Lenses for new 30D

I am an amateur photographer in the process of buying a Canon 30D and had originally packaged it with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens packaged with all the trimmings. After talking to the sales agent for some time, however, he pushed me towards the NEW Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF SLD Autofocus Lens. I can find product reviews for older models of Sigma lenses with the same specs and quite frankly they didn't rate well, although, considering the price that this lens is put at I feel that it must be significantly better? The original Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Lens goes for just a few hundred while this New version is apparently worth $1,399 according to their site.

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=8916&start=1

Basically, what I would like to know is if anyone has used this newer version of this Sigma lens and if they feel that it lives up to the hype that the sales guy was putting forth, or if I should revert back to my original feelings and get the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens or perhaps the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens, even though either of these cost less according to the same site?

One other thing, you might want to know the way I intend to use this equiptment before you go recommending lenses for me. I spend a lot of time in Kenya and intend to eventually settle there permanently. I would be using this camera and lens mostly in a walk around style, or from trucks if on safari. I also participate in a lot of ecological projects there and do foot based exploration of the bush as well. It can be dusty there, which is why I was insisting on L's in the first place, so I need to know that the build quality of the lenses are good, and not just the optical quality. So I need to be sure that even if the optics of this Sigma are superb... can it survive when subjected to my potential conditions? Not that I'll intentionally abuse my lenses of course, but I have to think about all the posibilities.

Thanks in advance,

Erick

I think your original picks were excellent. L glass is wonderful. I don't know about the lens he suggested, but I doubt it's any better. It's probably what he has in stock or gets a better profit on. It's a rare photo shop these days that has truly knowledgeable salespersons.
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Juli
http://www.pbase.com/julivalley/galleries
Canon FiveDee, Canon 2oD, Canon Gee3, and Canon S7o, Fuji Eff30.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1805.html

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Regards
Mark

For safari, you might better get a 100-400L IS.
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Juli
http://www.pbase.com/julivalley/galleries
Canon FiveDee, Canon 2oD, Canon Gee3, and Canon S7o, Fuji Eff30.

quote from reseller ratings

"This store is AWFUL. I ordered Canon 24-105mm L IS lens. I called the store to confirm and make some changes to the order, this guy try to trick me into buying this lens -> http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=8916&start=1 . He said it is JUST released in Japan (with US warranty!!!) and will be release in the US in mid December AND the INSTANT REBATE of $400 ends TODAY, which makes it $1000!!! He said this lens is faster, sharper, and suits 1.6 crop DSLRs better. But I find this is identical (OR IS) to Sigma's 24-135mm lens which was released in 2003!!! Anyone can find it for around $350 anywhere. After I refused and just wanted my lens, he told me the price is AFTER rebate, which is not indicated anywhere on the page. After I did some more research to make sure he is trying to sell me the old lens for $1000, I called and cancelled right away (and this guy's attitude completely changes, in a bad way of course). I am also too scared that they will charge me some kind of cancellation fee, I cancelled my VISA. Express Camera....AWFUL!!!!"

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Regards
Mark

They already talked me into starting this "deal" today... The guy alredy told me that if I did not want that 24-135 that I could switch it back... But now you make me just want to get all my money back... is that possible at this point, or should I just try and ammend my order back to the L lens and hope that there is no more funny business?

I read the reviews for the 100-400 and because of its design it can have some problems with dust sucking in, so I have shyed away from that one.

Others have pointed out that this lens echange is a scam, so now I'm trying to figure out if I can ammend the order to an L still, or just get my money back?

Erick,

I have not used the Sigma lens that you have mentioned, however, I invested in a Sigma wide angle lens 10-20 and although it performs alright I felt that it does not have the resolving ability (quality) of my canon lenses. I'm sure some Sigma lenses may be highly rated but I have now decided to stick to canon for all my future lenses.

In my opinion - it's better to safeguard your investment by paying a little more for those Canon lenses. The two lenses that you are buying are well known and highly rated.

Alternatively, have a look at the canon 28-135 non-L lens too. It's a great walk around lens but the only hitch is that its not weather sealed.

Also, be prepared to deal with eventual dust on sensor problems as the 30D body is not weather sealed like canon's 1 series bodies. This should not discourage you though, allot of photographers have learned how to deal with this problem. have a look at this site:-

http://www.visibledust.com

Also, have you had a look at the canon L series, 28-300 lens - ok this lens is heavy but the excellent zoom range might interest you.

Hope that helps.

Sam

I called the credit card company, and it looks like I can file a complaint against their charge and get that money back, and then just not even accept the package when it arrives, so it should stick those scam artists with whatever they paid for shipping. Thank goodness that it looks like there is a clean way out of this!

Thanks... have you read all the other posts in my thread... then you can see all the bs I have got myself into, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel now!

For one thing, you put too much faith in what some salesperson has to say.

Read the lens reviews at FredMiranda.com.

There are thousands of people who come in here and are perfectly willing to share their experience... sometimes these people are newbies with many many days of DSLR experience.

I have the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L, and the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS. You won't be able to beat either lens. Admitted, you'll have spent some money, but they are the most coveted lenses for a reason.

Good luck.

--

'In 1983, the game of golf had a firm grip on the waist of my boxers and was administering the death wedgie. I had a dose of the atomic yips and after missing 10 of 11 cuts by a single shot, I was ready to quit and apply for a job as a wringer-outer for a one-armed window cleaner.'

• David Feherty

No, I did not bother reading the other posts.

I'm glad I could help, you were already in the right direction to start with.

Sam

Those are exactly the lenses I was looking for, and asked for, and will get

By the way,

I just want to thank everyone here that has helped me see the light through the tunnel.

Cheers,

Erick

Well, you might as well get your entire kit from a reputable Canon dealer.

By the way, make sure you get atleast 1 or ideally 2 extra batteries, the better ones to go for are the original Canon BP 511-A batteries (Do not go for any compatibles).

Although the battery charger comes free with the camera, you can buy a reputable digital chargers (Canon certified) that actually drain the battery completely before charging them and then charge the battries to their optimum capacity.

I use the standard charger, take note of the fact that the standard charger also works fine. However, once the strobing light on the charger becomes a constant light - you've got to leave it charging another extra 1 hour for it to reach its optimum capacity. Initially, when I started charging my batteries I did not know of this extra hour thing and bugered up my batteries.

Now, when one of my batteries run out I just attach a 12 volt car bulb to it with some masking tape to run it completely flat before recharging.

The other thing is that it would be good to get lens hoods for your lenses to prevent glare and some reputable clear filters to protect your lenses from damage (eg. Hoya).

Also, consider a light carbon tripod and/or monopod for low light / long exposure situatiions.

Furthermore, Lowepro do some great trekking - all weather proof back-pack style camera bags, check them out.

Sam

Yeah, I have already called the credit card company, and everything will be fine. I was right those prices were too good to be for real, and yes now that I have checked with the better business bureau, I will definitely go with a more reputable company and will always check with the bbb in the future when it comes to internet companies. Thanks for the help, and also, yes, I read a tonne of reviews and came to the conclusion that those two lenses were the best ones for me to start with.

Thanks a lot,

Erick

Take note of my previous response above.

Where will you be buying - are you in the UK ? or USA ?

Maybe I can suggest some reputable dealers.

Sam

What the store is doing to you is called 'bait and switch'. They are selling you a 30D for cheap and then selling you a $300 lens for $1,300.