Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT

[Therapeutic Smile]

Does anyone own this camera?

I'm looking around at digital cameras with interchangeable lenses and MP of 6-7+ (the XT is 8MP, I believe) to start taking some really good photos. I like my Canon PowerShot S410, it's a great pocket camera, but I'm definately looking for more.

Does anyone own a Digital Rebel XT? Any comments? I'd call myself a photography hobbyist with beginning-to-intermediate knowledge. Is this a good camera for someone like that?

I want to get as many opinions as possible, because getting this with a couple Canon EF lenses (75-300mm telefoto, 28mm wide angle) will run me about $1,300-$1,500. Thanks in advance!

 

[Pam]

We do! Love it! We bought it back in October. It takes fantastic photos. We also bought the zoom and wide angle lens. We purchased a more powerful flash for $400.00 - they also had some that were selling for over $500.00.

It is a good camera for the purposes that you stated, and the good thing it that you can also use it professionally.

The batteries last a long time before you have to re-charge them. It's very easy to use and understand. We get the 512 MB memory cards.

I think you will really like this camera.

 

[Therapeutic Smile]

What kind of a flash does it come with? A standard built-in one? I haven't seen it in any of the pictures I've seen, and I've yet to see the camera in person (going to do that this weekend I think)... I look at some very nice Canon EOS flashes, the one I liked, of course, was $550... hoo boy what an expensive hobby!

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

Does anyone own a Digital Rebel XT? Any comments? I'd call myself a photography hobbyist with beginning-to-intermediate knowledge. Is this a good camera for someone like that?

I have both its predecessor (the 300D) and it's "big brother" (the 20D). I love them both! I believe the XT is more like the 20D than the 300D.

I want to get as many opinions as possible, because getting this with a couple Canon EF lenses (75-300mm telefoto, 28mm wide angle) will run me about $1,300-$1,500. Thanks in advance!

You can read what other people have to say about the XT on www.dpreview.com.

By the way, you do know that this is an addictive hobby, don't you? Your initial investment of $1,300-1,500 will steadily increase as you need more/better lenses, filters, different size camera bags for different occasions, batteries, compact flash cards, etc. etc. etc.

If you're willing to spend the time learning how to best use the camera, I think you can't go wrong with this one. Did I already mention I love my Canon cameras?

 

[Rajah]

I've got the Rebel Classic (300D) and absolutely LOVE it as well!

 

[Pam]

What kind of a flash does it come with? A standard built-in one? I haven't seen it in any of the pictures I've seen, and I've yet to see the camera in person (going to do that this weekend I think)... I look at some very nice Canon EOS flashes, the one I liked, of course, was $550... hoo boy what an expensive hobby!

It does have a built-in flash.

Yes-my hubby suffers from slash envy.... he wanted the $550.00 flash - I made him buy the cheaper one. He's still pouting.

I just bought a Sony Cybershot a couple of weeks ago. It fits in your pocket or purse. I just used it for the first time a couple of nights ago. It takes pretty good pics, too.

 

[Magix]

If you're just starting out, the Rebel would be a terrific camera for you. I started with an old 35mm Canon Rebel G and it was a great camera to learn on. I gave my Rebel G to a friend for Christmas, so he could get started with the hobby.

I now have both a 7E 35mm and a 10D digital. Once you go Canon, you'll never buy any other brand. They're terrific, easy to use and take spectacular pictures. Your lens choices are great, too. I have a 75-300mm and it's my primary lens. Granted, I take very close shots of racecar drivers and I need that kind of zoom to get close enough to them to get the kind of shot I want without being right in their faces. I also have a short zoom in the range of the 28mm you're looking at. A nice choice. I have the cheapest of the Canon flashes and it works just great. You don't need the super-duper one, really. Do consider a softbox for your flash, though, it really helps to prevent harsh flash shadows. You can get inexpensive ones that fit right over the end of the flash.

