Photographers - need help buying Rebel XT stuff

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: dowxp

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: NutBucket
a real flash

Agreed. And it will help with fast shooting just make sure you get some rechargeable batteries for it. The on camera flash is useless if you stick a big honking lens on the camera.

I would add that the 50mm f/1.4 lens is a great portrait lens.

Unless she's shooting for hours at a time she won't need an extra battery or the battery grip. I've carried my 300D all day on one battery many times and for hundreds of shots. Just don't use the LCD to view the pictures a lot and it will last a long long time. The battery grip is nice if you have large hands but otherwise it's just extra weight.

I would get a nice padded strap though. The one the camera comes with is not very comfortable after about an hour with the camera hanging around your neck.

Excellent, thanks! What flash stuff would you recommend? I'm used to my little Canon A75, which doesn't really take any fun accessories aside from small lens improvements

420EX ?

That's what I have but I bought that flash for my Elan 7E which supports the E-TTL. I don't think the Rebel XT has this feature though. Still, it is better than the on camera flash. I can fire off 3 shots with the flash in about 2 seconds on my 300D with rechargeable batteries in the flash and it recovers much quicker than the on camera flash too.

It's kind of a moot point though if all her shooting will be outside in broad daylight. What kind of shooting will she be doing with the camera?

General - everything. I asked her and she said yes to the flash. Is the 420EX the best option? It seems like it's being discontinued or something since it's a tad hard to find.

Yeah, I don't see the 420EX. I think it must have been replaced by the 430EX

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: montanafan
The f/1.4 is a better lens, but with the budget limitations and interest in a flash, the f/1.8 would be a much better buy.

Yeah, you're probably right. I tend to go with the spend a little more get better quality philosophy. But that's just me.

 

[KoolAidKid]

I'm sure that I am in the minority here, but your sister might consider getting a Canon 50mm f/1.8 (for example, here) for $75 to use until she has an idea of what she's doing. IMO, you should only buy a new, expensive lens when you are knowledgable enough to know why your current lens isn't good enough.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Text

This is a 100% crop of a pic I took on a cloudy day with my 50mm lens. I couldn't even see those spider webs with the naked eye when I shot the pic. It was only after I looked at the image fullsize that I realized there were spider webs on here.

Make Canon
Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL
Aperture Value f/3.5
Color Space sRGB
Exposure Bias Value 0.00 EV
Flash No Flash
Focal Length 50.00 mm
ISO 100
Metering Mode Multi-Segment
Shutter Speed Value 1/250 sec
Date/Time 07/15/2005 12:53:04 AM
Orientation Normal (O deg)
Resolution Unit Inch
X Resolution 180 dots per ResolutionUnit
Y Resolution 180 dots per ResolutionUnit
Compression Jpeg Compression
Exposure Mode 0

 

[montanafan]

I agree with torpid on the type of lenses with the budget she has.

I see the Canon Digital Rebel XT body w/o lens at around $650 on BHPhoto and Amazon. Might find it cheaper.

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens for about $75.

The Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-f/6.3 lens for $279 or the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens for $139.

The Canon 430EX flash for $230 or you could go with the Sigma EF500 Super DG for about the same price or cheaper. I'd go with the Canon flash though, the Sigma is more powerful, but the Canon is a good flash with good recycling times.

That puts you at around $1000 or so depending on what you choose and what kind of a price you get, but that doesn't include the memory card and camera bag.

 

[Kaido]

Okay, here's the first pass: ($1159 total)

Canon Digital Rebel XT (aka 350d): $580 AR ($100 MIR)
Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 Autofocus lens: $380
Tamrac N-27 Boomerang Camera Strap with Quick Release (black): $20
2gb Sandisk Ultra II CompactFlash memory card: $86
Tamrac Holster Bag: $35
Canon RC-1 Wireless Remote Control: $25
Spare hi-capacity battery: $33

That should take care of the basics; upgrades can come later on (flash, more lenses, etc.). After doing all this research, I think *I'm* going to pick this up lol. This seems like a nice deal! Thanks for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it!

 

[Kaido]

Ahah, found a better deal on batteries. Canon's 720mAh goes for $50 for one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control...u=349740&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

While I can get two 1100mAh batteries for $30:

http://www.sterlingtek.com/twocanb11bap.html

Thanks thepieces!

 

[GTaudiophile]

I have that Tamron 28-75 lens...sadly I do not think it's wide enough on an APS-C body like the Rebel.

Thought about the Canon EFS 17-85?

Can you buy two 1GB CF cards for the price of that one 2GB? Better to lose one card and 50% of your images than 100% of your images.

