ITT, School me on Canon Rebel XTi Digital SLRs

[aequitas330]

I'm new to DSLRs, but I've always wanted to get more familliar with them.

Which of the following packages would be the best deal for me? (I want to keep it under or as close to $650 shipped as possible)

1) Buydig.com - $652.95, free shipping, ships in 1-2 business days. Includes:
* Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (Silver) with EF-S 18-55mm II Kit
* Sakar 800mAh Replacement /Extra Battery for Canon NB-2LH
* Dane 2GB Compact Flash Memory Card
* Digital Concepts 58mm Multicoated UV Protective Filter--offers lens protection & clearer pictures
* GGI Compact Flash USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Card Reader
* DigPro Deluxe SLR Holster Case - DP4000


2) B&H Photo - $664.85+12.25 shipping. ($677.25) 3-5 business days. Includes:
*EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (with lens cap and dust cap)
*Sandisk 4GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card
*NB-2LH Battery Pack, Battery Charger, CR2016 Lithium Battery
*USB Interface Cable
*Video Cable, Neck Strap
*Viewfinder & Body Caps
*EOS Digital Solutions v.13.0 CD-ROM (EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX, ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Digital Photo Professional), Instruction Manual CD-ROM (PDF versions of the instruction manuals)
*User Guides
*1-Year Canon U.S.A. Limited Warranty
*GGI CompactFlash Memory Card Reader - USB 2.0


3) SonicCameras.com - $559.00, free shipping, ships in 8-10 business days. Includes:
* Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Body (Black) With 1-Year USA Warranty
* 28-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Auto Focus Lens
* 1GB CompactFlash Card
* CompactFlash Card Reader
* Deluxe Digital Camera Carrying Case
* Deluxe Lens Care & Maintenance Package
* Full Size Tripod
* Pack Of LCD Screen Protectors
* CapKeeper

4) Other (Post a link to a better deal)

I'm leaning towards the Buydig offer, but the other two are tempting also. I haven't heard much on the 28-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Auto Focus Lens. I've also heard the 18-55mm kit lens is sub-par. I'm thinking it should be fine for me as a beginner though.

I'm not worried about the size of the CF card, I can always pick up a larger one later. B&H is offering the highest quality card, both in size and brand. B&H also seems to be the most reputable site, but I've heard they don't always have the best deals. The free 1-2 day shipping would be a big plus to me, I'd want the camera as soon as possible.

Which do you think would be the best for me?

Thanks in advance!

[aznshrek88]

Is the price of the Xti and other Canon models going to drop when the Xsi is released?


I pick 3, best lens or at least most versatile for the price...

[highwaystardoritos]

yeah i'd wait till the Xsi comes out, price will drop like what happen with the 30D

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by djdorifto

yeah i'd wait till the Xsi comes out, price will drop like what happen with the 30D

That's what I'm banking on! The XSi comes out mid-April, I think.

[Etnies]

I agree about waiting for the XSi. Save a little bit when the price drops soon.
For CF cards, stick with SanDisk
The 18-55 is not spectacular of course, but it's not as bad as most people say it is. Especially if you have photo editing software...but yeah.

I've only bought from B&H, Adorama, and 17th Street Photo. The latter two via Amazon. So I'd recommend those, but if the other sites are reputable, then go for whatever's cheaper.

My 2 cents.

[aequitas330]

Originally Posted by aznshrek88

Is the price of the Xti and other Canon models going to drop when the Xsi is released?


I pick 3, best lens or at least most versatile for the price...

Option 3 was there mostly for discussion purposes... They have a 3/10 rating on resellerratings.com, and I don't think I'm going to deal with them at all. Is that lens included miles ahead of the 55mm kit lens though?

Originally Posted by djdorifto

yeah i'd wait till the Xsi comes out, price will drop like what happen with the 30D

Originally Posted by bosstones

That's what I'm banking on! The XSi comes out mid-April, I think.

Originally Posted by Etnies

I agree about waiting for the XSi. Save a little bit when the price drops soon.
For CF cards, stick with SanDisk
The 18-55 is not spectacular of course, but it's not as bad as most people say it is. Especially if you have photo editing software...but yeah.

I've only bought from B&H, Adorama, and 17th Street Photo. The latter two via Amazon. So I'd recommend those, but if the other sites are reputable, then go for whatever's cheaper.

My 2 cents.

I'm considering waiting, but from what I've been reading it isn't going to drop a whole lot more. The current price is around what the Rebel XT was at when the XTi made its debut. If I'd only be saving $50 or so, it's not worth the wait to me... If we're talking $100+, then I'd consider.

I want to have this camera and have it figured out by May, as I'm planning on doing European Delivery in mid/late June.

[Etnies]

K, I gotcha.

[highwaystardoritos]

resellerratings.com! dang it I was trying to find that website to check the website rating... Yeah I'd either go BH or sometimes theres good deals at bestbuy and such..

[aequitas330]

Originally Posted by djdorifto

resellerratings.com! dang it I was trying to find that website to check the website rating... Yeah I'd either go BH or sometimes theres good deals at bestbuy and such..

lol, Best Buy was going to charge around $900 for the XTi w/ the 18-55mm kit lens, a 4 GB Sandisk CF card and a card reader. They were going to charge $90 alone for the CF card.

[asdflkijd]

just buy it at bestbuy... don't deal with these websites, they will try to scam you big time.. print out the cart from a website and take it to besbuy, thats what I did, I wasn't able to get a 100% price match, (has to be retail store near the best buy) but I got the camera w/ the 18-55mm lens and 2 gb card for 700 flat

[aequitas330]

Originally Posted by asdflkijd

just buy it at bestbuy... don't deal with these websites, they will try to scam you big time.. print out the cart from a website and take it to besbuy, thats what I did, I wasn't able to get a 100% price match, (has to be retail store near the best buy) but I got the camera w/ the 18-55mm lens and 2 gb card for 700 flat

The local best buy is sold out, and there aren't any real camera specific retail stores near by.

They wanted close to $900 for the camera, the regular 18-55 mm lens and a 4 gb Sandisk CF card... Screw that.

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by aequitas330

The local best buy is sold out, and there aren't any real camera specific retail stores near by.

They wanted close to $900 for the camera, the regular 18-55 mm lens and a 4 gb Sandisk CF card... Screw that.

damn.. wish I could help you out, it worked for me lol.. too bad I just sold my camera to a member on here, or I would have offered , gave the guy a spanking deal though

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by aequitas330

The local best buy is sold out, and there aren't any real camera specific retail stores near by.

They wanted close to $900 for the camera, the regular 18-55 mm lens and a 4 gb Sandisk CF card... Screw that.

what about costco?? I know they have a bundle set

[highwaystardoritos]

BH isn't a scam store, they actually have a huge store in NY. They are the only online place I'd get my camera stuff

[Etnies]

B&H is definitely not a scam. If you think so, then you have no business giving advice on photography purchases.

[nissan]

Sucks you missed out on Dell's deal -- was $479 shipped w/the 18-55mm lens. I'd wait, June is still a while away and it's likely a deal like that will pop up before then.