Canon 400D (Rebel Xti, Kiss X)

[cpbjgc]

I upgraded to an XTI recently to be able to capture a lot of the scenes you describe in your post (kids sports, low light, night pictures). I just picked up my XTI on March 1, and I have the 18-55 kit, the 50mm 1.8 II (otherwise known as the "nifty fifty") and the 75-300mm USM III. I like the kit and the 50mm a lot and have gotten many terrific shots (for my purposes) with them, some of which I have posted here. I am a little ambivalent on the 75-300. I have gotten some good shots with it, even in low light (school play) while using a monopod, but it is definitely on the slower side and when zoomed past 200, a camera support to steady it is a must. If I did it again, I would consider a better long zoom lens. I am also considering whether to trade in the kit lens against a Sigma 17-70mm DC 2.8-4.5 Macro or a Canon 17-85mm 4-5.6 IS, as the 18-55 is my walk around lens and I would like a bit more range, but I'll wait for a year to see how the my current array of lenses works out (and to save up some dough, as I don't think I'll get a big credit for the 18-55 on a trade in). The upgrade on a bigger zoom can wait, as I'm getting better with the monopod, and to date, rarely use the long end of the zoom.

In short, don't give up on the kit just yet, it is a decent lens, and if you get the 50mm 1.8, I think you'll cover many of your walk-about needs. If you are going to spend a little extra, maybe get a decent bigger zoom as Jann and Zeagle mentioned.

 

[Master Mason]

I would suggest the kit, use it for a while, and then evaluate what it won't do for you. Don't just rush into a new lens, as what will happen is you will probably buy 1 or 3 that you will end up replacing because they won't do what you need. But until you know what you need to get the pics you want, your just shooting in the dark in picking out new lenses.

And as for the best lens, it is entirely dependant on your needs and the depth of your wallet.

 

[webshark3]

I second the kit. It's light and flexible. And if you're talking Disney, there isn't another 18mm capable lens (~28mm equivilent) that you can have for $60-$100. If you're worried about low light,then the equally cheap 50mm f1.8 is a great lens. This combo also makes a great "learning" combo if your new to SLRs.

 

[mikamah]

Thank you all so much for your input. I'm going back and forth with the 28/135 lens, and like the sounds of image stabilization, and starting out with the kit lens. I think for the 100$ I should probably get the kit lens, and work with that for a while since this is my first slr, rather than spend 4-500 on a lens that I may not work fo rme. I just went and played with the cameras at circuit city and just loved the feel of the xti, and how fast you can take pics. I miss so many shot of my son with my p+s because he moves so fast and it is so slow. I think I'm going to buy it tomorrow!!! I'm so excited.

 

[webshark3]

I miss so many shot of my son with my p+s because he moves so fast and it is so slow. I think I'm going to buy it tomorrow!!! I'm so excited.

Good luck, and remember: IS doesn't work with motion (Sports or fast kids).

Buy a fast lens over one with IS if you're tracking your kids.

 

[Master Mason]

Not sure where you buying it, but look at B&H, Adormama, Beach and buydig online for pricing before you head to your local Curcuit City or Best Buy. A little extra to have it in your hand right now might be ok, but a couple of hundred, plus sales tax for the privliage gets pretty steep. Just be armed with the knowledge before you go

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Good luck, and remember: IS doesn't work with motion (Sports or fast kids).

Buy a fast lens over one with IS if you're tracking your kids.

You can use drugs to slow the kids down, but in the long run it's cheaper to just buy a faster lens.

 

[mikamah]

Good luck, and remember: IS doesn't work with motion (Sports or fast kids).

Buy a fast lens over one with IS if you're tracking your kids.

That's good to know. I ordered the camera with just the kit lens from Beachcamera last night, and I can't wait til it gets here. I figured I'd start with that and then figure out what kind of pictures I'm not able to get, like master mason suggested. I had asked on another thread about ordering on line, and felt comfortable doing it. The camera was $170 cheaper than at best buy or circuit city. I splurged the 8 bucks for 4-6 day shipping.

You can use drugs to slow the kids down, but in the long run it's cheaper to just buy a faster lens.

 

[AndrewWG]

That's good to know. I ordered the camera with just the kit lens from Beachcamera last night, and I can't wait til it gets here. I figured I'd start with that and then figure out what kind of pictures I'm not able to get, like master mason suggested. I had asked on another thread about ordering on line, and felt comfortable doing it. The camera was $170 cheaper than at best buy or circuit city. I splurged the 8 bucks for 4-6 day shipping.

Not to get your hopes up too much but everything I have ordered from beach camera has gotten to my house in like 2 days without special shipping of any sort. I live near Cape Cod. I hope for you that it gets here quickly!

Andy

 

[webshark3]

If I remember correctly, Beach Camera is the same site owner as Buydig. If it is, good call. Great prices, and I (not to get your hopes up ) bought more than 4 cameras from them, and they always came in 2 days or less.

 

[mikamah]

Thanks guys. I just checked the fed ex website, and my shipment left NJ at 3pm, so it might be here tomorrow!!!!!

 

[photo_chick]

You can use drugs to slow the kids down, but in the long run it's cheaper to just buy a faster lens.

Yes, but they don't like to give those out anymore at the pediatrician.


As the mom of an ADHD kid I can tell you the 50mm f/1.8 can keep up with even the most hyper kid. My problem is not the lens speed, it is the photographer's speed!

 

[AndrewWG]

All,

Ok, so I 'm gonna delay my purchase so long that I will probably not get in on a Canon XT in time and will be forced into the XTi, but what are your thoughts on these 2 cameras? I'll tell you my concern.

