Comments on this set-up

[tgb68]

Hello,
New to digital SLR and I am considering this set up from Cameta Camera:
Canon XS
18-55 lens f3.5-5.6 IS
55-250 lens f4.0-5.6 IS
8 gig SDHC class 6 memory card
bag and other misc accesories
$834.95

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Rebel-XS-D...QQcmdZViewItem

I will be using it for family vacation and kids sporting events,basketball, soccer, softball. The kids are getting older 9 and 11, so the zoom is needed to get close shots. All in all,General Dad photography. Mostly will be printeing 4x6 prints, maybe on occasion larger. Like the XS for the "live view" function so that my wife can use it as a point and shoot.
Wanted to make the purchase all at once, money comming out of savings account. This is the top of my budget, but would you folks have any other comments or suggestions

Thanks in Advance,
Tom

[Frog]

Cameta is a good and honest dealer. However, their "kits" are loaded with the same junk other kit dealers sell.
The camera and lenses and even the memory card are fine but you can get memory cards pretty cheap now, card readers for under $10 at walmart and your computer probably already has one. The bags will be crap, etc.
If I were you, I'd buy the body and lenses,(if those are the lenses you are sure you want) and pick up better quality stuff separatly.
The camera and both lenses can be picked up at B&H for a little over $700 and you can probably do the same at Cameta and other reliable dealers for less so you will be paying $130 for maybe $50 worth of not so good stuff.

[Dizo]

I wouldnt go with this seller. As Frog stated, the camera, lens and (well sorta) the memory card are good quality but everything else will be pointless.

I would price match with a local company off of a bigger one like, say B&H or Vistek. This way you get local advice, support a business and get the nice price of a big company.

For memory cards Newegg.com has really good deals. I got my 8Gb Kingston 133X for 22 dollars. Plenty of room, speed and a nice low price.

For a bag, you really should look around and decide what style of bag you want. A shoulder style one is great for your average dad photography but you may be getting into something a bit more serious if your kids, as they get older get into sports. If you take your camera skiing, climbing or camping then an over the shoulder is not your best option. Something like a chest pack that doubles as an over the shoulder from ClikElite.com would be the best for that, or you could go with one of the waste packs from company's like Lowepro. It all depends on what YOU are going to be doing while taking the picture, not what your subject is.

Buy separately, you get a much better choice and you should get some great input from your local store on exactly which card/pack/lens or filter is best for your needs.