[3lusiv3]

I think I'll get a Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi with the standard zoom. Is it a good SLR?

 

[Mrvile]

Have you considered anything else?

What will you be shooting most?

What does your budget for lenses look like?

 

[3lusiv3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you considered anything else? What will you be shooting most? What does your budget for lenses look like?

OK, more info...I haven't considered any others because I already have a Canon film SLR and 28mm, 50mm, and 70-300mm lenses. That's why I thought I'd stick with Canon, 'cause I can still use these lenses. I'll be shooting travel photos and landscapes. I won't be buying any more lenses soon but like to keep my lens choice open.

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3lusiv3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think I'll get a Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi with the standard zoom. Is it a good SLR?

It's what I have. I love it.

I have a couple of photos here:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=482
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=474
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=474

Those were all shot with Canon's cheapest lens: 50mm f1.8 (with extension tubes)

What do yo want to do?

For all the info you could ever want check here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3lusiv3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif OK, more info...I haven't considered any others because I already have a Canon film SLR and 28mm, 50mm, and 70-300mm lenses. That's why I thought I'd stick with Canon, 'cause I can still use these lenses. I'll be shooting travel photos and landscapes. I won't be buying any more lenses soon but like to keep my lens choice open.

Then I'd say definitively stick with the Canon. Are those lenes EF?

Here's more I forgot:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=426
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=478

 

[Dimitris]

If you already have Canon then stick with the same brand so that you can use your lenses. Canon has the best sensors right now so you are on the right camp anyway. As for the camera I dont think you can go wrong with it. Its one of the best entry level SLR's. As for the standard zoom I would rather skip it and save for a nicer one.

 

[3lusiv3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samgotit /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's what I have. I love it. I have a couple of photos here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=482 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=474 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=474 Those were all shot with Canon's cheapest lens: 50mm f1.8 (with extension tubes) What do yo want to do? For all the info you could ever want check here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

Were your shots done with a tripod?

I think I may get some extension tubes. I've always liked close macro shots.

I'm getting the camera because we plan to travel around Australia this year and I know that my film SLR would cost me too much in film.

 

[Mrvile]

Actually, if you want you could get a Rebel XT, and with the $200 or so saved you can put towards a new lens. A good lens on an 8MP camera would easily outresolve a crap lens on a 10MP camera.

 

[3lusiv3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samgotit /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are those lenes EF?

Yes, but the 28mm is a Sigma lens.

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3lusiv3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Were your shots done with a tripod? I think I may get some extension tubes. I've always liked close macro shots. I'm getting the camera because we plan to travel around Australia this year and I know that my film SLR would cost me too much in film.

Yes, those are all from a tripod with extension tubes, so not really indicative of what you want to do, but search that site and you'll find hundreds of photos with the 400D. Above all, you just have to learn how to use it. I'm still in my infantile stages coming from film. If your are coming from film, you should have a good head start.

One negative is that it does not have a spot meter. For most people this is not a concern. It's also quite small. The vertical grip helps out a lot though:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-BG-E3-Ba...&s=electronics


I fully agree with Mrvile's logic, but I really liked the 400D over the xt. The 400D has more focusing points and the auto clean function (really not that big of a deal).

Again, please search the Canon forum before you decide, that's not to say I won't be happy to answer any question you may have about the camera.

 

[3lusiv3]

Re: spot meter. Doesn't the 400D have an option to use the centre of the screen as the exposure point?

By the way, I was a commercial photographer in the film days so I'm very experineced with a camera. These days I shoot photos for myself.

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3lusiv3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Re: spot meter. Doesn't the 400D have an option to use the centre of the screen as the exposure point? By the way, I was a commercial photographer in the film days so I'm very experineced with a camera. These days I shoot photos for myself.

Oh yea, learning curve shouldn't be that steep for you then. For me it was just like film with a lot more latitude (Shooting RAW). Post Production is the major difference i.e Photoshop.

Yea, It has a center weighted option.

Being a pro I'd assume you want to "get into" Photoshop? It's one hell of a tool!
I'd say if you want to do anything above the amature level Photoshop is a must.

 

[3lusiv3]

I used to use an Olympus OM-4 a long time ago and I don't understand why multi-spot metering hasn't caught on. It's a great feature.

 

[Samgotit]

XTi (400D) metering modes:

TTL metering with 35-zone SPC (Evaluative metering, Partial metering, Center-weighted average metering)


I'm not familiar with the camera you used, but the evaluative metering on the Xti works quite well for me for outdoors and other shots, but I do use my pentax spot meter for macro stuff (I'm sure I could get away with the in camera center weighted meter if need be).


I'll be honest, for just about any shot that I set up for, I bracket; it's just to easy to do with digital, plus it gives me the option of HDR if there is no movement in the photo. That's not to say it's not great with snap shots, but I find my self reaching for my old 3.2mp Canon P&S for snaps.

 

[MD1032]

Eh, I really wouldn't go for the 400D. Like Nikon's new D40, it actually eliminates the status LCD in favor of having a bigger main LCD. It's a little awkward (I use my status LCD ALL THE TIME), and set up more like a Point and Shoot than most previous DSLR's.

Bottom line, you'll get great results with any DSLR camera, even an old 300D. The results you get are limited by yourself in most cases rather than the camera.

I personally got a D50 with the kit 18-55 lens (which is better than the equivalent Canon lenses from what I've seen and heard and uses Nikon's best glass). The package is $550 now at Ritz Camera and so far I've taken some stunning shots with it for that price. Like I said, the limiting factor is myself. If you just shoot in auto mode all the time you'll get P&S results.

Good luck in your search! Any Digital SLR will offer a HUGE advantage over any P&S. For once, you will not be limited by your camera, but like I said, rather, by yourself, and it's a good feeling. They're fun, fast, and have great IQ.