How's the Rebel XT?

[kbreit]

I am graduating from university this December and for a gift, I'd like a camera. Currently, I have a Kodak DC3400 point-and-shoot and I think it's about time I graduate from that as well as from school. I took a photo class a few years ago, so I am not afraid of terms such as f-stop, white balance, etc.

Anyways, my dad was asking if I'd want the EOS Digital Rebel XT. I've read a few reviews about it and a lot of good things were said about it (among a few slight annoyances). What is everyone's opinion of it?

What would I be using the camera for? I'm a baseball and Formula 1 fan, so when I attend either events, I'd probably be wanting to take a few pictures. It would be used at parties and for landscapes of natural things. Is the camera a good choice?

Overall I'd like a camera to grow into, and from what I've read, the XT seems like a really good choice. But what's everyone's real world experiences with it?

Thanks,
Kevin

[roanjohn]

I like it!!!!

The only thing that might be a factor for a lot of people is the size. If you have big hands.........I might suggest getting it with a grip.

Otherwise, its fast, its small, its black and it takes beautiful pictures.

Ro1

[kbreit]

I have average sized hands, so I don't think it should be a huge problem for me.

[roanjohn]

I have average sized hands, so I don't think it should be a huge problem for me.

Then there you go!!!! GET IT!!! This camera will knock your socks out!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Aside from the size, I have not heard any other legitimate complaints about the XT!!!! Its just XTacular!!!!

Now lets talk lenses........:lol:

Ro1

[kbreit]

Actually, one of the reasons that my dad suggested the Canon is that he has an old lens. It's not a great lens, but it's a second lens I can use to save myself a few dollars on additional lenses.

[ddelallata]

How old is your dad's lens? If it is for EOS cameras you should be fine. Even with average hands I'd opt for the battery pack. I tried to use my D-Rebel XT without the battery/grip and I almost got diarrhea.....well not quite, but you get the idea. :) Even my camera felt naked without it.

[Jackal]

Excellent camera. Don't cheap out on the memory card, though. Go for the Lexar 1gb 80x CF card. XT coupled with that is an awesome team.

The XT is small compared to the 20D but that can be a plus in some situations. An XT with a 50mm 1.8 lens is so inconspicuous it's funny. It almost resembles a point an shoot from afar and doesn't get any attention and takes exactly the same quality picture as a 20D.

Just a warning...if you hold the 20D you might change your mind about the XT and go for that one.

I held a 20D and fired it a couple of times and I do say it's one rather nice camera! I just couldn't afford it at the time and got the XT. If I would have waited until I could afford it I wouldn't have taken some of the pictures I've taken with the XT that are so very nice.

You won't be disapointed in the XT in any way at all. (Unless you're a basketball player with huge hands)

[felix21685]

i love mine
get a sandisk ultra II ...1gb at least..or 2 -1gb cards.
there has been some problems with some lexar cards in the past..
do a search and youll prolly find a few threads.

but i love mine im attending Northern Arizona U. :)
dont settle for the rebel..(non xt)

[anttor]

the one thing i was worried about was comfort, i heard about the size being a problem in some reviews, im about 6' tall and a big guy, i have large hands and i like the camera alot, no problems at all. go for black!

[Dave Parsels]

hello im new to digital photography. i bought the xt 3 weeks ago and have been having a blast with it. i had a problem with it yesterday which turned out to be the cf card. you might check out some of the other post about err 99. one of the comon problems seems to be with lexar cards causing the error. i replaced mine but i am going to get another brand cf card. good luck congrats on graduating.

[Jwreich]

I got mine last Friday and love it. I have medium size hands and find the camera to fit them nicely. I really like my XT and find myself looking for something to take pictures of...

[mrclark321]

Don' buy Lexar!!!!!!!!Why take a chance when so many have had problems, A lot of people will probably swear by them but why take a chance!!! As for my XT...I love it

Dan

I use Sandisk

[ddelallata]

Another vote for SanDisk Ultra II CF cards > 512MB.

[Jackal]

Odd, haven't had a problem with my Lexar cards....and my friend hasn't with his 2 Lexar cards either.

[mrclark321]

Jackal I hope you don't have any problems with your cards but if you were warned prior would you have baught one? I have seen quite a few treads lately about defective Lexar cards.

I just go with the odds!!

Dan

[lostdoggy]

Check out the XT a week ago and fine it kind of small. With larger lens this might become a problem since the zoom ring will start rubbing up against ur grip hand. Not to mention that your left hand will be in very close proximity to your right hand. This will become a problem when you want to steady yourself at low shutter speed. As for the Lexar and Sandisk issue its a matter of cost vs speed. There is a great site for that:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007-7699

the top 9 Cards are Sandisk for the XT the tenth is Lexar 80X WA. The Sandisk ULTRA II can be gotten for under $90 the Lexar 80X WA is about $110 for 1GB.

Congrads on your Grad.

[fetching]

as for the complaint that the xt is too small, i think it's great. why everyone wants a big hulking camera to slog around is beyond me. on sunday i shot from 10am to 5pm pretty much straight, and my hand isn't sore at all. i can walk around with it literally in my hand and barely notice it.

it's light and compact, and for me that's a plus. and i have fairly large hands and long fingers for a woman. (7 inches from base of hand where it connects to my wrist to the longest finger, and about 4 inches on the widest part of my hand.)

