[slimfifa]

Hello Onions

I just received my federal tax refund check today. So now I am going to buy the digital camera I've been interested in for the last 4 months.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 MP (CMOS sensor) - In Silver - w/ stock 18-55mm "Zoom" EF-S Lens

Review @ dpreview.com

I hate Sony, don't trust Olympus, avoid FujiFilm, Pentax doesn't have enough variety in lenses, I don't have the $$ to get a Mamiya / Hasselblad, and Nikon has horrible binoculars & gunscopes (comparing to Leupold - US made and similarly priced).

But if there is enough against the Canon, I'll go with a Nikon. I am staying below $600 for the body / lens kit. If I must, I'll push it to $750.

I will be purchasing an additional Zoom and/or Macro lens, most likely from Sigma because Canon lenses are stupidly expensive.

Of the camera itself, are there any reason to go to any Nikon that is sub-$600 ?

I currently have a Pentax K1000 35mm film camera, and a Kodak EasyShare Z612 (CCD sensor). -- dpreview.com Review (I mostly agree with them).

My Kodak has taken 6,500 photos in a little over 1.3 years - many are absolutely stunning - most are awesome. I know the ins and outs of SLRs and I strongly prefer to use them. For my budding photography business, and what I demand in low-light, I need a digital SLR - hence the XTi was my 1st pick.

Anyway since it's obvious I'm not aiming for another point-and-shoot I need some serious opinions before I spend $600 and regret on this purchase.

The problem is that there has been a surge of competitive products that came out within the last 2 months - and I'm looking for enough evidence to justfiy my opinion that the XTi is the best bang-for-the-buck with limitless lenses and many 3rd-party options.

One more thing, I know the differences in CCD and CMOS technology - I am trying not to fear getting the CMOS, and what helps to know is that Canon's high-end cameras use CMOS technology anyway.

Any opinions would be appreciated - sorry for the long read. Expect that from me if you haven't noticed that I always do that

[enurneAcourdy]

I bought one a few months ago, my first DSLR and I am extremely happy with it. I can say you would be happy with the Rebel if you were to go that route but hopefully others will chime in with other models to take a look at. Feel free to browse through some of my in my photo gallery which is linked in my signature. All of the images on the first page are using the XTi, then there might be a few others.

I am hoping redhotfanboy will post and recommend another model as he thinks you might want to look elsewhere based on the poll which should help give you some more options.

[Stovegeothnon]

I have the XTi, and I love it. lots.
Only thing is, you're not going to get much sharper photos than a P&S camera with that kit lens.
I can think of two options:
get XTi body and the new kit lens (it's optics are better, AND it has Image Stabilization- much better than the regular kit lens) or get the body with a lens like Tamrons 17-50 F2.8, which is heavier on the wallet, but a VERY good lens, I'm planning to get it some time soon, so I can finally get rid of my old kit lens.

When shopping for a dSLR, you should first pick your lenses, then the body.

[DEMassteers]

Although I'm not sure of the price the Rebel XSi should be out fairly soon I think. You can see some more info about it here http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08...noneos450d.asp Although I havn't read any real reviews of said camera but I wouldn't imagine it being worse than an XTi which itself is a good camera.

edit: One thing since I see you mentioned using the kit lens for the XTi, the kit lens on the XSi is the same range but with IS as well.

[Sierabiera]

Although I'm not sure of the price the Rebel XSi should be out fairly soon I think. You can see some more info about it here http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08...noneos450d.asp Although I havn't read any real reviews of said camera but I wouldn't imagine it being worse than an XTi which itself is a good camera.

edit: One thing since I see you mentioned using the kit lens for the XTi, the kit lens on the XSi is the same range but with IS as well.

with IS and better optics. [yes]
XSi's price is now $899 with the kit lens, or $799 body only. it is actually out already, some people who have pre-ordered received their's.

[sportsbettinge]

The non-IS 18-55 kit lens is terrible. Get the IS instead.

Also, Pentax has several hundred different lens models, new and used, FYI.

[tussinelde]

The non-IS 18-55 kit lens is terrible. Get the IS instead.

Also, Pentax has several hundred different lens models, new and used, FYI.

Yeah pentax has a ridiculous amount of lenses, not sure where he's coming from with that. I'm a converted canon>pentax user and can tell you they rock! I had a 350D and though it was a good camera, it just wasn't as good as my pentax (although the canon was 2mp more). You could probably get a k10d for that price and then you'd be rockin.

[quorceopporce]

I'll answer like this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ckerry/2388782063/

Not had the time for many pictures yet, but I have the day off tomorrow...

[zibTefapparia]

The non-IS 18-55 kit lens is terrible. Get the IS instead.

