BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey all!

I just got a really amazing bonus from my company, and I'm hoping to buy myself a new Canon digital SLR. I travel a lot, and I'm hoping to get something sturdy and light. I am also interested in getting a few different lenses and filters, etc. Any suggestions you could make would be helpful!

Thanks,
Katie

Let me start by stating that I use Nikon dSLRs, so specific models and configurations may elude me. I also don't know how advanced of a photographer you are so it's hard to give specific advice. If weight is a concern you'll probably want the Digital Rebel XTi or 400D. A detailed review is here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

As far as lenses go, you should probably look at focal lengths between 18mm to about 200mm. That range should cover probably 95% of your shooting. I don't know if Canon has a single lens that covers that range... you might end up with 2 zoom lenses to cover it.

I'm not a big user of filters but what I do use are a circular polarizer, neutral density filter and a graduated neutral density. I'm not a big fan of fancy artificial effects from filters like starburst, etc.

Now, if you were considering the Nikon family of cameras I'd recommend the Nikon D40 and 18-200mm VR zoom lens as the absolute lightest package, or the Nikon D80 with 18-200mm lens as a slightly heavier but more advanced feature package. Then you can throw in a good circular polarizer filter.

I would also suggest that you go to a store and physically try out each camera. I personally find the ergonomics much better with Nikon cameras, at least for my hands. I can't seem to get a comfortable grip with the Canon Digital Rebel. The Canon 30D is better in this regard but I still have a hard time with the way controls are laid out, but that latter point is probably because I've been using Nikons for about 20 years and I'm just used to their layout.

For what it's worth here are the Nikon reviews:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/
http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm
http://www.bythom.com/d80review.htm

I guess it depends on how much you wish to pay. The Rebel XTi is a good inexpensive camera. I have the older model and it has served me well. If you want to spend more the 30D is more rugged and durable. If you want a really good choice the new camera, the 5D, is extremely good. The problem is it's like $3k.

Do go and try them out if you've never used an SLR before. I have a Canon 20D, Canon 75-300mm, a Canon 28-105mm, and a Canon 28-135mm IS for lenses. In conjunction with a Canon Elan 7E they work for everything, from sports to photojournalism/news things.

I've never used one of the Rebels, but they feel realy cheap to me, like they won't last.

The 20D/30D are essentially the same camera with a few slight differences, though with the same amount of mp (8.2). One great change to the 5D is that it is full frame, and not 1.6x like most Nikon, and the 20/30D and is also weather-proof while the others don't like to get too wet. Though if you don't have L series lenses it won't help you. With the 1.6x crop factor you need to understand that you won't get the true size of the lenses, that is a 28-105mm is really about 44-168. Not bad for average things, but if you want landscape or building photos it gets tricky.

Like Pete Teoh, I don't really use filters, except for simple polarising ones, more for protection than anything. Better to break/scratch a $20 filter than a $300 lens.

Thanks for the tips! I am looking at the xti and the 30D. I have tried out both cameras. The xti is super light and would make travel easier I guess, but the 30D is definitely a great camera. I'm also considering picking up two lenses, but I hadn't thought of getting something like an 18-200 to cover a lot of bases.

Any suggestions of where to buy?? I need to order online soon.

Thanks,
Katie

I like Adorama I've always gotten a lower price with them.

B & H PhotoCan be alright, I've bought one camera from them, they are good for film, so just compare the two.

At the moment I'm using the 28-135mm IS lens (times 1.6 is about 44-210mm) wish it was bit wider, but it works at the moment. I also have a 75-300mm, but would like to find a 10-22mm so that I could have a real wide angle again.

B&H (www.bhphoto.com), Adorama (www.adorama.com), Roberts Imaging (www.robertsimaging.com), Norman Camera (www.normancamera.com) are all good places to buy camera gear online. I've used them all before at one point or another.

I have owned alot of cameras and alot of lenses. Firstly, don't buy the 18-200 or anything like it. Its too much of a compromise and the quality isn't very good.

