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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
So how does this package look for ability and price?

Storm Crow
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Sep 8, 2005, 10:34 AM

Post #1 of 7 (1053 views)
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So how does this package look for ability and price?	Can't Post

Here is what I picked out from B&H. If you know of a better choice or better price let me know. For starters I need a lens that can do a little of everything and hope the Tamron is up to the challenge and then later will add some L series glass. Am I correct in thinking that the 2 GB compactflash card should be able to hold in the area of 400 pictures at high quality? Any other thoughts welcome also.

Canon
EOS 20D, 8.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera (Camera Body) @ $1309.95

Tamron
Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) @ $389.95

Canon USA
580EX Speedlite E-TTL II Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 190'/58 m @ $389.95

Canon
BG-E2 Vertical Grip/Battery Holder for EOS 20D Digital Camera @ $169.95

Sandisk
2GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card @ $179.95

Canon
BP-514 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4v, 1390mAh) X2 @ $99.90

Canon
CG-580 Portable Battery Charger - for 500 Series Batteries @ $59.95

Which brings us to a grand total of $2644.95 which includes 2 day shipping. So what do you think, will I be in the game then? Do I really need that battery charger and that second set of 514 batteries since a battery pack comes with it. My inclination is that I should go with the two like batteries for the grip.

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Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
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(This post was edited by Storm Crow on Sep 8, 2005, 10:43 AM)

Jeko
Enthusiast

Sep 8, 2005, 11:45 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1044 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] So how does this package look for ability and price? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Check lens list I've PM'd to you.

Opinions vary, but since I do not use internal flash and don't want extra bulk, I am not a fan of the grip attachment. Put extra battery in pocket, and you MAY need it late in the day (it lasts a LONG time). I don't think the grip winds the CF cards... LOL.

More CF cards, even if not shooting raw. For wedding events I use 6-8 1GB CF cards minimum (260 pics each when using large JPEG only), and carry 10 in case one goes bad or if need arises. This is for video/photo combined, so I have no real downtime to unload cards.

I do think that you'll want a wider angle lens, especially for larger group shots without a large scale light kit. Consider something in the 16-20mm range at the wide end. I've recommneded before that a wider lens to start is more useful... such as a 16-35mm. Remember that the canon 20D has a 1.6 crop factor. this means that a 28mm lens on a 20D is like a 35mm lens on a full frame model (while 16mm lens on 20D is closer to a 24mm on a full frame).

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

videochicke
Veteran

Sep 19, 2005, 9:58 AM

Post #3 of 7 (965 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] So how does this package look for ability and price? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Most of the photogs I work with have not been happy with the 2 gb card. Lots of problems freezing up. Also, many do not like to have all their eggs in one basket, so to speak. If the card fails, everything is lost. The chance of multiple cards failing on the same day is slim. I see more 512 cards out there than anything else. Be careful with the battery grip on the bottom. If it loosens just a little, there will be no power to the camera. Heard many 'WTF" out there when suddenly the camera stopped working.
Julie

Storm Crow
Veteran

Sep 19, 2005, 5:10 PM

Post #4 of 7 (936 views)
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Re: [videochicke] So how does this package look for ability and price? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Chickie! Man I wish we lived closer......
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Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________

WLR
User

Sep 19, 2005, 10:47 PM

Post #5 of 7 (927 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] So how does this package look for ability and price? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I personally like the 512 chips because all the images will fit on 1 cd.
The other potential 'gotcha' could be putting the camera on the cold ground and having the batterys get cold and therefore non functional. Julie knows someone who this happened too last winter. My 20D is still going strong after 6400 images since January. For awhile there Julie was using it more than me.
Oh, the other little annoying issue, dust on the ccd. This will look like black spots that show up in the same place on all the images. After the fact, PS will fix it, but the recomended method is the ol, open the shutter for a long exposure and use a hand blowbrush without the brush. Cant touch the ccd. If you look real carefully most of the time you can actually see the very tiny pieces of dust.
It can become frustrating too as sometimes you get rid of one piece of dust, create another or just move it around. I sometimes wonder if the electrical charge on the ccd attracts the dust.
17-85 Cannon lens is the work horse lens for me.

WLR

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

Storm Crow
Veteran

Sep 20, 2005, 7:33 AM

Post #6 of 7 (904 views)
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Re: [WLR] So how does this package look for ability and price? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for all that info WLR. I was not aware of that and it is very helpful. So it looks like I will order that 20D today after 11:00AM. I'm getting payment in full from a MOB who's daughter is getting married this weekend and who's videographer backed out and she found me yesterday! I plan on getting the 20D (body only) along with the well talked about Tamron lens and I guess a 512 stick of memory. Any particular brand that is cheap and fast and of good quality that you would recommend? Also have any of you bought from BuyDig.com before? They have the 20D for $1289 right now which is fairly cheap.
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Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________

WLR
User

Sep 20, 2005, 8:48 AM

Post #7 of 7 (898 views)
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Re: [Storm Crow] So how does this package look for ability and price? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The chips I use are made by SanDisk. They also include a nifty little mini cd with recovery software in the unlikely but possible event you accidently erase the chip. I've used it.
Never edit from the chip. When you delete something it doesn't go into the recycle bin, because it was never on the hard drive, it just goes away and then its time for the mini cd thing after you have resussitated yourself. Lesson? Don't edit when late at night when you're sleepy.
Put a phone # on the back of your chips. I also have put bright orange tape on both sides of the chip for high visibility in case they end up on the floor.
I know you are considering a Tamron lens. I tried on out at B&H and more than once the AF had to hunt before locking on a dish of candy that was well within the focus range. I can't remember in 6400 shots any of the Cannon lens hunting for focus. The only thing is that they are too accurate sometimes. Shooting out the front window of the plane it locked in on a bug splat.

When you look at an image in PS, it's default size is a huge 48x32.

Oh the 512 will hold high quality 120 jpeg or 53 raw.

Youre gonna have fun with it!

If anything urgent comes up with it you can PM me or the videochicke. She rubs shoulders with 20D users on a regular basis.

Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.