Also, Pentax has several hundred different lens models, new and used, FYI.

It's not terrible. If used correctly it can get good results, when stopped down etc.

Edit: Although the bottom line from me would be avoid the non-IS kit lens, get the IS version or a non-IS faster zoom lens.

[Romobencience]

Thanks for the replies guys !

First off, I did not want to spend $899 on the body alone. I don't think a 2MP increase over 10.1MP will justify the price jump. I mean I have some incredibly detailed photos with my 6.1MP Kodak - 10.1 will be great enough for me.

I took IS into consideration, and I figured that for now, I won't go get an IS lens - instead I got the following:

Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6. Only for $150.

My friend ordered the black body only, and the Sigma 28-300mm lens in contrast. He only wants one lens that "does it all." I would rather have different lenses for situations. Next up, I'll be looking at macro lenses.

Reasons being are (1) on my 35mm pentax and 210mm lens I didnt have IS and I still pulled it off with no problem in blurring, (2) IS costs quite a bit more, (3) I wont be taking action photo shots and if I am going to have a shake issue @ high zoom I'll have the tripod or kick up the shutter speed more.

I ordered the XTi Silver with the standard lens : to use as a backup - and I don't mind buying more lenses later after experimentation. Besides, I can always get a used lens from the photo shop 35mins from here - I'll look for IS lenses there.

I also went ahead and ordered 2 transcend 8GB CF 133x (20MB/s) cards - $40 each (includin s/h).

Now I'm getting 2 xtra batteries - eventually I'll upgrade the flash as well from my old hot-shoe Rokinon 2600 to maybe a Speedlite. Those , if I find them used, would be worth getting as such - a scratch on the flash is harmless as opposed to a scratch on a lens.

[derty]

It's not terrible. If used correctly it can get good results, when stopped down etc.

I've never seen a positive review on this lens. Both on the internet, and from a couple friends who have it.

For example, the recent dpreview.com review of the IS version of the lens had this to say:

Much improved optics compared to Canon's previous non-IS 18-55mm kit lens

Granted, they're not outright calling the non-IS version terrible, but since they gave the new one a 7.5/10 for optics and called it "much improved", I think it's implied.

[bahrain41]

Ive gone from Canon to Olympus with the E-510 sold all my Canon gear which included 17-40 F4L 70-200mm F4L & you know what i couldn't be happier.


I know have just the basic 14-42mm, 40-150mm , 70-300mm & FL-36 flash and plan on investing in the 25mm F2.8 Pancake or the Sigma 30mm F1.4 as ya should always have a prime in ya kit bag.

Now the 14-42mm kit lens that comes with the Olympus is better than any other kit lens from anybody it built to high standard front doesn't rotate proper manual focus ring and picture from it are sharp even wide open.

Plus with the 510 body having both built in IS, Live View & a dust system that actually works changed my lenses many time now and as of yet still not noticed any dust spots in any picture, plus done many tests at F22, plus build quality is top notch & 3 types of spot metering which is very handy.

Only downside really to the 510 is slightly limited DR in let say really bright sunlight but it nothing i can't compensate for by under exposuring slightly.

Im a 4/3 convert now and be sticking with this format as long as it supported.

[Rqqneujr]

Thanks for the replies guys !

First off, I did not want to spend $899 on the body alone. I don't think a 2MP increase over 10.1MP will justify the price jump. I mean I have some incredibly detailed photos with my 6.1MP Kodak - 10.1 will be great enough for me.

-Body alone is $799. That 2MP increase is nothing, it's not what you're playing for, and don't you dare picking a dSLR by MP count. I would have bought XSi for that price even if it was 8MP...

I took IS into consideration, and I figured that for now, I won't go get an IS lens - instead I got the following:

Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6. Only for $150.

-55mm is your widest focal length? I'm sure you have no idea what you're doing, mate.

My friend ordered the black body only, and the Sigma 28-300mm lens in contrast. He only wants one lens that "does it all." I would rather have different lenses for situations. Next up, I'll be looking at macro lenses.

-If he wants something that does it all, he had better bought a semi-pro P&S... why pay so much for a dSLR when you get a low quality lens that won't produce better IQ than a P&S?


Reasons being are (1) on my 35mm pentax and 210mm lens I didnt have IS and I still pulled it off with no problem in blurring, (2) IS costs quite a bit more, (3) I wont be taking action photo shots and if I am going to have a shake issue @ high zoom I'll have the tripod or kick up the shutter speed more.

-IS doesn't help with action shots at all.(it doesn't increase shutter speed, so no action shots)
to kick up the shutter speed more you'll need a faster lens probably, in theory.