[Rigby470]

I totally agree that the size of the XT is what attracted me. I like the small size. I'm not into having some monster peice of equipment hanging around my neck, killing my shoulders. I like inconspicuous, powerful, and fast! And that describes the XT exactly.

I have a Lexar card and have had no problems. I just ordered 3 Sandisk Extreme III 1 gig cards. Have any of you tried these?

[SHOWSP]

Have 2 Sandisk Extreme III 1 gig cards and they are great. Even though I have small hands (5ft 6in) I bought the battery grip and I love the way it adds just the right weight/length for me.

[dave_bass5]

I dont mind the size of the 350d until i put a canon 420ex and a canon 70-300 USM IS on. then i find it dificult to hold and when tiliting it forward to view the LCD it feels very unstable in my hands.
Just thought id throw that in.
Fantastic camera otherwise.

Dave.

[kbreit]

Wow, thanks everyone for your feedback on the XT. I think I am going to be purchasing that camera soon (as early as tonight!). Based on so many recommendations, I am going to look into the SanDisc 1gb card instead of the Lexar.

I am 5'8" tall, so I'm hardly an NBA basketball player. Anyways, if I were an NBA player, wouldn't I be able to afford the D20? ;)

Someone asked about my dad's lens. The lens does fit on his EOS SLR, so it should work. To confirm though, we're going to bring the lens to the store and give it a try to make sure that it'll work.

Anyways, by tonight, I hope to have me a new camera :)

Kevin

[Andy_T]

When mounting a larger lens to your camera, why not hold the camera by the lens (left hand)?

That's the most natural thing to me.

Best regards,
Andy

[whchan]

Size may be a factor especially for a large person with gloves on. However, I think carrying a lighter weight around my neck for 10 hours (assume I am in a event which lasts 10 hours) certainly outweights the 5 seconds of inconvenient for each picture I take (assuming I need to hold the camera in shooting position for 5 second for each shot).

[smittymike19]

i have a cell phone that is about 3 inches long and an inch wide. i can dial the phone, send text messages and scroll through the options all without a problem. I also, owned a canon s30 and used that without a problem. The xt? well in comparison its just plain huge. I am 6 ft 3 220lbs, so my hands are pretty big. if you are arthritic or are missing fingers then yeah you will have a problem operating the camera. otherwise buy it, you will love it. SIZE is a nonissue on this camera, most people here use it as a reason to not feel guilty about spending a little more to get the more expensive 20d.:)

[Jon]

Size can be an issue. I have long fingers. Years ago I was offered an Olympus OM-1. I found, after weeks and months of use, it was just too small since when I tried to hold it so I was supporting the body and lens properly I couldn't focus without simultaneously changing the aperture. If I try to hold a small camera, I risk getting my fingers in front of something important, and if the shape of the grip doesn't provide me with a place for my fingers, I can't hold it firmly. Cell phones aren't in quite the same category ergonomically, since using the buttons and using the "phone" are discrete operations. But if you had short, broad fingers, you'd have problems with the small buttons on some phones/PDAs. The buttons on a BlackBerry are on the small side for me to be comfortable with. Laptops with sub-standard key spacing cause many people problems.

[smittymike19]

Size can be an issue. I have long fingers. Years ago I was offered an Olympus OM-1. I found, after weeks and months of use, it was just too small since when I tried to hold it so I was supporting the body and lens properly I couldn't focus without simultaneously changing the aperture. If I try to hold a small camera, I risk getting my fingers in front of something important, and if the shape of the grip doesn't provide me with a place for my fingers, I can't hold it firmly. Cell phones aren't in quite the same category ergonomically, since using the buttons and using the "phone" are discrete operations. But if you had short, broad fingers, you'd have problems with the small buttons on some phones/PDAs. The buttons on a BlackBerry are on the small side for me to be comfortable with. Laptops with sub-standard key spacing cause many people problems.
see how the 20d owners have their arguments ready? lol

[abhorred]

I just got my $733 Rebel XT kit from Dell after several weeks' wait.

Worth it? Oh yeah! This is SWEET. I have big hands too - but I don't have a 20D I have to rationalize ;)

Been taking portraits and tests with 50 1.8 m1 and the kit lens. Sorry none posted yet. The only thing better than this camera is the price I paid and the $50 + $90 free money I got from Dell for the shipping delays so I basically got the camera for $593.....

Jeff
350xt
kit lens
50 1.8
70-300 DO
Sigma EF 500 DG super
gotta get a grip

[Carzee]

Abhorred (a freaky nick award to aisle five please)
Congrats on that great price. What do you think of your results using the Sigma 500 DG Super dooper?

[Bill Noble]

Well I have small hands and still I find the Rebel XT feels too small for me!

I guess it comes down to personal preference but I like an SLR to feel chunky!

Apart from that the camera is fab!

[Rob612]

I love my XT and I love even more the grip that adds a little to the size but is great for extra power and for verticals. Agree on CFs, fast and relatively big. I would stick with 1 or 2 GB. And remember to shoot RAW :D

[smittymike19]

cf cards? well i shoot raw and let me tell you, its not hard to fill up a 1gb card. i would try and get 2gb if you can. if not you can start with a 1gb card and add another later. congrats abhoorred on the new camera and the sweet deal..now let see some pics.