 | Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)
Buy new: $579.95 / Used from: $474.00 Don't waste your time with the kit lens, its garbage. While Canon has put decent lenses on some of its higher end models, the included lens just isn't worth the photo ops you will miss.
|
 | Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP ZL Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $404.99 / Used from: $359.00 This Tamron lens is fast and covers the wide to short zoom range. Extremely sharp when used between f/4 and f/8, but still useable at f/2.8. Being a fast lens, it excels at low and available light photography, though it doesn't have the zoom range for indoor sports.
|
 | Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $600.00 / Used from: $570.00 Just your basic, crystal clear zoom lens. Tack sharp when used with good lighting and the cheapest L series lens you can buy.
Don't even consider buying another zoom lens unless you are willing to spend the $1500+ for F/2.8 and IS. Not even Tamron's flagship 28-300mm with IS(VC) holds a candle to the focus speed and sharpness this lens can produce - at about the same cost even without IS.
|
 | B & W 67mm UV (Ultra Violet) Haze Multi Coated (2C) Glass Filter #010
Buy new: $42.44 You will need two of these. I find it remarkably convenient that the best zoom and wide angle lenses under $1000 both have the same filter size even though they are from different companies.
Don't skimp on filters, its just not worth compromising image quality to say $20 on the filter that protects you $600 lens.
|
 | Crucial 8Gb Lexar Media Professional Udma 300X Compactflash Cf8Gb-300-380
Buy new: Too low to display No, you don't need 8 GB right off the bat - but why waste your money with a card you will outgrow? Spend the money here and you will be well rewarded by fitting over 2000 full resolution jpg's on a single card. If you use RAW, you don't even have to hesitate because this is the only way you will have a chance to capture any decent length shoot.
|
 | Canon 430EX Speedlite Flash for Canon Pro1, Pro 90, G Series and all EOS SLR Cameras
Buy new: $237.18 The XTi's stock flash suffers from problems common with any camera, be it point&shoot or DSLR. With an after-market flash, you can bounce light and daisy chain multiple units. Well worth the money over Canon's 220 unit, which has far less range and limited capabilities.
|
 | Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip for EOS Digital Rebel XT Camera
Buy new: $122.82 As with any small DSLR, the XTi suffers from relatively short battery life (the stock battery is only 720 MAh). The BG-E3 effectively doubles this capacity and adds a portrait grip with controls. Really, this should be a standard and you can't seriously do without it.
|
 | Ultralast UL-NB2L Canon NB-2L Equivalent Camcorder/Digital Camera Battery
Buy new: $6.80 You will need three or four of these babies and no, its not worth buying the Canon branded batteries. Not only does this have a higher capacity rating, you can buy eight for the price of a single Canon battery.
|
 | Manfrotto 725B Digi Tripod with Integrated Ball Head with Dove Tail Plate and Carrying Bag (Black)
Buy new: $114.90 This tripod is rock solid (to use the 200mm zoom lens and not fall over), light (so you will actually take it with you and not leave it at home), and has a ball head (so you spend time taking photos, not tweaking the camera into the right position). Again, spend the money and you will be rewarded.
|
 | Lowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack (Black)
Buy new: $89.95 / Used from: $77.90 Ya, its pretty expensive for a bag and here, you might consider Canon's own bag as its a decent deal for under $50. This is well padded and weatherproof, while providing room for both lenses and the batterygrip.
|
Listmania!