I ordered the XTi Silver with the standard lens : to use as a backup - and I don't mind buying more lenses later after experimentation. Besides, I can always get a used lens from the photo shop 35mins from here - I'll look for IS lenses there.

I also went ahead and ordered 2 transcend 8GB CF 133x (20MB/s) cards - $40 each (includin s/h).

Now I'm getting 2 xtra batteries - eventually I'll upgrade the flash as well from my old hot-shoe Rokinon 2600 to maybe a Speedlite. Those , if I find them used, would be worth getting as such - a scratch on the flash is harmless as opposed to a scratch on a lens.

As a bottom line- you're wasting money on unnecessary equipment, imo,
Just get a body, and a good lens to start with.

[xrumerang]

I've never seen a positive review on this lens. Both on the internet, and from a couple friends who have it.

For example, the recent dpreview.com review of the IS version of the lens had this to say:

Much improved optics compared to Canon's previous non-IS 18-55mm kit lens

Granted, they're not outright calling the non-IS version terrible, but since they gave the new one a 7.5/10 for optics and called it "much improved", I think it's implied.

Have you ever used it?

[BegeMoT]

Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6. Only for $150.

-55mm is your widest focal length?

As a bottom line- you're wasting money on unnecessary equipment, imo,
Just get a body, and a good lens to start with. as a point of interest what kind of sigma lens' are available which go from a fairly wide angle to maybe something around 60-80mm?

i was told there arn't any lens's that cover such a range but it looks like my old powershot S1 goes from 6mm-60mm so surely there is something comparable?

[shumozar]

as a point of interest what kind of sigma lens' are available which go from a fairly wide angle to maybe something around 60-80mm?

i was told there arn't any lens's that cover such a range but it looks like my old powershot S1 goes from 6mm-60mm so surely there is something comparable?

There are Sigma, Tamron and Canon lenses that cover this range, but the latter is the most expensive iirc.

Ofcourse they exist, there are many of them, in many qualities and prices.
I am currently considering an averagely priced Tamron lens (17-50mm), which is a very good lens with very good reviews and samples. I would even recommend it.
You were told that there aren't any lenses that cover this range? that's BS my friend.

[Broorbbub]

I just shot a few shots with the kit lens I barely use.
I'm uploading them now so you guys and girls can see how it performs. it will upload completely in less than an hour, so expect an update.

[mymnarorump]

There are Sigma, Tamron and Canon lenses that cover this range, but the latter is the most expensive iirc.

Ofcourse they exist, there are many of them, in many qualities and prices.
I am currently considering an averagely priced Tamron lens (17-50mm), which is a very good lens with very good reviews and samples. I would even recommend it.
You were told that there aren't any lenses that cover this range? that's BS my friend.

just out of curiosity is 18mm normally wide enough for most applications? I'm not even sure if it's an apples to apples comparison but the lens on my powershot at it's widest is meant to be 6mm ...does that hamper the kit lens at all or am i worrying about nothing (i see most focal ranges are from around 20 - 70mm, i'll probably end up testing the kit lens when i get my 350d and see how it goes.)

edit:

my current S1 at it's widest:





and zoomed in fully:

[DagoIgnog]

Have you ever used it?

Briefly. Mind you, at the time it was attached to the original digital Rebel, so that certainly contributed to underwhelming impression that I got.

[Keeriewof]

just out of curiosity is 18mm normally wide enough for most applications? I'm not even sure if it's an apples to apples comparison but the lens on my powershot at it's widest is meant to be 6mm ...does that hamper the kit lens at all or am i worrying about nothing (i see most focal ranges are from around 20 - 70mm, i'll probably end up testing the kit lens when i get my 350d and see how it goes.)

18mm is fairly wide, very good for landscapes and some indoors. Where focal length starts to lack wide angle is about 28mm.
the 6mm is the original focal length, but for much smaller standard camera and lens system, so it cannot be compared with APS-C or full frame 35mm cameras. you need to look for the equivalent focal length of your camera. (they usually give the equivalent in 35mm sensor\film standards)

The kit lens has an excellent range, but it's qualities are questionable, as it's nearly useless in many cases, only performs well under good lighting, and that's what the new kit lens is trying to solve, having IS, and don't forget- better optics.

if you don't wanna spend too much, I suggest a camera body and the new kit lens with IS. if you have a bit more money, I think I can recommend something even better(lens wise).
But hey from what I've read, the new kit lens has surprised many reviewers.

EDIT: Barfy, I'm trying to upload a zip with the full res photos but it hangs while uploading over and over again. Where can I upload a 70MB zip file without it hanging all the time?