I’ve been contemplating going Digital SLR and have been thinking of this camera for a few months. Does anyone have this camera or suggest another comparable in features and price. Here’s its entry at DPreview.com
Re: Canon Rebel XT
I have this Digital Rebel XT. Excellent excellent camera. I think its kinda the industry standard as the starting dSLR, so you can't really go wrong with it. Picture quality is great, assuming the photographer has some basic knowledge of how to take digital pics. Camera will help a lot to make sure pics come out nice. You have tons of manual controls to tinker with, but the basic full auto mode is adequate for normal shooting situations.
One thing to caution you though, is that you need to carefully consider the lens. Depending on whether you buy the body-only or full box, you will have to invest in a separate good quality lens. The lens that comes in the box is a 15-50mm, which is adequate but really doesn't bring out the best this camera has to offer. There are dozens of different kinds of lens for a variety of shooting styles and purposes, so you may have to do some research and figure out what you want. While the professional grade 'L' lens can be extremely expensive, there are still many lens options at reasonable price points. Some lens can be pretty huge, so you also need to consider that in terms of an appropriate camera bag.
Also, since this is an 8 MP camera, and assuming, like me you want to capture pics at the highest resolution (to aid in any future cropping), consider investing in a 2 MB CompactFlash. It will store 500 pics. The prices are quite reasonable too, right now.
While the battery is rated for 1100 pics, so you are generally ok, I did invest in a spare battery, just so there is no tension that the battery will give up at a crucial time.
The one change you will have to make is that dSLR cameras, by design, do not allow LCD screen to be used as a viewfinder. So you must use the old fashioned way of using the small viewfinder, which is fine if you are used to it or otherwise are comfortable. It just that when you hand off your camera to a stranger in an amusement park so they can take the pic of your whole family, its one more piece of instruction you have to tell him/her.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
The lens factor was part of the reason while I was considering Nikon, as I have a few with my old film counterpart there. The one reason I want this camera is cuz Canon has a really good variety of lenses, both price and quality wise, so there's always an array to choose from. which ones do you have? With my Nikon I had a 15-70 and then an 80-200 mm and then finally a 500 tele. With some lense hoods and a few filters.
I'm totally comfortable with regular view-finder, but I understand what you mean by handing the camera to someone else. I don't think I'd be handing that camera to anyone to take my picture though, cuz for one I don't like my pics taken and 2 I'd probably have my teeny littel point and shoot around too. As for CF card I think I have about 3x 1gb card lying around somewhere so I'd be ok.
Lots of buttons and options, apertur and shutter control, that's why I want it. Back in the day when I did photography semi-professionall I used to have this old german camera with me at all times (Voigtlander). I still can't get that camera's quality in any digital ones I've tried. I was even able to find a used Hasselblad to get into mid-size formats in Saddar, but then it just got too busy and I stopped.
Anyhow, enuff nostalgia for now.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
The one change you will have to make is that dSLR cameras, by design, do not allow LCD screen to be used as a viewfinder. So you must use the old fashioned way of using the small viewfinder, which is fine if you are used to it or otherwise are comfortable. It just that when you hand off your camera to a stranger in an amusement park so they can take the pic of your whole family, its one more piece of instruction you have to tell him/her.
This is one of the only things I do not like about Digital SLRs. Why does it not allow you to capture the picture on the screen? What is the point of having it show up on the screen after you take the photo?
Re: Canon Rebel XT
WTF? There is no screen! This is an SLR, so it has no LCD. What is ur question?
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Uffo, don’t get angry. I was thinking of a certain Nikon camera I have seen, which I was told was a Digital SLR and had a screen.
It is similar to this camera in Nikon’s Digital SLR line up:
http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/digitalcamera/slr/d2x/index.htm
It has a screen on the back … but you can’t view the image on the screen while you take the photo. It only shows up on the screen after the picture has been taken.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Canon’s dSLR cams do have LCD screens. Just that they can not be used as a for live preview of the pic before its taken. The LCD is used to view the pic after it is taken.
