Need advice..

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Need some advice before making a new camera purchase. I dont know too much about photgraphy so I am quiet the amature. Im looking for a decent digital to take nice close ups of Fish and corals in an aquarium, and my crappy vacation digital camera just aint cutting it.

I was looking at the Canon Rebel Digital camera. Its about the max my budget can handle and since it will take the dozen or so lenses (most are Telephoto Zoom for security surveillance unfortunately but none the less useable) that I currently use with my 35mm, made the Rebel Digital a very tempting purchase.

Is this Camera really worth it of should I be looking at another model. What Macro lense should I get if the Rebel is the Camera for me. What other recommended accessories should I get? I mean, I have herd that I should get nothing less than a 1 Gig Flash Card.

I would greatly appreciate any feed back, words of wisdom or "spiritual enrichment"...

[paradise]

Welcome to APF. Glad you found this place :)

Which rebel are you talking about, the 300D (old Rebel) or the new 350D (Rebel XT)? Original rebel is a decent camera but unless you are using overhead flash setups using wireless controller or sync cord, I would not recommend it because of its lackluster performance at higher ISO levels, which you will need if you are not using flash.

Rebel XT is a much better camera, it's a Canon 20D Jr. It's about 80% as good at a lower price tag. The only drawback that is major is that it's lightweight and extremely small body (a drawback when using SLR lenses, that make the camera unbalanced if it's too small).

Nikon's D70 is a great entry level camera, and the body is getting less expensive (about $725 online these days), and it's got commander mode which will make it easier to control flashes if you go that way. it's high ISO level noise handling is better than Rebel but not as good as 20D, but it's better in many other ways.

You gotta decide which way you go, if you have the Canon Lenses, you can either sell them (most retain value REALLY well) and go NIkon , or keep them and get into Reblel, XT or 20D. Keep in mind, some of the older film lenses may not function 100%. But on long lenses you get the added benefit of a 1.6 crop that makes them even LONGER, which is great for DSLR users.

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Its the Rebel XT. I did notice it was considerably lighter than the 35mm Canon EOS Elan I have. Im looking at the Rebel XT primarily becuase Ive always used Canon cameras, and wanted a nicer digital camera (Canon Powershot), have a lot of gear that I can already use on it and for 699.00 (Body/lense combo) about as low as I have seen it the last year or so that I have been turning over the the thought upgrading. Just not as knowledgable or as up to date on new developments as I probably should be, and didnt want a discontinued model or a piece of worhtless junk. By the same token Im not a Pro and dont make a living at photography either, but its time to get a little more serious about things and get a better set up than I currently have. I ve done a little bit of research and seen reviews of differering opinions and wanted to see what people here had to say about it.

Thanks for the info and if you have more Im all ears!

[benny]

With the right lens and accessories, the Canon Digital Rebel XT can produce images suitable for magazine publication. And excellent entry level consideration considering the current price of digital SLR cameras. But do note that the key here is..."with the right lens and accessories". The camera itself is usually only a part of the total equation.

Cheers,

[paradise]

Having a DSLR is overwhelming in the beginning if you are used to consumer cams, but if you are a film SLR user, you should be fine. Not a fan of XT personally, for the simple reason, I like my camera big, and I think going "small" is a wrong move by Canon. I know they are trying to attract consumers but a small DSLR is a weird thing considering the size of the average "good" lens.

Other than that, you will find it a VERY VERY capable camera. And you DONT have to be a pro or make money on this, I am neither :) But the difference in quality is quite astounding, once you get it RIGHT.

[Ritsuko Nashida]

Okay another question....whats the difference in the Canon Rebel and the Rebel XT? For the amature is there really a difference in the two other than price and pixels?

[hir0]

350d has mirror lockup, a newer sensor that is a little bit better on noise, smaller, better buffer with a slightly faster fps - i dunno what else.

[Ritsuko Nashida]

To what degree will these affect picture quality?

[hir0]

dunno man. my guess is not much at all. maybe at moderate iso, but i've heard the 350d isn't exactly a great high iso performer either. what is the price difference?

[Ritsuko Nashida]

I believe a couple of hundred US. I have herd mixed opinions on both.

I bought (the camera store here leaves a bit to be desired...i'll be shopping on-line in the future for sure)what I was under the impression would be a Rebel XT and apparently they got me a Rebel so I m deciding if I should take it back since I havent opened it or if it will still be a pretty decent workable digital. Either model is a vast improvement over my existing piece of junk...Canon Powershot A20 at 2 megapixels. I guess I am just concerned with getting my moneys worth.

Not a pro (Just kinda getting into the photography thing a bit more than the average Joe) so the Rebel (300) is probably plenty of camera for me and I doubt if I would really be able to realize the added performance of the Rebel XT (350). I mainly just want to be able to get some decent close ups of my fish/coral without having to hock the bank in the process. The Rebel is retailing for 650.00 here and the Rebel XT for about 899.00..... I really want to stick to Canon though as I have a gang of lenses (sp?) that will fit on either model

Thanks for the feedback "hir0". Hopefully this will give you a little more info to work with......

[paradise]

350 has problems but it's a much improved camera, for ANY user.