rebel or S1

[smittymike19]

Ok. SO here is my story. I initially got into photography about 8 years ago. I bought a Nikon n70 just prior to digital cameras taking off. I wanted to get into photography, but with a regular slr, it was quite expensive to purchase film, develop etc.. for a lot of experimental pictures. Plus by the time the pictures came back I wasn’t sure what settings I had used to take the picture. So I basically stopped. Then a few years past, and digital cameras came down in price and I bought a canon s60?( I think was the model. It was about 600$ when I bought it) and I really felt like I was going to continue with the photography hobby. well I didn’t really. I was never really satisfied with the quality of the pictures. But we took 1000’s (and I mean 1000’s) of pictures of my newborn son. So here is the question. We just lost that camera and I am in the market for a new one. I am wondering if you would recommend the s1 or the 2x as expensive digital rebel. I am willing to pay for the rebel, as truth be told, I have never seen my digital camera even come close to the quality of my Nikon slr. Am I mistaken to believe that I will be unhappy with the s1? Is the rebel worth the price tag? IS something in between the 2 the answer? Thanks in advance..

[tim]

The new Rebel XT is a big jump up from most point and shoot cameras - it behaves just like a film SLR just with digital recording. The rebel is *fast* compared to all the P&S cameras i've used.

The rebel will be a lot more expensive in the long run, including lenses and other accessories, but if it's a hobby then it's definitely worth it.

[xstrio]

ive had several point and shoot digital cameras, but my last one which i loved ( ixus 400) broke , so i decided to get another one , went to camera shop with intention of getting another point and shoot digital camera, i left with a 300d(rebel) good salesman, anyway i`m so pleased i did its opened up a new world of photography for me, and i think its the best thing ive ever bought (besides the house and car)

[robertwgross]

There are a lot more factors to the decision.

For example, if you never blow up any photo to print larger than 8x10, then it matters much less which camera you use. As you start to get into prints larger than that, then the difference between film and a digital sensor start to show. If you do larger prints a lot, then a sensor with more megapixels makes more sense.

Make sure that you distinguish between the Rebel, which is a film camera, and the Digital Rebel, and the new Digital Rebel XT, or whatever.

---Bob Gross---

[Geeeyejo]

I purchased the S1 this past December to upgrade from my "ancient" Olympus D340 (1.3mp P&S). I too had a 35mm SLR history many moons ago. I LOVE the S1 and have taken some very good quality shots with it. The 10x zoom is exceptional. It's biggest limitation is indoor/low light focusing as well as the speed of focusing and display lock after taking a pic. For composed shots this is no real issue. There are hyperfocal settings that you can use that will result in 100% of your indoor shots being in focus as well. With all the manual setting capabilities it is almost like a "Baby SLR" in function and even form.

However, I did long for the performance of a DSLR - the interchangeability of lenses, the "feel" of a "real" camera, more cropping ability from higher MP, etc.
I looked at the Dig Rebel 1 and really did not like the feel (too light for the $$) I lucked upon a factory Demo 10D that has totally met my needs. All the features of the Rebel 1 & more, professional feel & build, amazing fast focus (even in low light), super lens choices, etc.)
Point is though, I still feel the need for both (much to my wifes chagrin "Why can't you sell the S1 now???) There are places, times that I would not want to take my 10D. The S1 hangs easily on my neck, can tuck into a large pocket (albeit with the lens tube extender off) etc. If I had to choose one though it would be the 10D.

[DocFrankenstein]

I purchased the S1 this past December to upgrade from my "ancient" Olympus D340 (1.3mp P&S). I too had a 35mm SLR history many moons ago. I LOVE the S1 and have taken some very good quality shots with it. The 10x zoom is exceptional. It's biggest limitation is indoor/low light focusing as well as the speed of focusing and display lock after taking a pic. For composed shots this is no real issue. There are hyperfocal settings that you can use that will result in 100% of your indoor shots being in focus as well. With all the manual setting capabilities it is almost like a "Baby SLR" in function and even form.
I wholeheartedly disagree with you.

S1 IS is slow, too big to carry around convenietly, has purple fringing/chromatic aberrations, slow to auto focus, inside shots are impossible, only 3.2 megapixel, no raw, highest compression jpeg gives you artifacts, and 8*10 prints look like poop... oh yeah... unusable ISO 200...

Also... it's impossible to achieve shallow DOF with that camera. So you won't be able to get that super blurred background.

Bottom line: I have both, use both. Whenever I go, I usually take the rebel. S1 I actually use too... to take pictures of the rebel mostly...

I wish I spent my money on a small video camera instead. Would've been much more fun.

Live and learn.

I say jump in on the DSLR wagon. You're gonna love it. You bought an SLR already, you had it... you know what it feels like.

You won't be satisfied without it.

