Canon Xti

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Reefing Runners

New member
I have been looking around comparing prices and whatnot for SLR cams.. i think im going to go with the canon xti.. ( im a total noobie to photography) There r a few bundle deals that come with the 18-55mm lens... for an extra $200 how useful is this lens? worth the extra bucks? Also, can u reccomend what lenses i should consider gettign right off. and their purposes pls? Thank you in advance!
 
The kit lens as it's know is alright and can take good pictures. However it's just alright. What kind of photography do plan to do the most of? Indoor family, macro, kids sporting events, wildlife, landscape or kids play and performances?

What price range? I have lens in my bag from $50 to $1600?

Check-out this Canon EF Lens 101 website

Also get the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

This 3rd party site has a great deal of Canon knowledge P.O.T.N.
 
well i technically have around $800 to spend, give or take a hundred dollors or so.. The biggest reason i want the camera is for taking pics of my tank. mostly macro. But also will be used for indoor images and taking photos at my camp, outdoorsie kind of things.
 
Most of the image quality of a DSLR is due to the lenses ($)

Maybe a really nice point and shoot, like the Canon G9 might be better in the long run?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12507737#post12507737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefing Runners
well i technically have around $800 to spend, give or take a hundred dollors or so.. The biggest reason i want the camera is for taking pics of my tank. mostly macro. But also will be used for indoor images and taking photos at my camp, outdoorsie kind of things.
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I'd suggest starting out with the kit lens. Spend the extra dollars on a good flash, fast large memory, books, extra battery, white balance card and a tripod. The $40 to $80 tripods are junk. The 100mm f2.8 Macro is considered a great lens but runs $500. When you can afford it the 24 - 70mm f2.8L is one of the best lens Canon makes. Good lenses retain resale value and stay with you as you change and upgrade the camera over the years.

There are lots of internet scams so beware of really low prices. B & H Photo has a great reputation. If you find a price much lower than theirs it's a scam. I buy most of my stuff from them.
I also rent lens before buying to see if I like it or if I only use it every now and then. I use Rent Camera Gear.com They've got the 100mm f2.8 macro for $25 a week.

If you want easy to use but limited camera get a P&S. If you want to have another addictive hobby get DSLR.

If you spend a good week with the book Understanding Exposure and learn all the features of a P&S or DSLR you'll take much better photos.

Ask plenty of questions.
 
I suggest scrapping the kit lens. Hes getting an Xti which I am willing to bet comes with the OLD 18-55, neither are stellar but the old one is especially crappy. Get the body only, 100 macro for your tank, and 50 f/1.8 for your camp.
I LOVE my 24-70...but your talking $$$. That one lens alone is over twice your budget.
B&H is good advice.
You have to understand, if you get into an Xti your looking at a whole another hobby rivalry reefs in expense...I think DSLR photography is actually more expensive. $800 just isn't going to cut it. $2000 would get you off to a nice start. If your not willing to spend this kind of money...just stick with your point and shoot.
 
I just bought the XTI and there is no comparison to a P&S camera even with the 18-55. The picture quality is so much better and it focuses faster / better. Of course this is compared to my Powershot A620 which I feel is a pretty good P&S.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12510970#post12510970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rkelman
I just bought the XTI and there is no comparison to a P&S camera even with the 18-55. The picture quality is so much better and it focuses faster / better. Of course this is compared to my Powershot A620 which I feel is a pretty good P&S.
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Actually the G9 compares pretty well. It smokes the 620.

I agree that you can do better with a DSLR but I'm just suggesting that if the $800 is the hard budget limit he'll do better with something like the G9. It's all about glass.
 
I agree with both rkelman and titusvile.

The XTi with the kit lens will allow you take better photos than a P&S. The kit lens tries to be all things in a lens at a cheap price so it's stellar at none. But can still take great shots. For macro you can't beat the 100mm. The 50mm is a fantastic lens with great picture quality and is dirt cheap.