TwoOldPoohs is correct - this hobby will continuously cost you money. I, too, have a collection of bags for every occasion. I find a membership at Sams Club helps tremendously with the cost of batteries for the flash (I use Energizer E2 and can go through quite a few in a race weekend). Compact Flash cards can be pricey if you get big ones (I use 1G Microdrives - 4 of them that cost about $220 a pop when I bought them) and heaven forbid you should drop one. There's always some new toy you want and it's always very expensive (Oh, how I wish I could get that Canon 35-350mm lens).

But... you'll have great photos to show for all that money. In the end, it's totally worth it.

 

[chrisney]

The Rebel is a good entry level DSLR. You will be pleased with it. I currently have the 20D and kept my 10D as a backup body. At this point, I guess I am approaching pro status...just one of those things that happens along the way. I take pictures for my synagogue, and people are now asking me to shoot events (the big ones...weddings and b'nai mitzvot) for them. Amazing...I get to have fun, and they pay me for it!

If I could give you any advise, it would be to realize that the camera body is far more temporary than your lenses. If you "get into" photography, you're probably looking at 2-3 years before the next "gotta have it" camera comes out. It only took me a year and a half to REALLY NEED to upgrade to the 20D (yeah, my husband thought the same thing). When I first started, I bought the 28-135 USM lens. I still use it as my everyday lens. Good purchase. Then I got the "long lens" bug. I bought the 75-300, which is, I think, the lens you mentioned. The best I can say about it was that I could afford it. I was never happy with the pictures. I just got the 100-400mm and the difference is amazing. It takes some major saving to get to this one, but if your picture quality is important, and if you have hopes of becoming a truly serious photographer, it's almost a must. Also picked up the 70-200 f/2.8 which is probably the best lens Canon makes for less than a king's ransom, and am blown away by what it allows me to do. You will also want to purchase a flash unit, though the 580EX might be more than you need at this time. I kept the 550, and have a 420 for use as a slave.

So, to summarize a long explanation....buy the best lens you can afford, or save till you can get a lens that will allow you to take the photos you see in your head.

One other "heads up"...all Canon (and other manufacturers as well) DSLR's apply minimal in camera sharpening, so much of your output appears soft. You will quickly become adept at Photoshop (or Paint Shop Pro for a less expensive option). Don't assume that it's your lack of skill causing the photos to be soft. I use 5 or 6 different photo editing programs because each has it's own strengths.

Chris Ney

 

[Therapeutic Smile]

You've all been very helpful. I did take a good look at a floor model at my local Best Buy on Saturday... I really liked the feel of the camera in my hands, and the ease of switching settings and the like. The "instant-on" factor was one I hadn't considered as being so important, but since it takes a good 1-1.5 seconds to get my PowerShot S410 on and ready to snap, the fact that the XT is on almost immediately after flipping the switch is sweet.

I'm changing jobs next week... closer to home, better bene's, pay raise... and once I get some money stashed away for a planned xmastime WDW trip... this camera will be my first gift to myself.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and advice, and if anyone has anything to add, please do! I feel very confident that this is the right camera for me!

 

[vettechick99]

T-Smile, did you ever buy the XT?

 

[llij]

My husband bought me that camera for my birthday in April! I've really enjoyed using it thus far. I also have the 70-300mm lens which I love. On another note, when I went to Disney in April I got some beautiful shots of WISHES with my new camera.

Enjoy!

 

[vettechick99]

llilj, would you care to post some? I'd love to see!

 

[llij]

llilj, would you care to post some? I'd love to see!

Hi vettechick,

I would love too, but sadly my laptop which has all of these wonderful pictures is broken. I dropped the laptop and cracked the motherboard. Can we say "Jill needs to remember to back up her files?" Argghhh! Thankfully, I still have my pictures on my card, but I am waiting for a new laptop to download them. The computer that I am using now is way to ancient to handle my pics. I'm hoping to get my new computer soon and I would love to show some pictures then. Sorry that I can't share at the moment!

 

[vettechick99]

Hi vettechick,

I would love too, but sadly my laptop which has all of these wonderful pictures is broken. I dropped the laptop and cracked the motherboard. Can we say "Jill needs to remember to back up her files?" Argghhh! Thankfully, I still have my pictures on my card, but I am waiting for a new laptop to download them. The computer that I am using now is way to ancient to handle my pics. I'm hoping to get my new computer soon and I would love to show some pictures then. Sorry that I can't share at the moment!

