All this photograhpy talk got me thinking....

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: dman
1) No digital preview (comes with the territory--for now) which is not a big deal but there are some cases where I could lift the camera up over my head with the P&S and look at the LCD, have to just 'guess' in those cases now.

4) In Auto Mode, turning the flash off is not an (obvious) option, the only workaround I know of (in auto) is you have to wait for it to pop up, then push it down (holding in the shutter button) to then take the shot. There are many places where you can use a camera that it's not socially acceptable to use a flash. See #3.

The digital preview thing is an actual physical limitation of SLR cameras. It has to do with the actual mechanical path that the light is forced to take. I know of one DSLR camera that offers this feature though (forget which one), and it's only accomplished through the use of a second sensor, specially designed just for digital preview, and I think a second prism or more mirrors to boot.

As for #4, I didn't even know the flash automatically pops up in auto. Solution? Don't use auto Aperture or Shutter Priority should be fast enough, especially since you can change aperture or shutter in their corresponding modes very quickly by just turning the scroll wheel.

 

[dowxp]

I'm just going to insert my comment here: The gear can only get you so far and the rest is left to the user. I've spent a lot of my gear and probably will not upgrade from the rebel to the full frame 5d for a _long_ time. the improvements from a rebelxt to 30d isn't that significant to a prosumer. i get all hot inside everytime i see a good photograph not primarily because of the MP or bokeh, but because of the shot setup. would i ever be able to shoot like that?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: dman
1) No digital preview (comes with the territory--for now) which is not a big deal but there are some cases where I could lift the camera up over my head with the P&S and look at the LCD, have to just 'guess' in those cases now.

4) In Auto Mode, turning the flash off is not an (obvious) option, the only workaround I know of (in auto) is you have to wait for it to pop up, then push it down (holding in the shutter button) to then take the shot. There are many places where you can use a camera that it's not socially acceptable to use a flash. See #3.

The digital preview thing is an actual physical limitation of SLR cameras. It has to do with the actual mechanical path that the light is forced to take. I know of one DSLR camera that offers this feature though (forget which one), and it's only accomplished through the use of a second sensor, specially designed just for digital preview, and I think a second prism or more mirrors to boot.

Olympus E-330

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: s0ssos

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
What's not intuitive about Canon's menu system? (I'm a 20D owner)...

Every camera maker has a slightly different system, so switching to Nikon won't necessarily mean you'll be any better off in terms on menus.

How much Canon gear do you have? Just the XT body and kit lens?

the dumb wheel? why don't you use a up down joystick thingy? that's what i call intuitive

It sounds silly but that "dumb wheel" is one of the best upgrades when moving to the 20/30D. It makes adjusting both Av and Tv so much easier in Manual mode. It also makes adjusting ISO a lot easier. If the OP is upset with the menu system and ergonomics of the XT, he would be well served by trying a 20/30D. The small changes make a big difference IMO.

 

[phantom309]

You know what? It doesn't matter very much. You can make great pictures, or lousy pictures, with either one.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: kmrivers
600-650!??? No way. That is a big hit. Here is what I will be selling:

Black XT Body
Kit Lens
Battery Grip
512MB Sandisk Ultra II CF
4 Year mack warranty

I would like to see at least $800-$900

Well, let's see.

Black XT body I've seen go for $500-$600, depending on shutter actuations <- very important to specify this number
Kit lens - $50 or less.
Battery Grip - ~$100-$150 probably because there is a manufacturor called Opteka that is actually making a Canon grip clone, and it's a lot cheaper than the official Canon version with basically the same features. I've heard that the button feel is a bit different, but people don't mind, so they all flock to Opteka.
512MB SanDisk Ultra II - $30? The price of Sandisk cards REALLY decreased about a month ago.
4-year Mack warranty - yay!

So yeah, your estimate seems about right. My earlier estimate was actually based on just the camera itself and the grip, plus I didn't know you had a Mack warranty on it.

 

[dowxp]

The price was 800-900 before the rebates. ever since, price has dropped considerably.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: OdiN
The 70-200mm is an excellent lens. Stick with Canon since you have that IMO.

Yeah. I just hope I can get a good price for my XT and not have to shell out a ton to make up for the difference on a 30D or something else.

There isn't much benefit in the 30D over the 20D, and the 20D is cheaper now because of it if you can find a good deal.

The XT should hold a decent amount of value.

Yeah, I would stick with Canon. It's not fanboyism, it's just practicality. The 30D and the 20D are pretty much the same thing except the 30D has a larger LCD screen, faster FPS and larger buffer, a different menu system, and ISO is now seen in the viewfinder and it can be adjusted by 1/3rds of a stop I think. There are other differences but those are of note to me. It's basically a features upgrade whereas something like the 5D would be a complete hardware upgrade. Also keep in mind lens purchases for future use. If you go full frame in the future your current 1.6x lenses will not work properly at some focal lengths.

As far as a used XT+Grip, probably $600-$650?

600-650!??? No way. That is a big hit. Here is what I will be selling:

Black XT Body
Kit Lens
Battery Grip
512MB Sandisk Ultra II CF
4 Year mack warranty

I would like to see at least $800-$900

dude, you can get a brand new XT for about 600-650 now. good luck.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
What's not intuitive about Canon's menu system? (I'm a 20D owner)...

Every camera maker has a slightly different system, so switching to Nikon won't necessarily mean you'll be any better off in terms on menus.

How much Canon gear do you have? Just the XT body and kit lens?

The XT uses the menu system found on their P&S cameras. When you move to the 20D, you get a whole different setup which is geared more towards a pro shoooter.

I have used a 20D and found that I didnt lose as many shots as I did with the XT, so it is not my inability. I have used a Nikon, a D2H and liked it. It was very brief .

I own the kit lens, a 50mm f/1.8 and a 70-200mm f/4. I also own the Battery grip because I found the XT to be too small.

I am thinking about the 30D, i just did some research and I am not seeing much on the Nikon side , I am not shelling out for a D200. The D70 may be an option. I am going to go play with one at the store this weekend.

Just stick with Canon. The 20D or greater has a much better interface than the Rebel cameras. There is nothing wrong with Nikon...but you already have at least 2 decent lenses from Canon.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: OdiN
The 70-200mm is an excellent lens. Stick with Canon since you have that IMO.

Yeah. I just hope I can get a good price for my XT and not have to shell out a ton to make up for the difference on a 30D or something else.

There isn't much benefit in the 30D over the 20D, and the 20D is cheaper now because of it if you can find a good deal.

The XT should hold a decent amount of value.

Yeah, I would stick with Canon. It's not fanboyism, it's just practicality. The 30D and the 20D are pretty much the same thing except the 30D has a larger LCD screen, faster FPS and larger buffer, a different menu system, and ISO is now seen in the viewfinder and it can be adjusted by 1/3rds of a stop I think. There are other differences but those are of note to me. It's basically a features upgrade whereas something like the 5D would be a complete hardware upgrade. Also keep in mind lens purchases for future use. If you go full frame in the future your current 1.6x lenses will not work properly at some focal lengths.

As far as a used XT+Grip, probably $600-$650?

600-650!??? No way. That is a big hit. Here is what I will be selling:

Black XT Body
Kit Lens
Battery Grip
512MB Sandisk Ultra II CF
4 Year mack warranty

I would like to see at least $800-$900

Good luck with that.