350D/XT owners - how's it handle?

[Tom W]

How does the 350D/Rebel XT handle with larger lenses such as the 24-70 or 70-300 DO lens attached? Is it nose-heavy? Does the small body fit the hand fairly well? Is it best to stick with lighter glassware?

Contemplating getting a small body and I'm a little concerned. BTW, no real camera shops here to try one on for fit.

[etaf]

i would make a trip to a camera shop and try it out. I did not like the small grip of the XT even with a grip on.
it did not fit comfatably in my hand however, I have a PRO1 compact and that feels great.
so i think you will need to try it to be sure

[Saudidave]

I use mine with a Canon 75-300 regularly. Thats a fairly big lens and it handles just great. I have handled one with a 28-135IS (which I am just about to order from 7dayshop) and that was fine too. I don't understand what all this too small nonsense is about. I'm a 5' 10" bloke with hands to match and I find it excellent to handle. It's not too small and the only reason I waited before buying a digita slr was that previously I felt they were too big. Who wants to carry a brick around?

It's a great camera, go for it!

[Tom W]

Well I carry a brick around quite often, but it's a very nice brick. :)

But there are times where travelling light is a good option. Plus, I'd like a backup camera - just not sure which one to pick.

I'm going to handle one in a local store, though there aren't any REAL camera shops around town here. Hopefully, there's a 20D along side of the XT so that I can compare.

[mrcoons]

I think it handles wonderfully. I usually have my Sigma 28-125 or Canon 75-300 lens on and to me the body is just the right size. I would say I have average sized hands. But I am used to using smallish cameras, as most of my previous work was with a Canon Powershot S1.

My wife has the Rebel 300D, but it just seemed to large for me so I waited for the 350 and it was worth the wait.

[Tom W]

The problem is that I've grown accustomed to the 1-series bodies. But I remember how handy the 10D was at times. Really fit the hand like a glove.

[chap]

It's really a matter of personal preference, but I have average sized hands and actually find the 350 more comfortable to use than larger cameras. The controls on the back of the 350 are within easy thumb's reach without changing my grip on the camera whereas with my friend's 300 it feels like the controls are a mile from where my thumb wants to be.

I don't have exactly the lenses you mentioned, but I regularly use the 350 with a Sigma 28-70 f/2.8, Canon 100-300 and 17-40, all of which are largish lenses, without any problems. The camera does feel a little front-heavy if you hold only the body with one hand, but I generally hold underneath the lens/body with my left hand and it balances out well.

[Belmondo]

I don't think size is as big an issue as some people are making it out to be.

I've often used the term 'balance' when referring to how the 1D feels when supporting larger lenses. Frankly, that might just be pure rationalization. Applying a little logic to the situation, balance is at best a matter of where you support the camer/lens combination. There is the issue of torque if you're mounting your lens to a tripod using the lens ring; a lighter body will compensate less for the weight of a lens on a fixed balance point, but a good tripod will handle that pretty easily.

The only concern I really think is justifiable is the matter of size and control placement on the body. If you can comfortably hold it and reach the controls, it should be okay.

I'm taking mine out today, and hope to get some more experience with it (beyond sitting at my desk taking pictures of the ceiling light fixture.)

I'll report more later.


Thos.

[Fandango]

I don't think size is as big an issue as some people are making it out to be.

.....If you can comfortably hold it and reach the controls, it should be okay.


This was one of the primary reasons I opted for the 20D - I have large hands and found the 350D hand grip to be far too small. I really couldn't get comfortable with it, even after borrowing a friends for a day.

Disregarding the handgrip issue, I've used it with my 75-300mm lense, and found it to be reasonably well balanced.

[CyberPet]

Depends on what you're used to. To me it's like a hand in the glove. But to others it might not feel right. I like the 20D and the 1Ds as well (don't own any of them) but it feels more like home with the 350D. It's a bit front heavy when you have a large lens on (but what camera doesn't feel like that?) so a battery grip might help balance the camera more.

[Rob612]

I have both the 20D and the XT, both with the BG, and I cant' say that I have a preference. Both handles well, with or witouth the BG, its just a matter of how you are used to hold the thing. Perhaps, I do not have any single digit body, so if you are used to those, it can be different (altough the 20D+grip is not too much smaller than any 1s)

[mikesd]

It has been mentioned before but if someone has large hands like me there is nowhwere for the pinky to hang out. After adding a grip I found the XT to be about perfect. Not as heavy as a 10 or 20D with grip but large enough to feel comfratable. By the way I shot my first wedding yesterday with the new XT and it was awesome. After using a 10D and 300D the XT's speed and higher ISO capabilities was a huge improvment.

[Tom W]

Thanks for all the input so far, folks. I'm going to Best Buys this afternoon to handle the merchandise. Hopefully, they've got a 20D next to it to compare. I want a small package for hiking and such, but I also want it to be easily operated and fit my largish hands. I could handle the 10D with my eyes closed (and I have the images to prove it) - it's just like my Elan. I've learned my way around the 1-series body as well. But this XT is a different animal.

[RAitch]

Nose heavy? No... Its back heavy since I mostly hold the lens anyway.
I'm 6'4" (with hands to match) and I don't find the size an issue. Sure, a larger camera might feel better... but I don't have any issues with the XT size or weight.

[Tom W]

Well, I took a look at the D-Reb XT. It is small. Very small. But also very handy. I didn't get to put any heavy glass on the store models, since they had no heavy glass to be found at any of the 3 places I stopped. But I did manage to find one that was powered up so that I could mess with it a bit. I miss the real dial, but it is still fairly intuitive to operate.

The camera itself feels fairly sturdy in the hand. Lightweight, to be sure, but quite sturdy. The kit lens doesn't have a very good feel to it though. I know that it's optically pretty good, but it just didn't feel very reassuring. Hate to say it, but I like Nikon's kit lens better - it's more like the 24-85 USM lens than the Canon kit.

But if I make the move, the lens will not be part of the purchase anyway. I've got plenty of glass to put on the camera including a nice, lightweight 24-85 and that DO zoom.

[Michaelmjc]

My uncle has a 100-400 and I've tried it on my camera... Works fine, feels fine, its small but not THAT small. I think it'd be a good backup.

[Johnny V]

Tom W wrote > Contemplating getting a small body and I'm a little concerned. BTW, no real camera shops here to try one on for fit.

I've had the XT for a few months, I also have the Digital Rebel. At first I thought it was small but now it's a non-issue. I just take pictures and forget about the size. The camera has really become translucent to me. Been using the the 70-200f4L, 17-40f4 L and 50mm 1.4. Balance is fine with the bigger lenses, as one hand holds the camera and the other is under the lens.

>The camera itself feels fairly sturdy in the hand. Lightweight, to be sure, but quite sturdy.

Yes it's much sturdier than the original Rebel.

I have no regrets.

[Tom W]

The trigger has been pulled - the camera (in black, of course) has been ordered. It will be very useful when size does matter. :)

Thanks to everyone's input!

[Rob612]

The trigger has been pulled - the camera (in black, of course) has been ordered. It will be very useful when size does matter. :)

Thanks to everyone's input!

Congrats. You won't regret it. Its a nice, lovely camera.