Oh no! Thanks for reminding me to back-up today. I would be SOL if that happened to me!

Oh it just came to me that your screen name is your real name backwards. Everytime I've see your name, I say to myself "Lil' J". I guess that works too though, right?

Well whenever you get a chance I'd love to see them. I'm still trying to decide if I should spring for the 20D or get the XT and an extra lens. I've got plenty of time to get it though...our Disney trip is still 108 days away!

 

[MICKEY88]

I have the cheapest of the Canon flashes and it works just great. You don't need the super-duper one, really. Do consider a softbox for your flash, though, it really helps to prevent harsh flash shadows. You can get inexpensive ones that fit right over the end of the flash.

Compact Flash cards can be pricey if you get big ones (I use 1G Microdrives - 4 of them that cost about $220 a pop when I bought them) and heaven forbid you should drop one. There's always some new toy you want and it's always very expensive (Oh, how I wish I could get that Canon 35-350mm lens).

But... you'll have great photos to show for all that money. In the end, it's totally worth it.

the advantage of buying the top of the line flash is that it is most likely to work on their newer model cameras..., so if you upgrade cameras you are less likely to have to upgrade flashes as well....


as for memory cards... you might want to check out..www.adorama.com...you can get a lexar 1gig card..80x write speed for under 110 bucks.... or a lexar 2 gig card for 210 way faster than microdrives...and less fragile.....

 

[ohiominnie]

I can't give you specifics about this camera, but I can tell you that we've had it for a few months now and I LOVE the pictures it takes!!! Just love it. My dd has been scrapbooking for several months, and I just started last week (!) and the photos need very little, if any, editing. Hardly ever red eye. I love the rapid fire picture taking---it allowed me to take sequential pictures of my daughter diving at the pool.

I will say it's a bit bulky to carry around. The fanny pack we have for it is quite large. But for the quality of photos, we have to make compromises.

Before this we had a Canon Powershot (don't know which one) which was good, but this is much better!

 

[Goofyish]

A colleague at work has one of these (called a EOS 350D in the UK), I had a quick play and found the hand grip very small. Perhaps I've got bit hands (no it's not true what they say about men with big hands ), but I had to hold it with my finger tips. After a while it got quite painful to hold!

Being used to a compact type digital camera (I've got a Canon G1 and Olympus C-765) I found the fact that you can't compose a picture using the LCD screen on the back of the camera. The picture only appears on the screen after you have taken the photo.

 

[MICKEY88]

I recomend checking out this site....http://www.steves-digicams.com



after narrowing your choices, go to a camera store to play with a camera before buying, some cameras will feel ackward in your hands, others will feel like a perfect fit, due to size, layout etc....

 

[Geoff_M]

As a somewhat of a descenting voice, while I don't think the D-Rebel is a bad camera, I'd recommend you also look at the the Nikon D70/D70s. If you're only going to use the camera on "auto" mode it's not that big of a deal, but if you want to learn more about photography you'll find that the D70 contains a lot of features that Canon has left off the D-Rebel. You'll also immediately notice that the D70 is a 6mp camera vs. the D-Rebel's 8mp. Don't fall into the "pixel" trap. The difference between the two isn't practically different. The kit lens that comes with the D70 is also a LOT better then the kit lens that comes with the Canon.

You won't kick yourself if you go with the Canon, but give them both a look and try them both out in the store and see which you like better. The web sites listed above have info about both cameras.

 

[Charade]

To follow up with Geoff says, right now you can get the D70 (not the "S") for about $750 (ritz camera). But you need to get a lens as this price is the body only. There is not enough difference IMO to warrant spending the extra $$ on the "S" model.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wc...&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=13129502

Here is the D70 in a 2 lens kit for $979 (Sigma 28-80 and 70-300)

http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wc...10001&langId=-1&popup=true&productId=13132052

In addtion to that, you can get the Epson R200 photo printer for free (after rebate with camera purchase).