I got the ok the get some acessories for the XTi

here is what i'm thinking



Cosina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 MC AF Wide Angle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=196W5ZG6FA64R


Sigma 28-70mm & 70-300mm DG Lens Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=196W5ZG6FA64R


Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=196W5ZG6FA64R



also... I don't know what y'all think about Amazon.com for buying camera stuff... but I figure when it's time to buy some higher end stuff i'll go to like B&H or whatever...so for now it'll do

I'm on a limited budget so this is what I can afford right now....


comments please

Did you get the kit lens with the XTi? The Cosina would be redundant with that, not to mention the kit lens is probably better.

I'll weigh in more on the other stuff but most of it is equipment that would be a rather poor investment IMO. Please tell us what lenses you have now to make it easier to help you though.

Also, Amazon is great. I bought my 24mm 3.5L TS-E from them. The price was identical plus I would pay no tax and have free 2 day shipping from them (Amazon Prime).

First off, I moved this to "What to Buy".

Next, Amazon is just fine for buying camera gear, I just purchased my 5D and other stuff from there.

And, I wouldn't buy any of that stuff. Not to discourage you, but most of that is pretty much junk that you don't need/want. The lens is what will affect your image quality the most, DO NOT skimp here, spend what you can on only one lens if thats all you can afford.

How about posting up what you want to shoot, the focal range you want, and your budget. We'll give you some suggestions.

- Scott

the only lens I have is the EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 II

my goal is to get something with MORE zoom

and a few others that I can play with...

my budget is about $350.. but i'll need another bag.. I only have the Lowepro top load... the small one and it's crammed

more zoom? the 19-35 is pointless since thats covered in the 18-55 you have...

The sigma 28-70 will give you 15mm of more zoom that you have... Both seem pointless to me for your goals.

I've had that backpack for nearly two years and it's been great. Even now, when I have a bunch of other bags, I still use it.

Originally Posted by subimatt

more zoom? the 19-35 is pointless since thats covered in the 18-55 you have...

The sigma 28-70 will give you 15mm of more zoom that you have... Both seem pointless to me for your goals.

then maybe I'm confused on it saying wide angle

Personally, I'd stick with the 18-55 and buy a Canon 75-300 for around $190.

Canon 75-300:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300mm...9035459&sr=8-2

The Canon will be slow and won't have the best image quality, but its what I used when I was starting out and I think it'll be a good learning tool for you and give you good range.

- Scott

Originally Posted by mkfotos

I've had that backpack for nearly two years and it's been great. Even now, when I have a bunch of other bags, I still use it.

That was the only thing I wasn't sure about, but yeah, if you think its pretty good, I'd say it'll be good for the OP.

more zoom =/= wide angle.

Which are you looking for? You aren't getting any more "wide angle" with a 19-35 than what you have with the kit lens.

I suggest you do more research before investing any money into this...

Originally Posted by subimatt

more zoom? the 19-35 is pointless since thats covered in the 18-55 you have...

The sigma 28-70 will give you 15mm of more zoom that you have... Both seem pointless to me for your goals.

Exactly. You have an 18-55, so a 19-35 covers a range you already have and the 28-70 is mostly redundant. If anything the only thing you'd need to complete your system of affordable lenses with good coverage is something that zooms from around 50 or 70mm out to 200 or 300mm.

What do you shoot the most? At what focal lengths do you find yourself using your lens and what do you feel you had more of? Longer reach, so you can zoom in on far away things? Or do you want a bigger, wider view? 18mm is reasonably wide, even on the XTi so I suspect if anything you'd want a telephoto.

I think the backpack is fine, but just get yourself a Canon 75-300 if you want a longer reach. If you don't understand what the focal lengths mean just ask.

Originally Posted by beezwax

then maybe I'm confused on it saying wide angle

Wide angle simply refers to the lower end of the range. 19mm (on the 19-35) is LESS wide angle than 18mm (on the 18-55). And if there was a 10-20mm lens involved, it would be MORE of a wide angle, with 10mm, than either of them.

