Canon 10.1 MP Rebel EOS XTI

[David Drummond]

Does anyone have one of these that would care to share their experiences with it?

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Just got one a couple weeks back to upgrade from my previous 300D.

I love it so far. I really don't have anything bad to say about this camera. If you're interested in higher ISOs, then maybe a 30D for 40D. But for my intents and purposes, the XTi is everything I want/need right now. The higher resolution is nice, though not really noticeable to me yet (but I haven't started the serious shooting). I love the automatic sensor cleaning on shutdown. It rocks, as anyone who has had a previous version of the Digital Rebel will tell you. Has a bigger, better viewscreen, which I like. And the controls are easier to navigate than the former 300D.

I give it two big thumbs up.

 

[David Drummond]

I've been so much in to video in the past, I am lagging in tech and knowledge on still stuff. Luckily I have a chaser partner that can bring me up to speed on the jargon. I've been using a Fujifilm E510 point and shoot at 5.2 MP. It take amazing photos for what it is. But with some of the lightning shots Graham has been getting, I have been getting the itch for something more serious. I have a great opportunity to get this particular camera. The reason I am asking about it.

I guess what I am saying, is that coming from what I am coming from, am I going to be happy with this camera? Of course Graham tells me it's all in the lens, which no doubt I will be wanting more/better in the future.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

I have the Canon XTi, bought it just 2 months ago... and it's currently sitting in the Canon Service Factory... it stopped powering on

Other than that, it's a great camera and recommend it.

 

[Dick McGowan]

XTi is a great buy, it has a bigger LCD screen than the XT (like Mike said), 3.5 vs. 2.5, sensor cleaning, and of course more MP's. A bigger LCD is a big deal, because it will let you see more detail, or in/out of focus, and that alone is worth it. It's not so much the body, but the glass, and IMO Canon is superior. But it's been tempting to switch to Nikon with the release of their new, cheaper, full frame camera, but I suspect Canon isn't too far behind.

I have the XT, and have been waiting till this one poops out on me, and it hasn't yet (Bought it in August 05). Plus, if you do not fill out your warranty card, the customer service will let you send it in, even past a year. (They told me not to fill it out).

 

[David Drummond]

I have the XT, and have been waiting till this one poops out on me, and it hasn't yet (Bought it in August 05). Plus, if you do not fill out your warranty card, the customer service will let you send it in, even past a year. (They told me not to fill it out).

That's a good tip to know.

 

[Dick McGowan]

Yeah, and those XTi's are supposed to be good for nearly 100,000 clicks. I think I have maybe 10,000 on mine. They should last a long, long time. Their customer service was very helpful also!

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

I bought the Xti as my first Digital Camera ever, and used it throughout this season, its hard for me to critique the camera given it is my first Camera, however I have no complaints with the operation of the camera so far. I will say though, that the lens market is frustrating, at times when looking at lenses I wonder if I should have went with another brand. I recall when shopping around Pentax makes a camera for a similar price with IS (image stabilization) built in, the canon does not, you can purchase the IS lenses but you can't touch one for less then the cost of the camera; also that Pentax camera was 100% weather (water) proof, which would be sweet!! If you do opt for the canon I think it is best to purchase the body only save the small amount of money and put it towards a better lens and not even screw with the kit lens. If I had to do it over again I would probably go with this camera http://www.pentaxslr.com/bodies/k10

 

[Graham Butler]

I bought the Xti as my first Digital Camera ever, and used it throughout this season, its hard for me to critique the camera given it is my first Camera, however I have no complaints with the operation of the camera so far. I will say though, that the lens market is frustrating, at times when looking at lenses I wonder if I should have went with another brand. I recall when shopping around Pentax makes a camera for a similar price with IS (image stabilization) built in, the canon does not, you can purchase the IS lenses but you can't touch one for less then the cost of the camera; also that Pentax camera was 100% weather (water) proof, which would be sweet!! If you do opt for the canon I think it is best to purchase the body only save the small amount of money and put it towards a better lens and not even screw with the kit lens. If I had to do it over again I would probably go with this camera http://www.pentaxslr.com/bodies/k10

