Just bought Digital Rebel.. few quick questions!

[mcoupeadam]

First, how do I set the flash to always on for fill flash use? Can I do this in P mode? I try pressing the flash button while in P mode but I do not see any indication that it's toggling from auto to on to off.

Also, I'm thinking about a fixed aperture high speed lens that would be equivalent to a 50mm 1.4 on a film camera. What would I use on the Digital Rebel to compensate for the 1.6x multiplier?

Finally, is there a way to have the rear LCD display on while taking pictures? It shows the previews but with my S50 and others I'm used to being able to toggle this display on and off.

I'll spend a little more quality time with the manual, but these are a few things I have't been able to find yet.

Oh and last thing, I hear that the 18-55 that comes with it is pretty low quality as far as optics are concerned (reminds me of the cheap 28-80 you get with any film SLR kit.) What's the most popular replacement for this lens? Something like the 28-135mm Canon?

Thanks guys!
Adam

[Tom W]

First, how do I set the flash to always on for fill flash use? Can I do this in P mode? I try pressing the flash button while in P mode but I do not see any indication that it's toggling from auto to on to off.

I can't answer this one accurately, as I've got the 10D. But I would think that if the flash unit is popped up, it is on. You really need to check the manual on that one.



Also, I'm thinking about a fixed aperture high speed lens that would be equivalent to a 50mm 1.4 on a film camera. What would I use on the Digital Rebel to compensate for the 1.6x multiplier?

To deal with the crop factor, just take the actual lens length and divide by 1.6 to get the length of lens you need with the 1.6 crop factor to equal the angle of view of the lens you want.

You want a 50 mm equivalent, so just take 50/1.6= 31 mm. So, a 28 or 35 mm lens would get you pretty close and that's fine. I don't think you'll find an f/1.4 lens in either focal length, but I'm sure there's a 1.8 or 2.0 in there.

Finally, is there a way to have the rear LCD display on while taking pictures? It shows the previews but with my S50 and others I'm used to being able to toggle this display on and off.

No - not with an SLR-type camera. The sensor and thus the LCD cannot "see" the image until the shutter button is pushed. However, what you get in the viewfinder is seen through the same lens that the you use to take the picture so you are seeing what you are shooting.

I'll spend a little more quality time with the manual, but these are a few things I have't been able to find yet.

Yes, read it completely through, then use it as you experiment with the camera. The cool thing about digital is that you can take as many pictures as you want without having to pay to get them all developed. You can experiment for free. :)

Oh and last thing, I hear that the 18-55 that comes with it is pretty low quality as far as optics are concerned (reminds me of the cheap 28-80 you get with any film SLR kit.) What's the most popular replacement for this lens? Something like the 28-135mm Canon?

The 18-55 mm lens is not one of the best, but it isn't one of the worst either. Its capable of taking very good pictures. It also covers a very useful zoom range from moderate wide-angle to moderate telephoto. I recommend that you shoot with this lens for a while just to see whether it does the job for you or not. Then you can decide if you want to replace it, or add to it in different focal ranges.

Thanks guys!
Adam

You're welcome - now go out and take lots of pictures!!

[mcoupeadam]

I previously had a Minolta Maxxum with 28-105, 50mm 1.4 and a 70-210 fixed aperture lense. They pretty much covered anything I needed, so I'm trying to do the same with this camera.

I didn't think about the fact that mirror would be blocking the ccd, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for clearing that up. Through the lens viewing with DOF preview works great anyways and uses less battery.

I'll play with this then I will probably pick up a 28mm and an 85mm 1.2 (which looks like a REALLY nice lense!)

I 'almost' bought the 10D but just couldn't justify the cost at this point. I know it does a little better at AWB but otherwise image quality should be pretty similar. I like the feel of the 10D a lot though...

Take care,
Adam

[dn7elson]

Also, I'm thinking about a fixed aperture high speed lens that would be equivalent to a 50mm 1.4 on a film camera. What would I use on the Digital Rebel to compensate for the 1.6x multiplier?

You would want the 35mm 1.4L...however it is around $1,200.00 street price. You will have to assess your requirements.

Finally, is there a way to have the rear LCD display on while taking pictures? It shows the previews but with my S50 and others I'm used to being able to toggle this display on and off.

No. This is not a function with the flipup mirror as it blocks the sensor until it lifts.

I'll spend a little more quality time with the manual...

Probably a good idea :P

I hear that the 18-55 that comes with it is pretty low quality as far as optics are concerned (reminds me of the cheap 28-80 you get with any film SLR kit.) What's the most popular replacement for this lens? Something like the 28-135mm Canon?

Actually, it's a pretty good lens, certainly considering its modest price. If you don't want the kit lens, get just the body. Then get the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L (again about $1,200). If you can live with the more modest glass, get the kit lens, add something like the 70-200 f/4.0L at around $550 and you will have a nice start, unless you need the best and budget is no option...in which case the Digital Rebel may not have been the best choice.

[dtrayers]

Bob Atkins did a comparision of the 18-55 to the 24-70 f/2.8L

http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/efs18-55/

Like many, he concluded that it's a pretty good lens for the extra $100.

[Belmondo]

Bob Atkins did a comparision of the 18-55 to the 24-70 f/2.8L

http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/efs18-55/

Like many, he concluded that it's a pretty good lens for the extra $100.

In reading the review, it's not surprising which lens was better, especially considering that by itself, it cost more than the other lens and camera combined. What's most appealing to me about that lens is the focal range---18-55 is very useful, especially with the 1.6X crop. It's too bad they don't make that in a better quality EF version. It would be very popular.

[dtrayers]

I agree the 18-55 range is pretty useful.

I think that it's because of the 1.6 crop that the lens is as good as it is for the money. Typically lenses have their best performance in the center of the image and worse at the edges. The 1.6 crop allows the camera to use the best part of the lens image.

No doubt the resolution and contrast of the L series outperforms the EF or EF-S lenses. But for the money... for me it's a no brainer.

Plus, someday I'll probably upgrade the camera body. I'll keep any investment in L lenses or the better EF lenses, but the 18-55 will be a lens to sell with the 300D.

[dn7elson]

Plus, someday I'll probably upgrade the camera body. I'll keep any investment in L lenses or the better EF lenses, but the 18-55 will be a lens to sell with the 300D.

My thoughts exactly. The L lenses will hopefully continue to work with the next few generations of camera bodies if not beyond (unless the AF or IS methods change) and the lens investment can move upward with the body.