Camera decision help

[Kristi2k]

I'm trying to decide on whether or not I should purchase the Canon S3 IS or the Canon Digital Rebal XT.

I mostly take photos of landscape, sunsets, lakes, oceans, beaches, mountains, etc. I also take photos of people indoors.

The default lense that comes with the XT does not have IS, is this going to be an issue with the type of photos I take?

Does the XT have any grids on the display to help keep the photo aligned?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PurdueRy]

IMO I wouldn't want to deal with interchangeable lenses and the S3 is a good compromise between the versatility of a SLR and the ease of a P&S.

I think you will be happy with the S3 especially since there is a huge cost difference between them. You have to buy a lens for the telephoto ability that the S3 has.

 

[corkyg]

I guess it depends on your objectives and photographic skills. I would not dream of ever going back to a point and shoot camera no matter how many bells and whistles it has. The Rebel XT is great value and the door is open to all of Canon's family of lenses. You do not have to take the non-IS bundled lens. Get the body only and then add good lenses as needed

If you are not a serious photographer and don't intend to advance in that art form, get the S3.

BTW - an excellent all purpose lens for the Rebel XT is the EFS 17-85mm, with IS.

 

[Kristi2k]

I'm actually asking about the default lense that comes with the camera, I am not going to buy a new lense if I decide to go with this camera. Thank you though...

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I'm actually asking about the default lense that comes with the camera, I am not going to buy a new lense if I decide to go with this camera. Thank you though...

If you are not going to buy another lens...definitely the S3 IMO. I love the Rebel and all but the lens that comes with it is worthless for anything other than closeups. The 12x zoom of the S3 definitely will come in handy

 

[Kristi2k]

But if I take landscape shots isn't that what I'd want in a lense?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
But if I take landscape shots isn't that what I'd want in a lense?

Well the included lens is wide angle...but its not very versatile. Many times in landscape shots you want to make sure the road you are on or the trees that are close would show up in the shot without the zoom.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I'm actually asking about the default lense that comes with the camera, I am not going to buy a new lense if I decide to go with this camera. Thank you though...

There is no required default lens. You can buy just the body. However - it sounds like you would be well suited to the S3.

BTW - for landscapes - think panoramic stitching of 3 shotes together. You can do that with any camera.

IS is only important for low light work or where slow shutter speeds are involved - or if you have a steadiness problem.

 

[Kristi2k]

I played with both cameras in the store, the viewfinder on the S3 is very poor opposed to the XT, it's an actual viewfinder that is very sharp and clear. I also liked how the XT takes better inside shots, atleast from what I can tell instore.

I wish someone could take an indoor and outdoor shot on auto, just to get an idea.

 

[corkyg]

Sorry - never use AUTO - always P. Especially for indoor shots. I generally set the ISO up to 1600 if the lighting is average or so - gets much better depth of field. The new Canon chips do not have a lot of noise at that setting.

Here's a sample - an available light shot using ISO 1600 - pixels reduced for transmission - close up with wide angle zoom 24-105mm:

Pic

 

[Kristi2k]

Corky, I assume this is with the flash? Which camera is it?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
Corky, I assume this is with the flash? Which camera is it?

He did not use a flash in that picture

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Kristi2k
Corky, I assume this is with the flash? Which camera is it?

He did not use a flash in that picture

PurdueRY is correct - no flash. The camera was the Canon EOS 5D. The original picture was 4368 x 2912 pixels, the shutter speed was 1/49th sec. IS was on. Camera handheld.

Here is another sample - a sunset, different camera and lens. Camera is Canon EOS 20D, lens is the one I mentioned above - the EFS 17-85mm with IS. The picture was shot at ISO 1600, 1/250th sec., at f/9. IS was on. Zoom was at 73mm. Original resolution was 3504 x 2336 pixels. The Rebel XT will do this.

20D

 

[corkyg]

Going back a few years - my first digital SLR was the Canon EOS D60. It had a lesser capability than today's Digital Rebel XT. This was back about 1999 - and was taken with the D60 using a Tamron zoom lens - no IS. ISO 400, and I was about 6-8 feet away from this baby snake next to my garage door.

D60

Before the D60 SLR, I had a succession of Olympus P&S cameras - 4 of them to be exact.

My point is - if you want to grow your photographic capabilities, go with an expandable system. Otherwise - a good P&S is great - they served me well for about 6 years.

This site has a lot of my 20D pictures including some panoramic landscapes.

Mug