You get what you pay for. Pentax might be cheaper with the same bells and whistles but the quality can't even compare to that of Canons. That is like buying a Kia over a BMW because the engines are the same size but the Kia is cheaper. Did I have a $1k lens when I bought the 20D body? No, I worked my way up from the 17-40L, to the 70-200L, 24-70L, and now about to get the 300L IS. You can't expect to go out and have the ultimate shooting combination right off the bat. If one can not afford the L glass first off then I suggest getting prime lenses. The 50mm f/1.4 is a great lens and iirc ~$350. This lens would hold most people over until they could save up for some L glass. And if not, get another prime. Less elements = better quality without going with the flourite glass.

That being said, now that my opinion is obvious. David, buy the xti, and get yourself a 50mm lems or a smaller prime. There is a fairly inexpensive very wide lens that MikeH bought that might be a fun lens for chasing. Most of the time you are chasing with me so you can play with my lenses.

Hope this helps, call me if you have any questions David

Graham

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

You get what you pay for. Pentax might be cheaper with the same bells and whistles but the quality can't even compare to that of Canons. That is like buying a Kia over a BMW because the engines are the same size but the Kia is cheaper.

I would buy that Kia to take chasing long before I would that BMW. What is it that makes the canon such better quality? Is it the construction? I doubt it, condsidering the Weather Proof construction of the body on the Pentax, and I'm assuming the quality of the pictures is going to depend more on the glass then the camera. Looking at the specs I don't see anywhere that the Canon out does the Pentax, in fact the pentax with is Stabilization out does the canon on paper. Looking at it on paper for the purpose of storm chasing the Pentax seems like an equal if not better choice. Even if you are correct, and the pentax has all the same bells and whistles only at a lower quality for a cheaper price, take the Pentax, with all the use and abuse and risks of being damaged a chasers camera goes through, why use one that has the same features just cost a little more only becuase it might last a little longer? I'm guessing before either the Pentax or the Canon die from old age they will be so out of date, that I will want an upgrade by then anyway.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

While you're working your way up to a full line of L-glass (jeesh, Graham!) ... there are plenty of great lenses that will do the job, provide satisfaction and help teach you about how optics work. Graham has some of the best glass around (the Canon L-line is known for quality), but you will pay for a line like that. It's pretty typical for photographers to pay a couple times as much for a lens as they did the camera body. For me, I have only the 17-40L, which gets me a lot of what I want/need. But I recently opted for a Sigma (gasp) 10-20mm over the Canon. Cost was a factor, but believe me when I tell you that I spent plenty of time reading the reviews and researching the lens first. I feel like that's the most important thing before buying ANY lens. Read what people are saying and decide whether or not it really will ultimately make you happy or not. I'll be taking a ton of photos with it over the next couple weeks on vacation and then maybe you guys can help me decide if it was worthwhile or not. I agree that if they are within your means, the Canon L line is preferred ... as Ferris would say ... they are so choice, I highly recommend picking one up.

Other than that, my Canon 100mm f/2 remains my third favorite. It's a fixed lens and I just love it.

But back to bodies ... the Digital Rebel line continues to revolutionize digital photography in bringing the DSLR within grasp of working folk like you and me ... you won't be dissatisfied. Sorry to hear that Joey had to send his in ... that really is a rarity with this body.

Check out http://www.dpreview.com for a comprehensive review.

 

[Graham Butler]

I would buy that Kia to take chasing long before I would that BMW. What is it that makes the canon such better quality? Is it the construction? I doubt it, condsidering the Weather Proof construction of the body on the Pentax, and I'm assuming the quality of the pictures is going to depend more on the glass then the camera. Looking at the specs I don't see anywhere that the Canon out does the Pentax, in fact the pentax with is Stabilization out does the canon on paper. Looking at it on paper for the purpose of storm chasing the Pentax seems like an equal if not better choice. Even if you are correct, and the pentax has all the same bells and whistles only at a lower quality for a cheaper price, take the Pentax, with all the use and abuse and risks of being damaged a chasers camera goes through, why use one that has the same features just cost a little more only becuase it might last a little longer? I'm guessing before either the Pentax or the Canon die from old age they will be so out of date, that I will want an upgrade by then anyway.

