Known Gotchas With DRebel XT?

[mcaldwell]

Really leaned towards 20D, but all things considered (size, weight and a trip to Europe) will likely get the DRebel XT. I had a Canon G2 for several years, and there was an "everybody knows" issue of an internal fuse that, when it blew, would freeze the lens extended, no charge; dead as a hammer. Canon would charge $150 just to open up and replace. I got lucky, but now I have it too, which is why I'm back in the market (or so I tell my wife!). Been scanning this forum and haven't found anything, but want to ask if there is some similar big problem out there that I should know about first?

Mike

[tim]

I've not heard of any major problems with the XT.

[JakeC]

Absolutely no problems with mine so far, the size is all that I'm a little disappointed about but that doesnt seem like an issue if you're travelling. However if you have large hands the battery grip is a must, I'm 6'2 and my pinky is forced to curl under the body quite uncomfortably (I'm only 23 too, older hands wouldn't take kindly to this) and the navigation buttons are much too small for cold fingers.

This leaves me not liking it as a field camera, on size alone I have considered downgrading to a 300D for my own comfort. Hopefully the battery grip solves this problem.

Great camera......but Canon really need to send people taller than 5'7 to their R&D department

[dicky109]

Mike,

I have the G-1 and fell victim to the infamous fuse, so I know what you're talking about. Fortunately, Mack covered mine under a warranty.

Anyway, recently purchased the Rebel XT & it takes great shots, even with the kit lens. The important thing to realize , especially moving from the G-series, is that images from d-SLR's almost always require sharpening. Because of that, many people, including myself have complained about soft-focus isuues with this camera.

Once you find out about the sharpening, the only other complaint is the size. If you can spring for it, get the 20D, especially now that there has been some price erosion, however, the Rebel XT is a great camera and I can work it even with my fat 50 something fingers.

Good luck,

[mcaldwell]

The price difference doesn't bother me that much, but we're gonna spend a week in Paris and a week in Florence in October and I just figure the larger size and heavier weight of the 20D would make me wish I had the smaller, lighter one. Guess it's time to get down to the camer store and actually see and hold the units. Lotta sales this weekend (Mem Day), plus want a few months to fool around with it, so thinking about taking the plunge this weekend.

[tim]

Is the XT really that much smaller than the 20D that it's worth giving up the extra features? That's a call only you can make. I wouldn't get the XT myself.

[bauerman]

With the hacked firmware installed - the 300D is not as much of a "downgrade" as mentioned above in my opinion if you like the feel of a larger camera in your hands. You can also save bookoo bucks on a 300D right now and buy great lenses instead. XT has some performance advantages however - that is true.

[Bill Ng]

Mike,
Anyway, recently purchased the Rebel XT & it takes great shots, even with the kit lens. The important thing to realize , especially moving from the G-series, is that images from d-SLR's almost always require sharpening. Because of that, many people, including myself have complained about soft-focus isuues with this camera.
Good luck,

Any problems you have with sharpening are either faulty equipment, really poor lenses, or operator error ... there is no inherant blur problem with DSLRs and DEFINATELY not with Canon's CMOS processors as is indicated in this post.

Where are you getting this information from?

Bill in Brooklyn

[Rob612]

I believe the wieght difference is about 100 grams (dunno what it is in oz.) so that won't be a problem. Whatever you choose, is going to be fine.

FYI: no problem with my XT as of about 3K shoots and carrying it along - as I always did with my SLRs - just with the neck strap, even on the motorcycle, just cross the chest.

[dicky109]

Any problems you have with sharpening are either faulty equipment, really poor lenses, or operator error ... there is no inherant blur problem with DSLRs and DEFINATELY not with Canon's CMOS processors as is indicated in this post.
Where are you getting this information from?
Errh....Here: Canon EOS digital cameras have an anti-aliasing filter installed on the image sensor. This filter improves color rendition and practically eliminates moiré. The liability is a slight reduction of sharpness. To reduce the softening effect of the anti-aliasing filter we recommend applying an unsharp mask to the image in Adobe® Photoshop®. from http://photoworkshop.com/canon/EOS_Digital_Ref.pdf
and Here: http://photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html as well as numerous other articles and posts and personal experience

You're quite right that other factors, of which I'm sometimes guilty, can contribute to softness. I don't like to use in-camera sharpening, preferring to maintain that control myself, so have no idea how effective it is. Maybe for some, that is enough.

[roanjohn]

GET IT!!! It's light and fast...........when I had the original rebel, I was always itching to upgrade to the 10D...........but now that I have the XT, I'm not really itching to get the 20D.............its that GOOD!!!

