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Canon Rebel XSi/XS Starter Kit

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Canon Rebel XSi/XS Starter Kit

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not seen this exact bag sold separately -- the 200DG I linked to above is close, but as I described, a little different.

The battery is what it is -- a genuine Canon battery. I don't have a problem with 3rd party batteries -- I've used ones from Lenmar on other cameras with no problem, but they don't have one for this camera yet. Power 2000 has one, but it's not all that much cheaper and I don't know if their quality is as good from reviews on their other batteries. So, for now, I wanted the genuine Canon battery.

The filter is so-so. I thought at first that people were being filter snobs when they said you should spend a lot on a filter, but I did my own tests. The issue is that cheaper filters without good multi-layer coatings (like this one) will increase flare when there's a light source pointing in or near the lens (like a picture taken towards the sun, either in frame or out of frame). I used a flashlight to simulate this (both in frame and out of frame), and felt that indeed, the filter added unpleasant flare to the picture. I haven't picked one up yet, but apparently the Hoya HMC or (better yet) SMC filters are much better. They can be found for around $20 for the HMC or $32 for the SMC. If you want to protect your lens with a filter, I'd probably go that route.

But, even throwing out the filter, you're getting a battery that currently goes for $50-65 and a case that stacks up well against bags from Lowepro with similar capacities for $65 (such as Lowepro Rezo 190 AW Camera Bag). If good 3rd party batteries come around at attractive prices, the equation may change. But for now, this is a good deal.

+ 0 likes

Canon Rebel XSi/XS Starter Kit

...

not seen this exact bag sold separately -- the 200DG I linked to above is close, but as I described, a little different.



The battery is what it is -- a genuine Canon battery. I don't have a problem with 3rd party batteries -- I've used ones from Lenmar on other cameras with no problem, but they don't have one for this camera yet. Power 2000 has one, but it's not all that much cheaper and I don't know if their quality is as good from reviews on their other batteries. So, for now, I wanted the genuine Canon battery.



The filter is so-so. I thought at first that people were being filter snobs when they said you should spend a lot on a filter, but I did my own tests. The issue is that cheaper filters without good multi-layer coatings (like this one) will increase flare when there's a light source pointing in or near the lens (like a picture taken towards the sun, either in frame or out of frame). I used a flashlight to simulate this (both in frame and out of frame), and felt that indeed, the filter added unpleasant flare to the picture. I haven't picked one up yet, but apparently the Hoya HMC or (better yet) SMC filters are much better. They can be found for around $20 for the HMC or $32 for the SMC. If you want to protect your lens with a filter, I'd probably go that route.



But, even throwing out the filter, you're getting a battery that currently goes for $50-65 and a case that stacks up well against bags from Lowepro with similar capacities for $65 (such as Lowepro Rezo 190 AW Camera Bag). If good 3rd party batteries come around at attractive prices, the equation may change. But for now, this is a good deal.