The problem with the lens set of 100mm / 50mm combo is he'll have a crop body with no wide angle lens. He'll need a wide angle especially for inside family shots and I don't think the 50mm will cut it.

when you decide to go with a XTi what you've really decided is to go with the Canon EF series lenses. The top of the line is the L series and once you start planning for L series lenses like the 24-70 or the 70-200 there's no comparison to regular lens and no going back, you've now got lens envy and are fully addicted. The 24-70 is my everyday lens, it's on the camera over 85% of the time I use it.

When you move up the line to better Canon camera bodies they can do things faster with more accuracy and are more customizable. Again your addicted and no going back. The XTi is still miles above a P&S but no compassion to any of the better bodies.

Bottom line. Do you want to take snap shots to share with family and post help me id this or do you want to learn how to take photographs you'll blowup and hang on the wall as art? Do you want a new hobby that last for years with constant learning and planning for upgrades or do want quick and easy.

I started with an XT and a kit lens and they were fine for a beginner. Now I'm addicted and have a 5D and L series glass my camera bag cost as much or more than my 75g reef. Now I'm stuck with decision like do I buy a new lens or a set of dosing pumps?
 
i really enjoy the xt and xti, the xti has a little more functions and better lens.. i really dont like p&s, i just feel if you are spending more than $400 on a camera, go dslr... its all your experience and preference though... nikon has pretty comparable dslrs, but im a cannon guy though.. try b+h photo video
 
Mmmm I love my 24-70mm...and my 70-200mm...okay all the others to. I can think of about $4000 worth of lenses that I not just want/need...but only a matter of when I will buy. When a 5DmkII is finally released I'll probably drop $2000 on that. This is on top of the $5000+ I already have invested. Your not just buying an Xti, this will likely cost as much or more than your tank in the end. $800 is chump change.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12513377#post12513377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kylekinder
i really enjoy the xt and xti, the xti has a little more functions and better lens.. i really dont like p&s, i just feel if you are spending more than $400 on a camera, go dslr... its all your experience and preference though... nikon has pretty comparable dslrs, but im a cannon guy though.. try b+h photo video
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They have the exact same lenses?
 
Titsvile, first off u come across very rude.... Get your head out of the clouds buddy. Trust me if i WANTED to i could go but 5-6-7 thousand dollars in equiptment. BUT thats not how i want to do this, i want to purchase me camera and a lens or two that i would need right off (800-1000 dollars for this) then as i get better at using the camera and whatnot purchase more items rather then buy thousands of dollars on lenses then decide i hate photography in 6 months.
 
Hey I'm just trying to help you. DSLR photography isn't a round trip $800 plane ticket. You need to understand that before you spend $800. I spent your whole budget just on flash...you likely spend around $400 on a flash for your indoor photos.
 
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Can you read? i said 800-1000 dollars to BEGIN WITH. Which means, ill spend that much now and then MORE later if i decide photography is something i really like.
 
Reefing Runners.

Yes get the kit lens. If you decide to stay in the hobby then you can sell it and get some memory. Get a good flash like the 430 EX.

This combo is at $900. Get the book Understanding Exposure.

You'll need a tripod for good in aquarium shots. Use one you've already got or get a cheap one for now. If you stay with the hobby then plan to upgrade to a tripod and head combo costing $250 and up.

Several smaller memory cards are better than one large one, so get 2 4gig not one 8gig. Go with fast memory don't buy the cheap stuff. Use memory like Sandisk Extreme III or Extreme IV.

Your probably over budget right there.

Enjoy.
 
the xt and xti come with different lenses just same distance, but anyway, you shouldnt have to purchase a lens if you are taking pictures of inside your tank, yes inside is dim lighting, but inside a tank should not need a flash, just expose for the light in the tank, really easy to do... learn your in camera meter at the tank in a darker part of the tank, then move your dial so the dot is dead center... this wont give you the best exposure but it will allow you to not have to buy a flash, there are also things you can buy to help get you the right exposure, like a light meter, bout $150-200, or a gray card (gives you a 18% gray reading)... i know it sounds confusing but if read up on metering and zone system you will understand.... i dont like flash with my camera bc i have just the flash on the camera and i have to hold a white card to reflect light, if not it reflects off the glass
 
I'm pretty sure the Xt and the Xti both come with the original 18-55mm. The Xsi should have the new one. Ack, I feel sick with memories of using that silly lens.
 
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