Ro1

[MgnDvD]

And what about DUST on the sensor ?
I think it's a major problem.
I'm curious, if anybody got pissed-off and returned the camera ??
I have my XT for less than two months, and yesterday while shooting I noticed a piece of dust and few other specks in the viewfinder. I didn't examine the lens more carefully and I didn't clean it yet, just used the air blower. But the specks remained.
I haven't changed the lens since I got the camera, and I'm not sure if the specks are on the sensor.
It makes me very mad, knowing that this thousand dollar camera is not protected from dust !
With today's technology Canon's engineers haven't been able to come up with a solution !?
WHY do we have to spend additional resources(money,time...) on finding out how to clean the digital sensor
Instead of doing what we love to do, we have no other choice but to waste our time to discuss this issue!

Even it turns out that the dust is not on sensor, still, this issue occupies a lot of discussion forums.
But if the dust is really on the sensor, then I'm already thinking...why do I need these headaches...why not to return the bloody camera and get the best Powershot ??

Did anybody have experience or thoughts about it ?
Interesting to know...

Thanks!

[Rob612]

Dust is a problem with all DSLR, as the "film" does not change every shoot...

[MarkH]

And what about DUST on the sensor ?
I think it's a major problem.
I'm curious, if anybody got pissed-off and returned the camera ??
I have my XT for less than two months, and yesterday while shooting I noticed a piece of dust and few other specks in the viewfinder.

Any dust you can see in the viewfinder is not on the sensor!

The sensor is hidden behind a shutter which is behind a mirror, you can't see the sensor at all when looking through the viewfinder.

[JakeC]

I too heard 'rumours' about many 350D's being returned due to unacceptable amounts of dust straight out the box. Whether there is any truth in that I don't know. I fitted the kits lens the day mine arrived, have no had it off since and there are no less than three small specks when it's stopped right down. Hardly anything to complain about.

Rob612- Does the feel of the 350D improve with the battery grip? It's hard to guage the size of it from advertsing and I'm yet to find a store with them in stock over here.

[SHOWSP]

JakeC - I have had my XT for about 25 days and have used it every day with no problems with dust or focus issues. Added the Batt grip more for the add power than for grip as I have a small hand that make the XT fit very nicely. The grip does add length and weight that I find to be very nice. I have been shooting Minolta SLR and I really like the feel of the XT. More than pleased with this purchase.

[MgnDvD]

Thanks MarkH , I understand now how it's positioned.
So, any dust..shmust which is seen in the viewfinder - could be anywhere else, BUT not on the sensor .

Related question - have anybody used Sensor Cleaning Kit by "American Recorder Technologies" ?
It's 3 spatulas ready for action and a bottle of Eclipse .

[Viking Joe]

I don't really see the size of the 350D as a negative unless you have gorilla hands. I think it's more of a change that some people aren't used to more than anything. I got the grip for added power as well but it definitely gives it a more "professional" feel. I was going to get the 20D but opted to get the 350D and a new lens. You won't be disappointed either way. In another year or two we'll be seeing 16-20 MP cameras for under $1500 and I'll make my upgrade then. For now, the Rebel XT is light and powerful and does most of what the 20D does for $500 less. That being said, however, I would have got the 20D if I could have afforded it.:lol:

[MarkH]

Thanks MarkH , I understand now how it's positioned.
So, any dust..shmust which is seen in the viewfinder - could be anywhere else, BUT not on the sensor .

Exactly. If you remove the lens and still see the dust then it is not on the lens and it can't affect your photos. It could be on the mirror or viewfinder.

On my 10D I have not yet cleaned my sensor, except with blower (Giottes Rocket Blower). I have had the camera for 2 years and taken over 17000 photos, many in dusty conditions. There may be dust on my sensor, but I have not seen any sign of it in my photos. I sometimes wonder if the dust on sensor problem with D-SLRs is a little exagerated.

[clementinephoto]

I love my XT it's great!! I take this camera on bike routes, hiking, and all. I take a lot of nature shots so I wanted something lighter and more manageable. I highly recommend this camera, my husband has big hands and has no problems. I suggest going to your local electronic store (i.e. Best Buy, Circuit City, etc...) and try their store models. Good luck!!

[EddieA]

Mike,

and I can work it even with my fat 50 something fingers.



You've got more than 50 fingers? :)

Well I've only got the usual number but I think this camera is great! The only problems I can see (or not see) is that the main LCD can be difficult to read in bright light and the LCD is not protected from scratches etc.