think it's better to buy a digital rebel, body only? or with the kit?

[dolph]

might be able to buy a used body for $450. the kit is $670 now at dell with a SANDISK
512 MB Ultra II CompactFlash Card (minimum sustained write speed of 9 MBps and a read speed of 10 MBps). it seems like i'd be way better off buying the body by itself, then getting my own lens to start... right? or is that lens + the 512 card worth it? please advise, thanks!

($670 is with a $90 off coupon)

edit - now $619 for the kit + 512 card @ dell

 

[DeviousTrap]

Get the body with the lens seperately. You can easily but a 1gb card and the kit lens seperately and be under the dell price if you get a body for $450.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You can get a 1GB card for $80 and you'd be better off buying a 50mm prime lens than the kit lens. Better yet, save for some L glass.

 

[dolph]

just found out it's not a us warranty, and the dell price is lowered. is the body still a good idea?

 

[Triumph]

how much is the kit lense otherwise, and how much more do you have to spend to get a lense better than the kit lense?

 

[Baked]

I think you should get the Digital Rebel with the lens and buy the memory card separately. The lens for the Digital Rebel is made especially for it, so it's a good starting lens to practice on. Get additional lenses down the line when you get better.

 

[Gand1]

As much bashing as the kit lens is getting, it's a great lens to be able to throw around with and it's awesome if you want to learn about macro photography. I say go with the kit. Hell, if you break the lens $80 will get you another one.

 

[dolph]

since the body is grey market and not a sure thing by any means, and the dell is fully refundable and ready to go out of the box... i think i ought to go with the kit now.

 

[paulip88]

The kit lens is a good starter lens and also an OK lens if you plan on using only a single lens. It's lightweight, fairly fast in focusing, and not fancy enough for you to worry about breaking it.

On the other hand, there are better lenses out there - even in the cheap lens category. For example, the Sigma 18-125 F/3.5-5.6 lens is also lightweight, has better zoom, and takes decent shots. It does focus louder and slower though.

I've also noticed that the kit lens doesn't take the clearest shots at 18mm, but you can't really notice on the Rebel; however, you can notice on the Rebel XT.

Now that I've given some unbiased advice, a little self promotion...
I've got a lightly used Digital Rebel for sale

I'd be OK with selling the body only for the right offer (which tells you that it can't be all that bad). The thread also has a link to hi-res pics of the kit lens if you're interested.

 

[phantom309]

You'd be crazy not to spring the extra 100 for the kit lens. It's no Zeiss but it has a very handy range and the image quality will surprise you - especially when photographing people. You can make great photos with it if you do your part.