 

[ElFenix]

next dell deal... rebel xt here i come...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I have that Tamron 28-75 lens...sadly I do not think it's wide enough on an APS-C body like the Rebel.

Thought about the Canon EFS 17-85?

Can you buy two 1GB CF cards for the price of that one 2GB? Better to lose one card and 50% of your images than 100% of your images.

Yeah I was thinking about that too. I think the 2gb card will be better for her (less hassle), plus with prices so cheap ($80 for 2 gigs is phenomenal) it's a good buy, and also 2 gigs is less than 300 pics at full res, so it's probably better to get the bigger card. When I go out shooting I usually take 150 - 200 with my A75, so the bigger the better, especially for the current price.

 

[iamtrout]

YHPM

 

[imported_Mike]

I have an XT. I love the size and weight of it. I purchased almost all of my gear from Dell. I've also owned a Canon 20d, but sold it to keep the XT. I prefer the XT to any other Canon DSLR. My first lens was a 28-135IS and I usually push it for a good starter lens.

Although I still have the 28-135, I never use it as I just got the 24-105IS F/4. My future lens purchases will include a macro lens, 10-22mm, and probably a 70-200mm telephoto. It all depends on what she will use the camera for and what her style is.

I don't think the Extreme III cards are required. I use the Ultra IIs from Sandisk and they do just fine with the XT. I also don't see a need for a "real" flash for myself. Just depends on what you're shooting.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Mike
I have an XT. I love the size and weight of it. I purchased almost all of my gear from Dell. I've also owned a Canon 20d, but sold it to keep the XT. I prefer the XT to any other Canon DSLR. My first lens was a 28-135IS and I usually push it for a good starter lens.

Although I still have the 28-135, I never use it as I just got the 24-105IS F/4. My future lens purchases will include a macro lens, 10-22mm, and probably a 70-200mm telephoto. It all depends on what she will use the camera for and what her style is.

I don't think the Extreme III cards are required. I use the Ultra IIs from Sandisk and they do just fine with the XT. I also don't see a need for a "real" flash for myself. Just depends on what you're shooting.

Yeah, I'm recommending her an Ultra II. I've got a 1 gig Ultra II in my A75 and I love it to pieces :heart: As far as her "shooting style", again, it's pretty much anything/everything. It's a replacement for a point-and-shoot HP, so she's not very specific. I think for now the stock flash with the Tamron lens will be good for her to start with, plus it nearly hits her $1,000 budget.

What macro lenses are you looking at? I'm interested in this camera now, but since I'm in the process of dropping my spare change on a new box I probably won't get one for awhile. Plenty of time to do research

 

[Mrvile]

Not trying to solicitate or anything but I have a Sigma 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6 DC for Canon EOS that I'm not using and it's for sale for like $80. It's in perfect condition and makes a great compact zoom lens for a beginner/amateur.

Anyway, I think the optimal lens combo for under $1000 would be a the 50/1.8, the Tamron 28-75/2.8 or Sigma 24-70/2.8, and a memory card. She won't really need a real flash unit yet as a decent one is pretty expensive and she'll want to use natural light for most of her pictures. And no zoom lens yet (unless you buy mine ) - she'll need to save up for a good one.

Hope she enjoys the camera man...I absolutely love mine.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Mike
I have an XT. I love the size and weight of it. I purchased almost all of my gear from Dell. I've also owned a Canon 20d, but sold it to keep the XT. I prefer the XT to any other Canon DSLR. My first lens was a 28-135IS and I usually push it for a good starter lens.

Although I still have the 28-135, I never use it as I just got the 24-105IS F/4. My future lens purchases will include a macro lens, 10-22mm, and probably a 70-200mm telephoto. It all depends on what she will use the camera for and what her style is.

I don't think the Extreme III cards are required. I use the Ultra IIs from Sandisk and they do just fine with the XT. I also don't see a need for a "real" flash for myself. Just depends on what you're shooting.

Yeah, I'm recommending her an Ultra II. I've got a 1 gig Ultra II in my A75 and I love it to pieces :heart: As far as her "shooting style", again, it's pretty much anything/everything. It's a replacement for a point-and-shoot HP, so she's not very specific. I think for now the stock flash with the Tamron lens will be good for her to start with, plus it nearly hits her $1,000 budget.

