Canon Rebel XT or XTi

[Curtis Fry]

So I'm pretty much decided on one of these two cameras. My main concern when compared to my small powershot PAS, is:

1. Macro capability (flies, bugs etc)
2. Normal lens goes to 3.5 aperture I think. My powershot has 2.8 as the widest. I like to get the short depth of field type shots. How big a deal is that difference or is it comparing apples to oranges since the cameras are so different? Will the 3.5 still give me the out of focus look for stuff out of the depth of field ok?
3. I'm leaning towards not getting the "canned" lens. Given I'm not concerned so much with telephoto, but more on the macro and aperture aspects, any suggestions on good lenses that won't break my bank?
4. Besides the obvious differences between the XT and XTi (mp's, display size), is there any downside to getting the XT?

So many questions....

thanks.

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

XTi.... or the new XSi.

You should be able to find a cheap deal on the XTi due to the upgrade release of the XSi. Also, your welcome to shoot my XTi if you want.

[Curtis Fry]

How long have you had the XTi? You holdin' out on me there, sucka??

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

How long have you had the XTi? You holdin' out on me there, sucka??

A month??? Maybe.... still waiting for my new digi ; )

[Curtis Fry]

Well, I might actually wait for the XSI now that I've been reading up on it. I like the live view on the bigger LCD. Plus, I usually blow up my photos to life size and the 12 MP will really shine there... ;)

Tough decisions...

[coreyk]

if your not to concerned about having the latest and greatest... i'd say pickup the xti. They are fairly cheap right now (i just got one also). I saw a body only yesterday for 319$, but that deal was gone VERY fast. So, I'm guessing the prices will drop quite a bit... soon.

As far as lenses go .. I'd say do yourself the favor and get a nice lens from the get go. My 'go to' lens is my sigma 18-50 2.8. It would prob fit your requirements pretty well ... I dont think its the sturdiest lens around, but its priced pretty well. If I were to replace this lens I'd go for something with an internal zoom maybe something along the lines of this http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3327&navigator=6

[BugEye]

It's like fly rods of course ;-) A lot of it comes down to ergonomics. Pick up a few and see what you like. You may like a Nikon or Olympus over Canon. The rest is academic. Get in touch with me [we can meet over at Pictureline] and try out a couple cameras in hand. I'll tell you what to look for and avoid. As you said, sooo many questions for here, but briefly;

-Actually, some of those "canned lenses" or "kit lenses" are pretty good and..

-just get the best lens overall (2.8 is much preferred over 3.5, try to get at least 28mm equiv. on the wide end, and image stabilization) and THEN buy an inexpensive close up filter set for awesome macros. They run as cheap as $35/set, AND you can stack them! Here's an example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/93368-REG/Hoya_018397_46mm_Close_up_Kit_1_2_4_.html

-Spend your money on the lens! Think Nikkor or Canon USM, not Tamron, Sigma, or Vivitar. (sorry corey)

Hope this helps!

Bug

www.nowpicturethis.com

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

Curtis I would take him up on that offer ^^^^^^

[coreyk]

It's like fly rods of course ;-)

-Actually, some of those "canned lenses" or "kit lenses" are pretty good and..

-just get the best lens overall (2.8 is much preferred over 3.5, try to get at least 28mm equiv. on the wide end, and IS) and THEN buy an inexpensive close up filter set for awesome macros. They run as cheap as $35/set. AND you can stack them! Here's an example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/93368-REG/Hoya_018397_46mm_Close_up_Kit_1_2_4_.html

-think Nikkor or Canon USM, not Tamron, or Sigma. (sorry corey)


ALL good adivse forsure ... I agree 100% it IS like fly rods! ;)

I didnt care for my canon kit lens .. but they could have gotten better since the original XT

I agree .. go shoot a lens or two and get what fits your budget. I have been pretty happy with my sigma overall .. but it also fit my budget. <grin> ?(Hobbyist vs Pro)? I just ordered another sigma .. So, I'll see if I like this new lens as much .. Its a fixed lens .. So, i'm guessing I will like it better.

[jonescort]

stay away from vivitar.

[JayMorr]

Curtis,

This past year I shot all my stuff on the XTi. Hands down between the two, go XTi. There are a number of different reasons why I chose the XTi over the XT. For one, the body. If you do decide to purchase an XT or XTi make sure you get the extended battery grip. The XTi body feels unbalanced not using the extended grip. After getting the grip it has made a huge difference in the feel and the battery lasts twice as long.

Like Bug was saying, put the money in the lens. It will also save you a lot of time and heartache with trying to fix certain things in CS.

If you are interested we can talk. I am possibly selling mine. I am upgrading next month ;) But I may still keep the XTi for backup. I am still trying to scrounge a few more "K's" for the next setup. If I do not get the money I will go with the 5D.


JayMorr

[JayMorr]

PS.

Bug, will that Hoya stack ok on my Canon? I bought a couple Hoya's not to long ago but just wondering if the one you linked is gonna fit. I will try and do some more research but if you see this and have some time, let me know.

I would love to add that kit to my arsenal. The stacking would come handy!


JayMorr

[UtahFlyGuy]

Someone pass the Tylenol please.......

[BugEye]

PS.

Bug, will that Hoya stack ok on my Canon? I bought a couple Hoya's not to long ago but just wondering if the one you linked is gonna fit. I will try and do some more research but if you see this and have some time, let me know.

I would love to add that kit to my arsenal. The stacking would come handy!


JayMorr

What's the filter size of your biggest lens? Any one will work as long as it fits. I just posted that particular Hoya set for example purposes (there's were 14 pages of them). Close up filters are simply magnifying glasses of different powers, mounted in a filter ring. Kinda like the one you used to burn ants with as a kid only more expensive and without a handle. Screw it on and you're good to go!


BugEye

[Marty]

Someone on this site talked me into the xti, still learning the in and outs but I have like what it can do.


http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/purplestriphead.jpg

The kit lens is OK but if I could do it over I would have just got the body and then added the lens

[Marty]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/purplestripwing.jpg

[Curtis Fry]

Nice stuff Marty. So what lens/setup are you working with there?

[Marty]

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

[JayMorr]

Nice shot Marty.

here is one with the 50mm

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/jaymorr/IMG_3602-IR.jpg

Sorry, it is not a cool lookin pattern ;)

JayMorr

[joshuahodges]

A neat little trick I learned is taking the kit lens and turning it backwards to get a macro lens......

Do a google for reverse macro lens shooting.....

Here are some of my pictures....
I bought a old lens with manual appeature off ebay for $15 to take these.....

http://picasaweb.google.com/joshual.hodges/HoyaWaxPlant/

[JayMorr]

Nice pics Josh. Your stuff looks good. I actually ordered a reverse ring a couple days ago and I should have it any day. I will upload some stuff when I get it.

Here is a link to my stuff:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jasonmorr

It's been sometime since we met up in Logan for lunch and some fishing. You still up that way or are you done with school now?

JayMorr

[joshuahodges]

Thanks
I am still up this way I have been out of school for 2 years now, and I think we had lunch my 1st year up here which would of been 5 years ago this summer so it has been some time.
I am currently working for the university enjoying the last few moments of single life. I still need to get into photoshop and work on a lot of those pictures but just havent had the time or drive yet.

I really like those elk and bird pictures, I should of made my way up to hardware this year.