Made my decision!

I think I've made my decision on which camera to get! *drumroll please*

I'm going to go with the Canon XSi. Right now, it's $854.99 at Best Buy (($45 off)), and I have $40 in reward certificates, which brings it down to only $100 more than the XS, which isn't too bad.

I think I'll make a trip to Best Buy tomorrow! Gosh, I feel like a weight has been lifted, and I'm so excited! :thumbsup:

Congratulations! I don't know how you can wait until tomorrow. You'll miss all those fantastic sunrise shots ;-)

I know! heh. If Best Buy hadn't closed literally a minute after I made my decision, I'd probably have gone tonight!

:23: "Drumroll"

Congratulations! You made a great choice IMO........I have the XTi - and am very happy with it - the XSi is even better!

Enjoy - and don't forget to come back - go to Viewfinder and post some photos! I'm looking forward to seeing what this great camera can do.

BTW, what lens?

Liz

Congrats! Wake up early and see when they open. Just make sure to read the instructions first :D.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Liz

:23: "Drumroll"

Congratulations! You made a great choice IMO........I have the XTi - and am very happy with it - the XSi is even better!

Enjoy - and don't forget to come back - go to Viewfinder and post some photos! I'm looking forward to seeing what this great camera can do.

BTW, what lens?

Liz

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Thanks! Will do!

For now, I'm just sticking with the standard 18-55mm lens that comes with it. In a few months, after I've learned my new camera, and have saves up more money, I'll be in the market for a lens. :)

The 18-55IS lens is probably the kit lens.......and it's a really nice lens according to reviews.

Liz

Oh, it's beautiful!! I ended up paying $815 for the kit, which I'm content about. I figured I'd wait on another lens until I learn my new camera, and I can get it cheaper from somewhere other than Best Buy ((unless my new rewards points give me a pretty discount, comparatively!!)).

I love holding it. I love the click the shutter makes! Ha. I feel like a child playing with my new Christmas present!

This is my first real experience with an SLR, and with lenses and all that fun stuff. So far, I'm enjoying it. I wish I had more reach with zoom, though. That will be what I'll look for with whatever lens I get.

Any suggestions? I'll be looking for a lens that I can use for everyday picture taking, that also gives me the option to zoom in on distant things ((not necessarily REALLY far, but..say for instance right now...about 10 minutes ago, there were some squirrels on the fence across the yard, and I would want to be able to zoom to get a close shot of them on the fence, or up in the tree)). What should I look for? I'll be under budget restraints, probably $300 or so is what I'll shoot for, if possible.

Congrats. Isn't Christmas fun? You may wish to wait until you can spend a couple hundred more on a decent lens. The Canon 70-300 USM IS lens gets very good reviews. Also, anything less than 300mm won't quite do it for wildlife.

Anyway, enjoy and share.

Yes, yes it is! :]
Yeah, I'd like to get a good lens, obviously, but nothing too excessive for now. With the 70-300 can I shoot things like people, without them having to be far away? ((Like I said, I'm pretty new to the "lens world"! heh)).

edit: also curious...I know there are specific lenses...wide angle, macro, etc...Say I get a macro lens, is only usable for macro shots? Or can I shoot normal shots as well?

Since you already have the 18-55, people shots are covered. Although, 70mm isn't that much of a zoom, so a person wouldn't have to be that far away. Also, macro lenses can be used like any other lens.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EverlastingImpressions

Yes, yes it is! :]
Yeah, I'd like to get a good lens, obviously, but nothing too excessive for now. With the 70-300 can I shoot things like people, without them having to be far away? ((Like I said, I'm pretty new to the "lens world"! heh)).

edit: also curious...I know there are specific lenses...wide angle, macro, etc...Say I get a macro lens, is only usable for macro shots? Or can I shoot normal shots as well?

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I just want to add that the Canon 70-300IS lens is an excellent lens. I owned this lens and only sold it because I sold all of my longer and/or heavier lenses after a car accident gave me some neck/back problems. It has great reviews also. I could get sharp results at 300mm - and I have a slight camera shake problem. It's a sharp lens with excellent color rendition. These aren't the best samples to show you what it can do - but will give you an idea. All are straight out of the camera.

Liz

70mm

http://mariaimage.smugmug.com/photos...99_xEYiX-M.jpg

300mm

http://mariaimage.smugmug.com/photos...03_qbZXp-M.jpg

300mm

http://mariaimage.smugmug.com/photos...83_mQNAE-L.jpg

Not bad! Thanks, Liz!

Are there any other lenses that you guys would suggest to get some good zoom, but that aren't as expensive as the 70-300IS?

Canoga camera has it for $534.94.

The 70-200IS?

No, the 70-300 USM IS.

http://www.canogacamera.com/detail.aspx?ID=22655

Holy cow those are good shots at full focal length...

Great. Now take the money you save and pick up a 1A skylight filter for each lens you have or get. Reason being? Insurance. They will take any impact damage and spare your lens. I can't tell you many times I have thrashed a 1A filter and saved my camera lens. It's well worth the $20 or so, believe me.

Personally, I think a good hood is better protection than a filter. I've read that all filters will degrade the image to some degree. Therefore, I shoot naked.