I'm changing my profession to sales. haha!

[smittymike19]

man my wife is gonna hate you guys! but i really appreciate all of the feedback. is the depth of field that poor on the s1? that is one of my favorite tricks for shooting portraits. nontechnical people (mom, mom-in-law) love it too, although i dont think they realize why. but its a big selling feature for me. also, is the time between pushing the button and the picture actually being taken different for each camera? that was one of the things i hated with the s30. if the answer to both of these is that the digital rebel is quicker and better DOF, than off to the store i will go...

[Geeeyejo]

"S1 IS is slow, too big to carry around convenietly, has purple fringing/chromatic aberrations, slow to auto focus, inside shots are impossible, only 3.2 megapixel, no raw, highest compression jpeg gives you artifacts, and 8*10 prints look like poop... oh yeah... unusable ISO 200..."

Hey Doc,
I don't totally disagree, but if the S1 is too big, then the SLR certainly is bigger! The purple fringing I have not experienced and understand would only come out at the far end of the tele range under bright light. Indoor shots are TOTALLY possible and actually come out quite good(albeit without tele) if you employ hyperfocal settings. Mega pixels can also be overrated - I have printed, even cropped shots from the S1 at 8x10 with very good results(agreed the 6+mp SLR will be better!)
Bottom line is you get what you pay for. My S1 was only $308 - for my not quite new 10D and two decent lenses, I am in for just about $1000 already - with more to come!

[bballboy30]

I have The S1 and within a year I got a digital rebel. The S1 was OK. Main drawbacks for me was slow autofocus, poor low light performance and not long enough telephoto. The 10x seems like a lot but for wildlife it seemed to be lacking. I got the rebel and I love it. The pics are clearer and have more color. Bottom line is the rebel will end up costing you a lot with lens and accessories but this will make it a lot more versatile. The S1 is good if you need something cheap and don't plan to upgrade for a while. Hope this helps.

Alex

[Medic1]

I have the Drebel as evidenced by my signature.....one of my best friends has the S1. I think if you asked him he would rather have the Drebel. The S1 is a fairly good camera for what it is. The Drebel or Drebel XT is better...plain and simple.

The most frustrating part of the S1 is its extremely bad indoor/low light focusing ability. I have used the S1 just in passing and I think that is as far as I would want to be in use of it. Within minutes (indoor) the focus had me frustrated.....outdoor its a decent camera for what it is. I guess it really depends on what you want to do with it.

[DocFrankenstein]

The 10x seems like a lot but for wildlife it seemed to be lacking.
Yeah... Now I'm considering 500 f/4.5 and a teleconverter. :D Should be a bit better for wildlife. ;)

[Raj]

rebel rebel rebel rebel ..............................
else rebel xT !

[smittymike19]

well here is the new question. Circuit city has a Drebel for 709.00 after a mail in rebate, plus 12 month free financing (which allows me to just throw 50 bucks a month at it and becomes even less noticable). The cheapest i have seen the rebel xt is $1000. do the improvements justify the additional $300? i am set to buy tomorrow , so any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! thanks so far for all of the great info. you guys are awesome. maybe i should change the thread to drebel or drebel xt? lol

[Raj]

do the improvements justify the additional $300? i am set to buy tomorrow , so any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! thanks so far for all of the great info. you guys are awesome. maybe i should change the thread to drebel or drebel xt? lol

Yes they do !
I would get xT if I have to make a choice :-)
Best way will be to compare specs for the two camera & see if you will miss extra features available in xT or not ...

[pierrot]

i am set to buy tomorrow
If you want to buy tomorrow, you may as well forget the XT (it's not yet available) ;)

[Redbird_xo]

I have never seen my digital camera even come close to the quality of my Nikon slr. Am I mistaken to believe that I will be unhappy with the s1? Is the rebel worth the price tag? IS something in between the 2 the answer? Thanks in advance..

I think you will not be happy with the picture quality from the SI. IMO, SI's picture quality can't even match the ancient G2.

I think the G6 is worth considering in terms fo portability and picture quality. Though the price of G6 and the DRebel are coming close, I would recommend considering the DRebel if its size doesn't pose a problem to you.

[Medic1]

If your considering between the rebel and rebel XT I say XT all the way....from what I have read the improvements certainly justify the cost. Get as good as you can get now.....I bought my Drebel 6 months ago and already want to go to the 20D. If you start comparing the original rebel and the XT, you will find the Drebel severly lacking in buffer size and start up time. If those aren't important to you, than I guess its your decision.

I think for you...the Rebel XT is the way to go. But as said, if you wanna buy now, your not going to be able to get the XT, its not out yet

[DocFrankenstein]

Medic1 and others:

Do not reply anymore!

The guy's been banned:
Read this: lol

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60559