Canon Rebel XT.

[7thgenvic]

Well im in the buying mood for a new camera. I've been looking on the market place and have found a couple im interested in.

Im no photo expert or camera expert for that at all. I really want to get into photography and give myself a new hobby now that its winter time, and i'll have something to buff up on for car season.

I've really been looking into the Canon Rebel XT.
Would this be good beginner camera, or am I thinking overkill for user friendly abilty.

Any input would be greatly appriciated.

thanks,
Jonny

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Well, it all really depends on how much experience you have with cameras, really. I know someone who decided to take up photography, bought a 20D, and proceeded to take shit-awful pictures because she had never used a manual camera before. She now never takes it out of Automatic mode, which defeats the entire purpose of the camera, and takes very mediocre pictures.

If you've never owned anything but a point-and-shoot camera before, I recommend you buy a pro-sumer level camera. Not a DSLR, but right below them on the price scale. That way, you can learn how to effectively use a manual-controlled camera without blowing hundreds more on a DSLR that gives you no garuntee of successful pictures. Also, non-DSLR cameras have a point-and-shoot mode as well, so you can take quick snapshots if you want.

I've used my current camera, one with manual controls, for the past three years. I'm just now reaching the limits of its operational capacity, and it's time to move on, once I have enough cash. In fact, I'm looking at buying the same model as you, the 350D (Rebel XT).

I guess what I'm trying to say is this: Don't blow a ton of cash on something you don't yet understand and may not enjoy using. Few people buy a Ferrari as a first car and are successful with it. Work your way up. Buying an expensive camera in no way garuntees good pictures.


But hey, I'm just one voice with one opinion. There are many more people on Beyond that know way more on the subject than I.


Edit: Here's a few units you might consider:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakz740/

[Kaos]

I was gonna get the rebel XT but then I bought the Canon powershot pro 1. Different style of shooting but still a great camera.
I remember going to the big 4 sale and the XT was going for $998. I bought the pro 1 a week before the sale for $1200 :banghead:
I would definately get the XT, awesome camera.

[Thaco]

go for the XT. it looks kind of intimidating, but for those less seasoned shooters it has a fully auto mode, and the kit lens is decent... and you always have the option to upgrade lenses/flashes/etc... whenever you feel like it... where as with a P&S you dont have that option.

(i personally have a digital rebel and a powershot SD500 and i love both of them, although they are both used for very different purposes)

[TurboMedic]

Canon is too small in my opinion.....And its too rah rah (canon is a media bitch).....I would say go for it, I have a DSLR and I love it (but I went through 1 point and shoot, and a prosumer with full manual before this)......I personally went with Nikon, it was more comfortable to hold, and I liked the reviews better (D50).....In the end its preference....So, my advice would be bu a DSLR (whatever brand you like, but for your sake don't just buy Canon because everyone has canon, shop around, hold different bodies, etc), shoot some in auto mode, shoot some in program mode, and eventually graduate yourself to manual modes! Remember, with digital you can shoot thousands of shots per day for free, so you can learn pretty quick!

[7thgenvic]

my problem is, well i don't know if its exactly a problem, but i really want to get into photography....And from reviews that i've read, and what such, it seems like this is a fairly user friendly camera for manual shots.

thanks for the input guys :)

[Thaco]

if you want to persue photography to any length then the xt is a great place to start. take the plunge.

[DJ Lazy]

take the plunge.


My XT is for sale... ;)

[C4S]

you can't go wrong with it! ..

350D :thumbsup:

make sure you get the Black one! silver colour may be always on sale .. but get it Black! :thumbsup:

[7thgenvic]

well boys and girls i bought the XT, and wow, i've read the manual, and im just learning to play with all the features on this baby! i took some pics, and i think they turned out pretty good so here are a couple!

[7thgenvic]

Originally posted by 7thgenvic
well boys and girls i bought the XT, and wow, i've read the manual, and im just learning to play with all the features on this baby! i took some pics, and i think they turned out pretty good so here are a couple!

