Help Me pick an SLR...

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

I purchased my Canon SLR 300d from sears in an open box special for $325 all that was missing was the box and charger. I purchased a fast charger from synergy digital for $35 shipped to my door and all is well. I love the thing.

 

[ForceFed]

Picked up a Canon XSi Today....Got it with the 18-55mm lens, a starter kit(Bag, Extra battery, and UV filter), 2 4GB Cards, 4 year service plan out the Door for $920.

Pretty damn good deal if you ask me.
Now if the stupid battery would just charge up.(boom02)

 

[blueprotegelx]

lets see some pics when you get the battery charged! i need to get a new camera soon. mine's about had it!

 

[LEXi73]

forcefed, great deal if you ask me!!!

 

[mx-p5]

Click the link in my sig to see pics from my Canon Rebel XT. They were taken with just the camera and lens it comes with

http://richterat83.deviantart.com/

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Start with some help, Silverecstasy is a member on here and works at BB, he is a Manager of some sort but knows cameras very well. He could guide you through that experience. The one advantage to a BB purchase is the available warranty that covers ANYTHING except loss obviously. I just purchased the new Canon Rebel XSi. The reasoning was this, the D60 Nikon could not be found and the D80 was out of my price range. The Canon came with a nice lens package, the 55mm with auto stabalizer and focus. A lot of the Nikon lens have to have the auto focus in the lens body, not the camera. Also, menu functions arent as nice and for a more advanced user, IMO and from what i have heard from others. I did a lot of research and went to a lot of local camera shops but still ended up at BB. Ritz is a good place and will educate you big time. They also give you credit to take a class to learn how to use the camera if you buy from them. The BB price was not that much higher than other small shops or internet pricing and I can drop it off for replacement, not ship it off. Just some of my findings...

 

[NVP5White]

Picked up a Canon XSi Today....Got it with the 18-55mm lens, a starter kit(Bag, Extra battery, and UV filter), 2 4GB Cards, 4 year service plan out the Door for $920.

Pretty damn good deal if you ask me.
Now if the stupid battery would just charge up.(boom02)

I don't want to spoil your recent purchase, but IMO you should have given more credence to what gr said. Used camera gear, especially factory refurbished bodies are an excellent deal. Here's what I would have purchased with your $920.

Refurbished Nikon D80 10MP body $599
Refurbished Nikon 18-55mm lens $79
Refurbished Nikon 55-200mm lens $109
SD Cards $25
Bag $30
Mack 2-year Extended Warranty $65
Total: $876 (not including S&H or tax)

 

[ForceFed]

I don't want to spoil your recent purchase, but IMO you should have given more credence to what gr said. Used camera gear, especially factory refurbished bodies are an excellent deal. Here's what I would have purchased with your $920.

Refurbished Nikon D80 10MP body $599
Refurbished Nikon 18-55mm lens $79
Refurbished Nikon 55-200mm lens $109
SD Cards $25
Bag $30
Mack 2-year Extended Warranty $65
Total: $876 (not including S&H or tax)

I guess you should have read my reasoning and My post.
I wanted to purchase from BB for two reasons...COnveinance of my warranties all in one place...And its four years.

2....Same as cash is my best friend.
I got 24 months same as cash...How could I go wrong.

Not to mention....I I like Canon's..They are rated very high..and are more user friendly from what I read about them Vs. the Nikons
The XSi has a Live View Feature which a lot of the other SLR's do not.

Also..I like new....Its a $900 Camera...That went on sale for $799..then I got 12% off of that....$703.
I got a Battery and bag for $45.($114 minus $65 for Bundle Deal)
I got (2) 4GB Mem Cards for $45(also on sale)

Now tell me how I got ripped off.

I got a SWEET Deal..But eh...some of you guys just cant comprehend what it means to shop around and Finally get exactly what your looking for for a lot cheaper than you could have paid.

Your way I would have one extra lens and a whole bag full of used goods.
Not my cup 'o tea.

 

[NVP5White]

Finally get exactly what your looking for for a lot cheaper than you could have paid.

How did you get it cheaper than I could have, exactly?

Your way I would have one extra lens and a whole bag full of used goods. Not my cup 'o tea.

"Used goods" might not have the cache that shiny new gear does, but I guess it depends on what your priorities are. For me, I prefer the larger body, better control layout, better display layout, better flash system (Nikon CLS), better viewfinder, AF assist lamp, better AF system of the Nikon D80 which is factory refurbished over the shiny new painted plastic of the XSi.

I understand you stated a preference to purchase something at BB but you also stated "I am just looking for the Best Bang For the Buck. Let(sic) Hear Some thoughts on this." Thoughts, my friend, are exactly what you received. Don't be so aggressive with people that don't agree with your opinion. If you were only looking for support for your established plan, versus ideas to expand your circle of options, then you should have stated that in your OP.

 

[autoxes]

I think that wanting new goods is pretty good justification for the route that he took. A lot of other people suggested going with a new camera as well. Some folks just don't like used stuff (shrug)

 

[DeanSweet]

all I know is it is ~19 hrs later and yet, no pics posted from new camera?! Whats going on with your build?

 

[ForceFed]

all I know is it is ~19 hrs later and yet, no pics posted from new camera?! Whats going on with your build?

Dude..I think I have had about 10 minutes to play with it since I bought it..Pods have kept me swamped for the last few days..and I am catching up on other Items that neded shipped as well...Getting Poeple quotes on Powdercoating((boom07)) and Then Trying to squeeze in minutes to work on my own car...Not to mention My bike is torn apart etting coated as well.

I am a Very busy man.

And sorry to the other guy....Wasn;t trying to be agressive.....But I see I was.
I appreciate your opinion...but since I was already familiar with the Canon Control Layout..I felt more confortable with this plastic guy.

I will say however..a new lens will be purchased very soon...55mm...Please....Thats not gonna cut it after playing with it the other night...I need some zoom capability..For real.

And I am gonna have to go take a Basic class as well...I know nothing about half of what this thing will do....Wow.

Suggestions.

 

[autoxes]

Local community college?

 

[ForceFed]

Yup..I am alreay going to check into ti..I lready go there anyway...WHy not pick up a Fun class for some BS Credit hours.