What’s Your Preference?

southplatte · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 07:46 PM

Found this on creepbay, thought it seemed like an ok deal for all that's included, but then again it's an older model, but would be my first dSLR. I've been torn between nikon and canon and have a limited budget so I have been perusing used deals.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS 1000D SLR Camera +4 lens kit

Thanks for input

jofrost · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 10:59 PM

southplatte,

For a "budget" , would be tough to beat that deal . Though not all items would be top notch , it would definately get you started . As far as the body , I have read somewhere here that the factory refurbs do go through a bit of testing ...perhaps more so than new .
I got a similar "package" last year for about $40 more ( though the XS body was new ) The Tamron lenses might not be top of the line , but still take decent pictures . I use the 28-70 almost all the time .
Seems like the seller has decent ratings too , which is a plus .

-John

southplatte · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the reply John!

Event though not top notch, in my view I think it gets the basics out of the way for a good start as you pointed out as well, as I have none of the "extras" at all.

Honestly, most electronic items I purchase (computers, dvd, tv) are usually not top notch, are usually used or refurb and a few years old - I call it "family shopping", with 5 children things can be tight at times, lol, so I am ok with that - just don't want to over pay for a refurb/used deal and I am still reading daily on all the manufacturers, specs etc to learn the different classes, lenses, and such as I make the foray in to DSLRs.

jofrost · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southplatte

Thanks for the reply John!

Event though not top notch, in my view I think it gets the basics out of the way for a good start as you pointed out as well, as I have none of the "extras" at all.

Honestly, most electronic items I purchase (computers, dvd, tv) are usually not top notch, are usually used or refurb and a few years old - I call it "family shopping", with 5 children things can be tight at times, lol, so I am ok with that - just don't want to over pay for a refurb/used deal and I am still reading daily on all the manufacturers, specs etc to learn the different classes, lenses, and such as I make the foray in to DSLRs.

You'll get a lot more extras than I did with mine ...and I understand quite well the need to make your purchases wisely . My Rebel XS was the first "new" thing I bought myself in a while .
Definately good to do your homework on the different models/mfgs. . I do find from reading here that with DSLRs you are essentially buying into a "system" , and seems like Canon and Nikon have a bit more choices for expanding your hobby .
Best wishes with your decision

-John

Doug Pardee · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southplatte

Found this on creepbay, thought it seemed like an ok deal for all that's included, but then again it's an older model

It's not that it's an older model, it's that the "kit" is entirely junk. You can buy a real XS/1000D kit from Amazon for $450, and it'd be a lot better deal.

southplatte · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

It's not that it's an older model, it's that the "kit" is entirely junk. You can buy a real XS/1000D kit from Amazon for $450, and it'd be a lot better deal.

Hi Doug - thanks for the reply.

I guess by a "junk" XS kit you mean the lenses, tripod accessories all together are junk?

And I have looked on Amazon, and cannot find any XS kits for the price range you listed so if you have a link do share - as I can only find the body with kit lens and absolutely no other items for the price range you listed.

Thanks!

Doug Pardee · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southplatte

I guess by a "junk" XS kit you mean the lenses, tripod accessories all together are junk?

Yes, those lenses aren't worth the trouble to ship them. The two lenses together can be bought new for $200. The "wide-angle lens" and "2x lens" are what you'd use with a digicam where you can't remove the lens; with an SLR you'd use an extension tube or an extender (respectively) to get better quality images.

The lens selection will not give you wide-angle except with the use of the "wide angle lens", and the image quality would be poor.

The camera normally ships from Canon with an 18-55 IS lens (in the US and Canada), and that's a good lens to start with. They've removed that lens from their kit. The camera also comes with the battery, charger, cables, CD, etc., that they are pretending they're including in their kit.

Quote:

I have looked on Amazon, and cannot find any XS kits for the price range you listed so if you have a link do share - as I can only find the body with kit lens and absolutely no other items for the price range you listed.

That's the Canon kit—the body and kit lens. Add on whatever else you want, and you can get some good stuff. For example, add Canon's EF-S 55-250 IS lens for $260, and you're at $100 more than the other kit but have some nice image-stabilized lenses with real wide-angle capability.

