hello I just ordered an XSi. After some after research, I noticed the d80 is about $70 more but it comes with a 18-135mm lense. Makes me wonder if I should of went this route.

Does anyone have some quick thoughts ? should I cancel my xsi and order the d80?

Stick with the XSI.....The magnification mode in live view(I dont like live view EXCEPT for this feature) really makes it easy to get great macros without deleting 10 pictures for every one. You will always know you have a perfect focus!

its only the kit lens...You can get any lens you want later one. Its not like the 18-55 lens is the only thing you can use

Just stick with the XSi...

Jesse

You made the right choice with the XSI, it has better noise performance than the D80. If you want a lens like that, you could get the Canon EF28-135mm IS on ebay for around $150-$200. But if you bought the kit the 18-55IS is surprisingly a very good lens, I would even say its optically equal to the NIKKOR 18-135mm if not better.

Nikon lower end CCD sensored SLR's haven't impressed me much.

^^ This. You chose the XSi for a reason, and ditching it for another camera just to get a slightly better lens is a decision you'll regret later.

You'll definitely end up purchasing a lot of lenses that will probably be significantly better than either kit lens, so don't base your decision in any way on what lens comes with it. IMO of course.

I actually didnt even look at the d80 b/c the price was alot higher than the xsi. So I was looking at the d60 d40 XSi and XS.


now that d80 might be in the picture, I'm not sure. Seems like everyone thinks the XSi is a good choice, so i will stick with it

basically whatever people on the internet say, you should go with

go with the XSI

If you haven't even considered the Nikon you should at least go hold it and play with it. If it fits your hands better and you like the button layout better, go with that one

The more I mess around with my dad's D40, the more I think is is extremely similar to my canon.

Except only 3 focus points, no bracket shooting, AF is not available on all lenses for the nikon mount..

which lense should I get for the XSi?

Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF)

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-75mm-Asphe...8328&sr=8-2

Tamron SP Autofocus 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical (IF)

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-Autofocus-24-...8328&sr=8-5



Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-28-135mm-3-5-5...8579&sr=1-1

the Tamron 28-75..AMAZING piece of glass for the price. I had one for more then 2years and I upgraded to the 24-70L and there is ZERO difference in image quality. The tamron is RAZOR sharp wide open at any focal length..Gorgeous colors and contrast.

The other 2 lenses I would consider them mediocre

Thanks O5, looks like that will be my next lense.

Now to figure out which lense after that.

Think.... Macro!

i'm already thinking macro, but which one!

oh I noticed i kept typing lense, but it should be lens. LOL

Canon 70-200 f4L would be my next lens..but if you want macro your choices are
Sigma 105, tokina 100, tamron 90, or canon 100..all will give you pretty much the same results so its all on preference. The little higher end macro is the Sigma 150..I have it and would never own any other macro then that lens. Even if someone wanted a straight up trade of the Canon 180L..I would not do it..its a perfect combo of focal length and weight for macro shooting. RAZOR sharp, decent AF for a macro lens and the focus is dead silent. Also has 3 limiter switches to make the range it goes on the AF shorter to speed it up.

do you think i should add a 50mm to the mix?

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

while that canon 50mm is a great lens, you really don't need a prime lens that is already covered by your zoom lens imo.

How about the the Tamron vs the Signma?

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG IF Aspherical Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-28-70mm-Aspher...6716&sr=8-7

I would get that sigma, it performs neck and neck with a canon 24-70L

If you want macro, just get kenko extension tubes.



While I would tend to agree....

The Nifty 50 is the sharpest lens optically for the money, especially if your doing portrait work where you need that "dreamy" bokeh background, or need something faster than f/2.8 for low light situations. Its probably the best lens to use when paired up with macro tubes.

this is very true. i shoot mostly landscapes, so the benefits of this lens are somewhat diminished for me.

If used on a full frame, It's not a terribly bad lens for landscape work.

IMO, for $90 new, it should be in everybody's bag.

that sigma lens is ehhh..the 2 decent ones from Sigma in that range are the Sigma 24-70 2.8 DG EX macro and the 24-60 2.8 EX...I still would get the Tamron over them because I think the tamron is still a bit better in IQ.

I dont know..I think the Canon 50 1.8 is not worth it. Its focus is very innacurate, its noisy, if it takes any kinda hit it explodes its built so cheap. I had one back in the day for about 2weeks and got sick and tired of how bad it missed focus every time. I even sent it in to canon.

do I need a uv protective filter? What would be a good recommendation?

Should I get a cheap tiffen? or a hoya?

my take is UV filters are a waste of money..I never use one and never will..thats what the lens hood is for. Only time I would ever use one is at the beach with salt spray or at a very dusty sandy environment

Would there be any harm in getting a cheap filter? or would it affect the IQ ?

yes..more pron to lens flare, chance of reflections in the filter to throw off the Auto focus system, image quality can go down. The hood is all you need. the Lens was NOT designed with a UV filter on it..why add one.

what tripod would you recommend for under $30?

check out Amvona.com
and you can usually get their stuff even cheaper at their ebay store

+1 to everything O5Xrunner said!!!!

