D40 body only or w/lens?

[Florida Pam]

Hello everyone,
I've decided to buy the Canon D40, but am not sure if I should buy the body alone or get the package (camera + lens). The offers I have seen include the 28-135 lens. Is that a good versatile range that is worth the discounted package price or would I be better off skipping that lens and buying a 14-24 or a 70-180? Thanks for your help!

Pam

[Chuck S.]

Pam, congratulations on your decision to buy the 40D! I have its predecessor, the 30D, and the lens that's mounted on it by default is the 28-135 mm IS. It's a very versatile lens, giving you a range from 'normal' to moderate telephoto. What it doesn't give you is the true wide angle end; for that I've added a couple lenses along the way. But for general photography, the 28-135 works very well for me. Just make sure that the lens is IS (Image Stabilization); that makes a difference.

Good luck with your purchase! I know you'll enjoy the camera.l

[lowbone]

Congratulations on your 40D. The 28-135 is a pretty good lens as kit lenses go but the Canon 40D has a 1.6 crop factor which means your 28mm is really a 44mm as far as the focal length is concerned. What are your preferences? Do you like to take scenics? Do you like to shoot street vendors in a narrow street. If you do, you will probably be frustrated with this lens. If you are looking for something within that price range and you want to shoot with a wider angle then the 17-85 would be a better choice. Both of these lenses are pretty good for the money and both have IS. Don't let anyone talk you into a lens. I got talked into a 17-40 once and I never used it. I sold it at a loss. Only you know what and how you will be shooting and also what your budget is. Good luck on whatever lens you choose.
P.S. The last time I looked the 17-85 was avaailable as a kit ( package ) lens.

[Chuck S.]

Originally Posted by lowbone

Congratulations on your 40D. The 28-135 is a pretty good lens as kit lenses go but the Canon 40D has a 1.6 crop factor which means your 28mm is really a 44mm as far as the focal length is concerned. What are your preferences? Do you like to take scenics? Do you like to shoot street vendors in a narrow street. If you do, you will probably be frustrated with this lens. If you are looking for something within that price range and you want to shoot with a wider angle then the 17-85 would be a better choice. Both of these lenses are pretty good for the money and both have IS. Don't let anyone talk you into a lens. I got talked into a 17-40 once and I never used it. I sold it at a loss. Only you know what and how you will be shooting and also what your budget is. Good luck on whatever lens you choose.
P.S. The last time I looked the 17-85 was avaailable as a kit ( package ) lens.

Good advice on the 17-85 - not as much telephoto but a little wider.

I hope I wasn't the one who gave you the advice on the 17-40.... I still like mine!

[lexcell]

Pam,
You will enjoy the 40D. It is a very nice camera. As for a lens, as Chuck says, the 28-135mm is very versatile but, lowbone points out a valid argument about the focal length magnifier.

Think about what you like to photograph most...landscapes, people, closeups, sweeping images, etc.

If you like the wider look to your images, the 17-85mm is a great option. If you like tighter shots, the 28-135mm will get you fairly close. Either one works great for portraits since they both cover the 70mm and up range.

lowbone gave a very good bit of advice about buying the lens to suit your style of photography and not letting the lens you buy determine your style.

[Florida Pam]

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I've done some further research and am wondering about the 24-70 f/2.8L lens. Many articles have said that it is a good general purpose lens. I already have the 75-300 IS lens and a 400 IS lens, and am wondering if the 24-70 would be a good complement to those lenses. My photography runs the entire spectrum from macro to zoom - mostly with wildlife. On a teacher's salary, I can't afford to make a costly error by buying the wrong lens. Any more advice?

Pam

[LeeOtsubo]

Originally Posted by Florida Pam

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I've done some further research and am wondering about the 24-70 f/2.8L lens. Many articles have said that it is a good general purpose lens. I already have the 75-300 IS lens and a 400 IS lens, and am wondering if the 24-70 would be a good complement to those lenses. My photography runs the entire spectrum from macro to zoom - mostly with wildlife. On a teacher's salary, I can't afford to make a costly error by buying the wrong lens. Any more advice?

Pam

The 24-70/2.8L is a wonderful lens. If you buy it right now, there's an $80 rebate that will bring it down to about $1060. If I shot in that range, that would be the first lens I'd add to my stable.

[Florida Pam]

Thanks, Lee. I'm going to order it. I ordered my camera through Amazon.com and was going to order the lens there, too, for the free shipping benefit, but the supplier is Adorama. Is that a reliable company to deal with, or should I go with B & H and pay the shipping?

[Edmund]

Pam, I have dealt with Adorama in the past and they are a very reliable company in NY City. I have visited their store and also did mail order.
eddie

[lexcell]

Hi Pam,
If I am not too late to jump in here....
If you are an Amazon Prime member the shipping is free unless you the product comes from another dealer such as Adorama, who by the way is a reputable dealer.

If you are a member of NAPP, you can go onto the PhotoshopUser site and click on the discount section which will take you to the special B&H website that offers free 3rd day shipping to NAPP members.

If you are not a member of NAPP, I would suggest joining. It's $99.00 for a years membership and you get so much back...a subscription to Photoshop User Magazine, discount admission to Photoshop World, tons of free tutorials and discounts from vendors and so much more.

As for the 24-70mm 2.8 lens, it sounds like you have already decided on it. Good choice! It is a very sharp, fast lens. It will compliment your existing system nicely.