Which SLR???

[thirty5]

I am going to be in the market for a new Dig SLR. I use the Canon XT at work. I am looking probably at that and the Canon XTi. The only real difference is the MP. XT is 8 and XTi is 10. I do not see myself making huge posters so the 10MP might be little overkill. But then i need a macro lens and i will need a normal lens. So I was looking at the body and the basic lens that is packaged with it, and then picking up a macro lens seperate.

I need a little push in "a" direction.

Also if you were buying where would you go. I need to keep the price to a minimum. Bad enough buying livestock is a killer another Grand for a camera is worse.

 

[Davidl919]

I think the 30d is a better camera than the xti just missing a few features from the xti. Now if Canon is set to release a 40d soon I would wait for that But my choice of wich I chose last month was the nikon d80. Just suggested cameras in the same price range. Hope this small reply helps.

 

[thirty5]

I looked at the 30d, i thought that it was a considerable amount more.

 

[jhale]

there's very little difference between printing a 8mp file vs a 10mp file.
don't let that determine the camera. look at the build of the body, the features, and the price. the kit lens are often pretty junkey, in the end you will probably upgrade it.

 

[thirty5]

Right that is why i was going to go with teh 8MP. The it lens is not "that" bad. I use it at work all the time. And for basic picture taking it is ok. I will need to get a macro lens. But correct me if im wrong. YOu really dont use a macro lens to take normal pics do you? If you do you use it for normal pics then i will just buy the body and a decent macro lens.

 

[jhale]

most macro lens are fixed focal lengths, having just one lens will be limiting.
I use my 90mm macro to shoot lots of things besides macros, I would not want it to be my only lens though. for a small kit a decent zoom plus a macro is a good start.

 

[bad coffee]

I was looking at the XT, then found a 20d on ebay for cheap.

I spent the money on really good lenses. The 'kit' lens is okay, but you definatly notice a difference in pic quality with a higher quality lens.

Start saving now for a macro lens. A good one will set you back an easy $500. I have the canon 100mm. I went with it over the tamron because of focus time. (the tamron was half a second slower) If you're not going to be lazy like me, and use manual focus, it won't matter to you.

Check out www.dpreview.com they have a great review section, and there's lots of other 'which camera' info.

 

[thirty5]

Sounds like what i was plannng. So i will just get the body with the basic lens. And then i will pick up a macro lens.

Any suggestions on where to get them camera for? Not looking to be CHEAP just want the best deal that i can.

 

[bad coffee]

www.bhphotovideo.com

The only place I'll buy photo gear. If you can find a price cheaper they'll match it. Great service, great place.

Make sure you get the USA version unless you want to send it to taiwan when it breaks.

Also, spend the cash on a 5 year warranty. well worth it.

 

[Pedro]

To make a move from 8 to 10 megapixels is really wasting your money. The difference is so little. The only time i would recommend making such a move is if there were other significant features such as sensors, iso performance, metering, etc. If it's solely based on pixels, then invest in a lens instead. Keep in mind that if you spend the right amount of money on a QUALITY lens, it will stay with you for years, no matter what other bodies come out. People still use manual lens from the 80's, so go figure.

I practice what i preach, as all my lens are PRO, even my all around lens. I will only change bodies when the new features are worthwhile.

Now i am not a fan of the rebels. They feel like P&S cameras. But i do understand that everyone has their own level of expertise and that might be what you are after. I would advice to look at the nikon line, but if you have alot of money invested in canon gear, then it might not be a good idea.

Hope this helps.

And yes, you can use a macro lens for portraits as well. If you use the 50mm from canon, that's like having 2 for 1.

Good luck.

 

[EmilyT]

i think the xt would be a great match for you. the only big difference between the two is that the xti has this great automatic sensor cleaner that vibrates to shake dust off your sensor if you dirtied it during a lens change. if you're not looking into high-quality prints or anything, i suggest the xt , plus its a tad bit cheaper.

 

[Pedro]

For some of us the sensor cleaning feature can be very important. On the other hand, i make sure that i change in a dust free enviroment, and i also blow off the sensor regularly so that the dust doesn't get caked on.

I forgot to read that you use one at work, but want to buy one for home. In that case, think about what i said earlier. :usa1:

 

[ellebelle]

I am probably the only person here that uses a Pentax digital SLR (because my film SLR is also a pentax and I had the lenses). As far as I can tell from borrowing other people's digital SLRs and looking at a lot of digital photograph is that like with film SLRs, it's not the quality of the body but the quality of the lenses.

I have four lenses for my camera:
28-80mm (kit lens)
28-200mm (the lens I use most frequently for the flexibility)
17-35mm (wide angle - I love me my landscapes)
100mm macro (for the fishies)

 

[thirty5]

Well i plulled the plug today and I ordered my new camera.
So i got the Canon XT

Ordered it from BHphoto. Great Prices.

Gonna get (2) 2GB CF cards from Staples today best price i can find.
Gonna wait a bit and then get a 100mm Macro Lens.

I use the XT at work and i love it.

 

[Pedro]

Congrats!

Only other thing i can suggest is to get bigger cards. At 10megs, the file sizes are huge, especially if you shoot raw. I know you will have a total of 4gb, but you will have to change it out. If that's ok with you then fine. Im at 10megs as well and i get 313 raw files out of a 8gb card, with the 2gb as a backup.

Good luck with it.

 

[thirty5]

Im not shooting RAW so it really dont matter. And i know that you replied to my msg before i edited it. But i orderd the XT, had a change of heart and cash.

 

[Pedro]

No biggie, you'll still be fine. Just go out and shoot and have fun doing it.

 

[thirty5]

WOOHOO.... My camera just got here. I already charging the battery so i can play when i get home.