I will definitely check out amvona.

Now, how about a nice bag? I have looked around and it seems like these are some good ones. Any other recommendations/preferences?

Canon Deluxe Backpack 200 EG

Case Logic SLRC-5 SLR Backpack

Lowepro SlingShot 100 AW Camera Bag

Lowepro Fastpack 200 Backpack

i use to have that canon 200 EG bag..I have to say for 35bucks that you can get it on Amazon I found it to be a VERY good bag..I used it for like 2years. It doesnt have a ton of padding but it was a nice bag for the money and served its purpose well.. I now have the Lowepro Mini Trekker AWII..bags are very hard..I went through 5 bags to find the one that fit all my gear and not stupid big. You can get the MiniTrekker on ebay for about 80bucks.
here is all my gear in my Minitrekker

Thanks O5XRunner for all the recommendations and answers. I don't think I will be carrying around that much equipment. I sort of like the fastpack 200, where I can have an extra compartment for whatever my needs may be, seems good for hiking.

I will probably have at most

xsi + kit lense, tamron 28-75 f2.8, maybe a canon 50mm prime, and in the future either a 70-200mm or tamron 90mm macro lense.

will the fastpack 200 fit my needs? i'm also thinking the 250, to carry my laptop. But that just might be to much total weight.

I wish there was a backpack thick enough for a vertical grip

my 1D fits fine in my bag standing up normal. I just have it on the sides sometimes cause tis easier to pull it out of the bag by its grip and not the top of the camera.

of course I didnt think about that before I bought mine and it is a little too small for the grip, but it doesn't cause that many problems

how about polarized filters? I hear it's good for water shots. So will it make a tank shot looking nice?

polarizes are good for shooting through reflections and such..also helps makes skies bluer. You could see down in the tank batter with a CPL on it..but they take away about 2stops of light so the little amount of shutter speed you start out with gets pretty much taken away

I know I'm late to this party, but to offer my 2 cents:

I started shooting with my folks hand-me-down Nikon FM2 from the early eighties. The 50mm that came with that is still to this day the sharpest best lens I've ever seen and most of what I consider to be the great pictures I took came early on with that lens. Get it! Plus...they are cheap compared to other sharp lenses. In my opinion it is an invaluable addition to the camera bag.

EDIT
+1 for LowePro Mini Trekker. Or Micro Trekker (don't really remember what it is), but I've been using it for about 8 years without any complaints at all.

i wouldnt skimp on the tripod...or pretty much everything photo related. in most cases, not all, you pretty much get what you pay for.

a 30 dollar tripod is not very good. cheap material, weak skinny legs, wobbly head and not strong enough to support the camera. if you are taking night photos or anything with long exposer, the shutter flapping back and forth alone is enough to vibrate the camera on the tripod enough to give you a bury picture. not to mention you probably wont have a remote control for the shutter so you physically pressing the button and letting go would magnify the vibration.

i would definitely go with quality tripods. doesnt have to be name brand. for around $100 you cant find a decent one

I've been using this tripod and it holds up fine for everything I need. Just use your 2 second timer to avoid moving the camera while it takes the picture.
http://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-620-092-9002D...5078&sr=8-5

so i'm deciding on getting either the canon 50mm prime f1.8 or the tamron 28-74mm f2.8 first

and either the tamrac adventure 7 or lowepro fastpack 200.


Still trying to decide which lens will serve my purpose first. Don't really know what I'll be taking pictures. Most likely starting off more of a portrait shooting and some walk around scenery.

Thinking i'll start off using the 50mm and kit lense for the first few weeks while I figure how to take pictures and work this camera or just get the tamron for an all around use lense.

I'm actually pretty noob and don't know much about photography. I've been reading up and this camera talk is starting to make some sense.

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.



did you mean for $100 you can find a decent one? if not, how much does a decent tripod cost? The $30 that VicSkimmer showed was selling for 30ish, but originally 80.

well i've changed my mind yet again. getting the tamron lense first.

should I get a Tiffen 67mm Linear Polarize filter for $15? or just get a hoya?

I have the Fastpack 200 and it's awesome! If you need quick access to your camera while you're on the go, you can pull it out in 5 seconds. The top compartment is also handy for carrying anything else you need while travelling.

The only thing missing is a strap for your tripod, but you can find creative ways to attach it.

a CPL isnt needed right away..just hold off on that.

you want circular polarizer, linear is more for film, circular is for digital and film

This probably isn't what you're looking for, but I love my crumpler bag

the IS or the non-IS version? or the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II

well I have owned the Non IS version and it was a great lens..I sold it for the Sigma 70-200 dg 2.8 lens and I have never looked back. Either one is a great lens sharp, very fast AF, built like a tank but the sigma gives you an extra stop of light