going to buy the rebel XT

[AMG]

:lol: Hi all, this is not a what camera should I buy post. But I wouldnt mind some kindly advice. I want to buy the rebel XT. Why you ask ? I have a caonon lens already and I have the speedlight 420 EX. So, I`d like to take advantage of these things seeing as how I already payed for them and am not using them.

I am wondering how much I will suffer for not getting a camera that has the ETTL 2 as opposed to the regular ETTL. Please give me an example of when I would notice the difference.

Also, I would like to know what inexpensive lens I should get. I am hearing good things about the 50 ( 1.8 ) Is it reasonably priced ? Is it really ideal for portrait ? I would assume so because it`s the equivalent to an 80mm in reality correct ? which I think I heard something about. I will get the lens that comes with the kit though I think. My old lens being 28-105 would now become 45-170, so I lose my wide angle capability. So I guess I would have 3 lenses.

The best advice I am looking for is what other affordable lighting options do I have ? I will be taking photos of my kids most of the time, and they are to young to pose, so I need a nice automatic solution. My 420 EX can do a decent job but I`d like to get that real depth of the subject if possible. If not, oh well.

And lastly, I would like to know what lighting options I have for outdoor shots. My favorite shots are outdoors and I use flash as fill just about always, but any other help is welcome.

Thanks in advance for any info on any of these things...:lol:

[Ronald S. Jr.]

well, the 50 1.8 is a fine lens for just starting out. It's extremely reasonable, since you can find them for as little as $55-60, and it takes pleasantly surprising quality shots. the 420 will do fine for a fill, for other things you may want to think about the 430..I don't think you'd want to spend any more than that. (or so it seems) If you're mainly doing shots of the kids, the kit lens should suffice as well, although if you plan on doing any paid work, I'd skip it. The 28-135 might be a nice choice for the future..you can find one for around $3-350. Quite a nice range, and a nice, heavy build. (for the price)

[Jon]

The 350D/Rebel XT does support E-TTL II - that's a characteristic of the camera, not the flash. Any E-TTL flash will give you E-TTL II on a body supporting it.
Photographing your kids - you say they're too young to pose, do you mean you want to place them somewhere and try to get the shot before they get away, or that you want to photograph them being kids? If the former, a second flash (you'd need the 550EX or 580EX to act as a master) will let you set up 2-light E-TTL II flash situations. The alternative is put bigger bulbs in all your light fixtures and shoot using available light and the 50 f/1.8 or 1.4 (more money, I know, for 2/3 stop). With highly-mobile subjects an on-camera flash is often the only solution, even if the lighting's not the best. If you don't mind an ungainly contraption. you might look for a set of flash brackets that will let you mount 2 flashes to your camera with 2-3 ft. separation to add depth.

Getting the kit lens and the "nifty fifty" will give you a good range while you see where your emphasis ends up. Once you've worked wit all of them for a while, you can get a better handle on what to add (or replace) to strengthen your equipment list. You might find that you really do want that extra 2/3 stop of the 50 f/1.4, or that you want something longer than the 28-105 will give you, or that you really like wide angle end of your lenses. Then you can concentrate on that.