Canon xti

[ser1992]

i am thinking about buying myself a camera this christmas and do not want something that is so complicated to use that i hate to even be in the same room with it, but i also dont want something so point and shoot that i have no creative freedom, my question is... i have been looking around for cameras for $1000 and under and want something that takes great photos, i saw the canon xti (i think it replaced the 400d?) and was wondering if people have used this before and what they thought of it... im not set on canon either... would a nikon be better? im just looking for a nice slr and would like to know what to get because im a rookie :(

[Satchel]

I dont have the XTi but I do have the XT - I love it... I went for the canon because it's what I have at work so I was already familiar with it, but from what I hear you cant really go wrong with canon or nikon.

I wish I would have waited a few months because the XTi wasn't out when I was looking. I heard about it, but there was speculation on pricing and I just said screw it and went for the XT.

I'd say it's well worth it... since I got my camera I have been addicted! Planning trips just to take pictures, instead of planning trips and maybe getting a few shots here and there along the way. Sorry if this wasn't much help but it's all I got!

Edit: Welcome to the forum!

[mac.FINN]

Ditto.

I have the XT rebel (350d) also and I love it. If you know anything about photography it's easy to pick up.
The only thing I'd suggest is trying it out before you buy it. Go to the store and hold it a lot of people find the XT too small or uncomfortable.

[Satchel]

Go to the store and hold it a lot of people find the XT too small or uncomfortable.

That's a good point... when I ordered mine (over the interenet) I hadn't held one except for my work model which is a couple years old. I did find it to be a little too small for my pretty large hands, but I got the vertical grip and that solved all my problems!

[Steve Buchanan]

I think all of the dSLRs out there will offer you manual control of exposure via aperture and shutterspeed, those alone will give you the opportunity for different looks if you're technically inclined. I know the Canon series also have pre-programmed modes for shooting sports, portraits, nighttime, etc. I don't know if the Nikons do or not (I'm a Canon guy)
I would second the notion of physically handling the camera before making a decision. The Rebel series are smaller and lighter duty than their 30d or 20d cousins but also cheaper. Also, play around with the menues and see if the layout makes sense to you.
Finally, look for the automatic sensor cleaning option available on some models. Cleaning the image sensor on these is a royal pain so the less you have to swab the chip the better.

Good luck

Steve

[peder]

I'm selling my 350d and buying a 30d (Wohoo!).

If you're a guy with average/big hands, I'd recommend Nikon d50 or d70s. If you're not a guy with big hands, I'd still recommend d50 or d70s. They're almost just the same to use as Canon's amateur dSLR-cameras, and have pretty much the same features. Big upside with Nikon's lower ranged dSLRs is that they have bigger viewfinders than Canon's, and personally, I like the Nikon colours a whole lot better.

If you're getting a Canon dSLR, 350d (XT) or 400d (XTi) would be your natural choice. The only practical differences I could find between those were a bigger LCD (1.5" vs 2.5" ?), more focus points (better arranged aswell) and 2 more mpx on the 400d/XTi.

One thing to remember: the ~4mpx difference between Nikon d50/d70s and Canon 400d/XTi will not make a difference unless you're going to make large prints out of your photos (A4 prints from 6mpx pics works great). What makes the real difference is the optics/lens/glass, or whatever you call it. So getting Nikon d50 with a quality lens easily beats the image quality and physical feeling of the Canon 400d/XTi with the kit lens. (Most kit lenses suck. Not Nikon d70s', though.)

To wrap up what Steve said; I can't tell any difference between the manual options you have with Nikon and Canon.

[ser1992]

thanks alot for your help! ive been looking around, and here is a deal i found... now the question is, is it a good deal.

kit includes:

Canon xti
Sigma 18-50mm F3.5-5.6 DC
Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC
wide angle lens
3 different color filters
digital flash
2g memory card
lens hoods
USB card reader
aluminum case
soft carrying case
60" tripod
mini tripod
and a cleaning kit

for $1048

good deal or rip off?

(i also found a kit with same dimension glass, but made by canon, but isnt sigma glass better?)

[peder]

Canon has different series of lenses, so it's hard to tell.

Sounds like a great deal to me. What wide angle lens is it? And is the kit from another person, or from a store? (is it second-hand?)

[steve2112]

I just bought the xti like a week ago. OH MY GOD this is a geat camera. The auto settings are great and its pretty easy to use. also the screen is larger than the xt by a good amount. its nice.

get it

steve

[ser1992]

ya it is new from an online store... UHH the more i look the more i go back and forth with the d80 and the xti :confused: !!! i dont know... ill have to make up my mind haha thanks again for your help

[peder]

D80! Cus if you hold down Shift while typing 80 you get (= ! It can't be anything but a winner.

Personally I'd go for D80, without a doubt.

[Steve Buchanan]

Regarding the issue with who's glass is better Sigma or Canon - I would have to cast a big vote for Canon. While there are some stinkers in the Canon lineup, as a general rule the manufacturer makes the best lenses for that system. There's nothing wrong with Sigma lenses but if you want to split hairs I think the Canon has better resolving power and generally better construction. Of course this is indeed splitting hairs because I don't think the CMOS chip on the current dSLRs can see the difference between the lenses.

As far as the listed 'wide angle lens' It's most likely a screw in converter which best serves as a paperweight.

Price, probably resonable, check your local dealers as well, these days most camera shops have fairly competitive pricing on these things and they're generally a whole lot easier to deal with if there are problems. For my money it's worth a few more bucks to shop local and get in good with the owner at the local camera shop.

One more point, the debate between Canon and Nikon is like Coke vs. Pepsi, Ford vs. Chevy, Mac vs PC (OK, no real contest there) Anyway, buy what feels good in your hand. The best camera in the world is only good if you use it. If you hate it, you wont use it.


Steve

[peder]

You have a very good point there, Steve, but one thing holding the cameras won't show is the difference between Nikon and Canon colours. http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/41906494/ This shows 'typical' Nikon-colours: fresh and highly saturated straight of the camera. I'm a Canon-man, and I love Nikon's colours. Colours on the sky is generally deeper with Nikon aswell.

[Steve Buchanan]

Peder's probably right on the colors. Since photography is my profession, I tend to customize everything right away so I don't have a lot of experience with systems right out of the box. Color managment is a whole other can o' worms that can greatly enhance(or detract from) your experiences with images.

Steve

[ser1992]

thanks for all your imput! im going to go down to a shop and give them a feel.. thanks again.

bryan