Help Please! I'm making the switch

bellacat · Dec 7, 2007

I finally saved up enough money to make the switch from my 35mm to the 40D. I plan on buying my xmas present to myself LOL from B&H but wonder if its better to go with Adorama instead. Is there a difference?

Also I don't know if its worth the money to buy an extended warrantee. I have in the past but have never used it. Going to DSLR is it worth the cash? I don't mind spending but I wanted to ask.

Last, what kind of memory card would you recommend buying to use with the 40D? I wouldn't want to make the mistake of getting the wrong one.

TIA for your help.

Sideburns · Dec 7, 2007

My brother just got it from B&H. I get all my stuff from them as well. No reason not to really...

Get the package with 2 x 2gb cards...it comes with sandisk ultras and is only like 40 bucks extra.

I wouldn't buy the warranty, but that's just me...

Alex_B · Dec 7, 2007

do you pla to switch whithin one system? (Nikon to Nikon, or Canon to Canon, or .) .. or do you also switch completely to a new brand?

if you plan on using your old lenses, then you should consider the crop factor. if you did like the short range of your lenses in your 35mm days, then you will probably want a wider angle lens soon.

Iron Flatline · Dec 7, 2007

Lot's of people here have had positive experiences with both - I have had two terrible experiences with Adorama, and will even cross the street when I walk past them in Manhattan.

B&H is my choice.

The only time you will ever need an extended warranty is if you didn't buy one.

Mike_E · Dec 7, 2007

Find out what it costs to do a major non-warranty repair and put that amount in the bank. If you don't need it then you will still have it after the time would have run out and if you do then there is a good chance that that amount will cover the repair.

Also look into insurance (the real kind that covers theft and most everything else) as you may find that is the better deal.

Leo · Dec 7, 2007

bellacat said:
Last, what kind of memory card would you recommend buying to use with the 40D? I wouldn't want to make the mistake of getting the wrong one.

TIA for your help.

It really depends on how you're going to take pictures. I shoot RAW+Large JPG. But I suggest that you get two (2) 4gb cards and alternate between the 2 cards.

soylentgreen · Dec 7, 2007

I stick with B&H for my online needs when I can. Thier customer service is outstanding. Never had a problem with them in all of my dealings. If you get the CF cards, splurge a little for the faster ones if you can; 266X and more. The 6.5fps on the 40D can really fill the buffer fast in burst shooting RAW (if your into that) and the faster cards can squeeze in a couple of extra shots. No less that 4GBs. At 10.1MP RAW anything less fills up rather quick in the digital world.

TheOtherBob · Dec 7, 2007

I saw this article about when to buy a warranty today -- it may or may not be useful to you, but thought I'd pass it along:

http://www.smartmoney.com/dealoftheday/index.cfm?story=20071205&nav=RSS20

In terms of B&H or Adorama, I prefer B&H by a very, very small margin -- but either is great. I also like Beach Camera.

JerryPH · Dec 7, 2007

I've dealt with Adorama 2 times now. Prices were good, service was good... delivery costs were beyond outrageous.

B&H or another "known" vedor on Amazon gets my hard earned dollars now.

bellacat · Dec 7, 2007

Alex_B said:
do you pla to switch whithin one system? (Nikon to Nikon, or Canon to Canon, or .) .. or do you also switch completely to a new brand?

if you plan on using your old lenses, then you should consider the crop factor. if you did like the short range of your lenses in your 35mm days, then you will probably want a wider angle lens soon.

I plan on staying within Canon

I hadn't thought about the wide angel lens so thanks for the heads up. I am saving up to get a 50mm f1.4 next.

bellacat · Dec 7, 2007

Sideburns said:
Get the package with 2 x 2gb cards...it comes with sandisk ultras and is only like 40 bucks extra.

Oh ya i saw that. I figure i can upgrade to larger and better cards at a later date.

bellacat · Dec 7, 2007

Leo said:
It really depends on how you're going to take pictures. I shoot RAW+Large JPG. But I suggest that you get two (2) 4gb cards and alternate between the 2 cards.

soylentgreen said:
If you get the CF cards, splurge a little for the faster ones if you can; 266X and more. The 6.5fps on the 40D can really fill the buffer fast in burst shooting RAW (if your into that) and the faster cards can squeeze in a couple of extra shots. No less that 4GBs. At 10.1MP RAW anything less fills up rather quick in the digital world.

i have never shot in RAW before so thanks for the heads up. I will look into the better cards

soylentgreen · Dec 8, 2007

bellacat said:
i have never shot in RAW before so thanks for the heads up. I will look into the better cards

That's another thread in itself. If you are unfamiliar with RAW and it's attributes, do a search and you can read up on the pro's and cons of using RAW. It's my preferred method of saving data, but yours may differ. Eats up memory like its going out of fashion, but well worth it. :mrgreen:

bellacat · Dec 8, 2007

i have started reading up on RAW and its where I want to go eventually. I'm making a switch from 35mm so I know there is lots i have to learn not to forget more software to buy.

Holy Ghosted · Dec 9, 2007

I would start with just one software for now until you learn it well. Lightroom is fast and fairly easy to learn. there are some others that I am sure somebody will chime in on to try. But the key is you will be more productive in the end if you learn a program first then add one at a time from there if you try lightroom, photoshop, and lightzone all at once chances are you will be overwhelmed and not get the most you can out of each even though the are all good programs in there own right.