wanting to move up from a digital rebel

[robphelan]

bought my digital rebel about 4+ years ago & have taken some pretty good pictures. Now, before my cam loses all it's value, I'd like to sell it and upgrade.

I mainly use it for the kids outdoor games(action), family parties etc... nothing professional - i am not trying to sell any of these.

any recommendations? I'm looking to stay with a canon DSLR - what would be step up without going too crazy on price?

I saw costco had the T1I kit for 799 - this was the last one, so they may mark it down a little more.

thanks alot.

 

[adairusmc]

You could also try and find a used 40D body somewhere if the video feature of the T1i isnt important to you.

The costco price on the T1i kit seems pretty good. Amazon has it for $791 for the kit, and $702 for the body only.

 

[robphelan]

yeah, video isn't important.

 

[robphelan]

i was looking on ebay and have seen the 20D relatively inexpensive - why is that?

for instance, an auction for a 20D with ~500 clicks going for a little over 200(so far)

 

[jpeyton]

I'd get a Rebel XS and spend most of your budget on lenses.

What lenses do you have right now?

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: robphelan
i was looking on ebay and have seen the 20D relatively inexpensive - why is that?

for instance, an auction for a 20D with ~500 clicks going for a little over 200(so far)

I am not sure, probably because it has been replaced by the 30D, 40D, and 50D since it's release. Not that it is a bad camera though.

 

[robphelan]

i only have 2 right now.. a canon 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 & a Tamron 70-3001:4-5.6.

I would like to get a nicer mid-range lens because that's were I take the most pictures.

 

[jpeyton]

The body isn't really what you need to upgrade.

Canon 55-250mm IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
The body isn't really what you need to upgrade.

Canon 55-250mm IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

is that what you have or recommend?

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: robphelan
is that what you have or recommend?

I believe jpeyton shoots Nikon.

He recommends these three lenses because they offer a great bang-for-the-buck. A Image Stabilized telephoto, a low light prime, and a fast f2.8 zoom.

Used prices:
55-250mm IS - ~$200
50mm 1.8 - <$100
Tamron 17-50- ~$350

I'd also recommend looking into the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8, as its slightly cheaper than the 17-50 and as you mention, your looking for a mid-range zoom.

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
The body isn't really what you need to upgrade.

Canon 55-250mm IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

True, but the digital rebel lacks in just about all areas. Slow start-up, slow response, slow write speed, etc.

Granted you probably won't be able to get much, if at all anything, for the camera. I would look for a 30D which is a 20d with a bigger screen on the back.

 

[Eug]

Re: Telephoto lens upgrade:

Consider also saving up for the EF 70-200 f/4L IS.

It's by no means cheap, but it really is a stellar lens.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Eug
It's by no means cheap

No kidding; ~$1200 new, ~$1000 used. It's way out of his price range.

 

[Eug]

Well, he did suggest he was considering spending $799 for a new T1i.

I might rather have a 70-200 f/4L IS + 300D (Digital Rebel) for $1000 than a 500d (T1i) + Tamron 70-300 for $800.

OTOH, he could probably get a used 40D pretty cheaply once the 60D is released. That will be a bigger upgrade.

BTW, I have the 20D and it's not a bad camera, but for a used camera I'd probably get something newer. (My biggest pet peeve with the 20D is the tiny screen.) That's probably why the going rate for the 20D is probably less than US$300... which is why I'm not selling mine. I'm just using it as a backup/secondary camera to my 7D.

 

[Munky]

If you're happy with the photos you get, there's no reason to upgrade. Digital cameras lose value quickly because newer stuff keeps coming out. You probably won't get much for your 4 year old Rebel.

 

[angry hampster]

I'd pick up a 30D and a Tamron 17-50 and call it a day. 30D: $400. Tamron: $300-350.

 

[rivan]

I went from a DRebel to a 30D just before the release of the 40D and I've been very happy with it since.

 

[robphelan]

great.. thanks for all the advice.

what I think i'm going to try to swing, if I can afford it, is to upgrade to a 30D + pick up a quality 17-50 or 28-75mm F2.8 lens.

now.. any good places to buy from?

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: robphelan
great.. thanks for all the advice.

what I think i'm going to try to swing, if I can afford it, is to upgrade to a 30D + pick up a quality 17-50 or 28-75mm F2.8 lens.

now.. any good places to buy from?

photography-on-the.net/forum


If you shoot with a Canon camera and you're not on there already, you're hugely missing out. Very active member base and extremely reliable classifieds section.


KEH.com



I would recommend the 17-50. 28mm-75mm is way too narrow for a 30d.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
I would recommend the 17-50. 28mm-75mm is way too narrow for a 30d.

eh, that's a matter of personal preference. But given the OP had a 18-55 kit lens before, stick with the 17-50.

fredmiranda.com forums is another place to buy used.

 

[gar655]

Why screw around? Just get a 1DsMkIII and be done with it.

 

[robphelan]

well, i picked up a nice used Canon 28 - 135 3.5:5.6 IS as seen here

found it on craigslist & talked him down to 260.

2 coworkers highly recommend this - one of the guys brought his in so I could try it out on my dig reb. I took 5 or 6 then switched to my kit lens & took the same shots.. there was a remarkable difference.

edit - it did not come with a UV lens protector so that will be my first choice - i see UV & UV Haze Filters... recommendation?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: robphelan
well, i picked up a nice used Canon 28 - 135 3.5:5.6 IS as seen here

found it on craigslist & talked him down to 260.

2 coworkers highly recommend this - one of the guys brought his in so I could try it out on my dig reb. I took 5 or 6 then switched to my kit lens & took the same shots.. there was a remarkable difference.

edit - it did not come with a UV lens protector so that will be my first choice - i see UV & UV Haze Filters... recommendation?

On that lens I don't think its worth investing in a protection filter....Just my opinion. Buy the hood if anything and use that for some protection.

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: robphelan
well, i picked up a nice used Canon 28 - 135 3.5:5.6 IS as seen here

found it on craigslist & talked him down to 260.

2 coworkers highly recommend this - one of the guys brought his in so I could try it out on my dig reb. I took 5 or 6 then switched to my kit lens & took the same shots.. there was a remarkable difference.

edit - it did not come with a UV lens protector so that will be my first choice - i see UV & UV Haze Filters... recommendation?

Don't get a UV filter, it'll be a waste of money. Like PurdueRy said... get the hood and that will give you some level of protection.