A Couple More Questions...

[hannahsmom7]

You guys are going to be sick of me really soon--I just don't know what to do . As a refresher, I'm buying my first dslr and I'm an amateur but plan to expand my skills for sure. I'm between the Nikon D70s and Canon 20D and 30D. The 20D is about $400 more than the Nikon and the difference between the 20D and 30D kits is only $100.

Those of you with the 30D, would I be unhappy with the kit lens in Disney? If I get the 30D there will be no way I can get another lens right now.

Also, when you buy a new camera do you buy the extended plans for the store? I had wanted to buy from B&H, but they won't be able to get it to me before my trip b/c they're not taking orders right now. I live in an area with not much around, so that basically leaves me with Ritz or Best Buy. Ritz's extended plans are expensive, but they include everything like water damage and dropping it. ANy other reputable places online?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

1. Extended warranty: really depends on how you handle your camera. I handled my original Rebel (non digital) plastic body for about 10 years with no problem whatsoever.

2. for $100 difference, get 30D. It has slightly cleaner ISO 800 and ISO 1600 and slightly better low-light auto focus, far larger LCD screen (without extra battery drain).

3. Nikon vs Canon, well it's really up to you. I take lots of high ISO pictures (1600 and 3200). Nikon D70s can't beat Canon on that.

4. The kit lens is more than decent to take decent pictures. Put it this way, it'll be better than any point and shoot lens, plus with the better camera you'll get faster power-up time (from off to on, which is only 0.15 sec vs 1 sec for most point and shoot), faster AF lock (usually about 100% faster in getting things in focus).

Cheers,
Kelly

 

[tigger795]

Hi there HM7.

My wife (figment795) got me the 30D kit for my birthday last week as an upgrade from my Digital Rebel/300D. Aint she a sweetheart! She somehow got it at Circuit City for a little less than B&H and didn't have to pay shipping since we picked it up at the store. I was dreaming of getting it in the future but she said she didn't want me to not have it on our upcomming trip in May. BTW, when is your trip? Maybe we'll see each other there. I'll be the one with the new camera

Anyway I think that the kit lens is just fine to start with. It is very lightweight and will probably provide enough zoom range for most anything you will want to capture while in the parks. While the kit lens is not going to be as sharp as or as fast as the more expensive lenses it should be more than adequate, especially for someone new to SLRs. For maximum sharpness be sure to use a tripod or other support and a remote shutter release. Additonally, with just the one lens for now there is less to keep track of and carry around and less chance for something to get damaged. I agree with Kelly regarding the high ISO performance. I really enjoy taking night shots in the parks and am looking forward to seeing what this camera can do!

I too never get the extended warranty. Just my preference. I treat my camera kit VERY carefully and protect it as much as possible from the maddening crowds and wacky weather at WDW and always take a P&S camera(or two) as backups just in case.

Just keep in mind that they are all fine cameras and it is up to you to create the best photos possible with whatever tools you choose to employ.

To see my D-Rebel/300D pix from previous trips go to:

http://www.pbase.com/randyst3

Keep in mind that many of these pix were not taken with the kit lens but with the EF 28-135mm IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, and EF 75-300 III lenses but anything below 28mm was the kit lens. Some weren't even taken with my D-Rebel. Check Exif info for specs.

--
Randy

 

[WillCAD]

I'm pretty sure that the kit lens that comes with the 20D and 30D is the same 18-55 kit lens that came with my 300D. If so, you will be happy with it at WDW in about 80% of your shots.

I took my 300D and 18-55 to WDW in December and was thrilled with both in monst situations.

The only drawback to the 18-55 is that it doesn't have enough zoom for places like Kilamanjaro Safari. I wound up buying a Sigma 18-125 lens after I go back, and I'm patiently waiting for my next WDW trip to test it out.

 

[Anewman]

1. Only $100 price difference from 20d to 30d??? May I ask where you are pricing them? Buydig has the 20d kit @$1127 and the 30d kit @$1498, that is a $375 price difference. At $100 difference I would choose the 30d, at $375 I would choose the 20d and a lens.

2. I really do not intend on upsetting any Nikon users, BUT I am not all impressed with the D70s. IMO it is pretty much a 2 1/2 year old camera that recieved a firmware upgrade 1 year ago. If you are seriously considering this camera you may as well throw in the RebelXT. But I would also throw in the Nikon D200 when comparing it to the 30d.

3. I would get the Kit lens and try not to shoot wide open. You will not get a wider better zoom at that price point. But for the money the kit lens adds to the price you can get a 50mm 1.8 lens that is the best lens period in that price range(my opinion).

4. I never buy the extended warranty, I could send it in for free during the manufactures warranty covarage and even afterwards one or two repairs may be less than the extended coverage would have cost.

5. The Lowest prices from a reputable dealer in my opinion= Buydig.com They charge no tax or delivery, and often the 2nd tier delivery option(less than ten bucks) gets you the camera within 2 or 3 days. Only complaint I would ever have is that they have a restocking fee if you choose to return the item, but not if defective and you need an exchange.

 

[boBQuincy]

For "only" $100 more I would go with the 30D. It has a few features that I would prefer over the 20D, like the larger screen (for these 50+ year old eyes), a choice of 3fp or 5 (for quieter operation), ...

I too prefer Canon over Nikon, if only for the reduced noise at high ISO, which I use often.

The 18-55 is a lot better than expected for the $100 cost. The range should cover most of your photography (all of it I suppose if it is all you have).

I have had trouble with Best Buy's extended warranty. I don't know anything about the others but *usually* you are money ahead by not getting them. I also add a rider to my homeowner's insurance for expensive cameras and such, it costs about $10 per $1000 per year and covers major damage such as dropping it.


boB

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I forgot to add. BestBuy extended warranty is nothing but trouble. I bought a DVD player with REPLACEMENT warranty. DVD player cost: $130 (it was a $200 DVD player on special), 2 additional years replacement warranty $40. Then the DVD player broke 1 week after the original warranty ended. So the DVD player should be replaced right? WRONG!

I had to call tech support, spent about 1 hour to convince them that my unit is actually dead (I've been using DVD player since it's inception, I know what I'm doing), then they ask me for my address so they can send me an empty box with padding so I can put the DVD player to be couriered to their service centre. Then it took them a week to admit that there is something wrong with the DVD player and they sent me a store credit of $130 so I can buy a replacement DVD player. I received the store credit about a month after the initial phone call.

So I went to the store, re-bought the same DVD player, now no longer on special but the price have dropped to $150. So I had to ADD $20 + taxes more to get the same DVD player I bought last year. To add insult to the injury, it turns out that once they've replaced your unit, the replacement warranty is void. So I will need to re-buy a new replacement warranty.

Yes, they were all explained on the contract, which is a thin sheet of paper with dark prints on one side (where I put all my information with ink) with the caluses and loopholes printed in light grey (which are unreadable due to the ink got absorbed through the thin paper).

No more extended warranty for me. It's a joke.