But 18mm is a great place to start, you don't need to go any wider than that for now.

- Scott

Originally Posted by Stime187

Personally, I'd stick with the 18-55 and buy a Canon 75-300 for around $190.

Canon 75-300:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300mm...9035459&sr=8-2

The Canon will be slow and won't have the best image quality, but its what I used when I was starting out and I think it'll be a good learning tool for you and give you good range.

- Scott
That was the only thing I wasn't sure about, but yeah, if you think its pretty good, I'd say it'll be good for the OP.

that lens was my original pick but I thought that the Sigma "SET" would be good for only a few bucks more.

Originally Posted by jjswee

Buy Stime's Sigma 17-70, spend the rest on a larger bag. The lens is fantastic, I have one myself.

+1!

But seriously, the Sigma 17-70 is amazing and covers a very convenient range. But it may be a bit out of your price range, I'm not sure.

- Scott

Originally Posted by beezwax

that lens was my original pick but I thought that the Sigma "SET" would be good for only a few bucks more.

That's a typical thought process you have to lose when buying lenses. Trying to get the most for your money (being frugal) should be reserved for ONLY when you really understand the lens buying stuff... getting more stuff DOES NOT mean better.

One quality lens > 2-3 cheap ones. Seriously.

- Scott

Originally Posted by emorphien

Exactly. You have an 18-55, so a 19-35 covers a range you already have and the 28-70 is mostly redundant. If anything the only thing you'd need to complete your system of affordable lenses with good coverage is something that zooms from around 50 or 70mm out to 200 or 300mm.

What do you shoot the most? At what focal lengths do you find yourself using your lens and what do you feel you had more of? Longer reach, so you can zoom in on far away things? Or do you want a bigger, wider view? 18mm is reasonably wide, even on the XTi so I suspect if anything you'd want a telephoto.

I think the backpack is fine, but just get yourself a Canon 75-300 if you want a longer reach. If you don't understand what the focal lengths mean just ask.

ok.. WTF is focal length?

I dont have a specific THING to shoot... I'm learning and I take my camera everywhere I go..

Originally Posted by beezwax

ok.. WTF is focal length?

You need to start using google a lot more.

Focal length (Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_length

Essentially, its the length (in mm) that you took the picture at. If you had a 17-70mm zoom and took the shot all the way zoomed in, it'd be a 70mm focal length. All the way zoomed out, would be a 17mm. And anything in between.

Originally Posted by DotGrl03

I suggest you do more research before investing any money into this...

Originally Posted by beezwax

ok.. WTF is focal length?

I dont have a specific THING to shoot... I'm learning and I take my camera everywhere I go..

I think Leah had a pretty good suggestion as well, you seriously need to really sit down and do some research on what everything does and means before you spend any money.

- Scott

Originally Posted by Stime187

You need to start using google a lot more.

Focal length (Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_length

Essentially, its the length (in mm) that you took the picture at. If you had a 17-70mm zoom and took the shot all the way zoomed in, it'd be a 70mm focal length. All the way zoomed out, would be a 17mm. And anything in between.

thanks

Seirously though, x2 to what Scott said. Better quality lenses make a world of a difference over a bunch of cheap-o ones.

Do some research, google a few terms, read a few books, and then look into investing money into your hobby.

I understand how you feel about wanting to get some new stuff but I imagine most of us have been in the same position and have purchased gear that really wasn't a good investment.

I know I've got a sigma 70-300 just sitting on my shelf that I wish I hadn't bought. It may work for someone else's style but it's not for me. Had I done a little research I probably would have avoided it.

I've got a for sale thread with my quantaray 70-300 if you want something long, its not great, but its cheap. Otherwise the canon 70-300 is fine too.

Honestly though in your shoes with what I shoot, I'd buy scotts sigma 17-70 then spend the rest on a bag.

The price on the pack has dropped a bit: Total Before Tax: $26.39

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