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Looking for a Digi SLR Camera

B

BigDish

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Messages
215
OK...I've been toying with the idea of a Digital SLR camera for a while. Now I'm seriously thinking about getting one. Anyway, what should I buy - right now I'm thinking of either a Canon Rebel or Canon Rebel XT. That said, I'm open to suggestions.
In high school I shot B&W film in an SLR and liked it and was 1/2-way decent at it. When I went off to college I got away from it, in spite of going to one of the biggest photo schools in the country. Now I'd like to get something to play with.
Honestly, I don't care that much about MegaPixels - odds are I will never print anything I shoot. For the time being at least, this is a toy to see how much I like it. I've looked at used DSLR cameras though and concluded I would most likely be best off buying a Canon Rebel (even older used DSLR bodies seemed to start around $400, then I need a lens and who knows what else, seemed I was best spending $650 on a Digital Rebel) If anyone has some good suggestions for something substantially cheaper and used though, let me know.
So anyway, what should I buy. Are there any serious low-end DSLR cameras other than the Rebels? What about the differences between the Rebel XT and the Rebel? I see the XT is 8MP vs 6.3, and the XT has the DIGIC II processor in it - how much difference does that make?
I'd like to do this as cheap as possible, but at the same time, if there is a feature that is *REALLY* worth the $200 more of the XT and I will be mad at myself for not buying it later on, I am probably better off paying $200 more up front.
Any thoughts would be appreciated...
 
The 300D (Digital Rebel) will have all you need to start out with DSLR. The extra money for the XT will afford you higher resolution, and lower noise at high-ISO speeds, and some other small improvements. It's also a smaller camera to hold than the 300D, so if thats your preference, it might be worth the extra cash.

You won't see serious improvements to the camera until you get into the $1200+ range, for the 20D, etc. Those offer high frames-per-second, and larger buffers, and something like 5 shots/second up to 24 sequential shots.

I'd suggest you get the 300D with kit 18-55mm lens, and then spend the extra $200 on another lens. The Canon 50mm 1.8 and Tamron 70-300mm are two that I have, and they are both good lenses.
 
Another good thing the DIGIC II brings is 'Instant' ON, unlike the Drebel's 2-3 second delay on turn-on, wake up from sleep mode, and viewing pics in cam.
 
The 300D is just the plain Digital Rebel, right?

Are there any Digital SLR's that can be had used, with a basic lens, for about $400 or so?
 
Not really. Prices on Ebay for the rebel generally close at the same prices as buying the cameras new... which is really weird to see, but unfortunately that's what people are paying for them.
 
I just got the XT for $900 at Compusuck on Saturday (10% off and 18 months, no interest). Awesome camera.... and that 2 second thing? Not even... I would be shocked if the turn on time was over a second. By the time I turn it on and focus my eye on the viewfinder, it is ready to shoot.
 
[nCn]Preacher said:
I just got the XT for $900 at Compusuck on Saturday (10% off and 18 months, no interest). Awesome camera.... and that 2 second thing? Not even... I would be shocked if the turn on time was over a second. By the time I turn it on and focus my eye on the viewfinder, it is ready to shoot.
Click to expand...

350 = 0.2 sec
300 = 3.0 sec

get the 350 XT
well worth it

dpreview just reviewed it
 
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