Quick Digital Rebel questions:

[scouter5647]

I've been observing for a while, but this is my first post. Thanks to you all for providing an amazing community.

Here's my plan for my first foray into digital photography:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel (aka 300D) (body only, I heard the kit lens is sub-par)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens
Adobe Photoshop CS (Mac)


A few quick questions:
Should I consider saving my cash for a Digital Rebel XT?

My main priority is landscape shots, but I'd like to do some macro shooting as well. Is my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens up to the task?

Am I correct in thinking that the camera does not come with a CF card?

I've read about people hacking the firmware of the Digital Rebel to access additional features--any experience with this? Is it something I should consider a few years down the road, once I've thoroughly explored my camera?

Thank you very much for your help!

All the best,
Ethan

[bauerman]

I prefer the size and handling of the 300D over the XT - but that is a personal thing and you have to decide. If you are doing landscape work - you may appreciate the extra megapixels that the XT offers just for more resolution. I am using the hacked firmware with no troubles - if you go the route of the 300D - I would recommend adding this firmware.

You also have to consider the "lost shots" by waiting and saving more money for the XT - is it worth it?

[tim]

Welcome to the forum :)

1) Yes, save up for the Rebel XT, it's definitely worth the $$$ in my opinion. If you really can't afford it the 300D is a good camera still, just a little slower.
2) The 50mm F1.8 isn't a macro lens.
3) The kit lens is a cheap and not too bad wide angle lens.
4) You have to buy a CF card yourself.
5) If you go with the 300D you'll want to hack it as soon as you understand enough to take advantage of the extra features.

Hope that helps :)

[Bodog]

Welcome Scouter. I think you will find folks on this forum more than happy to help spend your money. :D
As for you curren plan and questions: The Rebel is certainly a capable camera and will produce good photos for you. That said, If I were buying today, I would get the XT without thinking twice. I don't know what your finances are, but the enhanced capabilities of the XT seem to me well worth the relativelly small difference in price.
The kit lens has received both kudos and rotten tomatoes. It can produce sharp images stopped down. I got it with my Rebel, but havre to admit it hasn't been used since I could afford better one in the same focal range. It's probably the least expensive way for you to get the wider angle of 18mm. The 50mm regularly receives glowing reports although the same reviewers admit the build quality is no better than the kit lens, but a lot sharper. I'm sure it will be useable for your purpose, but you should realize that it will have the same field of view comparable to 80mm on a 35mm film camera. So if you equate landscape with wide angle you may want to reconsider.

One area you may also want to reconsider is Photoshop. If you are paying full price, it is a lot of money that could better be spent on better glass. (or upgrading to the XT) Especially since you are new to digital. I would suggest looking at Photoshop Elements as alternative, but still capable of doing your basic photo enhancements and RAW conversions until you get more experience in "processing" digital files. You could spend a lifetime learning Photoshop, and still only scratch the surface of it capabilities. However, it is the best out there.

Yes, there is a hack that enables some of the functions that Canon chose to hide on the Rebel. I've used it for close to a year now, and would recommend you install it if you do decide on the Rebel. Development has been dormant for quite awhile now, but has again started to pick up. I understand that a new version is now in beta testing that will finally enable the holy grail of selectable AE-Servo focusing.

All the best to you and good luck on your upcoming purchase... As long as it's Canon, you can't go wrong ;)

[scouter5647]

Thanks for your input! Because I'm a college student on a budget, I think I'm going to go with the Digital Rebel over the XT . . . Someone in the forums noted that it's a buyer's market (I think I'll be buying on eBay).

Do you think I can use the cash I save to get a nicer lens that can do both macro + landscape? $300 or less, please.

EDIT: How about the EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens?

[robertwgross]

The kit lens isn't so hot, as compared to a $1000 lens. However, for its cost of roughly $100, it makes a good general purpose lens for a beginner.

---Bob Gross---

[markubig]

(I think I'll be buying on eBay).

don't forget the Marketplace section of this forum

[jimsolt]

. . .

One area you may also want to reconsider is Photoshop. If you are paying full price, it is a lot of money that could better be spent on better glass. (or upgrading to the XT) Especially since you are new to digital. I would suggest looking at Photoshop Elements as alternative, but still capable of doing your basic photo enhancements and RAW conversions until you get more experience in "processing" digital files. You could spend a lifetime learning Photoshop, and still only scratch the surface of it capabilities. However, it is the best out there. . . .

All the best to you and good luck on your upcoming purchase... As long as it's Canon, you can't go wrong ;)

I agree 100% with all these comments, but have a SMALL caution on the Photoshop RAW. At the moment I don't think ANY version of Photoshop will convert the Rebel XT RAW format. That WILL change -- probably in the near future. They are aware of the need and I read that the guy who writes the RAW programs for Photoshop indicates his next version will handle the XT. I would imagine it will be a free plugin. The rest of them have been. In the meantime, you can convert the XT RAW via the Digital Photo Professional program that is included with your XT purchase and then continue any editing in Photoshop.

Jim

[Andy_T]

Scouter,

if you're looking for a nice walkaround lens that doesn't break the bank but delivers great quality, look at the Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI. (somewhere around 350 $ )

I would also suggest getting the kit lens. It really performs very decent on the wide end and is by far the cheapest wide angle lens on the Rebel.

Best regards,
Andy

[symes]

Though I have only been an owner for two months, I highly recomend getting the kit lens of the 17-40L that is offered with some for a little bit more...the reason is that the just the 50 will not do for your landscape desires...Great in lowlight but I still prefer the width of my kit lens for landscape...

Good luck

[Toogy]

I'll go against what everyone is saying and tell you that you should get the kit lens. It really isn't THAT bad. I have taken some great shots with it on my old digital rebel. It is fairly wide, has decent macro abilities and is CHEAP.
I'd say to get that and learn with it, and when the time comes, upgrade it. You can sell the lens for almost what it is worth on ebay.

Just my .02

[bauerman]

Digital Rebels are ALWAYS up for sale over at Fred Miranda's site. I would recommend that over Ebay - "the bay" is way too much of a sellers market right now. I got my body via FM at a GREAT price. The marketplace here has really slowed down lately.

[Steve Parr]

Digital Rebels are ALWAYS up for sale over at Fred Miranda's site. I would recommend that over Ebay - "the bay" is way too much of a sellers market right now. I got my body via FM at a GREAT price. The marketplace here has really slowed down lately.

Do you have a link or web address for Fred Miranda's site?

Steve

[scouter5647]

Do you have a link or web address for Fred Miranda's site?

Steve

http://www.fredmiranda.com/

[Bodog]

Sorry, missed your comment on shooting macro with the 50mm. To do that you will need a set of extension tubes. Or as you later suggest, the 50mm f2.5 macro. Honestly, I agree with a couple other posts here; get the kit lens plus the extension tubes. Then you would have the long end for your macros and the wide end for landscapes. You would probably be shooting both at f16 anyway. The kit will give really decent shots at f16... :D

[Steve Parr]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/

Wow... that's what I call promt and courteous service.

Thanks!

Steve