Canon 550D lenses and Memory Cards

[Forke]

I'm currently trying to decide upon which camera bundle to get with the Canon 550D. To purchase the twin lens bundle (18-55mm IS and a 55-250mm IS lens) or the single 18-55mm IS lens? Perhaps buy the 18-55mm IS lens then purchase the Canon EF 70-250mm f 4.0 L USM lens( better quality but albeit more expensive)? I should mention I wish to photograph sports (rugby, cricket and Show jumping) and landscape.

Would macro photography be possible with any of the above mentioned lenses?

The camera bundle supplies a 8GB memory card, would this be suitable to deal with shooting long sports days in JPEG or should one opt for another say 16GB card?

Any advice would be greatly appriciated

[RichardTaylor]

When shooting sports will you be shooting from the spectator areas?
If so you will need long lenses. I would suggest a 70-300 at the minimum, or preferably a 100-400.

"True" macro will not be possible without a macro lens or extension tubes however the 18-55 focusses fairly close will be ok for flowers etc.

An 8GB card will give you approx 1100 jpg pics.
(I shoot motor sport. Depending on the event I may shoot up to 2000 pics/day)
Do not go for one big card because if it fails you will have lost all of your shots.

According to instruction manual (I don't own this camera) the battery life is 440 pics (howver you may get more if you do not do a lot of chimping) so you may need a few sets of batteries.

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Do not go for one big card because if it fails you will have lost all of your shots.

I don't think this can be considered a hard-and-fast rule. It depends on the situation.

I've seen a lot more reports of "I lost a card" than "a card went bad." Having one big card in your camera all day means you can't lose the card in the field.