[7thgenvic]

my plant

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Well, I'm quite impressed, for a first outing with new equipment! :thumbsup:

The first image (cat&plant) is a wee bit soft, what lens are you using? The 18-55 kit lens?

Now, your Rebel XT is just one tool in your photographic arsenal. Your next most important tool (IMO) is our venerable friend, Photoshop. Since it's 2:30AM and I'm bored, I've done some very quick (<5 min.) work on your photos. This is some very basic editing I've done, but it makes quite a difference.

Picture 1 "Cat and Plant", Original

As I said,a bit soft, and the grey wall has a bit of digital noise
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/one.jpg

Picture 1 "Cat and Plant", Edited

The picture is a bit sharper (Though, no sharpening was done, it was a side-effect of other processes), the noise is reduced, and the colours of the flowers are brought out a bit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/editone.jpg

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Picture 2 "Plant in Pot", Original

The second photo, I'll call it "Plant in Pot", was fairly sharp, but mildly drab. The green of the plant came through, but the rest of the image is rather muted and a bit cold.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/two.jpg

Picture 2 "Plant in Pot", Edited

Not much to do here, but I made the plants slightly greener and gave the background a much warmer tone. Now it looks more like it was shot near a window with natural sunlight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/edittwo.jpg

There you have it, a couple of exceedingly simple examples of the fantastic things Photoshop has to offer for digital photographers! Have fun with your new camera, and be sure to post in the monthly "Latest Pictures" thread in the Misc. Gallery!

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=107641

[7thgenvic]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Picture 2 &quot;Plant in Pot&quot;, Original

The second photo, I'll call it &quot;Plant in Pot&quot;, was fairly sharp, but mildly drab. The green of the plant came through, but the rest of the image is rather muted and a bit cold.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/two.jpg

Picture 2 &quot;Plant in Pot&quot;, Edited

Not much to do here, but I made the plants slightly greener and gave the background a much warmer tone. Now it looks more like it was shot near a window with natural sunlight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/BerserkerCatSplat/edittwo.jpg

There you have it, a couple of exceedingly simple examples of the fantastic things Photoshop has to offer for digital photographers! Have fun with your new camera, and be sure to post in the monthly &quot;Latest Pictures&quot; thread in the Misc. Gallery!

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=107641

hey thanks a ton! i just opened photoshop, and daymn i have some serious work to do! I'll take me a couple days to fully understand this program

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Photoshop can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but the best way to get the hang of things is to just play with it! Hue/Saturation and Brightness/Contrast (In the Image>Adjustments menu) are two of the handiest tools for basic image editing. The Auto Levels/Colour/Contrast will also help you out.

I also recommend getting a good noise-reduction filter, like Noise Ninja, the one I used in the cat picture.

So, yeah, play around and learn while you do it. I've only been using Photoshop for about four days now, and there's lots you can pick up in a short space of time. (Though, I'll admit that I used a similar but much less advanced image editing program for a few years before switching to Pshop, so I did have a bit of experience.)

Anyway, good luck! Photography is addicting! :clap:

[Kaos]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
I also recommend getting a good noise-reduction filter, like Noise Ninja, the one I used in the cat picture.

How can I acquire this "Noise-reduction filter" you speak of :D
Could you critique my sig. (taken with Powershot Pro 1, played around with brightness/contrast in PS)

[C4S]

:drool: :drool:

damn .. Photoshop is awesome!

I wish I have Photo shop and know how to use it .. :drool:

[7thgenvic]

Originally posted by C4S
:drool: :drool:

damn .. Photoshop is awesome!

I wish I have Photo shop and know how to use it .. :drool:

i have to have a couple days to learn this program, but your another photo expert, do you think this was a good buy for a n00b like myself

[TurboMedic]

Yes, Noise Ninja is awesome....I don't use it much, because my Nikon has great noise control!

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by Kaos


Could you critique my sig. (taken with Powershot Pro 1, played around with brightness/contrast in PS)

I've always really liked your sig! :D It looks to have been a very nice shot to begin with, and your contrast change has accentuated the blackness of the tires and shadows, while making the silver rims and the silver of the car stand out. It looks very good! :thumbsup: