[havensal]

I think we used to have a thread like this here, but I don't see it anymore.

Anyways, I am looking to dive into the DSLR world. I prefer to look before I leap.

What are you using?
Why did you choose that particular model?
What's you no BS assessment?
Pro's, Con's, things you would like it to do (or not) that it doesn't (or does)?

[MrsKitty]

I went with Canon. It came down to liking the size and the weight of the XT over
Nikon's offerings when I was shopping. You won't go wrong with either system though.
If you already have lenses you like, you really need to consider that when comparing.

Canon Rebel XT

Lenses:

Canon:
18-55 kit lens
85 1.8 USM
50 1.8 II
70-200 4L IS USM

Sigma:
24-60 2.8
50 2.8 macro

Lensbaby and macro kit

Hoya IR filter

I also have a FD to EOS adapter so I can use my FD glass, primarily the 50 1.4.

The only thing I would like to change about the XT is to be able to see the ISO when looking through the viewfinder.

Oh, and I wish I had gotten into this sooner.

[wbw2]

I bought the rebel xti, because of the price point at 10megs.

plus, I already have a few 35mm canon lenses from my eos rebel.

I have big hands, so I got the canon battery pack because it fills the hand nicely and I love the controls so you can shoot vertically.

the rebel xti has more features than I can name, but I really like the "raw" image files it takes, you can change almost any exposure aspect you want(from your computer) after the pic is taken, then save as mpeg, jpeg, etc...

I have been able to make a few pics 10x better by editing things like AV+/-, ISO, etc.

[DeadMansLife]

I chose Canon over Nikon for no real reason. I like the features of both of both but had to make a choice.

I chose the Rebel XT mostly for economical reasons and stumbled in to a real gem. At only 8 meg, it still has many of the features and control of the pro DSLRs without being over-bearing with options and settings. IMHO, it is, by far, the BEST entry-level DSLR. Match it with good glass that meets your needs. Learn how to use the XT and glass and even a real pro would have to look hard to find fault with 11x14 prints.

My kit, at this time is:

Rebel XT 350D
EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6
EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM
SanDisk Extreme III 4.0gb CF card
RC-1 remote trigger
Canon Tripod.

Very near future:
Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC
Canon 580EX II Speedlite TTL Shoe Mount Flash

Someday:

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
And 2 weeks with the EF 1200mm lens misskitty recently bought from BH Photo

Of course this is all protected by a G-31 and Speer GoldDots

[nipperwolf]

Originally Posted by misskitty5077

It came down to liking the size and the weight of the XT over Nikon's offerings when I was shopping.

Wuss.









Try lugging this around the soccer fields for a few hours on a monopod.



J/K, Budette. I would have added another smiley face, or two, but I'm not allowed.

[MrsKitty]

Oh, how I would love to lug that around for a while. Birds, here I come!

<-- wuss with a messed up shoulder and rotator cuff

[djf]

D80 with some lenses

18-55mm F3.5-5.6
18-200mm F3.5-5.6
17-55mm F2.8
50mm F1.4

[Hokie]

1D Mark II

100-400 f4.5-5.6 L
24-70 f2.8 L
85 f1.2 L

[Ranger Grant]

wbw2,

I just left the Canon web site, where I was trying to find out if the 2 lens I have for my Canon Rebel (origional model) would be compatible with either the XSi, or XTi. It would appear that they are. I have an EF 35-80mm 1:4-5.6, and an EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6. If you can confirm that they in fact are compatible, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Any good, bad, or other comments would be of help too.

Thanks, Ranger Grant

[nipperwolf]

Originally Posted by misskitty5077

Oh, how I would love to lug that around for a while. Birds, here I come!

<-- wuss with a messed up shoulder and rotator cuff

But seriously, I shouldn't poke fun. Lugging that around is NOT fun. I have a small bruise on my left shoulder to prove it. I've added a piece of foam to my my vest to help with the problem. But it's still WIP (work in progress)

[Jdog]

pentax dslr cause it was way cheaper and my old lenses fit it

[Hokie]

Originally Posted by Ranger Grant

wbw2,

I just left the Canon web site, where I was trying to find out if the 2 lens I have for my Canon Rebel (origional model) would be compatible with either the XSi, or XTi. It would appear that they are. I have an EF 35-80mm 1:4-5.6, and an EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6. If you can confirm that they in fact are compatible, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Any good, bad, or other comments would be of help too.

Thanks, Ranger Grant

Any EF lens can be used on any body with the EF mount (the XSi and XTi are EF mounts). The EF-S mount can only be used on some bodies (1.6 sensors) since they protrude into the body more the smaller 1.6 sensor mirror will miss but the mirror from a larger sensor would hit the lens.