Then buy the kia. If that is what makes you happy. I would be willing to bet that the majority of stormchasers who own a dslr own a Canon. Of those people owning canons I have yet to hear of a single one of them that got damaged/destroyed due to weather. I have had my 20D completely soaked shooting lightning and not a single problem.

I prefer to purchase a camera to do what I want and carry insurance for my equipment rather than buy something inferior with the expectation of destroying it. As for the camera dying before they are out of date I guess it depends on how many photos you take. I have a good feeling I will wear my sensor out on my 20D before its labeled an antique. Besides I know some people that are still shooting with first generation Canon digital bodies that can produce as good results as current bodies. No they can't be blown up as big but how many of us are trying to cover a billboard.

I'm happy for Pentax that they were able to weather proof their camera but there is more to construction than weather proofing. I would still be willing to bet that a Canon xti is as durable to the elements as the Pentax. Now to the image stabilization. I'm not entirely convinced that their design is all that great of an idea but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Still, you have to put some good glass in front of that camera to get good results. A crappy kit lens is a crappy kit lens. Who cares if the image has been image stabilized if the lens is soft as hell.

Go buy the Pentax, take it out and see what it can do. I don't care if it performs on paper......it matters in the heat on the moment when you have to actually rely on it.

Graham Butler

 

[Patrick Boomer]

I have an XT and an XTi.
I'm finding it harder to pick up the XT these days.
The XTi has an excellent 9-point autofocus system, the 2.5" screen is a big improvement, gathering all the info onto that screen is brilliant, the auto sensor cleaning, etc. etc.
Get it with at least the 18-55 kit lens, for the extra $80 or less it really isn't as bad as it's made out to be. I have seen packages with the XTi, 18-55and 75-300 lenses for under $900 Canadian.
Unless you'd like to wait a few months and see if a new Rebel comes out?
It might have Live-view like the new 40D? Will likely be 12MP?

I had a original Rebel 300D that I sold when I got the XT. Have never had a single problem with any of them.

The batteries these days are amazing. The 300D ate a battery in about 300 shots, the XT and XTi both get well over 1000 on average.

 

[David Drummond]

The bottom line was that I have an opportunity to get the camera in the title, and no other camera, which was why I was wanting to hear from those that have one. Something else isn't an option. Thanks for the reviews thus far, keep them coming.

Graham pointed out to me on the phone that huge collection of lenses he has cost nearly as much as my chase vehicle would also fit this camera, and we have been trying to keep our stuff interchangeable were possible so when we chase together, it simplifies things. So that is another good mark for getting this one.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Speaking of batteries, you can get extra XTi batteries for $8 each. Rather than go for a battery grip, I just have two spare batteries. I'd actually say this is one of the negatives in my mind for the XTi, actually ... the way the grip feels on the camera. It's a fairly small body as far as SLRs go, and your hand ends up kind of wrapping around it. It's not particularly uncomfortable, but it's one reason I could see someone serious about photography going with a little bigger model. My lenses outweigh the body. For a starter DSLR, it's still pretty tough to beat.

Going back to the previous discussion a bit, having a full line of lenses to choose from is really a big factor - bigger than you might realize. Once you start investing in a line from a particular brand, it doesn't take long to get locked in. One thing to keep in mind with Canon or Nikon is that if a person takes care of a lens, they retain high resale. Once I started buying Canon lenses, there's no way I'd think about switching camera brands. It would be like starting all over again. You just get to know your brand and end up sticking with it. So get one you are sure you are going to like for a very long time, and one that has a long list of happy customers.