peaoples opinions of these packages please

PeakOutput

my mother and sister will be visiting new york in febuary so can do an in-store pickup to this ebay shop while there

i can get this package

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-Digital-Rebel-XTi-XT-i-SLR-Camera-3Lens-8GB_W0QQitemZ140191759126QQihZ004QQcategoryZ147173QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

for 500euro assuming the exchange rates stay healthy

my friend has an older canon and i am liking his camera and this one has got great reviews also they are going to change the bag in the package to the backpack that comes with this package

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-Digital-REBEL-XTi-400D-3-Pro-Canon-Lens-1GB_W0QQitemZ140191769636QQihZ004QQcategoryZ147173QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

now for pretty much the same price i can get a nikon d-40x with this package

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40x-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-Lens-5GB-20pc-Kit-NEW_W0QQitemZ140191764846QQihZ004QQcategoryZ150130QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

but i know alot less about this camera

my questions are

if we assume the extras are free are these good prices to be paying for the cameras.

knowing the extras are not free are the prices still as good as they sound to me.

most people seem to be using canon but does that mean its the better choice vs the nikon?

i will be mainly taking sports shots(rugby, basketball and also snapping people skydiving from the ground) but also the some arty/abstract shots when the inspiration hits me are the aboves cameras gonna do the trick?

this is pretty much as far as my budget can go at the moment

thanks in advance

Ricky91t

If i were you id go for the second canon kit as it has all canon lense which will mean the af will be quicker than the tamron kit.The nikon d40x is off the list as i remeber reading they dont have an inbuilt focus motor im sure someone will tell you about this im not up to date on my nikon i like canon's more and i use them..
DO NOT FORGET import dutie that you could get charged they could get a good bit of money off you for this kit

PeakOutput

thanks for reply,

cant stretch to the 2nd kit unfortunately but if the general consensus is that one canon lens is better then the 2 in the first kit ill have another look around for packages with just one canon lens in them.

ye im prepared to take the risk with the import duty. they are going over specifically for a shopping holiday so if they get stopped its not just me that will be getting stung for alot of tax but it should be ok if its all out of the packaging and stored in that sexy backpack

Stokolan

I cant speak for the spec on the lenses but cheaking the prices of them on adorama they seem to be cheapish now in saying that in New York just because its cheap dont mean its not good.

the adds are a little missleading too with the fact that you get the cd, usb cable, video cable and strap with the camera also the lenses would come with covers. or well they should do

It might be worth looking at adorama.com and bhphotovideo.com and seeing what you can there.

Now dont take my word on it im only new at all this myself I just look at price tags when working stuff out rather then the specs

Ricky91t

Well ill put it to you this way.Im big into sports i mainly photograph rallies and g.a.a i would photograph rugby but there isnt any good pitch near me.Back in january i got my first dslr(canon eos 300D) and bought a cheap kodak lense from the uk which was an 80-200.A bit to short for sports.From there i bought a 90-300 canon lense from argos and every match i go to i take this.If you are just going to be doing sports a 75-300 would be perfect for you.They are'nt to expensize and cover a good focal range.The image quaility is good and it will be perfect for you.For your arty shots a 28-135 would be good(i got it for £60 off ebay)and i take plenty of photos with it and it's my kind of walk about lense.You say that you'll only take them when you get inspired so save money on the kit and just get a body and a 75-300.You could buy a kit lense off adverts.ie if you really need one.Then if you feel the need to buy another lense you can post on here and get help with that..I just noticed you said your sister can pick it up in which case customs wont check it(i dont think so anyway)

PeakOutput

cheers again

so you reckon body and lens's seperately is the way to go?

also another option i have is buying all/part second hand and having them delivered to my uncles in new york ready for collection by my sis when she gets there(i keep using american examples as the exchange rate seems too good an opportunity to miss at the moment if you think i can do it cheaper a different way im open to other ideas)