Canon 400D (Rebel Xti, Kiss X)

[DueyDooDah]

You will need to talk with someone that knows both (try a local Canon dealer) but two things stick out beyond all others: speed and quality. The shutter and recovery is faster on the 30D, providing more flexibility.

The 30D also feels different. It is bigger, heavier and feels better in the hands (for most). This may be a disadvantage to some, as added weight means it's more tiring to carry around for extended time periods.

I would suggest going into a shop and handling them both. See which you prefer. It may be that you don't need the added capability and if not, save some bucks on the body and pick up a better lens. After all, the lens will last you much longer than the camera so spend your money where the greatest impact is.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

If you do visit a camera store, DO NOT handle a 1 series camera. Trust me on this one.

 

[boBQuincy]

If you do visit a camera store, DO NOT handle a 1 series camera. Trust me on this one.

Mark is right, do NOT pick up a 1 series, or even a 5D, it will cost you!

We have a 30D and a Xt in our household so I can compare those two. I occasionally use the Xt but the control button layout drives me nuts. I change settings often and really like the wheel on the back of the 30D. I would really miss the LCD on top too. DW doesn't seem to mind those things and she really likes the light weight and smaller size.

The D series has cleaner high ISO from what I read, and from what I see out of our cameras. Not a lot, but noticeable and it may be an issue if you will do a lot of high ISO work.

The difference between 8 and 10 MP, negligible. The difference in weight and price, considerable. If you are ok with the Rebel I would say go for it and get some lenses with the $$$ you saved.

 

[Lizziejane]

Both my DH and myself really wanted to get into photography so we bit the bullet tonight. It may be a little more camera than needed for two novices, but we live by the expression "go big or go home"! When I say novice, I mean COMPLETE novice!

I know I need to spend time everyday playing with it, getting comfortable with it and reading everything in sight. However, we leave for WDW in 3 weeks so I have a question for you all. Considering my limited time and experience, considering I have only the lense out of the box (18mm-55mm), what should I concentrate on now in order to take some "reasonable" shots while on our trip? For example, should I even bother trying to take fireworks shots, or is that a waste of time/too complicated at this point? (my feeling is forget about them at this point). I guess what I'm trying to avoid is setting myself up with unrealistic expectations, but at the same time, if any of you can give me some pointers before I head out, I'd sure appreciate it!

I have plans to hit our local park tomorrow and just start "snapping"!!

Jane

 

[Charade]

Good for you! Have fun!

 

[DueyDooDah]

Start with the P mode. This is automatic with no flash. Then try some AV mode shots. This will allow you to see how depth of field works. Then try the TV mode on fast moving objects, like a ball tossed in the air. Play with it and see how shutter speed affects the stop-action. For fireworks, see if you can find other pictures on this site and see if you can find out what settings they were shot at. This will help alot.

Make sure you get some night shots in before you go. Try throwing glowsticks in the air and seeing what you can do with them. It may give you what you need. I didn't have a chance before my last visit to DL and my fireworks shots were hit and miss.

Good luck.

 

[DVC Jen]

I am a complete novice with a 3 week old Canon XTi.

I wouldn't give up on anything when you go to Disney. Just have realistic expectations. Go with the attitude - I am going to try it. They may not turn out - and that is OK. I am not losing anything - not wasting film - I can just delete them.

I am reading everything in site as well. I found a great book on Amazon called Digital Photography it is by Bryan Peterson and it has been very helpful. I read a section at a time with my camera right there beside me so I can play with it as I am reading.

Have fun - don't be scared of it. What is the worst thing that can happen? Your pictures don't turn out great - you delete them - but if that happens it is a learning experience and you know what NOT to do next time. So it isn't a total loss.

 

[ndelaware]

Congratulations Lizzyjane. Good luck with your new camera.

If you want good fireworks pics you will need get a tripod. And even with that most shots will be throw aways. But there is no harm in trying, here is good article on fireworks: http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/994267307.html

One of the biggest problems with shooting in "Auto" is that the camera decides what to focus on for you. It will not always focus on what you want to be the subject of your shot. If you use the "P" mode you can set the focus point on the camera. Most people like to use the center focus point for the majority of their pics.

Here is a great web site designed for people who have bought their first DSLR: http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/

 

[Boss Hogg]

Key thing I think is to take a lot of pics, and then afterwards look at the info on each one to understand what settings have what effect.

The good thing with digital, is that you can literally take 1000's of pics if you want to, and just dump the ones you don't like.