However, time may be changing. For example, **Olympus’ Evolt 330 **dSLR does allow the LCD to be used for live preview](http://imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1138254221.html). In addition, Sony has a very capable prosumer digicam, DCS-R1. Its not dSLR and has no interchangable lenses, but I have heard the results are fantastic. And yes, this camera also allows the LCD to be used for live preview.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Right now may or may not be the best time to buy; the replacement model is to be announced in August/September and available soon thereafter for the holiday season.
There is however a $100 rebate going on cuz of that. Personally i'd recommend you shop used, best bang for the buck.. u can get one lightly used for $500.. spend the rest on lenses.
I'd suggest you take a look at the Nikon D50 too. It's cheaper and will mount your Nikon lenses (unless they are IX). Some old lenses may lose AF or metering functions but they will still mount. You'd instantly have a set of lenses! Although I should mention it takes SD cards.
Oh and btw the difference between 6MP and 8MP is a wash unless all u print is 11"x13" and crop a lot before you get there.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Mehnaz, I'm sorry, i didn't mean to sound angry/rude. I got a little confused by what you said and as we were discussing lack of screen I thought you misundertood where we were.
Faisal, a friend of mine has the DCS-R1, and although the pics are not that bad but the style is very awkward. Not just to look at but to hold the camera.
PA, there was a time when all I looked for was used. But with camera's its very dicey as slight mis-config or something bent even a little can cause much heartache. As for the Nikon D50, that was one of the competitors. Its a little bit heavier then the Rebel, the Rebel feels slightly more comfortable with smaller lenses. But SD is a plus as I already own quite a few of those :) Price ofcourse is a plus and I do agree that 6 vs. 8 mpx don't really matter at that level. But I'm not so sure of the results of the Nikon. I'm going to do some more research.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
I found a great article comparing the D70 (which kinda compares to the XT) and the Rebel XT:
Re: Canon Rebel XT
The Rebels have terrible QC from Canon.. lots of focusing issues. and the build is really cheesy. But Canon is good with Warranties..If you buy something used from someone within it's Warranty period, all u need is the original proof of purchase and you as a second buyer can avail the warranty. Which is why buying used makes sense.
PQ wise, The Nikon will probably be much better.. I've never liked the XT's output. Recommended it to a friend when it came out, cuz i had the 300D at that time myself, but somehow the results aren't that great. The D50 is a winner.. picture quality is excellent.. it has a spot meter, and a very useful Auto ISO mode. Plus Nikon is now shipping the extremely popular 18-200mm VR .. the ultimate walkabout lens.. Canon has no answer to that.
The D70 is a different beast, u'd have to work with it cuz it's JPEG engine is really poor. Sticking to shooting NEF's for high quality means more storage required. The D50 is almost 80% of the camera the D70 is.. in fact the d50 has a much better JPEG engine and delivers great out of camera results.. not to mention it's much better at higher ISO's due to Nikon revising their NR algorithms.
btw the same site has a D50 vs XT review too.. but honestly i won't put a lot of trust in what they say.. they're classic Nikon shills.. Nikon is very strong in Canada due to offering two year warranty over Canon's one year. Plus they have a larger presence.. better dealer network etc. This site reflects that. Stick to dpreview or imaging-resource.. oh and don't even bother with Steve for SLR's.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
PA, you are doing a very good job of pushing me to the Nikon corner :).
Before I order do you know if the D70s suffers from the same issues as the D70? NEF was one of the reason’s i was actully liking the Nikon. And now you say its bad. Another plus for the D70s is the MC-DC1 (remote cord) allowing longer exposure pictures using B
Re: Canon Rebel XT
I don't think the D70 is available anymore.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Unfortunately yes.. Nikon didn't improve on the JPEG engine and it's kind of a consistent theme across their lineup, the D50 being an exception. Not to say they aren't useful, but when u shoot NEF, the quality improves considerably. This is not so with Canon bodies which have a top notch JPEG engine.
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NEF was one of the reason's i was actully liking the Nikon. And now you say its bad.
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The opposite. The D70s shines with NEF.. and has a so so JPEG engine. The problem with shooting NEF's all the time is that they are huge and require a lot of storage on CF cards and then on the computer. But personally i'd not shoot JPEGs with Digital SLR's.. RAW captures are your digital negatives.. I'm not gonna trust my memories to JPEG. Borrowing from a photographer's signature line.. Shoot RAW - Memory is Cheap but Memories are Priceless.
