WatchYourStep 0 #1 February 12, 2007 Well I'm getting ready to buy the camera and have decided to go with the XTi. Which package would you guys recommend? This will be mainly for skydiving but I will also use it at some sporting events. Thanks Package 1 Package 2 Package 3 Thanks again. "You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #2 February 12, 2007 Out of idlest curiosity, why do you want to select among three vendors on eBay rather than going to a known, reliable on-line vendor such as B&H? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ Do you really want the tripods, lens cleaning kits, bags, etc. that are thrown into these packages? In any case, I suggest you do Google searches on J&K Cameras and Barclays Photo, both of which have been subject of major complaints. (Couldn't find anything on Empire Digital, but maybe it's a new kid on the Brooklyn block.) HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #3 February 12, 2007 As far as the memory cards, you want SanDisk Ultra or SanDisk Extreme cards. Also, lens cleaning kit? Tripods? Buy those separately if and when needed, would be my advice. That wide angle lens? Useless for skydiving anyway. I'd prefer B&H or similar too. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #4 February 12, 2007 I have to agree with the others... the only things in those "kits" that are remotely useful/worthwhile are the cameras themselves, and the UV filters. Like the others have said I would recommend buying a camera and or camera kit from B&H.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #5 February 12, 2007 As others avised already. Go to B&H. I bought my 5D from JK cameras on e-bay. Thay make you to call them, and the next thing is thay want you to sell a bunch of usless junk and service packages. In the case of the XTi I don't think it's worth the headache to try to save 30-50 Bucks, which could actually end up to spend that much more. www.bhphotovideo.com Try to get better lenses too. If you can afford them of course. -Laszlo- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #6 February 13, 2007 Retailer for Package 1 did not show up on www.resellerratings.com. But Package 2 and 3 did with horrible ratings/reviews. Other then B&H which is known for great service, most of the other New York "super cheap" retailers only want to upsell you for stuff that should be included as part of the package. Stuff like the battery, cables, charger, or soon to be useless warranty when they go out of business and change to a new name. I got my wide angle lens from B&H. Shipped same day and arrived in two days with cheapest way to ship. Love their service. About CF cards. I just got this one from Costco. Only have about 400 shots with several downloads from it so far, but no problems. It is equal to the Sandisk Extreme, but much cheaper. I checked the reviews on it, and it looks pretty good.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cashmanimal 0 #7 February 13, 2007 Well, I ordered my rebel from J&K, and i have no complaints from their end. It was delivered quickly, with everything I ordered, including a couple extras I bought. HOWEVER!!!!! It has been about a year and a half since I bought it, and I have already replaced pretty much everything in the package. The carrying case is cool for about a week.... becomes a huge pain in the ass. The cleaning kit is alright... but I prefer the eyeglass cleaning kit from costco. Unlimited lifetime refills, by the way. The filters are extremely useful. the 18-55 lens and 75-300 lenses are very, very standard lenses. They work, but, nothing special. Although I must say, I treasure the wideangle I got from them... a little heavy skydiving, but, for everyday stuff i have a blast with it. The tripod is a piece of crap. I had the rebel on it with the battery grip, and it snapped. Luckily, it fell onto a couch it was standing next to, by some godly miracle. Overall... yes, I got exactly what they advertised, and it was delivered for a good price, as advertised, in a timely manner. But now I have spent another $1000 in buying better stuff than they sent me... simply because i saw the extremely valuable purpose of all of it... it was just lower quality than I understood when I purchased it. Now, as an experience, successful photographer (not in skydiving yet... but getting there) I see the lure towards these packages, but the reason not to get one. Better off just getting the right stuff the first time around. I am fully aware of how this all appears to be the right stuff though... I did the same thing, obviously! Enjoy it, and good luck!It's all fun and until someone loses an eye... then it's just a game to find the eye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #8 February 13, 2007 QuoteRetailer for Package 1 did not show up on www.resellerratings.com. You just didn't look hard enough, or maybe the fact that they change their name from time to time made you miss it. See: http://slickdeals.resellerratings.com/seller8754-p4-s1-d1.html Anyone even remotely thinking about buying through eBay from any of these sleazeball outfits should read all of these horrible stories -- and should seriously question the reliability of eBay ratings. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WatchYourStep 0 #9 February 13, 2007 Been sick for a day so haven't checked this until now. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! It seems you saved me a great deal of headaches. That's why I put it up here. I'll be placing my order with B&H either late this week or early next week. "You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveorino 7 #10 February 13, 2007 This guy (Ebay store) did me right when I purhased an XTi http://stores.ebay.com/ShopSunshine_W0QQssPageNameZl3QQtZkm steveOrino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #11 February 14, 2007 Here's another, pretty new, site that has a good handle on the scam artists in the online camera sale business: http://sheddingsomelight.com/buy-cameras/cameras-index.html If you're thinking about ordering a camera online from New York, it's a great read. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WatchYourStep 0 #12 February 19, 2007 Just ordered an XTi and a 2 gig SanDisk Ultra memory card. It'll be here on Wednesday!!!! I'll play with it for a few weeks before I put it on the helmet. Thanks for all the help guys. I'll be posting pictures soon I'm sure. "You start off your skydiving career with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience up before your bag of luck runs out." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #13 February 19, 2007 B&H will do you right. 43rd Street Camera (I think that's the name) is pretty well reviewed, too.Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
