Buying Equipment - advice needed

[geoffhym]

Hi all - right I'm nearly in the position to upgrade my equipment, so some advice please.
Currently I've got a Fujifilm S5500, I want to upgrade to a DSLR in my quest to further my knowledge and take up photography as a serious hobby.

I've got a budget of around £2000 and want the following:

1. A DSLR - capable of performing a multitude of shots including - landscapes, portraits and some macro - in other words a good all rounder. So choices maybe: the Canon EOS 350D or Canon 20D. Others?

2. A beginners collection of assorted digital lenses - what should I go for and how much should I spend? A zoom and wideangle. Any others.

3. A good dedicated photo printer capable of producing up to A4 prints through my PC - how about the Canon ip6000D

4. Probably Photoshop Elements 4 (but wife may pay for that!)

5. A Good bag for all the equipment.

6. Anything else I should be looking at?

7. A good textbook guide to photography.

Thanks,
Geoff.

[Choogster]

canon pixma printers are the business.

lowepro camera bag

cant go wrong with a 20D - grab a selection of sigma lenses. warehouse express are doing an 18-50 and 55-200 for 150 quid together, you'd probably have a bit of cash left for another.

Elements 4 = tacky

photography textbook = The Book of Photography by John Hedgecoe.

[DennisB]

What I think may be missing from your list is a tripod. Absolutely essential for landscape and macro, and probably portrait too. You also may wish to consider a separate flashgun. Those little pop-up ones are rarely the best method of illumination.

I favour Fuji cameras and Epson printers, and would suggest you might consider other cameras such as a Fuji S2 or S3 and the Nikon range, but that is purely my personal preference.

Good luck. I am sure you will get good advice here from the chaps who have used several brands and variants of equipment and can advise you based on solid experience.

[geoffhym]

Thanks for advice - well went out this evening and got all the stuff.
Canon EOS 20D, lenses: Sigma DC 18-125 F3.5-5.6 and Canon EFS60mm f2.8 Macro USM.
Velbon Tripod (yes - I did think of that in the end)
Lowepro rucksack ...
Epson Stylus Photo R1800
and other bits and pieces like filters, lens cloth and air-brush.
So been up till now - but did have a meeting on this evening - playing around with the equipment.

Must say - the Canon 20D is superb!!! a really solid and precise piece of kit.
Thanks all.
Now I'll have to get down to learning and getting some good shots!!!
Geoff.

[Choogster]

Canon EOS 20D, lenses: Sigma DC 18-125 F3.5-5.6 and Canon EFS60mm f2.8

Good choice in the 20D and 60mm.