[Halliday]

All Canon:
(What I currently own)

Cameras:
5D (full frame and LOVE it!)
20D
10D
A2 (film)

Lenses:
16-35 2.8
24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8
85 1.8
50 1.8
100 Macro 2.8
28-105 3.4-4.5

I picked Canon because at the time in 1992 I didn't know if Nikon's even had autofocus. At the time and still now Canon seemed the more more technological company. I love the Ultrasonic lenses

[ToddHibbs]

D70s, 18-200 VR
2 sb800, 2 sb600
cactus radio triggers (aka "poverty wizards")

couple stands, umbrellas, accessories.

really wanting a D300....

[DeadMansLife]

Originally Posted by misskitty5077

Oh, how I would love to lug that around for a while. Birds, here I come!

<-- wuss with a messed up shoulder and rotator cuff

Gonna have to hire an assistant for that trip MK

[Ranger Grant]

Thanks for the conformation Hokie.

Best, RG

[medic1213]

I'm shooting with a Nikon D80 with MB-D80 vertical grip, 18-200VR, 50 f/1.8, SB-600, and a Sunpak 383 as well as a couple stands and wireless triggers for the flashes for off camera use.

Took this photo the day I got the camera, before I installed the vertical grip.

[Curley]

I just went through the agonizing process of deciding between the Canon Rebel XT and the Nikon D40. After handling both at stores and spending hours and hours researching and comparing, yesterday I ordered... the Nikon D40.

This was not an easy decision for me because I've always been a Canon guy. I have owned three Canon SLRs -- the Ftb, F-1 and A-1 -- and they've all been great.

There is no doubt that the Canon Rebel XT is more technologically advanced than the Nikon, but ultimately the decision came down to these factors:

1. The Nikon's 18-55 mm kit lens is superior to the 18-55 on the Canon -- at least according to every professional review I read -- in terms of build and image quality.

2. I also preferred Nikon's other lenses for this camera, which I'll probably add later, like the 55-200 mm VR and 18-200 mm VR (VR stands for Vibration Reduction, Nikon's version of image stabilization).

3. The Nikon is simpler to use. It's been simplified for people who are buying their first SLR, but it's also nice for people like me who have used SLRs before.

4. The Nikon has a cool Auto ISO setting. You can program the camera to automatically adjust the ISO setting, as long as it doesn't go below the minimum shutter speed you determine, like 1/30 of a second. Or you can select the maximum ISO you'd want to allow.

This may seem like a minor thing, but the Canon doesn't have it. You have to pick your ISO setting and stick with it until you change it, and I personally don't want to have to worry about that if I'm shooting in different light conditions. I'd rather let the camera worry about that.

Either camera is a fine choice, which is why the decision was so hard to make.

[hwyhobo]

Originally Posted by Curley

1. The Nikon's 18-55 mm kit lens is superior to the 18-55 on the Canon -- at least according to every professional review I read -- in terms of build and image quality.

You could buy XT body only, and then buy the 18-55 IS lens, which is far superior to the earlier offering. Naturally, that would increase the overall price slightly.

Disclaimer: I don't have a horse in this race, I am not rooting for either make.

[Curley]

Originally Posted by hwyhobo

You could buy XT body only, and then buy the 18-55 IS lens, which is far superior to the earlier offering. Naturally, that would increase the overall price slightly.

Yes, I considered that. But the difference in price between the XT body only and the XT or D40 with the 18-55 lens is not that significant -- only about $50 or $60.

Plus, that 18-55 size is very handy, and I'll use it a lot, so I decided to go for the version I thought I'd be happier with.

[Trebuchet]

Canon 20D w/grip | Tokina 19-35 | Canon 70-200 f/4 L | Cokin P filters (ND grad, CP)

[woodasptim]

Canon 20d
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon 430EX Speedlite

Sandisk Extreme III CF cards

All kept in a Pelican 1500, but I use a Tamrac Velocity 9x Sling Pack for walking around.

Bogen/Manfrotto 190XB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod with Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head
Bogen / Manfrotto 559B Video Monopod w/RC2 Rapid Connect Plate System

Stored in a Pelican PCTB28

Next on my list - Either a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM or a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS is

[Florida Jim]

When I got serious about digital I bought a Nikon D80 with Nikkor 18-135.
Also Sigma 70-300, and Nikon SB600 speed light.
Most of my film camera's were Nikon.

[Revelations]

Im getting ready to jump into the world of DSLR.

My old SLR is a Cannon Elan IIe and Im thinking about getting one of the Digital Canon Rebel's.

Will I be able to use my lenses from my Elan on the newer Rebels?

I know the battery pack is not interchangeable. But Im hoping the lenses are.

[DeadMansLife]

Originally Posted by Revelations

Im getting ready to jump into the world of DSLR.

My old SLR is a Cannon Elan IIe and Im thinking about getting one of the Digital Canon Rebel's.

Will I be able to use my lenses from my Elan on the newer Rebels?

I know the battery pack is not interchangeable. But Im hoping the lenses are.

Elan lens are EOS EF lens and will fit Canon XT, XTi, XSi, **D, & *D cameras.

In short, yes, they will fit the Rebels.