We've also recently got an XTi, and it takes very good pics so I am sure you'll get some good ones. Like someone said, don't give up on firework pics too soon. As long as you set the camera up before hand and take plent of shots you'll get some good ones. Try having a look around here - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

 

[wdwpluto]

The good thing with digital, is that you can literally take 1000's of pics if you want to, and just dump the ones you don't like.[/URL]

But don't delete them after juding them on the camera's LCD screen. Waiting to review them on a computer because you can't always get an accurate feel for an image viewed on the LCD.

Make sure you have plenty of memory cards with you on your trip!

 

[Groucho]

I agree with DVC Jen. Try to take any photo as if you have full confidence that every shot was going to turn out perfect. In a few months, when you understand the camera more, you'll have some reference material to look back on and say "hmm, that picture was a little soft, maybe I should make sure that I don't shoot full open when I want maximum sharpness" or "that picture is blurry, next time I'll go into shutter priority mode and bump up the ISO", or "I want more depth of field, next time I'll use aperture priority", etc.

If you have enough memory card storage, you may want to shoot in RAW mode, too, that way you can correct any white balance issues later (plus have a slightly higher-quality image to work from.)

 

[Master Mason]

Learn very quickly what iso and wb will do for your pictures. Good luck and have fun.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Here is a great web site designed for people who have bought their first DSLR: http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/

Love that web-site!!! Thank you for posting it!

 

[handicap18]

The book someone posted by Bryan Peterson is very good. He does a great job with explaining photography stuff. Another one of his books that I love and use as a reference often is "Understanding Exposure". He tells you what different setting can do and has examples to go along with it.

Other things to do. Ask questions. It wont take long to figure out you need to know shutter speeds, aperture (f/stops), and ISO. Soon enough you'll know how they effect your pictures.

I also agree that you should use "P" and not AUTO. With "P" (aka program) you have a bit more control of things like ISO (aka film speed) and when to use the flash (in auto it will automatically pop up, even when you might not want it, based on the settings)

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Lizziejane]

Thank you all for your encouragement. I've enjoyed the links, and tomorrow I'm heading out to buy a book or two!

What I can't understand is how anyone learned all this on film!! I can't imagine the frustration of waiting until the film was developed to discover if anything turned out as you hoped. Not to mention the cost of developing!

 

[DizneyNutz]

You have an awesome piece of equipment at your disposal now. I just acquired mine also and like you am learning to use it it to it's capabilities. There have already been enough suggestions on here about some links to help you use it to your advantage and I will post another http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/#more-94 but whatever you do be sure to try and fail rather than not try at at all. I received my camera AFTER our last trip and look forward to our next. It is truly a great camera and I have had mine for a week and enjoyed it tremendously.

 

[DVC Jen]

I took this last week and it has become one of my favorites. I wish I could have gotten the horizon in the shot - but I was in my fenced in backyard and was barely able to keep the fence out of the shot (the fence is a good foot over my head).

 

[PhotobearSam]

I am looking at both for a trip to France and I can't seems to make up my mind. I am leaning towards the Rebel as it is lighter and having it around my neck for 4 weeks is important.

Cna anyone here compare the 2? I wanted quality. I really love my Canon SLR's but digital is here to stay. I have to convert but I can make up my mind.

What I really want to know is "If the 30D is really worth the extra expense and weight, can you really see the difference?"

 

[Master Mason]

here are a couple of obvious ones

Price 30D is about 400-500 more expensive
30D has spot metering
30D is larger, for some that is a plus
30D has better controls IMHO
30D is constructed better, it is more solid

That said, they built some of the 30D's adavatages over the XT into the XTi so the difference isn't as great between the XTi and the XT.

 

[Anewman]

For me the biggest difference is speed, the 30D is the cheapest camera(current) that shoots 5fps. Also the plastic shutter on the XT series is not rated for as many shots as the XXD series. There are many other subtle things.

For the NON-PRO they will never "See the difference", they are more in the area of "feel the difference".

Unless you really need the extra speed(like for sports), I would get the XTi and spend the left over cash on a lens.


EDIT=

I also forgot to mention that the 30D is pretty much at the end of its life cycle, I am sure you dont want to buy a camera only to have it be replaced a few months later with a much improved camera @ the same or lower price point. If Canon sticks to its recent 18 month camera life cycles the 30D should be replaced by Aug 2007(at the latest), while some expect Canon to break the cycle and introduce the replacement in FEB. While the XT was just Released in AUG 2006 so the replacement is expected in FEB 2008.