Canon 400D (Rebel Xti, Kiss X)

[MarkBarbieri]

Well, I had the pleasure of playing around with a Mark III one day and found that it wieghs about as much as a brick (if not more) and was really turned off by this. The overall size was just too big for me too. The image quality is unsurpassed, but the weight is a bit much for a walk around camera. I need something that is a bit more portable than that.

Andy

One of the things I liked about the Mark III is that it is about a 1/2 pound lighter than my camera.

 

[Anewman]

Does anyone have experience with the 20D? I happened to see them online too. Are they any better than the XT/XTi? I imagine they are not as good as the 30D.

Andy

I shoot the 20D(2 actually), is it better than the Rebel XTI???

Well in my honest opinion... Only if you care about build quality and frames per second. If those areas are not a priority you may as well cross the 20d off your list.

Do not get me wrong 20D is still a great camera but it was released in 2004, so things have progressed, I am not saying the XTI is better but if price and pixel count are your priority the choice is clear.

When it comes to the XT, besides price I cant think of a single area where the XT beats the 20D.


Compared to the 30D, as Mason mentioned in terms of image quality they share the same sensor and pretty much everything else. The 30D does give you a larger LCD and the buffer is also slightly larger. The only thing I myself miss from the 30d is the spot meter, but I try to make due with Partial.

 

[Anewman]

20D -> 30D added spot metering, larger LCD (2.5" vs 1.8"), RGB histogram, faster fps (5 vs 3), Bigger buffer (30/11 vs 23/6), ISO displayed in viewfinder while changing.

Both shoot 5 fps

 

[tomorrowland]

I just received my new camera today. I noticed when looking through viewfinder that I seem to see something that looks like a small fiber of some sort. However, I don't notice any on my pictures.

It's really a small particle, but my first thought is to send the camera back for a replacement. What would you do?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Both shoot 5 fps

You're right. My bad. I think that the difference is that the 30D can do 3 fps OR 5 fps while the 20D's continuous is fixed at 5fps. At least that's what I gather from reading the 30D review at DPReview.

The only thing I myself miss from the 30d is the spot meter, but I try to make due with Partial.

I'll commit the heresy of saying that I don't really think spot metering is all that important anymore. When you shot slides with much limited dynamic range and no histogram, it was very important. With modern DSLRs, if I have time, I shoot, check the histogram, adjust, and shoot again. When I don't have time, I'm usually not able to spot meter anyway. I do spot meter occasionally, but not often anymore.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

It's probably either on your viewfinder, your mirror, or your focus screen. It won't affect your image in any of those places. If you hunt for it, you can probably find it and remove it (carefully). If you don't, there is the chance that it will eventually find it's way to your sensor.

I always seem to have a little speck here or there. I usually just ignore them until I've got some time to do a nice careful cleaning job at home. Viewfinders hate to be clean, though, so they always go out and find some more specs.

 

[photo_chick]

On the build of the Rebel line.....


Having compared my 35mm Rebel G to my Rebel XT the build quality seems really roughly the same. My Rebel G has held up great, through all sorts of abuse a college student would put it through. I have had my XT since 2005 and it is holding up well for me as well, granted I take more care with it than I did with my Rebel G. I understand some people's reservations about it though, some just like the macho feel of the bigger cameras! Then there is me with tiny hands who likes the small light ones. Carrying it with my old 70-300 lens (somewhat heaveir than the newer version with the plastic mount) it gets quite heavy for me.

 

[Master Mason]

Kind of like my glasses, everyone always asks how I see thought them, I have to take them off to see what they are talking about.

 

[photo_chick]

don't go use a 30 d...it might change your mind... even my husband was shocked...so i better never see the mark111 or i'll be selling a kidney to get it

No, I checked out the 30D. It is too big for me. I decided if I am going to go bigger, it will be full frame bigger because if I am going to wrestle it with my little girly hands (seriously, my 7 year old DD's hands are almost as big as mine) then I want all the features, bells, whistles, and a full frame sensor too. But right now I am in no hurry to upgrade. Maybe when I win the lottery.

