The Canon EOS 450D Is Out...Now What?

Canon has finally released the EOS 450D (marketed here in the states as the Rebel Xsi), the camera I decided I wanted as my first DSLR.

Any suggestions on getting the best deal on the body or kit? Should I go with the kit lens or what other lens would be most useful?

Also, any suggestions on a camera bag. I'd like one big enough to hold the 450D with a lens mounted, another lens or two, and other useful gear. It would be nice if it didn't scream "DSLR!".

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Permalink Reply by Shawn King on May 2, 2008 at 6:48am: If you're a beginning photographer, get used to using the kit lens first. If you're jonesing to buy a new lens, get the 50mm prime that I got Lesa for Christmas - under $100 and a really nice lens.

As to a bag, I love my LowePro Slingshot:; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Thomas Fitzgerald on May 2, 2008 at 9:28am: Have to go with Shawn. I've had a couple of bags and the Slingshot is my favourite. It's nice and light and you can get to your gear without ever taking the bag off your shoulder / back. There's also a cool rain hood cleverly concealed in the base of the bag so if it starts to down pour badly you'r gears is well protected; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan Neal on May 2, 2008 at 12:23pm: Good to know about the bag. They actually have that one at the Buy More here in town so I'll drop by and look at it.

I guess I'll go with the kit lens then. I had been looking at the 17-85mm for it's build quality and 5X zoom as well as the 50mm for down the road. But, you're right. Baby steps first.

Now Lesa and Shawn have to work up an advanced class for next year's Macworld...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Thomas Fitzgerald on May 2, 2008 at 12:30pm: The 17-85mm Lens is an excellent lens. My brother got it with his 40D and I was very impressed when I was trying out. It held up well to my 24-105mm F4 L, considering the price difference. It's obviously a little softer (the 24-105 is amazingly sharp) but very little distortion. I can highly recommend it.

The 50mm 1.8 is a great lens too, although at maximum aperture there is a little barrel distortion, but it's more than worth it for the price of the lens. If you shoot at f4 - f8 with this lens it's amazingly sharp considering it's made of plastic. Only downside (apart fromt he distortion) is that if you're taking night scenes you can get some bad blooming on it. But considering the price it's definitely one for the bag.

Thomas; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan Neal on May 2, 2008 at 1:03pm: From everything that Shawn and Lesa have said about it, I would probably use the 50mm for portraits and close-ups where depth of focus were most important.

Still, I'm just getting started with DSLRs so I'll just muddle along and learn what works and what I need.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan Neal on May 4, 2008 at 1:06am: Damn, I was all ready to buy when the site I had chosen, bumped up the price ( A LOT! ) Now I have to look again.

SIGH...; ▶ Reply to This