What macro lenses are you looking at? I'm interested in this camera now, but since I'm in the process of dropping my spare change on a new box I probably won't get one for awhile. Plenty of time to do research

Oh my, coming from an HP P&S is like going from a Pinto to a MB S55 AMG. I am looking at the 60mm Canon Macro. Many "professionals" knock it b/c it is EF-S meaning it really can't be used with full frame cameras like the 5d without some shenangals. If I upgrade anytime soon, it certainly won't be to a 5d or anything on that level, so it isn't something I am remotely worried about.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Mike
I have an XT. I love the size and weight of it. I purchased almost all of my gear from Dell. I've also owned a Canon 20d, but sold it to keep the XT. I prefer the XT to any other Canon DSLR. My first lens was a 28-135IS and I usually push it for a good starter lens.

Although I still have the 28-135, I never use it as I just got the 24-105IS F/4. My future lens purchases will include a macro lens, 10-22mm, and probably a 70-200mm telephoto. It all depends on what she will use the camera for and what her style is.

I don't think the Extreme III cards are required. I use the Ultra IIs from Sandisk and they do just fine with the XT. I also don't see a need for a "real" flash for myself. Just depends on what you're shooting.

Yeah, I'm recommending her an Ultra II. I've got a 1 gig Ultra II in my A75 and I love it to pieces :heart: As far as her "shooting style", again, it's pretty much anything/everything. It's a replacement for a point-and-shoot HP, so she's not very specific. I think for now the stock flash with the Tamron lens will be good for her to start with, plus it nearly hits her $1,000 budget.

What macro lenses are you looking at? I'm interested in this camera now, but since I'm in the process of dropping my spare change on a new box I probably won't get one for awhile. Plenty of time to do research

Oh my, coming from an HP P&S is like going from a Pinto to a MB S55 AMG. I am looking at the 60mm Canon Macro. Many "professionals" knock it b/c it is EF-S meaning it really can't be used with full frame cameras like the 5d without some shenangals. If I upgrade anytime soon, it certainly won't be to a 5d or anything on that level, so it isn't something I am remotely worried about.

Enjoy the upgrade man, the EF-S 60 is one of the sharpest non-L lenses around. And unless you're into shooting tons of wideangle, you won't ever need a full frame anyway. I'm waiting for Canon to make a highend 12~16MP APS-C camera, that would be dream for nature and macro photogs.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Mike
Oh my, coming from an HP P&S is like going from a Pinto to a MB S55 AMG. I am looking at the 60mm Canon Macro. Many "professionals" knock it b/c it is EF-S meaning it really can't be used with full frame cameras like the 5d without some shenangals. If I upgrade anytime soon, it certainly won't be to a 5d or anything on that level, so it isn't something I am remotely worried about.

Are you absolutely sure about the 60mm macro? I've used a 50mm macro, 90mm macro, and now use a 180mm macro. You're going to have very little working distance with 60mm out in the field, and believe me, I found it very hard to photograph bugs and such with even a 90mm. Especially ones that are fast moving and have stingers...

The upside to the 60mm though is that it can double as a portrait lens, although the maximum aperture of f/2.8 might produce too much depth of focus...

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Mike
I don't think the Extreme III cards are required. I use the Ultra IIs from Sandisk and they do just fine with the XT.

Yeah, I'm recommending her an Ultra II.

Yup yup, the Extreme III's are absolutely not required. I actually moved from 1GB and 8GB Ultra II's to 2GB Extreme III's and I *timed* absolutely no difference between the two when writing raw files from the XT's filled buffer to the card.

I'm still going with the Extreme III's though, which may seem hypocritical, but in my defense I DEFINITELY plan to upgrade to a more "professional" body in the future that will take advantage of the Extreme III's speed, not to mention I require my cards to be absolutely impervious to the elements, which I guess the Extreme III's are known for.

 

[Jejunum]

get the kit lens for wide stuff. Goto dpreview and look at some of the fantastic shots. The kits lens is a decent wide lens at smaller aperatures (above f7)

I am considering the sigma 24-70 f2.8 or the tamron 28-75 f2.8 to replace my kit lens as well

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: Mike
Oh my, coming from an HP P&S is like going from a Pinto to a MB S55 AMG. I am looking at the 60mm Canon Macro. Many "professionals" knock it b/c it is EF-S meaning it really can't be used with full frame cameras like the 5d without some shenangals. If I upgrade anytime soon, it certainly won't be to a 5d or anything on that level, so it isn't something I am remotely worried about.

Are you absolutely sure about the 60mm macro? I've used a 50mm macro, 90mm macro, and now use a 180mm macro. You're going to have very little working distance with 60mm out in the field, and believe me, I found it very hard to photograph bugs and such with even a 90mm. Especially ones that are fast moving and have stingers...

The upside to the 60mm though is that it can double as a portrait lens, although the maximum aperture of f/2.8 might produce too much depth of focus...

Tell this guy and this guy that 60mm isn't long enough. How close can you get??

One more...this has to be the best.

