Going to buy my first dSLR and lenses...

[NeoteriX]

I've got a Canon Powershot S1 IS, and have gotten a decent amount of photography experience with using it, and I've been patiently waiting for the next Digital Rebel to come out. Now that it's out and I've saved up some money, it's time for me to make the plunge. Just a couple questions to help guide me through the process,

I'm deciding on buying just the body -- and $840 seems to be a reasonable price I've found online for it. I'm planning on buying it from a2zelectronics.com, does anyone have any experience with it? Yahoo's buyer survey seems to check out decently enough.

For my lenses, I'm forgoing the kit lens, and plan on buying the Sigma 18-200mm DC lens, it seems to offer me the kind of versatility that I've kind of taken for granted with my 10x zoom fixed lens S1 (I'll miss the image stabilization thougn, ;)). I also plan on getting the Canon 50mm f/1.8, and down the line when I want the reach, the Sigma APO 70-300mm

As for other misc. stuff, I've got UV filters for the two lenses, a 2 GB CF card. Any other reccomendations for stuff? Camera strap? Bag? Lenses? Lens hoods? Warning signs? Cleaning stuff? Anything nice and fancy?

[jparks]

I received my Canon Rebel XT (18x85 lens) last night.

It comes with a strap. http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif If you add your UV filter, the lens cap will not attach. http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon8.gifThe camera only weih 400 and something grams. Light! But the lens I bought is heavier than the camera. This does concern me.http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

The "Basic Operations" preset settings on the camera, lock-out most of the buttons so you can not then set the white balance, etc.http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

The Advanced Settings let you preset everything and save two of them.http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

The camera doesn't come ith a memory card. http://www.dcresource.com/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif Cheers.

[aparmley]

I have also recently purchased the XT. I just put a UV filter on it and my lens caps snaps right to the filter its self, just like it was made to fit it!

Anyway, its sounds like you have a pretty decent plan with your lenses... I bought the body only with the 50 mm F1.8 lens. I am currently saving for the Sigma 70-300mm APO Super Macro II. After that my next lense purchase will be either the Sigma 18-200 [like your choice] or the Tokina 24-200. Enjoy! If you feel like taking a look at some of the pictures produced with the Xt + 50mm lens follow the link in my signature area at the bottom and go to the digital rebel XT gallery.

[TenD]

I can't find A2Zelectronics on resellerratings.com. I always check to see how a business does business on resellerratings.com. In just a short search I found the Rebel XT at Buydig for $808.05, they have a really good rating on resellerratings. I am not affilliated with Buydig at all, but I have bought my last 2 cameras from them, and several of my friends have purchased from them as well, with great results.

[NeoteriX]

TenD, thanks for the Buydig headsup, I must have missed them in my research. I ended up buying from them.

[jwhite]

Is the Sigma 70-300mm APO Super Macro II the best zoom telephoto lense for us that don't want to spend a lot of money? Even though it is a macro lense, it can still be used for normal telephoto work, right? I'd like to get a telephoto lense that does 70-300mm or 100-300mm, but probably want to keep my budget under $400. I currently have the Tamron 28-75mm/2.8

Thanks,
Jason

[aparmley]

Jason-

Yes this lens will work as a normal telephoto would. When you want to use it as a Macro lens, there is a button on the side of the lens you must engage. Only in the 200-300mm range will the Macro mode be usable as it will not be able to be engaged unless you are shooting in this range, so without selecting the macro focus mode, which is what it essentially is, it lessens the range required to focus, this lens is just like any other telephoto lens with a macro option. I think its the best option out there for under 400 dollars. But, everyone has their own opinion and criteria used to judge a lens... head over to pbase.com (http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/70-300_4_apo_macro_super_ii) and check out some sample images... you can browse around and look at other options, but I find the sample pictures of the Sigma 70-300 APO to be just as good as the others costing considerbly more money... take a look.

[JasD]

Guys with the other lenses you will have, you might find the Sigma a lttle soft and not so fast. Better choice would be the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 or the Sigma 24-70 f2.8. Either would match well with the Sigma 70-300mm APO Super Macro II. No point buying a "cheap" slow lens like the 18-200 when the other two are superb. Check the reviews at www.fredmiranda.com