Should I get a different camera?

[JR6ooo4]

The XT will certainly help you with shutter lag, but you still have to deal with "camera shake" (especially with your 70-300mm zoom lens, which will practically require a tripod for sharp photos at full zoom).
I thought it was a 75-300mm. the difference is about 400 hundred dollars.
Either you can practice better techniques when taking photos; such as "squeezing" the shutter button with steady pressure, instead of just jabbing it; and bracing yourself against something steady when taking a zoomed-in photo.

with a substantial shutter lag, you have to hold the camera still long after pushing the shutter button.

Or, you could purchase a lens with built-in Image stabilization.

Two nice starter lenses are the Canon 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-18-55mm-3-5-5-6-Lens/dp/B000V5K3FG/
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-55-250mm-4-0-5-6-Telephoto-Digital/dp/B0011NVMO8/

If you can stand the size and weight, and have the time to take the pics, you should not be disappointed with that setup. It will work great in daylight.

every camera struggles with low light. Unless your subject is not moving and you have a tripod, or railing, or the top of a garbage can, or a gorilla pod.

Too much info, heheheheheheh. welcome to the DisPhoto Board.
Mikeeee

 

[DawnM]

I would keep it and learn to use it....I really think you won't be sorry! My friend has that camera and really likes it.

Dawn

Thanks for your help everyone. I'm leaning towards keeping it. I posted a couple of pictures I took with it last night on the "most recent pics" thread on page 10 if you are interested. I'd only been playing with the camera for an hour at most so they could be better, but at least I'm getting a feel for it.

 

[proteus]

Digital SLR's on automatic are as easy as point and shoot and in my opinion easier as they are so responsive. Not sure why cards are a big expense item, they are so cheap these days, I just got a 4gb for $8 on amazon.

 

[tkoran]

The cheapest card I found around here was a 2gb for $34. I'll have to order some off the internet.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I have a Walmart Black Friday special that I've been using, but have been very disappointed in. When I try to zoom in on something the picture turns out blurry. I really want something better for our 1st ever trip to Disney so I've been looking around for something better. Yesterday I found a Canon EOS Rebel XT 8 mp kit on clearance for $350 and a 75-300mm lens on clearance for $60 so I picked them up. I didn't realize until last night that it doesn't accept SD cards so now I have to buy new memory cards for it too, which can be pricey.

Even though I got a great deal on it, I am wondering if it's a bit over my head since I've never had anything other than a point and shoot. I really want something that's going to take great pictures and not have a big lag time between pictures as well. Should I stick with this or keep looking? If I should keep looking, does anyone have suggestions for a camera that's not going to cost me $1,000?

Where did you get the 75mm-300mm for $60.00? Thanks!

 

[tkoran]

Where did you get the 75mm-300mm for $60.00? Thanks!

I got it at Walmart! They'd been only discounting the camera clearance things at about 5% then all of the sudden dropped the prices like a rock. They had a couple of the cameras and lenses when I bought mine and the rest were gone by the next day so if you are interested check ASAP. The CF cards were on clearance too, although the sale price was not marked and still very expensive compared to internet prices, and those are all gone too.