Camera Advice

[jimbeau]

OK, I have (ALMOST) made up my mind which camera to buy. I am sitting on the fence, whether to get the Canon 20d which comes with a 18-55mm kit lens, or go with a less expensive Canon Rebel XT but get a nice 17-85mm lens. The XT is over a hundred dollars less even with the nicer lens.......Anyone have an opinion?

[SShindell]

The better lens is well worth it. That is what I got, and I love it. The cheaper lens really isn't that good.

Steve

[Loverotties]

I agree with Steve.

[ljuhl]

I was in the same boat last year and end up getting the Rebet XT. Now I wish I got the 20D instead. Grant that I may not be able to tell the difference of the picture quality taken from the 2 cameras. But I still want the best gear that I can get. You can always upgrade the lense but not the camera. I am in this hobby not for the art but to collect expensive equipments. LOL.

[bamann345]

I would get the XT and save for better glass. I have an XT and LOVE LOVE it!!!


William

[revhtree]

Just got my XT last night and WOW!!!

I am so impressed! I have been like a kid a CHRISTmas!

I got the XT, 18-55 lens, 1gb card (need more), wide angle lens (cheap but nice), 2 Tripods (reg, and mini), Card reader, soft case, hard case, lens cleaning kit all for $902 shipped with a $100 rebate.

Get ready for pics you all!!

[MattTVI]

Jim,

the 18-55 is a garbage lens and the 20d is a more complete body than the XT, if you can swing the 20d and the 50mm prime, you'll have a better start than the XT w/ the 17-85.

what you get w/ the 20d that you don't get w/ the XT (not that having the XT body is a bad thing, still a nice camera, but the extra 100 bucks is well worth it... at least, that's what the 20d owners tell me... :-))

better shutter speed
better ISO control (up to 3200H, and the 20d has some of the lowest noise levels in the business at high ISO)
faster continous @ 5fps as opposed to 2.3 (and larger write size at that faster speed)
you also get a few more pixels...

SO, if you're buying this camera to point and shoot, get the XT, but if you think that down the road you want to get into more detailed photography, then you want the body that offers you the most options and the most control and that's the 20d.

hth,

Matt

PS - if you're looking for a good price and a reliable online vendor, try www.17photo.com, not the best looking website, but i've spoken to several NYCers who have actually been to the store, so it's not one of those notorious manhattan camera shops. They delivered my order early and answered the phone everytime I called.

[ljuhl]

Good review site for DSLR lenses

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

[Mafiaman]

Jim, I would also look into BHphoto for pricing.

[piberoptikz]

Jim, choose wisely. All cameras were mentioned here are great in their own fields. I know a bunch of photographers who have expensive cameras and lenses but no touch on shooting...none at all.

Some even take years to learn photography and some are after they opened the camera box. It is wise to better understand your camera before doing any shooting at all. Once you have a good understanding of what the camera can do for you, the creative possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

Take some time to search for the right camera that will suit you & your budget. You may find some good reviews from this link : http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

Remember, Cameras don't take picture, people do.

Goodluck!

BTW, I'm using Canon EOS 5D / EOS Rebel XT / 20D w/ Canon L & Sigma lenses.

[autochek]

Look into the Nikons if your gonna go DSLR. I have the D70 with the sigma 28-70 and the sigma 70-300. I got the whole package delivered from Cameta Camera on ebay for $709.00.
I put the 2GB card in it and can't stop taking pics. With the Nikon, at least you feel like you have something in your hands and the quality is second to none. The sigma 70-300 has an awesome macro setting for those coral pics also.

[revhtree]

Nikons are a very nice camera. I had one of the N60's back when. Anyway, I just got the canon and it really does feel just as good as a nikon.

[autochek]

http://www.dpreview.com/
A great place to compare all the different equipment avaliable today.
Remember, it's not the camera as much as whose behind it. I look forward to lots of pics.