DSLR Accessories and Spending!

[malawi_luver]

Please point me in the right direction...

Around Next spring or this winter i will be purchasing my first Digital SLR...

This will most likely be the 20D cause the extra settings ISO settings and FPS are going to be needed in what i would like to do...

I will be doing nature photography in the near future and will hopefully purchase a 70-200 for backyard birding and regular shooting and 400 5.6 for further birding and nature photography...this is a foresure but will not buy right away... but will be at the top of my list...

So for right now i will need a sturdy tripod and fast CF card...

Now for the Aquatic Photography part...

I need to know how many flashes i will need and dont want to spend around 500 for one flash... so i will probably need around 2 or maybe 3 good flashes for this part

Also need to know i should setup these flashes ... i know an overhead flash is neccesary and thats about it lol...

Im sure the flashes will be the turning point in the fish photography...

Next is the lens... i have been told the 100mm F2.8 is a great lens for fish photography but should start out with the kit 18-55 lens...

Any help would be great and what to purchase would be great...

My objective is around 1400 canadian TOTAL! if so less.... thisll be for the CF card and tripod and flashes and other accessories i will need... and i will be using Vistek.ca to purchase all of my accessories...

Thanks Alot

Garrett ;)

[~.:Olive:.~]

EBAY!

[JerseyJay]

Garrett,

I don't know how this thread slipped through our fingers. I will let Canon people give you all the advice you need.

Good luck with your purchase.

[paradise]

Garrett, I missed this one too. Sorry about that. We try to be much quicker :)

You gotta figure out what your PRIORITIES are.

BOdy is #1 of course, and as a 20D user, I could not recommend anything higher. Another solution is Rebel XT, which is less expensive, giving you more money for other add-ons. BUT, I have issues with its small size. Dont know much other than that, never tried it out.

For Aquatic Photography, if you want to do it right (flash setup) you will need:
Lens: 100mm 2.8 Macro (#1 choice) or a budget 50mm 1.8
Flash: 420ex (cheaper) to 550ex (better slightly) to 580ex (Much better, stronger, and controls other flashes as a master)
STE2 controller - a must unless you want to mess w/synch cables, would not recommend it.

For general photography, recommendations:
Landscape: 12-24 Tokina - a great ultra wide lens, amazing build, a rock, and a great lens
Overall walk around: Canon 28-70 - great overall lens, expensive but worth it
Long lenses: 70-200 IS is a beauty, one of the best around, 100-400 is good, but I have tried it and while it's a decent glass piece, it's a bit of a pain handling it, with it's push/pull mechanism. 400 2.8 L prime lens is INSANE, just check out this month's POTM Winner (it was the nikon version but they are comparable)

I hope that helps, if you have any questions, ask away.

[benny]

To be honest, by spring 2006, the Canon 20D may not be your camera of choice.

Cheers,

[jhoetzl]

Overall walk around: Canon 28-70 - great overall lens, expensive but worth it


While I've read many site's articles on good "walk around" lenses, any other input/thoughts on the Tamron 28-75 2.8 vs the Canon 28-70?

Realized I picked the wrong month to get back into SLR photog...all the lovely NYC stores I am so close to are closed...so probably looking to pick up a good lens in 2-3 weeks.

[hir0]

the tamron 28-75 XR f2.8 is a very good alternative. it doesn't have 'USM' or any type of equivelant, so your focus won't be as quick or quiet. it's a really good bargain though for the price and wouldn't hesitate recommending it to someone on a budget. i have no first hand experience, but i'm pretty sure everyone who owns one and has written about it can't be wrong. make sure you get the correct version (Tamron SP 28-75mm F2.8 XR Di LD-IF). also note, that i've noticed a slight yellow color in some of the samples i've seen.

[phishphorphun]

I have the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD IF lens. I like it very much, unfortunately I haven't used that often because I spend most of my photographic time taking fish pix with the Nikon 60mm macro lens. But the few shots I have used it for have pleased me.

From my research and what others have told me, it is an excellent value and does a better job than most the kit lenses out there. Since I didn't buy a kit lens when I bought the D70, I can't compare first hand. I think mine was about $345 after rebate.