Canon Rebel XS 10.1mp ... help...

[Copenhagen69]

I found a used one of these for about $250ish ... just the stock body no lenses or anything ... less than 2k pics

Is that a good deal?
Also, what would be a good lens to buy ... I am not a pro and done take a ton of pics but when i do it would be nice to have them look good.


right now I use a cannon SD870 to help give you what i am use to

 

[Lemon law]

It somewhat depends on what len(s) you plan to buy, how good of a scrounger you are, how much you value a warranty, and what condition the XS body is in.

The cheapest new price for a new XS body I found with little searching was $368.
http://www.ibcart.com/details.asp?prod=2760B001&G=Y
Others can probably beat that.

After that you need a lens, and the usual kit lens, is an 18-55 mm IS lens that has somewhat decent optics. Usual Ebay price is about $80 used but with luck you can shatter that. Another older kit lens is a 35-80mm, but its optical properties are not as good. But they are often cheaper at about $30.00 used. And some shopper buy broken cameras with a working kit lens for dirt cheap.

Just my take, lets see what others say.

 

[Copenhagen69]

he is also ofereing brand new ..
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - $280

what ya think?

 

[jpeyton]

That's a pretty good deal. Pair it with a 18-55mm IS for $90 and a 50mm f/1.8 (also for $90). I'd take those two over the 28-135mm IS>

 

[Copenhagen69]

hmm ok so just buy the body and go pick up the 18-55mm IS for $90?

I mean I dont plan on taking amazing photos ... just some shots of friends and computer stuff to sale online or during reviews...

 

[Copenhagen69]

ok i found 18-55 mm IS lens on ebay that say manu refurbished ... should i get one of those or a normal used one from some guy on ebay ... the refurbished ones cost like $10 more but come with a 1 year warranty ...

although one other question ... if i can only buy one of these lenses right now ... which one should i get the
18-55 or the 50mm?

 

[AkumaX]

the 50's a good walkaround lens, but if you want to take pics of computer stuff, you might need something wider

 

[Copenhagen69]

the 50's a good walkaround lens, but if you want to take pics of computer stuff, you might need something wider

like what?

Stupid question but ... if its just 50 mm then I am stuck at that ... and the 18-55mm i can adjust ... right?

 

[AkumaX]

like what?

i dunno, i figure if you need to take pics of a bunch of stuff, it would have to be a wider angle

Stupid question but ... if its just 50 mm then I am stuck at that ... and the 18-55mm i can adjust ... right?

yes! imagine being stuck @ 50mm in your 18-55mm...
also, on my craiglist, the 28-135mm prices are more competitive, see if they're cheaper elsewhere? i think 200 would be pretty decent

 

[Copenhagen69]

ok i found this lens .... http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-S-18-5...8QQcategoryZ3323QQcmdZViewItem#ht_6120wt_1137

I know it is only 18-55 but it sounds like it would be a good first lens to test out and see how I like the settings and everything .... then later pick up a better lens ...

what ya think?

 

[Lemon law]

ok i found this lens .... http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-S-18-5...8QQcategoryZ3323QQcmdZViewItem#ht_6120wt_1137

I know it is only 18-55 but it sounds like it would be a good first lens to test out and see how I like the settings and everything .... then later pick up a better lens ...

what ya think?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In my mind $90 + 10 shipping is not a bargain. If you have the luxury of time, you can do way better.

And in my mind, there is a certain defect in saying, "then later pick up a better lens"

The point is and remains, its the difference between buying a SLR that takes multiple lens and buying a point and shoot camera with one and only one lens.

Given the 18-55 MM kit lens is fairly decent, its not a matter of getting a better and far more expensive lens in the same focal length class, its a matter of buying another good lens that extends your focal point versatility. You might want a longer telephoto lens in addition, you might want a lens that does better in low light, this forum can't guess your preferences, but an digital SLR is all about being more versatile than a point and shoot Camera.

 

[Copenhagen69]

Well by better I didnt mean more expensive better lens cause I bought crap. I meant like the 18-55 will help me get a better idea of what all lenses i should get later on when i have more money. So I can play around with this one and get a feel for how it does with the pictures I will be taking and then go from there.

so an 18-55mm ... what kind of price should I be looking for to pay on a used one?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Check photography-on-the.net and their for sale section. Lots of 18-55 IS going on sale.

It's not a bad lens at all. In terms of image quality, I've said this over and over again but it's a winner. I have the $1000 brother, the 17-55mm and its just as sharp. You couldn't tell the difference. You're just not getting a constant 2.8 aperture, USM focusing, FTM, etc etc. For the aperture range it does cover, the lens is superb. I'm pretty confident I could do my weekend shooting (I do clubbing photography) with my 18-55mm this weekend instead of my 17-55mm no problem. It's just as good.... as long as you don't need f/2.8

As for the 28-135, its a good lens too. Some people feel 18mm is more than wide for them, and 28mm works. Some feel the 24-105mm works. It just depends. Do you like more reach? I find myself shooting more on the wide end than on the tele end. Others like tight portrait crops and the 28-135mm works better. Shrug. My 17-55 is my walkaround, but for some friends they use the 28-135mm

But as others have said, going 18-55mm to figure out what you want is a great way to start.

 

[Copenhagen69]

ok cool thanks for the link i will check their FS section out

 

[Copenhagen69]

just got a 18-55 mm IS for $75 shipped off that forum ... i think that is a heck of a deal