I took the plunge...

[Wynder]

So, I started shooting this past October -- my first really attempt at photography. Technically, it was supposed to be my wife's attempt seeing as how I bought the camera for her birthday, but I think she's used it about three times now...

I bought me (errr.... her) a Rebel XSi, along with a few nice lenses and accessories. I read some great books on photography and exposure, I read Scott Kelby and Strobist and I even ordered a couple of very nice DVD's to learn how to use the camera (Magic Lantern series... nice for newbies). And, I'll be honest, in my opinion, I think I've had decent success:

Landscape: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhwiii/...7608893353531/
Portraits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhwiii/...7611170704028/

It's nice, because as I go through my Flickr account, I can start at the beginning and see the shots improve as I reach current day.

So, I made the decision to actually let the wife have her camera and to buy my own. So, this morning I placed an order for the following:

Canon 50D ($1119)
Two 4GB SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition CF Cards ($49 x 2)
Extended Battery Grip by Opteka ($69)
Two BP-511A Compatible Batteries ($8)

All in all, I'm fairly excited -- I'll be doing a model shoot the first week in April and a runway show later that month for work... I can't wait to give it a go, and I had to tell someone!

[candleman]

congrats on the new gear!
Christmas all over again.

which lens did you get with it?.. or have you already got more than one lens?

[Wynder]

I bought the XSi body -- I had a friend who's a pro sell me a couple of lenses she didn't use anymore: a Canon 50mm f/1.8 and a Canon 60mm f/2.8 macro lens. I also picked up a Sigma 10-20mm. My mother had sent me a Quantaray 70-300 f/4-5.6 which she used on her old Canon 35mm, but it was sloooooow to focus, so I picked up a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM lens for $1450 off of Amazon.

I still want to get a nice L-series 24-70 lens to cover that in-between area, though. Maybe after I pick up some monostrobes, hehehe.

[candleman]

70-200 f/2.8... sweeeet

well done, enjoy it!
cool set-up

[Bluenoser]

Those are some very nice images, well done.

[Wynder]

Thanks kindly.

[Jim Bryant]

I remember you Baltimore Trade Center photo. You have some really nice work. Enjoy your adventure

[sk66]

LOL! $1450 for a lens for the xsi?!
Does the wife warrant such generosity? I'm only laughing because if my wife really knew what I've spent on camera stuff she might be a little annoyed!

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by sk66

LOL! $1450 for a lens for the xsi?!
Does the wife warrant such generosity? I'm only laughing because if my wife really knew what I've spent on camera stuff she might be a little annoyed!

Mine still is annoyed