Did I make a mistake.......

There are some other web sites that will help you along as well. Check out the following:
This one walks you through the features of your camera rather nicley
http://web.canon.jp/im​aging/enjoydslr/index.​html
This one gives a lot of good backgound and will help with Bryan's book
http://www.luminous-landscape.com …/understandexpo​sure.shtml

gjl711 wrote in post #4146982
You’ll get a ton of opinions here from it’s a great setup to its crap and everywhere in between. My personal opinion is that you fortunate to have such a loving family and their gift is awesome. Be very happy and grateful. As to the camera, the XTi is simply the best value out there easily capable of producing pics that would rival cameras costing many times more. The 18-55 kit lens is a great starter lens as is the 75-300 and will outshine any compact or point and shoot camera by a wide margin. They will service your needs for a long time to come. The two lenses do have some weaknesses but realize that those weaknesses are when compared to say the 17-55IS, a lens costing 15 times as much and there are things you can do to maximize the image it creates such as stay in the f/5.6-f/8 range as it is the lenses sweet spot. So enjoy your new setup, it’s an awesome gift.

What a nice post........totally agree.

RichR wrote in post #4146894
Welcome to POTN... personally, I woudn't bash the xti, as I used to own one. It was my starter setup. For my earlier needs, it was the right body for me... As I continued to learn the craft

If the XTi was your first dSLR and from the gear in you listed, you've spent about $11,000 in the past year on cameras and lenses, eh? That's quite a ton of money to blow in just year!

11 Grand!!!!!! nooooo. I would be writing this from the "other side". My wife is understanding....but..​......

Nope...just the XTi kit, the 75/300 and a tripod. None are the IS version.

Mike

RedHot wrote in post #4153804
If the XTi was your first dSLR and from the gear in you listed, you've spent about $11,000 in the past year on cameras and lenses, eh? That's quite a ton of money to blow in just year!

It's a vice I can't shake... If it wasn't for my wife, it would've been more... It's way too easy to get caught up.

Welcome to the forum. You will enjoy the XTi it is a very nice camera especially as a first exposure to the world of DSLRs. Some will say those kit lenses are not the best, yada, yada. But there are two things to remember here. These are great lenses to learn on and the photographer is more important than anything else. My recommendation is to use these lenses and learn what you like to shoot and how you like to shoot it. Then you will be able to identify where your lens choices should go and what you should buy. Take your time and don't rush in this exercise, it will save you a lot of money.