 

[mikamah]

I got my new camera today, my first slr, and I am so excited. I took about 40 pics, and thought I'd share a few. I think I'm gonna love it!!!

All done on automatic with the kit lens. I've got a bit to learn about iso, aperture, and shutter speed before I attempt manual modes. I have always been a picture fanatic, but never invested in a "real camera" until now. I know there is a wealth of information here, and I appreciate all the advice.

 

[disneycasemgr]

Welcome to the club from someone else who has scads to learn. Had a 35mm SLR for years & years but always used auto (but it sure took some fantastic pics) and have graduated to a digital Rebel. Trying to move to Program mode but it is really tough. I was absolutely rotten at Manual and Groucho recommended sticking to Program so I'm going to try that.

Everyone here is tremendously talented and very helpful.

 

[Master Mason]

Welcome to the club from someone else who has scads to learn. Had a 35mm SLR for years & years but always used auto (but it sure took some fantastic pics) and have graduated to a digital Rebel. Trying to move to Program mode but it is really tough. I was absolutely rotten at Manual and Groucho recommended sticking to Program so I'm going to try that.

Everyone here is tremendously talented and very helpful.

Program is like auto without the flash, and you can chose ISO.

when your comfortable with that, move into AV mode, then you can choose ISO and appeture, and the camera will set the speed so you get a good exposure.

 

[disneycasemgr]

Thanks Master Mason!

 

[photo_chick]

Actually on program yo ucan change any variable... ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure... and at least with the XT you have to be in P, AV, TV, or M to shoot RAW. in full auto you can only do jpeg. Personally I use P all the time.

Also I think that when you use P is does not hold the settings in the camera after that shot, where if you use the others the settings stay in there until you change it. (correct me if I am wrong)

 

[Master Mason]

Actually on program yo ucan change any variable... ISO, shutter speed, aperture, exposure... and at least with the XT you have to be in P, AV, TV, or M to shoot RAW. in full auto you can only do jpeg. Personally I use P all the time.

Also I think that when you use P is does not hold the settings in the camera after that shot, where if you use the others the settings stay in there until you change it. (correct me if I am wrong)

True you can override the settings and change the appeture and shutter, but most will not, if you want to do that why not just shoot in AV or TV

 

[mhm]

If I shot a lot of sports that would be a consideration for me. Maybe when my kids are older.... Right not the XT is fast enough for my needs. Maybe not for someone elses needs, but it works well for me.

I don't know--I'm finding the extra buffer very handy photographing kids. My dd4 is into the cheesy smiles, but if I take a whole bunch in a row, she isn't expecting it and I get a real smile by the end of the burst.

 

[AndrewWG]

So what exactly would be the differences between the XTi and the 30d? As far as I know, the MP is more on the XTi and the sensor is slightly larger on the 30D. Any others?

Andy

 

[boBQuincy]

So what exactly would be the differences between the XTi and the 30d? As far as I know, the MP is more on the XTi and the sensor is slightly larger on the 30D. Any others?

Andy

The sensors are the same size for all practical purposes, very slight difference.
The 30D (to me) handles much better than the Rebel series. It is much easier and faster to adjust exposure, aperture, and shutter speed.

The Rebels have an optional remote, I could never understand why it was not included on the D series. The cable release socket is different on the two lineups, no idea why.

 

[photo_chick]

I don't know--I'm finding the extra buffer very handy photographing kids. My dd4 is into the cheesy smiles, but if I take a whole bunch in a row, she isn't expecting it and I get a real smile by the end of the burst.

I have not had any problems with the buffer on the XT myself. I shoot RAW and I do use the burst mode on occasion. It seems to keep up with me.

 

[photo_chick]

The 30D (to me) handles much better than the Rebel series. It is much easier and faster to adjust exposure, aperture, and shutter speed.
.

I had the opposite response. I found the Rebel to handle better when I went to use it, but I was coming from using a Rebel G and I have small hands, so that may be why. Also at that time I was comparing to the 20D. The only thing I wish my XT had that the 30D has is the 3200 ISO setting. Could really use that on occasion. I am pushing with RAW right now when I need to but that one more ISO would come in handy.