After much delay, and lots of threats on my life from friends who really wanted to read about the Average Joe Kit, we are back with the third part of our "Ultimate Guide" series. If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 before continuing.
And so we begin Part 3: The Average Joe Dream kit. This kit was put together as a well-rounded mid-range option, some may call it pro-sumer as the camera and lenses are more feature rich and of higher quality than entry-level consumer bodies and lenses. Like all three of the kits we are recommending, it contains the following items:
- A DSLR
- A versatile, wide zoom lens
- A memory card
- A flash
- A tripod
- A telephoto zoom lens
- A bag
- A blower
- Lens tissues
- A UV filter for each lens
I will again provide something of a disclaimer, the following recommendations are completely based on my own experiences with DSLR photography. I am not being paid, endorsed or otherwise - though i wish i was 
. Also you will probably notice all the actual camera gear I’m recommending is from Canon. I explained all this in Part 2, but just to revisit, I’m a Canon guy and something of a brand-bitch at the moment, but Nikon offers similarly priced, high-quality options that could be interchangeable with any of these recommendations, though my experience is mostly with Canon equipment, so I am better suited to recommending it.
With all that out of the way, lets get to the gear!
The Average Joe Dream Kit - the mid-range option
My idea for the Average Joe kit is that it provides the best balance of quality vs. cost for the beginning DSLR consumer. If you are the kinda guy/gal that wants the most features, but can’t part with the dough, a configuration like this is for you. This is the level I would consider myself closest too, as i own and frequently use 8 of the 10 items I’m recommending here, though I have sprung for a bit more expensive lenses in some cases. This kit contains:
Canon EOS 30D - around $1000 (body only)
I will start out by saying I own and love this camera. It is my first DSLR, and I think an excellent option for anyone who is serious about getting into DSLR photography. It has an excellent balance of pro-level features, image quality, build quality and durability at a relatively inexpensive price point. In the year I’ve owned the 30D, I haven’t had a single problem in over 18,000 shots. It has traveled with me to many places including Trinidad, Grand Cayman, Canada and Mexico and the performance has always been stellar. It must be noted that the widely rumored 40D will be dropping very soon with a higher res sensor, larger lcd and more features. If you are planning on getting a 30D it might be smart to wait for the 40D… it should be coming on or around September 2nd. If you reallllly want a 30D, but think its too expensive, the price should drop by a couple hundred bucks as soon as the 40D releases, so at this point, no matter what the circumstance, it might be better to wait a couple weeks to see what happens. To further support this, it seems B&H is in a rush to sell out, as they have dropped their price for the 30D body to $999.
Key Features
- 8 Megapixel CMOS sensor
- ISO 100-3200
- 2.5 Inch LCD
- 5 FPS high-speed mode
- 9 point autofocus
- Digic II image processor
Pros
- Price
- Image quality
- Durability
- Overall features
Cons
- Not full frame
- Soon to be replaced by the new 40D
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4GB Sandisk Compact Flash Card - around $75
Re-posted from Part 2: I’m sure I’ll get some negative feedback on suggesting such a large CF card, but if you shoot in RAW mode (which I suggest you always do), a large memory card is a must. If you want to go cheaper, go for a 2GB, but I wouldn’t go smaller than that. Also, I mention Sandisk as the brand, though that’s a soft recommendation. I’ve used Sandisk and Lexar cards, and never had a problem with either. Even off-brand cards seem to be ok, though I would try to stay away from purchasing any memory cards from questionable vendors due to horror stories I’ve read about counterfeit memory cards.
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Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS - around $500
There isn’t much more I can say about this lens that I haven’t already said in its previous review here on CameraPorn, but I will reiterate me feelings again for those of you who haven’t read it yet. This lens is currently my "walkaround lens," at least until I can afford my own shiny 24-70L. For the price, the lens packs a punch in image and build quality. It has been on my camera more than any other lens I own since I’ve owned it, and I have always been extremely happy with the results. The zoom range is versatile for many situations from wide-angle landscapes to tightly framed portraits. At the wide end, though there is some barrel distortion and a bit of vignetting, it is excellent for landscapes. The lens seems extremely sharp, almost ‘L’ sharp at around f8, and has always continued to provide good results. The Image Stabilization offers a few additional stops of hand-holding ability which is helpful in non-sunny situations. The only cons I can really say are that at a maximum aperture of f/4 I often find myself missing that nice background blur present in f/2.8 lenses. Another downside is that being an EF-S lens, when and if I ever upgrade to a full frame body, I will not be able to use this lens, as all Canon EF-S lenses are made specifically for cameras with a 1.6x crop factor such as the 30D, 20D and Rebel. The bottom-line is that if you are in the mid-range and own an EF-S capable camera such as the 30D, this is the best versatile zoom lens for your dollar.
Now I must also mention at this point that some people feel a prime lens is a better investment. Though primes generally offer markedly better image quality, I don’t necessarily feel that they are a better option than a versatile zoom for the beginning DSLR photographer, but if I did, I would recommend the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 as an alternative.
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Canon 580EX II Speedlite - around $430
The 580 EX II is Canon’s highest-end flash unit available, and is the replacement for the original 580EX, which we reviewed here. The 580EX II is very similar in features and functionality to the original, other than faster and silent recycling time, a new shoe mount and in-camera controls for the Canon 1D Mark III. Though Canon does offer a few lower-priced alternatives in the 430EX and 220EX, the increased power and features offered in a 580 make up for the higher price. The 430EX could be a suitable alternative, and is priced a bit lower at around $240, but it lacks a bit of power (43m vs. 58m at 105mm), some pro-level functions and is missing the built in diffuser and catch-light. It was a tough call on which unit to recommend for the Average Joe kit, as both are high-quality E-TTL strobes, but I chose the 580EX because at only a couple hundred bucks more, you can grow with it, and never feel the need to upgrade your flash unit.
