First Camera?

Hey guys, I am new to photography and I was wondering which camera to get as a beginner. I have been looking at the Xt, Xti, and the 20d and I want to the camera for everyday shooting. I am willing to spend about 500 bucks for a body used or new.

Thanks.

Your best bet, say I, would be to spend as little as possible on the body, and as much as possible on a lens. That would probably mean the XT - and it is a very capable camera. I'd strongly recommend against the 18-55 kit lens (others find it OK), and suggest instead the Tamron 17-50/2.8 or the Sigma 17-70. That might be possible with your budget - not sure.

Thanks. How much do you think I can find a really cheap XT for?

Check the "For Sale" forum here - see what's on offer. I don't have a good handle on prices sorry - others will be along to advise, I'm sure. You are in the U.S.? I ask only because knowing where you are will help people direct you appropriately and give relevant information.

That forum, formally, is the Market Place section/Classifieds:se​ll forum.

Out of the XTi, XT, and 20D, I personally would opt for the 20D myself.

Better built, better ergonomics and control, and better lowlight capabilities.

Though, with your budget (is it $500 for body AND lenses?), I'd definitely take xarqi's advice and opt for the cheapest body, and work your budget around the best lens you can get for the type of shooting you want to do.

Just don't forget that you need to set some money aside for a camera bag, memory card, and perhaps just a couple other accessories (cleaning kit perhaps, filters maybe).

Cheers and good luck!

Frank

the 500 is my budget on the body only. not sure about lenses yet but yes i am in the US.

cLickiTx wrote in post #4356862
Thanks. How much do you think I can find a really cheap XT for?

I've seen some used rebel xt's for around $350-$400

I was in the same situation as you a few months ago.

I got a 300D, figuring I'd save money on the body and get lenses.

4 months later, I traded up to a 20D! On the plus side, my 300D got me the same on eBay as I paid for it.

Save yourself the hassle and get the 20D first up. There's a world of difference between the two bodies.

Caveat: When you say you are new to photography, do you mean absolutely new? Or new to digital? Or new to SLR's?

Reason I ask is that I'd been using film SLR's, so the learning curve may not have been as steep for me. Just something to think about.

well my friend has a xti and my other friend has an xt so i've used both of those to just shoot random pictures. So im not TOTALLY new but relatively new.

i think im gonna go for the xt because i just found one for 350 if he hasnt sold it yet.

cLickiTx wrote in post #4360061
i think im gonna go for the xt because i just found one for 350 if he hasnt sold it yet.

The XT is a good camera to start out with. For a minimal investment, you can develop your eye for composition, figure out what you really like to shoot, discover if there are any areas that your equipment is holding you back and then move on.

I just got a 300D for my GF to start with. She is a total novice, and I'm starting her off with the 28mm 1.8 fixed.

Out of the cameras you've listed, I would go for the 20D. If you're just doing "everyday shooting" it'll do you nicely for a long time with great photos. It's not the latest or greatest but you won't need anything like that if you are just starting out. I still shoot with my 'old' 10D even though I also have a 5D.

No need to spend a bundle on lenses either if you don't have it right now. Some great stuff out there to start off and then over time build your bag full of goodies. I started out with a 28-135 IS and it's still a very good lens, even on the 5D. The 28-135 is a nice range for the 10D (or 20D) and for not being a prime of "L" it's still worth it.

I would go for the 20d myself, you can pick a used one off ebay for slightly over $500. The xt seems like a camera you will find yourself replacing real soon, don't get me wrong, its a very capable camera. I was recently debating whether to get the xti, 20d, 30d. At first it was the xti and then I read what people said and decided to get the 20d because I wanted to eventually get a 40d in the future and learning the locations of the controls would take a while. I know because I've been using a rebel k2 (35mm camera) and I'm still not very use to it. It takes me a few seconds to just snap a shot. I figured I should avoid the hassle of relearning and just jump into the 20d. Then I wanted the large display like the one on the xti so I ended up purchasing a 300d. My budget was originally $600-$700 and it ended up being $1000. Well, I guess its not really a budget, I just didn't want to spend that much. If you get into photography, its going to be very expensive. I only wanted to spend $1000 to start in photography and I think I've ended up spending close to $1600 on just the basic stuff.

for now i might just get a 20d and the kit lens until i get more money to buy a better lens..

Okay..so now there is someone offering me a XT with kit lens, canon grip and a Haoda split-prism focusing screen for 400. should I take his offer and save around 100? or find myself a canon 20d for 500?