Help me pick out a digital camera with lenses!

[Jawo]

I got the XTi in May as my first dSLR and have greatly enjoyed it ever since. I had a similar budget to yours when I was looking around. I went to several expositions and tried the a100, d40, d80, XTi, and 30D. What really sold me was having the battery grip on the XTi since it makes it bigger and better balanced with long lenses, plus a shutter for vertical photos. I could not stand the illogical button layout on the a100 (IMHO). I have shot everything from an air show to several weddings and have gotten excellent pics with it all. The hardest part was finding sharp lenses (especially on the Tamron). I would recommend getting the 70-300 since its possibly the best non-L Canon telephoto out there....the 17-55 IS is nice but very expensive (and arguably not worth it).

What I bought for $2,200:
$680 Canon XTi
$550 EF 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 IS USM
$450 Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
$100 filters
$140 Canon battery Grip
$200 2 Extra batteries, CF Card, cleaning supplies, bag
$80 Canon EF 50 f/1.8

 

[AndrewR]

One more word of advice -- go into a store and hold all the cameras you are considering. The way a camera handles is a very personal decision. Some people, like myself, prefer larger cameras (really miss my Maxxum 7D!), while others prefer the smaller ones like the XT/XTi or D40. If it doesn't feel comfortable holding for a few minutes, imagine what it will be like toting around for an entire weekend.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Bringing up a dead thread....I read a favorable review of the Sigma 17-70 Macro here. It's cheaper than some other options, though doesn't allow for the largest aperture along the whole range as some others love.

I guess if I were to start over with Canon, as an amateur, on a limited budget, I'd get:

$400 - Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC macro
$80 - Canon EF 50 f/1.8
$550 - Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS
$630 - XTi body
$260 - Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER Flash Unit

Total: $1920

The rest would probably be spent on a grip, bag, batteries, tripod or monopod, converters, memory and filters. I think it's a decent kit that covers most of what one would need within a $2300 budget.

Actually, if I were starting over completely I wouldn't rule out a Pentax K10D with above/similar setup, for the added benefits of in-body IS, and good weathersealing (IIRC)...shooting RAW of course.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
One more word of advice -- go into a store and hold all the cameras you are considering. The way a camera handles is a very personal decision. Some people, like myself, prefer larger cameras (really miss my Maxxum 7D!), while others prefer the smaller ones like the XT/XTi or D40. If it doesn't feel comfortable holding for a few minutes, imagine what it will be like toting around for an entire weekend.

Also realize for you can get the battery grip for the Canon cameras that allows you extra room for your hands, controls and the use of 2 batteries to extend your shooting time!

The generic one everyone loves is only $69.