Canon EOS-20D

[Phatboy]

Ok, I'm in the market for a Canon EOS-20D but before I blow over $1K on this thing, I want to make sure I'm buying exactly what I need to buy and nothing more.

First of all, where is the best place to purchase this camera? Considering the reliability of the site, the price, the return policies and guarantees.

Secondly, does the "body" of the camera come with any "standard" lense, battery, battery charger and the memory card? Or are they sold separately? If so, do all Canon DSLR cameras use the same battery? What's the best memory card to buy for the EOS-20D?

Thirdly, what kind of macro lense should I buy for very nice crystal-clear close-up pictures, but without spending another $1K?! I'm mainly going to use this camera for photographing aquatic subjects.

Last but not the least, any other accessories I should purchase other than the ones mentioned above?

Thanks in advance.

-Ming

[hir0]

hi Ming. if the ad for the camera says "body only", there will be no lens included. the version that does come with a lens generally comes with the canon 18-55mm. it should come with a battery, charger, strap, and body cap. it won't come with a memory card. batteries for DLSRs are not all the same. i would definitely look into buying at least 1 spare battery (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=327022&is=REG&addedTroughValue=348317_REG&addedTroughType=accessory) for when your battery doesn't last quite as long as you want it to. as for lenses, it really depends on the size of your fish. the canon 100mm macro is a very good lens, as is the new canon 60mm macro (the 60mm only fits on ef-s mount capable bodies - which the 20d is). from what i've seen, both lenses are great and deliver razor sharp images. as for memory (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=301964&is=REG&addedTroughValue=348317_REG&addedTroughType=accessory), i would go with at least a 1gb cf card. i would also suggest a cf card reader (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=359519&is=REG&addedTroughValue=301964_REG&addedTroughType=accessory). also, though not absolutely necessary if you have good tank lighting (the 20d is a very capable low light performer) other items to look into would be a flash (420ex / 550ex / 580ex) and possibly a wireless transmitter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=164264&is=REG&addedTroughType=search).

some of the places online i have had good experiences with are:
www.bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com)
www.adorama.com (http://www.adorama.com)
www.keh.com (http://www.keh.com)

[paradise]

Ming, welcome, bud. Isn't it weird that everything Hiro just said is exactly what I told you in the pm? :) :) Great minds think alike :)

1gig memory cards are the minimum , and here is advice: Choose a good one, the faster the card, the less lag time you will have.

As far as places, the best in my opinion is www.buydig.com. Myself and several others have bought the camera there ,and they usually have the best price with shipping.

[Phatboy]

So I should only buy the body of the camera only and purchase the lense separately?

Thanks for the great advice, definitely cleared up a lot of things up for me. :)

[paradise]

Well people will be divided in that opinion. I dont like the kit lens, I think it's quite bad. Others think it's a good overall lens. Depends what you need. If you plan to use it for regular shooting also, family and stuff, you can get it but the 50mm 1.8 is good enough for that any time. So I would personally get the body and the 50mm as my first purchase, not the kit.

[Phatboy]

That site has so many EOS Lense! Makes me dizzy just looking at them.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/searchresults.aspx?cti=2002&pti=1050&cmp=1050:1060:2002

I'm not too familiar with all the numbers on those lense, so which one of those are good for macro shots?

[meriadoc]

for macro shots? get the canon 100mm macro. Or the 60mm macro. but they are alot of money.

other decent ones that would get in somewhat close, although wouldn't be 'macro' would be a 50mm 1.8 lens. they go for about $70 - $90 depending on where you decide to buy.