 

[6000SUX]

The Sigma 24-70 EX is pretty poor. Sometimes you get what you pay for. In addition to extreme softness and lack of contrast at f/2.8 and a pretty bad warm color cast, it has bad focus issues on Canon bodies (like most Sigma lenses).

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX
The Sigma 24-70 EX is pretty poor. Sometimes you get what you pay for. In addition to extreme softness and lack of contrast at f/2.8 and a pretty bad warm color cast, it has bad focus issues on Canon bodies (like most Sigma lenses).

You're obviously just restating things you've read and heard. You tell this guy that his lens sucks while you have nothing to show for it.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: Mike
Oh my, coming from an HP P&S is like going from a Pinto to a MB S55 AMG. I am looking at the 60mm Canon Macro. Many "professionals" knock it b/c it is EF-S meaning it really can't be used with full frame cameras like the 5d without some shenangals. If I upgrade anytime soon, it certainly won't be to a 5d or anything on that level, so it isn't something I am remotely worried about.

Are you absolutely sure about the 60mm macro? I've used a 50mm macro, 90mm macro, and now use a 180mm macro. You're going to have very little working distance with 60mm out in the field, and believe me, I found it very hard to photograph bugs and such with even a 90mm. Especially ones that are fast moving and have stingers...

The upside to the 60mm though is that it can double as a portrait lens, although the maximum aperture of f/2.8 might produce too much depth of focus...

I use a 35mm focal length lens for 1:1 macro work. This is how close the focusing distance is for 1:1

http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58899325.distance3.jpg

If you're not scared to get up close and personal you'll get good shots, plus the great thing is with such a light short focal length lens, I handhold all of my macros and they turn out sharp.

http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58109003.dinnerbw.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58109006.wetbugbw.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58826830.baby.jpg

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Mike
I have an XT. I love the size and weight of it. I purchased almost all of my gear from Dell. I've also owned a Canon 20d, but sold it to keep the XT. I prefer the XT to any other Canon DSLR. My first lens was a 28-135IS and I usually push it for a good starter lens.

Although I still have the 28-135, I never use it as I just got the 24-105IS F/4. My future lens purchases will include a macro lens, 10-22mm, and probably a 70-200mm telephoto. It all depends on what she will use the camera for and what her style is.

I don't think the Extreme III cards are required. I use the Ultra IIs from Sandisk and they do just fine with the XT. I also don't see a need for a "real" flash for myself. Just depends on what you're shooting.

It definitely does but I sometimes shoot family gatherings and have found that indoors late afternoon to after dark shooting from across a reasonably sized room the on camera flash is pretty much useless.

Stick a decent size lens on it and you get lens shadow on your pics (you will see a dark patch in the bottom center of your pics) which is completely unacceptable. My 17-40mm f/4 will cast a shadow big enough to see in the pics on my 300D with the on camera flash.

Edit-The Rebel XT flash might be a little higher than the 300D though. I'm not sure on this.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: Mike
Oh my, coming from an HP P&S is like going from a Pinto to a MB S55 AMG. I am looking at the 60mm Canon Macro. Many "professionals" knock it b/c it is EF-S meaning it really can't be used with full frame cameras like the 5d without some shenangals. If I upgrade anytime soon, it certainly won't be to a 5d or anything on that level, so it isn't something I am remotely worried about.

Are you absolutely sure about the 60mm macro? I've used a 50mm macro, 90mm macro, and now use a 180mm macro. You're going to have very little working distance with 60mm out in the field, and believe me, I found it very hard to photograph bugs and such with even a 90mm. Especially ones that are fast moving and have stingers...

The upside to the 60mm though is that it can double as a portrait lens, although the maximum aperture of f/2.8 might produce too much depth of focus...

I use a 35mm focal length lens for 1:1 macro work. This is how close the focusing distance is for 1:1

http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58899325.distance3.jpg

If you're not scared to get up close and personal you'll get good shots, plus the great thing is with such a light short focal length lens, I handhold all of my macros and they turn out sharp.

http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58109003.dinnerbw.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58109006.wetbugbw.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/08/648408/1/58826830.baby.jpg

That's part of the fun - seeing how close you can get before it flies away. Here are some shots I took with the kit lens (55mm):

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/...Photos/?action=view&current=yukfly.jpg
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/...on=view&current=butterflyonflowers.jpg
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/...otos/?action=view&current=bluebfly.jpg
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/...on=view&current=dflyonleaffiltered.jpg
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/...tos/?action=view&current=omgspider.jpg

Not very sharp, but the only real thing holding me back was the minimum focusing distance. I have a 150mm 1:1 lens arriving on Wednesday - can't wait to try it out.