Going with the 5D Mark II. It will be my first DSLR, and while expensive, I will be able to keep it for quite some time while never needing an upgrade.

I now move on to my next set of questions, first being, is the website camerakings.com a legit website to buy from? The price on the 5DII is the cheapest I found. If it is not, I'd rather get elsewhere, however.

Second, I would like to know the type of lenses I should be looking into. I am quite clueless (even moreso than with the bodies), when it comes to lenses. Something that can do landscapes as well as portraitures would be ideal for this first lens. While price is obviously an issue, I am not sure how much of one as of yet, so lets pretend no budget for now.

Was actually looking around, and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens seemed like a good choice.

Third, what is a good tripod and camera bag? O.O

This post was edited by Bundy3 on Nov 22 2010 10:05pm

Camerakings is also callled broadway photos which is a scammer site. Lots of bait and switch tactics. Get it from a reputable retailer such as Amazon, B&H, or Adorama etc.

As for glass.. glass > body. If you have the best body but shitty glass, it's still shitty quality.

The 24-70L is a excellent standard walkaround zoom, capable of portraits on the long end and landscapes on the wide end.

Tripods- Buy the best you can afford, brands to look at are Gitzo, Feisol, and Manfrotto. What is your budget for tripod?

Bags- Depends what you need really..

Also just voicing my opinion... are you absolutely sure that photography is something you want to do? 5DII and a 24-70L isn't chump change.. it's a significant amount of money.

Also jumping straight into a pro-level camera might make the menus and functions confusion for someone who is just getting into DSLR. Ofc reading the manual would be helpful but most people don't read them

You should buy your camera from an authorized Canon retailer because if you ever need to send it in for repairs or cleaning or whatever, they usually ask for a receipt of purchase and I'm pretty sure they won't fix it for free if its not from an authorized dealer.

As for the lens, the 24-70 is a good lens like Eek mentioned. However, a huge downside to this lens is that it is very big and heavy, so if that isn't a concern of yours, it would be a good lens and range to get, albeit expensive.

Yeah, I kind of wonder too... I mean, are you sure you want to spend so much on this ? I wasn't sure myself, so I didn't go all out on the best camera hehe.

Also, for a lens like you mentioned, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM was the exact same one that I was going to mention as Eek mentioned. Here are some photos to look at to see what you think. Other photographers photos, that is:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=173736&page=371

I was going to purchase that one myself, but chose a totally dif kind of lens.

This post was edited by Chantal7 on Nov 22 2010 10:37pm

Yes, I am sure I want to do this, but thanks for trying to look out for me.

I am not worried about learning how to use a pro level camera. If it really baffles me, I have the manual and the internet.

Since Camera Kings is a scam site, I shall get from Walmart! (10% off is quite nice).

As for the lenses, is that really going to be good for my needs? I realize I will later need to get more glass, but to start, I hope a single lens will fill the basic needs. Honestly, to start I will be doing more landscape type shots than portraitures, as to get real familiar with everything. Perhaps there is a very nice lens for landscapes but not as much for portraitures?

Just my little grain de sel....
Make sure you know about photography BEFORE going out in public with your camera.
There is nothing more of a turn off than a guy with a big dick and who doesn't know how to use it.
With this I mean, if you have the top notch camera but know nothing about photography, you will look like an idiot who went to a camera store and wanted the best just to make himself look good.

I met a guy like this last week when I was walking with my uncle in the mountain where I usually take all my pictures.
I was discussing a difficulty I had with a specific photo subject and this guy with a much better camera than me, got himself in the convo and tried to give me advice....
On the second sentence, I knew he had no idea about use of light and photography.
Yet he had a top notch Canon and when I asked him what lens he had, he insisted in telling me it was a Tamron, and a 2.8, not the F4.
I asked him again what lens it was, like me I had a 50 mm, which one was his, and he still went on and on about his 2.8 (sorry my translation is not the best).

I wont describe the whole convo, but if that guy was trying to impress me, he just did the opposite and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him....

Get a camera for your level and upgrade when your skills get above the camera you are using.

Look into the Canon 17-40 for landscape if thats what you want to start off with. Its one of the cheaper L lenses and would be pretty wide on a full frame. I'm not too sure which third party lenses mount on a Canon full frame but I think there are some that you might want to consider checking out too, as they might be cheaper and faster too (except that might not be too much of a concern if you are doing landscapes stopped down on a tripod)

You need to order from a reputable site, otherwise what will happen is this: They'll call you and say that the 5DII is out of stock, but they have plenty of kits available. This kit is a great deal! It comes with a bag, batteries, filters, tripod, everything you want. They will then proceed to sell you a load of shit that you'll have to pay for, or else you'll never get your camera.

This.

Also: good choice!