What to buy comes down to your budget. Stick with just a single lense to begin with. If you have less than $1000 to spend then get the 400D with the EF-S 18-55mm

$1700 gets you the 30D with the EF-S 17-85mm

$3000 gets you a 5D with a 24-105L. This is what I use and it is simply amazing. I really can't begin to quantify it in useful terms. For example shots, look here and just find the camera you are considering on the right

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon

PMA (large photography exhibition) is due in a couple of months and we are all expecting Canon to announce their new models. If you can wait until then it will be worth it to either get the newer model, or to take advantage of the price drop in the older one.

I'd go with the 30d. Any less than that and you will find yourself eventually being hindered by the limitations of the camera once you start knowing your way around it. The 30d is fantastic in low light, and for the price range, it's a pretty sturdy camera. I shoot with a 30d and a 5d, and while I certainly prefer the 5d, the 30d is a lot cheaper and the only real difference is that it's not full-frame. (Megapixel, schmegapixel). To many people "full frame" means nothing, and even to some pros it means nothing. As for lenses, I'm partial to fixed-aperture lenses, which are expensive. But I would definitely recommend getting a lens that goes as wide as 18mm for your first lens. You'll want at least that for panoramic travel shots.

if you have to ask, go with the xti. both cameras offer more features than the average person is ever going to use and if you cant decide between teh two bodies than chances are you wont need the 30Ds extras. i say get the xti and save your money for glass.

and now for something completely different -

how about the Canon G7 - no, it's not a DSLR, but it has a 6x optical 35-200mm image stabilized lens, is very compact and sturdy, takes as good pictures as my Canon DSLR did (which I sold recently) and it's only $440.

Thanks for the help! I went with the xti and the 28-135 IS lens. I'm loving it, but I still have so much to learn!

Ditto on the Canon G7. It is a very nice little camera.

quote:

Originally posted by KatieInez:
Thanks for the help! I went with the xti and the 28-135 IS lens. I'm loving it, but I still have so much to learn!

And now a question for you: How do you like the 28-135mm as your "main lens" on a 1.6x crop camera? Do you find it's not wide enough for landscapes, group shots, and so on?

I'm kind of stuck choosing between that, the 17-85mm, and a couple of others. I'd love to have the 28-135's long zoom, but losing the 17-28mm range (which is actually the 27-45mm range) concerns me a bit. I do have the 10-22mm, but there's always the draw of wanting that "all in one package" to keep from swapping lenses so much.

quote:

Originally posted by jv:

quote:

Originally posted by KatieInez:
Thanks for the help! I went with the xti and the 28-135 IS lens. I'm loving it, but I still have so much to learn!

And now a question for you: How do you like the 28-135mm as your "main lens" on a 1.6x crop camera? Do you find it's not wide enough for landscapes, group shots, and so on?

I'm kind of stuck choosing between that, the 17-85mm, and a couple of others. I'd love to have the 28-135's long zoom, but losing the 17-28mm range (which is actually the 27-45mm range) concerns me a bit. I do have the 10-22mm, but there's always the draw of wanting that "all in one package" to keep from swapping lenses so much.

I use the 17-85mm for my normal use lense. i think it works great. I take more semi-wide angle pictures than zoom so that might be the reason.

I have had several digital cameras and love Canon! I had the Canon PowerShot710 with 7.1 MP and 6X optical zoom-for under $250. What a bargain! Unfortunately I had it stolen from me- I am gonna buy the G7 after much research. Still if you are on a budget I highly recomend the 710!

I'm really liking the 28-135mm lens as my one-and-only right now. I wouldn't mind adding the 17-85mm to my "collection", but right now this lens has a great range and keeps my bag a bit lighter than hauling around 2 or more lenses.

I've got a 350D and 17-40mm L as my primary lens. Still not picked up a zoom lens but all will be rectified this summer when I nip into Singapore for a few hours

I ended up buying the G7 and love it! Canon rocks! I am gonna master this camera, save some money and get the 40D. The G7 would be an outstanding travel camera IMO