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Another plus for the D70s is the MC-DC1 (remote cord) allowing longer exposure pictures using B
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That is definitely an advantage over the D70.. altough the wireless remote can do the same.. though u'd have to maintain line of sight etc so it's a pain for some. If u'll be doing A LOT of long exposure shooting, beware that the D70 CCD suffers from amp glow.. google it.. Not a deal breaker but good to know before u buy.
Right now the D70s body only is $635 at Beach/Buydig .. extremely reliable vendor and the best price by far for an excellent camera.. and that's coming from someone who's in the Canon camp himself!
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Hmmm, had never heard of that before. I guess the D50 or the Rebel doesn’t have that issue.
As for the remote, doesn’t that just act like a remote release? I don’t think you can keep the shutter open with a remote. If that is so then there’s no issue here.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Hey hey. If you want to plug Nikons, thats fine, but no need to diss Canons. I have not seen a single QC issue or focussing issue. And build is just fine. I got the entire black body, and not the silver-black hybrid. All the reviews I have read glow about Canon. There are a few bad lenses out there, ofcourse, but as long as you avoid them, the results are really good. Although real-life results also depend a great deal on the photographer, so even the best cams can suck in the wrong hands.
In any case, Nikons are good cameras too. So good luck, eitherway. Before getting the XT, I did buy Olympus Evolt E-300. Didn't like a lot of things about it, so returned it and got XT instead. So, in dSLR, I'd stay away from Olympus E-300. Not sure about E-500, though.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Nope they don't.. that's why the D50 has a lot going for it.
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As for the remote, doesn't that just act like a remote release? I don't think you can keep the shutter open with a remote. If that is so then there's no issue here.
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You can. Set the camera on "Bulb". The first time you hit the ML-L3 remote it opens the shutter and the second time you hit the remote it closes the shutter.
Hmm it would be strange 'dissing' Canon since that's the brand I use myself!
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I have not seen a single QC issue or focussing issue.
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Well if u go looking for trouble you'll find it :)
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And build is just fine. I got the entire black body, and not the silver-black hybrid.
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Well I don't like it.. it's too 'cheap' looking when u pick it up.. Remember this is coming from someone who owns the 300D as a backup. I'd say Canon needs to invest a little more in the build quality of these entry level machines. One look at the Pentax *ist, or Nikon D50 or Minolta 5D will show how unappealing and 'toyish' the build feels on the XT.. not to mention the insane decision to make it so small.. It no longer feels like an SLR.. more a point 'n shoot on steroids.
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All the reviews I have read glow about Canon. There are a few bad lenses out there, ofcourse, but as long as you avoid them, the results are really good.
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Reviewers get cherry picked equipment from manufacturers. You can always treat their results as 'best case' scenarios. Real life is different. The focus issues with Canon's entry level bodes are more apparent if you use wide aperture fast lenses.
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Ok, I finally made up my mind (holding my breath) and ordered the Nikon D70s. The VR lens that PA suggested is out of stock currently so i'll wait on that. I'll be able to use my old film SLR's lenses in the meantime (all compatible with the F mount). Thanks everyone for all your input. I'll keep you posted as I review the camera. Maybe i'll get the Canon too, who knows!! :D
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Congrats! good choice.. I’ve been thinking of buying it for a while.. but still waiting on prices to go below $500 
hey we need a :cheapskate: icon for Bazaar..
You’ll have to wait a while.. it’s an extremely popular lens and Nikon is just unable to meet the demand.
hahah that’s the spirit! support the economy. Wait for September when the replacement model is announced and you can then grab the XT for under $500 easy..
Re: Canon Rebel XT
Ok, so my old lenses ended up not working with the D70s. So had to rush off to Adorama and purchased a 18-50mm Sigma. I also rented the 18-200 mm Nikon and I think i’m in love. Even though the bugger is slightly heavy (ok, not so slightly) but the performance is excellent and results are just so gorgeous. I also rented a 105mm Micro to see how the macro shot results are. I’ll try and post some pics after the weekend.
Thanks PA for the tip on that 18-200mmVR.
Actually, here’s one of my coworker (i rotated and compressed it a little bit):
