BetterPhoto Q&A
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Andrew Laverghetta		digital rebel kit a good deal? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=337122&is=REG Muse over the above link before you read this. So, right now I have a canon rebel GII with the 35-80 lens that came with it, an 80-200 lens and I'll be getting a 50mm f1.8 coming up soon. I'm looking for at the digital rebel right now since it's the least expensive and I've heard that for most people who aren't professionals that the price of the 10d and 20d doesn't justify the features. I want to know if this price at B&H photo is a good deal for what you get. All the small camera shops that aren't online usually offer the digital rebel for 899 and 999 without and with the lens. B&H has the body along with the EF-S 18-55 lens AND a 1 gig 80x lexar compact flash card. Does this camera benefit from the 80x card or could I buy a less expensive 1 gig CF card and spend a little extra money to fool some people and feel better about myself and buy the digital rebel in a black guise? The larger kit with lens and card is $834 and the black along with the 18-55 EF-S lens is $799. Since I've only heard good things (maybe an occasional complaint about B&H) what would you buy if you were in my position? I really like the black look as later on down the road I would like to buy the battery grip for more battery life (i've had bad experiences with batteries dying) and I don't want the silver to look tacky with the black grip. Also as an FYI, I'm trying to get into digital because I would really like to take A LOT more pictures but I don't have the money to develop them all and get prints (I'm also impatient about my results but that's not in the big picture). Ok, one more time, are these two deals good and/or what could be done to make them better? I really like the black so I'd like to stick with it. I also don't really NEED a 1 gig, maybe a 512 would be fine as well. Thanks! Sorry I always write such long questions. To love this question, log in above December 15, 2004

Andy		This is just my opinion. The black verson with the separate Lexar 1gb 80x CompactFlash card (after rebate) is only $50 more than the silver version. I have not seen the specs for the black version so I cannot tell if it is a better camera (DiG!T 2 processor, E-TTL 2, faster write time, updated firmware, etc.) or just cosmetic change. But for only $50 different, I will go for the newer black version. At least it is newer (like buying cars). You mentioned you want to take A LOT more pictures, so the 1Gb card is essential. You may even want to get another one for back up. The memory card may be able to write at 80x, but it is depending on the limitation of the hardware, your camera. Again I cannot find the write speed on the DRebel spec. So a slower speed memory card may work just as well. Just my 2 cents. To love this comment, log in above December 16, 2004

- Shari Morris Contact Shari Morris Shari Morris's Gallery		I received my first digital last Christmas and it was the Rebel. I've been shooting with it for a year and outgrew it in about 4 months. I'm now looking at the 1ds MARK II. In my opinion, the extra couple of hundred it would cost to get the 20D kit is well worth it. The new digic processors far outperform the originals. If you will be shooting in contrasty environments, I would go with the 20D. As far as the larger card goes, I'd absolutely get the 1 Gig. I started out with a 512 and ended up needing to carry my laptop with me to store the images on site. Hope my 2 cents worth helps. To love this comment, log in above December 16, 2004

W. L.		The Dig Rebel is one of the slowest writing dig cam out there for what they cost. It will benefit from the fastest card you can buy regardless of it's size 1 GB or 512MB Cards are now like CD Roms and CPU's, every day they get faster. The D70 Nikon can write as fast as you want but you will have to stop and wait on the Rebel no matter what card. I don't know about the Blk.Rebel but if you can swing it the 20D if not, the D70 would do much better. And that makes 4 cents. Wayne To love this comment, log in above December 31, 2004

Peter K. Burian		Andrew: This camera does benefit from a high speed CompactFlash card such as SanDisk Ultra II or Lexar 80x. See http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.php?cid=6007-6425 Shop around for the best prices on one of the fast cards identified in that report. Try www.pricegrabber.com Stick to the four star rated retailers, however. Regards, Peter Burian To love this comment, log in above January 01, 2005

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