikon among all these Canon folks?

BRING IT.

Don't mind the sd800 in my earlier post.

[Nikki]

Canon <3
thanks for your help everyone, good night

[diesel007]

Don't let the bed bugs bite.

[Nikki]

cute :P

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by just4kickz

asshole is profanity? wow... either you guys are backwards or im from the future

Futureboy, could you tell us the lottery numbers for Wednesday?

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by Nikki

What do you guys think of the Rebel XTi instead? I was talking with some other people and they said that I would never need any of the features the 30D has and that it is half as much and the lenses make the difference.
I don't know, any comments on that?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120070

Maybe, since you're an avid photography, you might eventually want to use the high end features. But you won't be able to if your camera doesn't have them. The features are there for a purpose, so someone can use them.

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by Nikki

hmm something to think about, thanks...


ok these lenses were recommended to me, input?


best:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...9&modelid=7442

second best:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...9&modelid=7337

With just a quick look at the specifics of both of these, if the cost were comparable (not necessarily the same) then I would choose the second. It has the same aperture range, a longer focal range, and it has the added benefit of the image stabilization. The IS will pull that f/3.5 down at least one f-stop to an f/2.8.

Even with the 1.6x factor, with through the lens focusing and composing, it will still be WYSIWYG. I'd be concerned with using a shorter focal length lens. My Nikon D100 has a 1.5x factor so my 28-80mm actually comes out as a 42-120mm. I got an 18mm to compensate for the loss of the wide angle but it gives me a pin-cusion effect along the edges.

[Nikki]

OK i went to look at them today. The 30D wasn't tooo big and it felt very sturdy. The Rebel XTi was a little smaller and felt a little cheaper but looked more user friendly button-wise. I liked the way the 30D felt better but not for $500 more. So I am going to get the XTi.

Do you guys recommend the extended warranty or is it a waste of money?

[exAudiGuy]

Originally Posted by Nikki

OK i went to look at them today. The 30D wasn't tooo big and it felt very sturdy. The Rebel XTi was a little smaller and felt a little cheaper but looked more user friendly button-wise. I liked the way the 30D felt better but not for $500 more. So I am going to get the XTi.

Do you guys recommend the extended warranty or is it a waste of money?

In general, extended warranties on consumer electronics, including cameras, are a waste of money. Circuit City and Best Buy don't actually make a profit unless they sell you an extended warranty.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by Nikki

OK i went to look at them today. The 30D wasn't tooo big and it felt very sturdy. The Rebel XTi was a little smaller and felt a little cheaper but looked more user friendly button-wise. I liked the way the 30D felt better but not for $500 more. So I am going to get the XTi.

Do you guys recommend the extended warranty or is it a waste of money?

I generally stay away from them for most items except laptops - they are just free money to the seller. I buy with my Amex which doubles the warranty period for most items. How much is it extra?

[Nikki]

Originally Posted by Gripster

I generally stay away from them for most items except laptops - they are just free money to the seller. I buy with my Amex which doubles the warranty period for most items. How much is it extra?

I don't know, I was just wondering. I didn't know that credit cards do that. Is it just Amex? That's what I am going to use anyways.

[diesel007]

Congrats Nikki!

I can't wait to see your work.

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by Nikki

I don't know, I was just wondering. I didn't know that credit cards do that. Is it just Amex? That's what I am going to use anyways.

I think my Mastercard has it too. It's in the small print somewhere. I know my Amex (gold and blue cards) definitely have this cause I've had to use it when my niece's iPod broke 1 month out of warranty. Amex blue refunded the purchase price within a week - no questions.

[shimshimhada]

Nikki, buy a Sony DSLR.

[typerlover]

You won't have to worry about an extended warranty if you buy it from Costco. And its priced lower than Circuit City or Best Buy.

[mjh93sa]

I think you made the sensible choice there. The XTi will do everything and more that you want it to. I can't wait to see your next batch of photo's!

I was in a similar quandry about 18 months ago over the 20D or 350D as they were then. My head said that the 350D was good enough, but the 20D was just that bit chunkier and fitted my hands better... so I blew all of my budget and more on the 20D, a 90mm marco and a 70-200mm f2.8L lens. The L lens is so good that I just don't bother with prime. I just need half an excuse to get some more L lenses now.

All my UK2 shots were taken using the 20D & 70-200f2.8L (linked from my signiature pic). The Southern100 shots were also taken with this combo, though some were with a 1.6x converter.

[sixspeedsam]

I'll add in my .00002, since I just had this discussion with my brother who wants to "step up" from his point and shoot to a DSLR.

For a starter DSLR... the Rebel series is more then enough. A lot of folks tend to fall into the hype of "need more megapixels, all the pros shoot SLRs so they gotta take better photos!" A camera is simply a tool ... it's the photographer that makes the photo, and understand how to best utilize the tool to get the most out of it. If you've got an "eye" for composition, that's half the battle.

The primary benefit to getting a SLR is the lenses that you can purchase for the type of photography you want to pursue. Landscapes? A 17-40 would suit you fine. Lowlight indoor concert photos? Probably looking at that 85MM prime. Outdoor shots of wildlife? 70-200 or larger. You get the idea. Often times the "holy grail" that most photographers want in a lens is that one all around walkaround lens (e.g. 24-70 or 24-105). But often times, no one lens suites all needs.

And in the end, bodies will come and go. Higher end bodies will have better sensors, dynamic range, ISO low light/focus, etc. If anything, invest your money on the lens -- they're an investment in the sense that quality lenses don't depreciate in value much at all.

Another thing to keep in mind when shooting DSLR. The images coming out of the camera are captured with the assumption that you'll be doing the necessary post processing of the images to make them shine. The digital workflow piece is often overlooked by a lot of folks who jump from point and shoot to SLR -- I hear a lot of "my old SD400 took better photos then my Rebel! My photos are dark, not as sharp." The images you capture from your SLR are just as good... they just need to be processed accordingly using photo software like Photoshop, Capture One, etc.

Anyway, I don't want to make this sound discouraging -- cause once you get the basics down, an SLR literally opens up a whole new world of photography. Have fun.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by typerlover

You won't have to worry about an extended warranty if you buy it from Costco. And its priced lower than Circuit City or Best Buy.

This is very true. Their return department is very lenient and the duration is long. My friend returned three ipods at Costco within the last year just because he accidentally scratched them. And we all know how strict the Apple store would have been.

I plan on purchasing all my future electronics at Costco.

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by diesel007

You really should put Nikon on the map.

diesel, could you give a listing of your lens repertoire?

[dmontic71]

I highly recommend the 1982 Kodak 110 camera. While limited on your lense options, there are a wide variety of wrist straps for the photgraphic enthusiast. They are making a big comeback and will be replacing most digital photography in the next couple of years...