I've been trying to figure out a good way to create an "updates" page for the monster article that is the DSLR Guide, so what I'm going to start doing is including updates here with the tag "dslrupdate" -- then anyone can check this archive page for a list of notable updates (the most recent updates will be on top). I won't be posting every minor change but anytime I add something new or change a piece of advice significantly, I'll post an update here on the homepage. Short of doing a bunch of PHP coding (which I don't do), this seems like the best solution.
The first update (to be tagged this way) has to do with renting instead of buying lenses: if you don't have the budget to spend $1,500 a pop for ultrafast glass like the Canon 50mm f1.2 lens, you can always fill your kit with cheaper glass and rent top-quality lenses for important shoots:
There's no better way to try different lenses than by... trying different lenses. If there's a local camera shop that has a well-stocked lens rental program, great. But if not, BorrowLenses.com has a very wide selection of lenses (and some other equipment, like audio accessories, memory cards, and underwater housings) available for rent by mail (you can rent for a period of 3 days all the way up to a month). Their prices are great -- Canon's gorgeous 50mm f/1.2 prime goes for $1,500 new, but at BorrowLenses you can rent it for a week for $65 (plus shipping, which means it makes sense to rent several items at once). Another stunning lens, the Zeiss ZE 50mm f/2 Makro retails for $1,300 but rents for a week for $54. At these rates it doesn't make sense to not have the best glass available for an important shoot -- even if you have a kit of lesser lenses for everyday shooting.
