Cannon EOS Rebel XSI

[FiLeZz]

Well got one for christmas. Takes fantastic pic.

I have lots to learn on the camera, but from what I have seen on the net it is a very good camera.

I want to get a macro lens for it. I am very very happy with this camera.

My brother inlaw has a d40. I looked at his and from the looks of the two I like mine better. I know his costs less so his may be a better value. All the reviews say the xsi has better quality. anyone have any thoughts on the camera?

 

[ivan2]

get a grip, I handled my friend's gripped one and I like it's handling more than my 40D.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: ivan2
get a grip, I handled my friend's gripped one and I like it's handling more than my 40D.

Really? A grip doesn't change the fact that an XSi's actual grip (the one on the camera, not the one on the battery grip) is much, much too small and narrow for my hands...I can't even fit my pinky finger onto the XSi's grip! The 40D is much better in this respect, with its fat, chunky, textured rubber grip.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: ivan2
get a grip, I handled my friend's gripped one and I like it's handling more than my 40D.

I agree that a grip helps, but the inherent design of the XT/S/i's are painfully obvious. Strangely, it does not bother one of my coworkers who's a pretty big guy.

But enjoy the camera, don't get caught up in which brand is better or whatever.. you have the camera, get a couple of lenses and shoot.

macro is fun, but be sure you know what you're getting into. The canon 100/2.8 is a solid macro lens. So is it's EF-s brother the 60/2.8. All the third party macros are pretty well regarded too, like the sigma 70/105/150's and tamron 90.

 

[extra]

Yep, the XSI is a *fantastic* camera. I have one as well... For macro, before you get so into it that you buy a spendy lense, go grab the extension tubes off of dealextreme lol, CHEAP way to get into it, and they work great, focusing is manual but shrug

And as far as nikon vs. canon, neither is "better". Although the xsi doesn't compete with the d40 so it's not really fair to compare them, you'd want to compare the xsi with the d60. It's all a matter of which one feels better in your hand, really.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
I can't even fit my pinky finger onto the XSi's grip!

uh, put it under the camera....

i put my pinky under the camera on my 40D a lot, i can't imagine trying to put it on the grip on an xsi

 

[bobdole369]

"enjoy the camera, don't get caught up in which brand is better or whatever.."

A good camera - a photographer does not make. A good photographer can create fantastic photos on a disposable 35mm, or a homemade pinhole.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
http://www.dpreview.com
http://photo.net
http://www.flickr.com
http://www.pbase.com

I highly recommend a trip to borders or b&n, or whatever big bookstore is around you - even the library. Find a book on photo composition and another on general photography which should contain a section on the technical aspects of photography.

Learn "Exposure", metering, f/stops, focal length, etc.

Once the technical aspects are down they become second nature and you can concentrate on taking a photo - rather than fighting the camera to get a good looking picture out of it.

Buy a tripod (a GOOD one, nothing tabletop, ball-head are very easy to use). Buy a camera bag (http://www.crumplerbags.com), get a handy microfiber or three to make sure your lens is always clean. One very good lens that is a MUST in my eyes for every photog - is the Canon 50mm 1.8. Its about $100 and is the sharpest lens you'll find until you hit over $500. I'ts great for learning as there is no zooming, So it cuts out on a lot of stuff so you can concentrate on taking pictures and getting them technically correct.

Before you invest in some lenses, learn how to use the camera. Good lenses a photographer does not make.

Take that camera EVERYWHERE with you.

http://www.nyip.com/ I recommend taking the course. Its a hundred bucks a month or so for a year and will pay for itself after the first 3 units - you will know so much more about taking pictures and how cameras work.

 

[ivan2]

The grip allowed me to make contact using the whole palm instead of just about 3 finger width in my case. The 40D's handle is bigger so it is easier for the 3 middle fingers to hold on, but to have a fuller contact I find that is less stressful than have fingers all crammed together (feels dryer for my sweaty palm too)

Only complain about the gripped 40D is weight... like it's even bigger than a 1D