Is anyone using the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT?

[Mr. McD]

I am camera shopping and this is a leading contender. I am also looking at the Olympus E-500. These are both 8 megapixel.

I like the Nikon D200 (10 megapixel) also but I don't know if I want to spend that much.

[usedtobesick]

1. intheflow uses the Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XT

and she loves it!

[Blue_In_AK]

2. I thought I remembered that's what she has...

She's been taking some great pictures with it, too.

[intheflow]

3. I use that camera.

It's great 90% of the time. There are some quirks with it that I eithr haven't figured out how to work yet or they're just quirks of the camera. For instance, I can't get it to read my hotshoe flash attachment, which is annoying. But then, I haven't really researched into the possible reasons why that might be, so it's probably user error. :)

I do have to do a fair amount of post-processing in Photoshop to get the image to reflect the colors (particularly the lighting) of my subjext, but I think that's normal for digitial photography. I'm not doing anything particularly extreme, but lightening and darkening images accordingly.

The vast majority of the stuff I've posted on DU lately I shot with the digital Rebel, although I shot last month's contest winning photo with a Pentax K1000.

[Boo_Radley]

4. Nikon or Canon

Advice I got when I was shopping was to stick with either Nikon or Canon, because everyone sells Nikon or Canon, everyone uses Nikon or Canon, and everyone repairs Nikon or Canon, so if you ever find yourself needing service or parts or help, you'll find it easier if you're using a Nikon or a Canon.

[Fovea]

7. A lot of service gets shipped

But is is nice to have a shop local.

If you don't live in a big urban area, then you *are* going to ship. In that case, Fuji(nikkor lens mount), Pentax, and others have some great DSLR's that you might want to consider. If you are adventurous, look up the Sigma DSLR with the foveon sensor.

All of these cameras (except the sigma) are being used and loved by friends of mine. Though the larger number of my photographer friends shoot Nikon.

Further, consider used. A well serviced and maintained high level DSLR can be quite competitive price wise and even better value, IMO, if you really are going to shoot the piss out of it. For example, the Nikon D1x is a fine camera, and it is going used for ~$700.00 at Adorama or KEH. Buy em with a mack warranty. That gives you more to spend on an extra lens or two.

Also, 6 mp gave me a really good blow up to 27x18. Just saying size ain't everything.

Just my two cents.

[Boo_Radley]

8. Fuji

I had a little FujiFilm pocket camera, my first digital, that I really loved. I shot it until the motor gave out. I liked the sensor, and really considered getting a Fuji body instead of a Nikon. Eventually, I gave in to the advice to stick with the popular brand, for the reasons above.

I still consider Fuji an option, but one I'm just not quite comfortable with.

[Fovea]

9. yes

I had a finepix 4900z digital P&S that was incredible.
It is what convinced me that I was a reasonable photographer.

[CC]

5. A couple of things to ask yourself,

Both Nikon and Canon make good cameras, as do other companies. Do you have a 35mm film camera with lens? Does the same manufacturer make a digital? If you do I would look at that brand first and see if your lens would work on it. What do you want to do with the camera? Just like film, some don't need all the bells and whistles and just want an easy camera to use. If you love photography and want to push yourself into doing more (or already do film wise) then you want to look at what bells and whistles fit what you would want to do. http://www.steves-digicams.com/ has great reviews on lots of cameras. Though I don't have a Rebel I have only met one person that wasn't happy with theirs, and that was because they had always used Nikon film cameras and liked the set up of the D70 better. It wasn't a better or worse camera thing but a familiarity thing for them.

[Mr. McD]

6. My film camera is a Minolta SRT 101

I got it in 1969. It doesn't get used much. My digital is an Olympus C700. I decided to go with the Canon. It suits my needs and budget best.

[CC]

10. You can't go wrong there and

there are enough Canon people in this group and in other groups, and in RL that any help you might need will be easy to find. Course now you have to post pics here when you do get it so we can see them. We are a greedy lot when it comes to wanting to see peoples' photos. :evilgrin:

[Maestro]

11. I shoot with it.

I love it. My only bit of advice is to get a battery grip to go with it for some extra "feel" to the camera otherwise it feels too small to me.