I just bought an Xti

My bank account is a screamin' mimi but...LOL

I expect it by Thursday. I hope that I've made the right decision but after reading posts for months and months and learning my PowerShot A710is...I think I'm ready. Keep in mind it took me about a year 1/2 to get brave enough to take that camera off auto sooooo this is a big step for me.

I just did the kit lens to start and to learn the camera.

One of the things I would like to get is the "grip"...what do you recommend?

I'm sure I'll be buying more trinkets along the way and asking lots of questions.

Congrats on your purchase.

Save your $$ on the grip and upgrade the lens.

Wait, what "kit lens" ?

Hey congrats! The DSLR world is very fun and challenging. Take lots of pictures and read up on technique. If you hang around here you'll get plenty of answers and a lot of items on your camera wish list.

About the grip, I would want it for my XTi but I'm not sure I would want to pay out for it at $120 or something. However, if you want a bigger feel and more battery life, it would be very worth it. A lens upgrade would be a good purchase but you're just learning so it isn't that necessary for a while. Get a tripod, a big CF card, and a camera bag if you don't have those things already. Have fun with it!

What do you think you will be shooting mostly?

For me the grip made a huge difference in the balance and handling of the XTI. Without it the camera just felt too small and cramped.
Used ones are becoming fairly common in the $100 range. It's money well spent.

I've had my XTI for about 3 months now (Seems longer vfor some reason)and I love it, I don't have the grip for it but it's on my to do list. With out the grip the feel of the camera doesn't bother me but every one seems to like/recomend it and I will probably get to buying it sooner or later. My bank acount realy started to screem when I found the clasified sell section of the forums

Congrats, you'll love the camera. It is a very nice machine.

congratz fellow newbie.

If I may suggest. Read up on RAW shooting. It eats up your storage but it sure makes a difference when you process your shot.

Oh by the way. Welcome to the money pit...ahemm I mean POTN.

Congrats noob! Can't wait to get mine as well.

Happy Shooting!

Thanks everyone...I've got several probs that come with welll errr ummm old age I've got a small hand tremor and head shake I had invested in a monopod that has helped a lot...I also have an old but beloved vivitar tripod. I also wear glasses so any help in that department would be great also. The guy at the store showed me how I can adjust for my eyesight or lack their of so I'll be playing with that. Oh and I'm also left handed and have VERY small hands

The kit lens is what ever it comes with I think it's pretty standard: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6...ummm what ever that means...LOL I'm really starting from scratch so I'm sure it will be fine while I bumble around.

I keep looking at everyone's photo's and I'm inspired, I realize it won't come over night. Every once and a while with my PS A710is I'd get something good but I feel in order to continue my education I needed to upgrade to DSLR. Right now my budget is tapped so what I have will just have to do for a while. I certainly won't be the next Annie Leibovitz...at least for quite sometime or maybe the next lifetime

I'll just be shooting stuff around my farm and my critters...nothing fancy. My area of interests are nature/critters, macro and maybe a human photo or two

Well they make lenses with IS (image stabilisation) built into the lense to help out with the camera shake. and a mono pod is another good start, but if you still have to much trouble you can always get a tripod.

NewbiePicMaker wrote in post #5415602
Thanks everyone...I've got several probs that come with welll errr ummm old age I've got a small hand tremor and head shake I had invested in a monopod that has helped a lot...I also have an old but beloved vivitar tripod. I also wear glasses so any help in that department would be great also. The guy at the store showed me how I can adjust for my eyesight or lack their of so I'll be playing with that. Oh and I'm also left handed and have VERY small hands

The kit lens is what ever it comes with I think it's pretty standard: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6...ummm what ever that means...LOL

That would be your f-stop for that lens. It becomes important to know that when you get into manual shooting. I would strongly suggest reading up on your ISO, F-stops, shutter speeds and such (manual). Otherwise, you'll never get the full capability out of this camera. Congrats and good luck!!