Starting fresh: XT or XTi

[MFitz_NH]

*raises hand* First time poster... been lurking for about a month reading about the XT and then the XTi. I was interested in purchasing an XT after playing with a friends for an afternoon. I'm coming off a very simple point and shoot (SD300 - which I loved due to it's undestructability and size) and am fairly new to the photography hobby. Spent the past month searching and reading, figuring out the abbreviations, and reading some more. I've covered most of the XT vrs. XTi threads (seems to be a slightly hot topic) but what I'm wondering is - what if you were starting fresh? No lenses, filters, etc.. Would it be a better decision to purchase an XT or an XTi? The overall consensus seems to be that upgrading to an XTi from an XT may not be worthwhile. Same theory for changing from a base model Nikon to an XTi when you need to buy all new lenses etc... but what if you have virtually no gear to tie you to any specific model/brand?

Primary useage wil be family events, daughters sports, and skiing photography. Maybe a little nature and some race cars as well.

Thanks,
Fitz

[adas]

Hi Fitz and Welcome to the Forum.
If cash is not a problem, I'd go with the XTI. It's a newer technology, and what is the most important, it has the better focussing system of the bigger brothers, 20D/30D.

[Elbee19]

My suggestion with the information you've provided is to go ahead and purchase the XTi. IMHO, there are enough positive differences over the XT to make the XTi a quality camera for the dslr neophyte.

I'm interested to see what the other suggestion are too! ;)

[FIREWALLROB]

What about a 20D/30D ? Maybe hold both to see which size you prefer, compared with the 400D.

The lenses are important too, plus SLR cameras don't have as much on board processing as point n shoots (which is good), but you need to have software to get the best you can.

[calicokat]

Welcome to the forum, I would say the XTi, the price difference is not that great. The extra megapixels are not a big deal. The 2.5" LCD vs. the tiny 1.8" is worth the extra money to me

[BradT0517]

*raises hand* First time poster... been lurking for about a month reading about the XT and then the XTi. I was interested in purchasing an XT after playing with a friends for an afternoon. I'm coming off a very simple point and shoot (SD300 - which I loved due to it's undestructability and size) and am fairly new to the photography hobby. Spent the past month searching and reading, figuring out the abbreviations, and reading some more. I've covered most of the XT vrs. XTi threads (seems to be a slightly hot topic) but what I'm wondering is - what if you were starting fresh? No lenses, filters, etc.. Would it be a better decision to purchase an XT or an XTi? The overall consensus seems to be that upgrading to an XTi from an XT may not be worthwhile. Same theory for changing from a base model Nikon to an XTi when you need to buy all new lenses etc... but what if you have virtually no gear to tie you to any specific model/brand?

Primary useage wil be family events, daughters sports, and skiing photography. Maybe a little nature and some race cars as well.

Thanks,
Fitz

Your in the exact same position as me i spent about a month looking then i found out about the xti so i decided to wait and after seeing the reviews and such i would get the XTi hands down no questions asked

and secondly i would suggest to get 2 one gig ridata 150X cards from www.newegg.com

[cc10d]

Starting fresh, I second the opinion that the XTi would be best of the two. The idea of checking the feel of the 20D/30D vs. the feel of the XTi is a very good one. For some of us the XT series is a bit small for our hands to feel "right". With lenses of more weight and size I like the "more in the hand" feel of the larger body. That said, if you are used to the point and shoot size, any SLR is going to seem large. XTi incuded. the lens that comes with the XTi is a good starter lens. I suggest using it a bit before looking too hard at more expensive lenes. A bit of experience will aid it your finding what type of requirements you will have. Some would say forgo the "kit" lens and buy a better lens right off. That is good advice for those who know what they are going to want to take pictures of. Your mention of subjects leads to a diverse set of lens requirements and lenses that do those thing with excellence are many and of course more purchases. One lens that seems to generally get good comments for its optical quality vs very good performance is the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 AF Spherical XR Di LD IF. that is a general range of focal lengths and very good optic. ( I use that lens, the only non canon lens I keep in my bag) It is not as wide as the 18-55 'kit' lens so I would personally get the 'kit ' lens anyway for the down to 18 mm wider focal lengths, those lengths are notably more expensive to get other than the 'kit' lens. The sports type may lead you to want a telephoto lens. 70-300 or so. The new Canon 70-300 IS is a good one for the money (not to be confused with the 75-300 series) There are many ways to go in the telezoom area and more experience will a good way to determine what will suit YOUR needs the best. Happy shooting!

[pieq314]

I would vote for XTi as well.

[liza]

I'd get a 30D. It's a little over $1100 on the B&H site with the psaug code typed into their search engine. It would be a much more versatile camera for you, given the things you plan to shoot. The 5 fps and the command dial make it the better choice for sports photography. It also has better build quality and longer shutter life.

[GyRob]

XTi vote here .
Rob.

[MrWills]

Go with the XTi, you will have more pixels on the pic to crop for sports, skiing, car racing. So that is my vote. :)

[shaneotool]

I am just getting in to DSLR's too. I bought a used XT. There are plenty to be had now for around $500. I could not justify the extra $300 - $400 for the new model.

[Johnny V]

Used XTs will sell in the $400.00 range. I'd buy a used XT and with the money you saved buy two nice lenses, instead of one lens.

The XT really is the best bang for the buck.So is the XTi!

[Tee Why]

Probably with the XTi for the newer features like the larger LCD, bigger buffer etc.
The image quality actually seems a bit worse than the XT from the posts and test so far, but I don't think the diff in IQ is really that noticable in real world photography.

[dtngo]

I'm in the same boat, and I'll be going for the XT. I think I'll be better off putting the $$ into my next lense.

I'd love the XTi for the larger LCD and the improved AF though.

[TMR Design]

I am going to be making the move from my A620 compact to the DSLR pretty soon.

Although the XT is on sale and tempting I am going to wait and get the XTi. I am sure I would be thrilled with the XT but the XTi is getting great reviews and some of the newer technology, larger LCD, etc.. are very attractive.

[JaGWiRE]

Similiar situation here. I am returning my XT because I don't need the kit lens (not satisfied with it, getting a 28-135 most likely), so I can wait a few days for an XTi, or buy another Xt. Money isn't in an issue between the two (and no, I don't want a 30d.) Not sure what to do.

[MFitz_NH]

This is all great feedback and I really appreciate it. I'm not too worried about having to afford additional lenses... well.. not because they're expensive but because coming away from a point and shoot it'll probably take me the better part of ~6-12months for my talent to exceed the OEM lense... and that's probably a bit aggressive. In the mean time, I can be saving up for additional lenses etc...

XTi it is.... thanks again.

Fitz