Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Good deal, good case, good battery, so-so filter. July 26, 2008
B. Rodgers (St. Louis, MO)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
This kit is a good deal simply because the battery on its own is priced so outrageously. You can get the battery for $50-60, or you can get this kit for $80-100 (price fluctuates). Given that 3rd party battery options are limited (as of this writing...I'm sure it will change), you're getting a good deal here.
The case is solid. Build quality is great, and it's got plenty of room for the camera, at least 4 extra lenses (or 3 + a flash), accessories, and even a P&S in the side pocket if you want. The tripod straps along the front are very useful too. I actually like this case better than the very similar one I saw from Canon at Best Buy separately (Canon 200DG Digital Camera Gadget Bag (Black)). That one didn't have a zipper around the top -- just velcro to keep the flaps tight against the bag. This one doesn't have velcro, so it's quieter opening it, and it has a zipper for better rain protection. When it's not raining, you can just use the clip if you find that easier. I have 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.
 Another + for Canon XSI Owners Great Bag July 15, 2008
Leonard Eng
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
So I have the XSI and now the next step to protect the baby is to get a good bag. Requirements
1) That it is Tough (able to take the weather, bumps and scratches)
2) Big (but the right size to hold some extra gear and not overwhelm the bag)
3) OEM is always nice
4) Affordable
5) Comparable to other top notch bags in terms of design and function.
The bag is just darn nice. XSI sits in the middle protected with lens on, extra lens and battery are there, even got the wife's point and shoot Canon along for the ride. There is room for the flash later and bonus tripod straps for serious work. Heck for this price and a free battery! One word... DEAL! Thanks
3 must buys for the Rebel November 13, 2008
S. Shor (Raleigh, North Carolina)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Well made case with the protective UV Filter and extra battery that
always comes in handy. Room for all your camera gear and full protection.
Good buy.
Good Deal September 5, 2008
P. Fox (West Hollywood, CA United States)
The camera bag (gig bag) is roomy and has velcro partitions to help you organize your gear. Lots of pockets and slots for lenses, caps, manuals, batteries, and more. It's a very handy bag. The extra battery is good for those long nights when you're having to use the flash all night and/or a long weekend without a place to charge your batteries.
The lens protector, though not bad, isn't great either. Mine was dirty when I first opened it and, at first, I thought it was scratched but when I cleaned it I was happy to find it was only dirty.
A starter kit like this should include a few other things with it. Namely a lens cleaner solution and some lens cloths. This oversight is why I didn't give it five stars. As a starter kit it would have been nice to have also found a photography guide or a magazine subscription gift as well. And, the final, and most onerous omission is the lack of a memory card. Even a simple and very cheap 2GB card would have made this starter kit perfect and I probably wouldn't have noticed the other deficiencies.
As a whole I'm delighted with my bag and couldn't imagine having purchased the camera without one. I do recommend this bag to others.
nice September 15, 2008
Chris Bellucci
filter seems decent, always nice to have a spare Canon Battery, and the bag has been nice so far.
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