Pardon me for posting a slightly off topic question here.

I'd like to be reassured that I am making a proper, if not perfect, decision for my very first DSLR.

Of course it's not for airshow shootings. Not yet, at least.
I am just fed up with the limitations of compact digital cameras and would like to learn more about the art of digital photography. Immediate practical use will be both indoor and outdoor snap shots of my family (my son's school events, family trip, etc.)

After some long hours of web browsing, I have finally made a decision for following rigging. I'd very much appreciate if any of you better hands could give some advice/alternative suggestions or whatever input on my decision before I scratch my credit card.

• Canon 500D + Bundle (18-55mm IS)
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
• Kenko UV Master filters (52mm + 58mm)
• Transcend 16GB SD card
• Ansamann LP-E5 battery (extra)

have you been & handled the Canon 500D yet?
If you have & are happy, great but if not it's something that you should do before spending the cash.
there isn't a bad current production DSLR but they do vary quite alot in terms of ergonomics & user interface. Some will feel quite natural to 1 person but totally at odds for another so it's important to try before you buy.

Thnaks Buff.
Have tried my clumsy hands on my friend's 450D for a day some months ago.
Obviously, I didn't like the results of my shots very much but I am sure the camera have been faithful in doing its job of producing what I have ordered it to capture.

What I am not so sure is whether it would be really worth it or not to go for not so cheap Sigma 30mm f/1.4 apart from the EF-S 18~55 IS which is included in the package deal....

Unless you are getting some kind of package deal by getting the 30mm now, you may want to wait to get another lens. The kit lenses aren't so bad, at least when getting started. Heck, I am still using my 18-70mm kit lens and you can see in a thread somewhere around here what I have been able to squeeze out of it. Once you start using the camera and figuring out what you like to photograph, you start to understand your needs a little bit better and can make a better-informed purchase.

You may, for instance, find that you shoot a lot at the lower focal lengths and that you really are starved for sharpness and low-light performance, in which case the 30mm might be a good idea. Or you might find that you want more reach for outdoor events and travel, in which case a super-zoom like the 70-300 in my sig might be useful.

Thanks for your input fatty.
I think I'll take your advice and forget about 30mm for the time being.

I simply wanted to get the most out of this hard to get green light from her ladyship..

Well be positive, once you get it and she sees what a cool gadget it is she may be inclined to green light future lens purchases, particularly for HD video of the family

I would say if you were going to get a lens on top the kit lens, definitely consider the nifty fifty, Canon 50MM f1.8. It's a great all purpose lens and goes for only around 100bucks. You'll find a lot of photographers use it a ton, I'm trying to get one myself for my T1i (500D). If you are looking for a decent zoom lens, the canon 55-250 has IS and is really not a bad deal for $250. I've had pretty good success with mine.

It's a great camera, I would recommend Canon's to anyone. I hope this helped, if you have any other questions let us know

Thanks for the tip, BD.