Looking for feedback on a potential Canon purchase

[Maine Flaim]

I’ve been looking to get a “decent” camera set up for quite sometime and have decided to take the plunge. I’ve been doing research for the past two months or so and think I’ve found a good set up. I’m ready to invest in something worthwhile. I’ve been searching for a camera and a good zoom lens that will both tolerate my learning curve and also not be something I will immediately outgrow. I want something quality and effective. I don’t have the biggest budget, but am willing to stretch to these limits so I can pursue something I’ve thought about for many, many years. So here what I’ve come up with. A Canon EOS 40D w/ EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Zoom Lens and the additional right off purchase of a Canon 70-300 mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. This is a few hundred dollars beyond what I was initially thinking when investigating getting serious about my interests but it seems that it would be well worth it. I’ve done quite a bit of reading on this forum and else where and I’m an inch away from making the purchase. I’m just looking for some feedback about my choice(s).

[baillieswells]

A Canon EOS 40D w/ EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Zoom Lens and the additional right off purchase of a Canon 70-300 mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. This is a few hundred dollars beyond what I was initially thinking when investigating getting serious about my interests but it seems that it would be well worth it. I’ve done quite a bit of reading on this forum and else where and I’m an inch away from making the purchase. I’m just looking for some feedback about my choice(s).

My thoughts are, is a 28-135mm lens wide enough for the reduced sensor size of the 40D? This will give you a minimum of 45mm. (28 x 1.6). For everyday use, although it is not perfect, I use the 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS. I also have the new 17-55mm 3.5-5.6 IS lens, together with the new 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS lens.
These latter two though not up to L quality make a very acceptable pair of lenses.

[Maine Flaim]

My thoughts are, is a 28-135mm lens wide enough for the reduced sensor size of the 40D?

Awe, I copied and pasted the details from the wrong lens. I was thinking of the EF-S 17-85, as part of the kit. Along with the 70-300 mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. I thought this combination would cover my bases well enough to get me going. Something along these lines: Package Deal
(http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=45068)

[Duke Leto]

I’ve been looking to get a “decent” camera set up for quite sometime

You should place this question in the Nikon Forum

Sorry couldn't resist ;););)

[Words]

The 40D is an excellent starting point (I'm about to upgrade to one from a 400D which I've hammered for 18 months). The 450D would also be a good starter body, but only worth it if the saving is sufficient to improve your lens choice. Basically, you'll keep the lenses longer than you'll keep the body so money on lenses is the better investement.

I would have thought the 28-135 pretty useful (zoom-wise) for most day to day uses. I have the 24-105 lens. Depends on what you are shooting. For really wide landscapes you would be better with the 17-85 as suggested above. But if that's not your main thing I would reckon 28mm ok. I started out with the 70-300 DO lens and that was definitely limiting for indoor and scenery shooting.

You'll find the 300mm end a little short for small birds unless you have great stalking skills, but it's a good length to practise with and for larger animals is absolutely fine.

[Maine Flaim]

Thanks for the feedback. I couldn't wait anymore and placed an order for The Package (http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=45068). I added hoods and polarizers to fit each lens to the order. It's a done deal now. I am so excited. I've been wanting to make this leap for a long, long time. Perhaps I could have made a better choice. Perhaps there's a better kit, package or combination I could have come across. But this is what I went for and I feel good about it. I think for someone who is jumping into digital photography I could have done a lot worse. Sure I'm a birder and I want to grab some great shots of some birds, but my interests are pretty broad and so I thought this package would be a good starter kit. I'm a patient and careful stalker so I'll see what I can come up with. Today Iclimbed out on the rocky coast of Cape Elizabeth Maine (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/jazzpig/PortHeadlightApril08013.jpg)(a photo I took many weeks ago with my dreadful camera I have now) only 10 or so minutes from my house and I could have had some terrific shots. Anyway, I'm so very excited, so very, very excited. The package will be shipping by 3 day air on Monday from California to Maine. This was hard going. It took 5 rounds of negotiations with my wife who thought I was nuts. The last round was quite heated and I didn't think I was going to pull it off, but I did. We don't have a lot of money to throw around, but I think she understands just how badly I want to get out there and snap some photos. She's heard me say, so many times "if I only had a "decent" camera I could have come home with some beautiful images to share with you." Maybe now I can make that happen.

[Tectortony]

I don't think you will be dissapointed with your set up, for MOST of your picture taking you have a good package, we all have times where we wish we had a longer lens, but thats life !! Good luck and enjoy.

[Keith Reeder]

You should place this question in the Nikon Forum
True - then we'd be able to find out why not to go with Nikon..!

I could have resisted, but thought: "why should I?"

;)