In reading this board over the past few months I have come to realize that packing MP's into sensors is not the best idea for manufacturers. Looks good to the unknowing consumer but I am worried about the diminished returns of 10MP in the Canon versus 8MP in the Canon. I once saw a nice diagram ( I think it was Groucho that posted it?) of MP vs Sensor size. Does anyone have this around? I forgot to save it. Is this a problem at all with the XTi? I would think it is somewhat, but I have seen some REALLY great photos from both cameras.

It's funny how the MP thing has gotten out of hand. I do some work with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and they recently started to allow digital pics in their documents but they wanted only 6MP or greater pics. Now they want 8MP or greater pics. I am assuming that they have no idea what the 8MP pic on some P&S cameras will look like and will find the results not that good and will up the limit to 10MP or greater in the near future and will get even worse pics submitted. I'd like to explain it to them someday, but I will have to wait until I see one of their members to have a chat. I must admit though that I (like many) thought that more MP's = better photo.

Andy

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Going from 6mp to 8mp is a 1/3 increase in megapixels and a 1/6 increase in the number of pixels across either dimension. Going from 8mp to 10mp is a 1/4 increase in megapixels and a 1/8 increase the in then number of pixels across either dimension. going from 6mp to 10mp is a 2/3 increase in megapixels and a 1/3 increase in the number of pixels across either dimension.

I say this to show that the increase from 8 to 10 is really pretty small. You won't notice it much at all in terms of extra resolution or noise. It's true that noise levels increase with pixel density if all other things are equal, but all other things rarely are. In the case of the Rebels, the reviews I've read have shown very small benefits and no harm from the extra resolution.

Because the pixel density increases have been happening in small increments, I think people sometimes undervalue them. While there is a trivial difference between 8 and 10, there is a pretty significant increase in resolving power between 6 and 10. I think it's fair to ask whether the typical photo with consumer lenses shooting in real-world conditions will really get any meaningful extra resolving power, but the capability is there for those that work to take advantage of it.

There are other, much more important, XTi benefits. You get the anti-dust system (although that's not particularly well thought of), a much larger shot buffer, a better AF system, an RGB histogram, and a bunch of other small tweaks. What these things are worth varies from person to person. I'd be willing to pay the extra for the larger shot buffer alone (or the better AF or the RGB histogram). I like to shoot RAW and having only a 4 shot buffer (on the XT) would drive me insane.

 

[AndrewWG]

Mark,

Thanks. I didn't think that an 8 to 10MP jump would make that much of a difference, but I do want the best overall image quality if I'm going to spend the money. Have to justify the expense to the DW, you know! I didn't realize those other differences would make that much of an overall difference. I plan on shooting RAW, but until I get the camera in my hands and practice with it, I'm not sure. It would be good to have that extra buffer in case I need it though. Something to think about, thats for sure. Thanks again.

Another question I had was when I was playing around with cameras at Staples the other day, I noticed that the XTi (I imagine the XT will as well)and the Nikon D40 both automatically popped up the flash when the shutter was pressed half way. Does this always happen? Is there a way to lock them down? It annoyed the heck out of me to have that thing come popping up. What if I don't want flash? I am certain there is a way to disable this feature.

Any other thoughts on the XT and XTi?

Andy

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

The flash pop up depends on the shooting mode. Put it in P or program mode and you get full auto without the flash ever popping up.

 

[ukcatfan]

You can use drugs to slow the kids down, but in the long run it's cheaper to just buy a faster lens.

Yes, but they don't like to give those out anymore at the pediatrician.


As the mom of an ADHD kid I can tell you the 50mm f/1.8 can keep up with even the most hyper kid. My problem is not the lens speed, it is the photographer's speed!

I know someone that refers to liquid Benadryl as baby tarnqs.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

Any other thoughts on the XT and XTi?

Andy

I personally cannot stand that they took off the info LCD on the XTi. I use mine all the time b/c the regular LCD has so much more info on it that it makes it confusing to look at when you just want the basic exposure info. Also, the regular LCD uses much more power which takes away from how many shots you can take on that battery.

Also, for the MP issue, the increase is not as big of a deal on a DSLR b/c the sensor is so much bigger. I believe that I read the optimal MPs on the APS-C sensor is in the 8-10MP range where on a p&s it is like 4-6MPs.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Yep, it was me who did the sensor size diagram. Here it is:

The Olympus models use the 4/3rds sensor, Canons have a CMOS sensor that is slightly smaller than the sensors in other DSLRs, and pretty much everyone else uses an APS-C-sized CCD sensor.

I don't think you'll see a big difference in noise levels. Even the jump from 6 to 10mp generally doesn't make too big of a difference in noise levels. By and large, most DSLRs with 6-10 megapixels are all capable of producing similarly fantastic image quality.

As others have said, the big difference of the XT/XTi and most others is the feel. They feel smaller and less substantial than the competition, and this is definitely a love it or hate it thing. I also don't like that they got rid of the top LCD; like Kevin, I use mine all the time. Then again, if you're never had it, you probably won't miss it. You also have no spot metering and cannot use a circular polarizer with the kit lens. If none of those bother you, you'll probably be very happy with the camera.

By the way, if you're still interested, I put three RAW files on my site, I can give you the links in a PM if you'd like.

 

[Groucho]

Last weekend, we spent some time at a cottage in Fair Haven, NY, and my allergies were really bothering me. I had brought along my rarely-used generic Benadryl, and since I was really in bad shape, I popped two pills. The next morning, I had two more. It look me a little while to figure out why I was so tired that I could barely even move. I later tried some generic Claritin. None of them really seemed to make much of a difference.

My sister, who was with us along with her family, mentions that she knows people who give their kids Benadryl before going on a long road trip. I dunno, I just can't see actually sedating my kid for a drive! I'd rather buy one of those little $150 car DVD players with the two LCD screens and let him watch old cartoons or Pixar movies.