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Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home - around $75
Yes it has a funny name, just as all Crumpler bags do, and yes the Crumpler website looks like something made for toddlers to play with, but regardless, Crumpler is my favorite camera bag company. The bags are very well constructed, but the best part about them is that they don’t look like camera bags. This is a positive because being that the bags don’t scream CAMERA BAG, they will draw less attention from thieves, and those who are wary a photographer is in the area. Also, for some reason most Crumpler bags seem to hold a lot more gear in a compact package then you would think. The 5 Million Dollar is no exception to this. It is a messenger-bag style, with enough space to hold your DSLR with lens on, an additional lens and a flash unit as well as your basic accessories (charger, lens tissues, remote cable, etc). As a small, unobtrusive bag, that holds just the right amount for most cases, the 5 Million can’t be beat. Besides, who wouldn’t like a camera bag company that offers its loving customers to drop off beer at their office in exchange for free bags?
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom - around $550
You might ask, why does this lens cost over $500 while the 75-300 mentioned in the Po Man’s Kit costs around $140? There are several reasons for this ranging from overall build quality, higher quality glass, and better image quality, but the most substantial reason is it includes Image Stabilization. This lens offers Canon’s 3-stop IS which is a considerable help when hand-holding lenses, especially at longer focal lengths. As a mid-range non-’L’ lens, this lens performs well, with better sharpness and contrast than the 75-300 mentioned previously. Some drawbacks to this lens: it loses some sharpness at 300mm and it has some barrel distortion at lower focal ranges. All-in-all the lens is a solid performer that will make most beginning DSLR photogs happy while starting to experiment with long-lens photography.
I should also note that the decision to include this lens was a tough one. Another lens in the same price range is the Canon 70-200 f/4 L, and it was almost a toss-up when the decision was made. Yes, the 70-200 is an L and its around the same price, but being that we are trying to provide the starting DSLR photographer with the most satisfying experience, I felt the Image Stabilization and extra 100mm of focal range gave the 70-300 a very slight leg up for the overall experience. Being an ‘L’ the 70-200 f/4 does offer markedly better image quality and contrast, but lacks the benefit of IS and the extra focal length. Depending on your plans for building your kit, or if you are itching to get an ‘L’ the 70-200 might be a better choice.
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Manfrotto Tripod - around $180 (including head)
As tripod manufacturers go, Manfrotto is one of the big players. They offer tripods ranging from around $100 all the way up to $400+ for carbon fiber pro models. I am highlighting this brand only because it is where I have the most experience. There are other companies that offer tripods of similar price and quality. I personally have the Manfrotto 30001N Tripod with 804RC2 pan-tilt head. It is a stable tripod, made of aluminum. The head has 3 different adjustable knobs to control the pan and tilt. I am generally happy with this setup, though something a bit lighter with a ball-head would be nice. It can get a bit confusing when shopping, because they offer so many different models and configurations. The best way to find a tripod you are going to be happy with is to go to your local camera shop with a budget in mind and try out a couple different configurations. If you don’t have a large enough camera shop nearby, feel free to pose any questions you may have in the comments and I’ll do my best to recommend something that would work for you.
Giottos Rocket Blower - around $12
Re-posted from Part 2: Already reviewed here on CameraPorn, I won’t say too much about the Giottos Blower. What I will say is that a blower, like this one, is an essential tool in your kit for safely removing dust from sensitive spot such as lenses and your sensor.
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Hoya UV Filters - around $20
Re-posted from Part 2: I consider UV filters as a line of defense for my lenses. They consist of a thin piece of clear glass, coated to filter out UV light. The main point of a UV filter is to protect your lenses from damage. I have one for every lens I own, because I would much prefer a scratched filter to a scratched lens element. There are different schools of thought on UV filters, with some saying that putting a cheap piece of glass in front of an expensive piece of glass (your lens) is silly because it effects image quality. In my experience, this is not the case, except on occasion when shooting at night, only because the filter can sometimes catch glare from lights, with the glare being evident in the photo. Generally speaking, and in most cases, I wouldn’t worry about image quality being effected.
I list Hoya as a brand, again as a soft recommendation. There are several brands such as B&W, Sunpak and Canon that manufacture UV filters, all being acceptable, but I generally use Hoya filters. The one important point is to get a glass filter. You will sometimes find filters labeled as “optical plastic,” though I’d stay away from those for durability reasons. Keep in mind when purchasing, these come in a variety of sizes. Check the front of your lens to see what size is correct.
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Pec-Pad Lens Tissues - around $5
Re-posted from Part 2: Lens tissues are are cheap, readily available and another must for any kit if you want to keep everything in tip-top shape. They are made specifically for cleaning optical glass, without scratching, or leaving any film or lint. I use Pec-Pads by Photographic Solutions, but anything labeled “Lens Tissue” from a respectable company will do the job. I also use them to clean my camera body, lens exteriors and anything else I want to clean without scratches or lint.
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That’s it for this segment of our Ultimate Guide. Check back soon for the Big Baller’s high-end kit, previewed below. As always, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions let us know!
The Big Ballers Who’s Your Daddy Kit - the high-range option - Coming Soon
Like your site, alot of good tips etc. I just upgraded to a 40D myself. I’m in your mid-range kit style I think. I’ve got the 40D, a Sigma 17-35mm, a 28-135 IS, and a 70-200 f/4 IS with a 420 EX and a Manfrotto tripod. I use the Lexar 4GB cards myself and like them.