Some vendors love to take all of the stuff that nobody would normally buy and put it together into a "kit" to get rid of it. They make it sound good, but when you get it you find that it's basically schlock.

If you really want a "deluxe kit" with a bunch of extras, take a look at this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-...dp/B002GCG4WI/
Yes, it costs a bit more, but the quality of the pictures that you'll take with those lenses is way better. Also, the add-ons in this kit are things that you might actually want to use.

I just can't recommend buying poor-quality lenses in order to get a bunch of other mostly poor-quality stuff that you don't need and probably won't use. The quality of the lenses are the single most important factor in the technical quality of the pictures that you'll take.

If I may take a moment to be candid…

SLR/DSLR photography is an expensive hobby. An SLR/DSLR is the hub that you attach lots of other things to. There's always something more that you need/want to buy. If you're really having to stretch just to buy the camera equipment, you're going to be hurting later.

I doubt that there are many DSLR owners who have spent less than $1000 on their hobby, and probably only a few who have spent less than $2000 by the time they've been in it for a year. According to this unscientific poll from 2006, only 6.5% of the responders spent less than $1000, and less than 20% spent less than $2000. The median looks to be around $4000. Here's a more recent poll, showing that only 3% of non-professional responders spent less than $1000, and again that only about 20% spent less than $2000, with the median right about $5000.

And I'm guessing that most of those people are only figuring camera equipment, not digital darkroom costs.

southplatte · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

Yes, those lenses aren't worth the trouble to ship them. The two lenses together can be bought new for $200. The "wide-angle lens" and "2x lens" are what you'd use with a digicam where you can't remove the lens; with an SLR you'd use an extension tube or an extender (respectively) to get better quality images.

The lens selection will not give you wide-angle except with the use of the "wide angle lens", and the image quality would be poor.

The camera normally ships from Canon with an 18-55 IS lens (in the US and Canada), and that's a good lens to start with. They've removed that lens from their kit. The camera also comes with the battery, charger, cables, CD, etc., that they are pretending they're including in their kit.

Thanks - that's been something I have been wondering is the kit lenses compared to others - and it appears at least in your view the kit lenses are good to start with, which is basically all I need - something good to start with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

If I may take a moment to be candid…

SLR/DSLR photography is an expensive hobby. An SLR/DSLR is the hub that you attach lots of other things to. There's always something more that you need/want to buy. If you're really having to stretch just to buy the camera equipment, you're going to be hurting later.

I shine in the face of adversity - hence I have gone in about 10 years from beginning HTML, being self taught for most of it to nearing completion of a bachelors degree. I started my own business doing web design in 2003 with less than $500 capital and existing pieced together computers and software and operated it for nearly 4 years finally closing as a complete computer reseller store front, service business and more to move my family for various reasons. Currently I am the Senior Web Developer for the Professional Bull Riders, which is one of the top 10 sports organizations in the world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Pardee

I doubt that there are many DSLR owners who have spent less than $1000 on their hobby, and probably only a few who have spent less than $2000 by the time they've been in it for a year. According to this unscientific poll from 2006, only 6.5% of the responders spent less than $1000, and less than 20% spent less than $2000. The median looks to be around $4000. Here's a more recent poll, showing that only 3% of non-professional responders spent less than $1000, and again that only about 20% spent less than $2000, with the median right about $5000.

And I'm guessing that most of those people are only figuring camera equipment, not digital darkroom costs.

Well my hobby of web design and development has become my lively hood, and in addition to my full time work, I do much part time freelance and consulting. I also operate servers of my own, all professional data center grade servers. All told I don't want to recount the amount of $$ I have in computer equipment, software, and accessories purchased in the last 5-6 years. Alas, it is time for a new hobby and I have chosen to get into photography - in much the same nearly accidental way I did web development, :-)

I guess what I am saying is I understand your viewpoint and appreciate the help - it was help like this that got me where I am at in web design - knowing what to do, what to look out for etc and doing the best I can with what I have to spend and work with in the mean time. :-)

Cheers & thanks for the input again! I look forward to chatting more with you and maybe get some critiques from you once I get the camera and post up some shots.