Is the xti worth the extra $?

[JER-Z]

Now that the xti is out, the xt price has dropped a bit. I am trying to decide if would be better to save a few hundred xt and put it towards a nice lense. Or go with the newer xti. Will the new features even be appreciated by a SLR novice like myself?

What would YOU do?

Thanks

 

[BlueCorn]

Get the XT and some good glass. A good lens makes all the difference.

 

[gregr]

I heard the price difference was only $50 at Costco- if that's the case, and probably at a $100 difference too, I'd recommend the XTi (sorry Beerguy!). But only after seeing images shot at 400 and 800iso full screen on my monitor to judge the noise factor. It worries me that there are so many mp's in a smalllish sensor.

 

[BlueCorn]

While Greg's point is valid I'll explain why I said what I did.

I had an XT and when the XTi came out there wasn't anything about the camera that was compelling enough to make the upgrade seem like a good idea (or even really much of an upgrade). If it were me, I'd either buy the XT (body only) and save some money for glass or jump up to the 30D.

But that's just me.

Cheers

 

[theatrus]

I have the original DigiRebel (300D) with the "expanded" firmware. The XT and XTi don't really appeal to me as they're very similar. I think either would be a great choice - the difference is fairly minimal.

I'm looking at the double-rebate 5d

 

[gregr]

I hear ya. My logic is that if it's only a hundred or fifty bucks, the bigger lcd and dust removal system are worth it. I don't know yet how well the dust dealy works though, but I can tell you how frustrating it is removing dust [on the sensor] specs in Photoshop

 

[BlueCorn]

I've heard mixed reviews on the anti-dust system. Besides, once you get over the initial fear there's nothing to cleaning your own sensor.

 

[theatrus]

I've had great luck with the special dust removal brushes that B&H sells (starts with a K... don't remember name offhand). They're built for cleaning stuff in a cleanroom - and work really well on the sensor.

My 300d has been everywhere though, so dust gets in the oddest places. I need to take off the focusing screen one of these days.

 

[gregr]

Besides, once you get over the initial fear there's nothing to cleaning your own sensor.

Except it just didn't work for me. I had dust on the sensor that wouldn't come off no matter what I used, and that includes military grade cleaning solution. I spent close to $300 on every cleaner I could find- Eclipse fluid and Sensor Swabs, fancy brushes, fancy blowers... nothing worked- and I tried. And when I say I tried I mean I did everything humanly possible and it was no go. Canon uses some kind of solution that they refuse to make public (perhaps pure isopropyl mixed with Windex?)- I suspect they may even remove the sensor from the camera to clean it- whatever, they did it for me down at their facility in Irvine.
Anyhow- even if it works fairly well and not perfectly, it's a feature that is worth a few bucks in my opinion.

 

[Ebn]

I agree with Greg in regards to the XTi vs. the XT. The sensor in itself will cover the difference there alone. While I'm used to cleaning my own sensor (Visidust brush), it'll be nice to not have to resort to it every once in awhile.

 

[Frisco]

Is it really that easy to clean the sensor? I picked up a cleaning kit but never used it because I chickened out and was worried that I'd wreck the sensor.

 

[gregr]

It's easy to get in their and swipe, but in my opinion it's not easy to get it perfectly clean. Just make sure the battery is fully charged. To test it put a flash on the camera and shoot something white with plus one stop exposure compensation (roughly), at f25 or so- iso doesn't matter. Most likely it will take a few passes to get it acceptably clean.

 

[Frisco]

thanks greg - I think the cleaning kit I got has a variety of swabs, wipes, solution, etc. maybe I'll give it a shot.

jer-z - my recommendation depends on your budget constraints and which lenses you are considering. What have you been looking at?

 

[JER-Z]

i was thinking camera body, the 100 mm macro lense, and a decent well rounded lense (still not sure about which one).

If i went w/ the xti, i would probably go with the kit lense and the macro.

If i went w/ the xt, i could probably skip the kit lense and get a better "walk around" lense.

 

[Ebn]

Really easy to clean the sensor with the VD brush. I just charge the brush with a can of air and it takes a couple of passes and you're set. Literally takes less than 2 minutes.

 

[BlueCorn]

JER-Z - others have posted that they were fine with the kit lens. I couldn't stand it. It's been in the closet for the last year. Between the two options that you listed I'd definitely do the later.

 

[CodeToad]

I'm gonna have to agree with Greg here, the XTi has some nice new features - primarily dust protection. Again as Greg stated, all this PENDING what the noise looks like on that small (phsically) sensor.

Mixed reviews or not, it is safe to say that the dust removal device on the XTi is superior to that of the $7,000 dollar 1DS MKII and all other Canon bodies Olympus has had a pretty darn good dust system for a long time now, it's about time Canon got on this one.

 

[jedininja]

If the difference isnt much between the 2, I would go with the XTI. Along with the dust removal system, the autofocus is so much quicker. I upgraded from the XT to the XTi. But I only did that because of the Costco return policy. So I upgraded for free. Otherwise, I would not have upgraded.

As for the lens kit, IME, it only works decently at its midrange with very good lighting. I only have it since Costco only sells it with the lens. I really like the 17-85 IS that canon sells. Great walk around lens. It is a little pricey, around $500. But awesome lens and most reviews say its almost as sharp as L series lens, but for half the price. I'm now saving up to get the 100mm Macro though.

 

[JER-Z]

i am probably going to get it at Costco as it's the cheapest I have seen at a "brick and mortar" store and we have a membership. What is the return policy you speak of?

 

[jedininja]

you dont know of costco's return policy? Costco has a 100% satisfaction policy. At anytime, as long as you have all the accesories and reciept (can even be done without reciept if you can prove it was bought at costco) you can return item at anytime.