Rebel XSi / 450D Users Unite

FLiPMaRC wrote in post #6019815
If it still overexposes, I use Manual mode and -2/3 or -1 Exposure compensation

The more I shoot, the more I shoot manual.

j00sten wrote in post #6020044
Those are some beautiful shots Helena! I esp. like the bottle and #3's "statue".

Thank you j00sten!

Ok, I bought my XSi last week. I have owned a 30D, 1D2, 5D, and 2 XTs prior to owning the XSi, so obviously the past ownerships will affect my observations, but all-in-all the camera seems quite nice. I had tried a 40D and an XSi in person prior to deciding on the XSi, and I am not dissapointed.

After taking some sample shots, I think the most notable thing about the XSi is how much better it feels than an XT, while still fitting my smaller hands better than any of the pro/semi-pro models. The shutter sound is pleasantly lighter than the 1D2 or 5D (obviously), though it has the crunchy shutter trigger of the semi-pros and rebels which I would prefer Canon just did away with. Here's my full list of Pros/Cons.

Pros:
*Lightweight...
*Quick operation and mostly well-placed buttons...
*LiveView is pretty handy for MF lens usage and conveniently engages/disengages...
*AutoISO works much better than any other Canon AutoISO I have tried...
*AF feels on par with the 30D/5D...
*Handy Spot-metering...
*Viewfinder is noticeably better than the XT...
*It's actually nice to be able to use smaller more durable SD cards...
*I'm happy to have the power switch back up top (should be on ALL Canon cameras!)...
*Ginormous screen is bright...
*Really good IQ (RAW), as is the EOS norm...

Cons:
*One button's location SUCKS --- ISO button in stupid location/angle...
*No quiet mode (though I knew this going in, it should still be there)...
*JPEG engine blows, particularly in high-ISO (regardless of NR or quality settings)....
*Viewfinder is still considerably darker than 5D...
*Silly-old-me would rather have a dedicated LCD for functions (even if it's tiny) rather than the obscenely bright main LCD flashing off and on by the IR eye...

There is no doubt that the XSi is a huge improvement over the XT, and spec-wise a good improvement of the XTi. I really think the $600 I paid for the kit represents a very good value and I am happy I purchased it over just falling back on my remaining XT following the sale of the 5D.

Hi Tom,

I pretty much agree with all of your pros and cons about the XSi. I knew coming into the camera that I would have to deal with the cons you mentioned. As a "noob" to dslrs, the viewfinder isn't horrible compared to a p&s. Still, looking thru a 5D does find me lusting for a better viewfinder. As for the LCD, I hardly use it for shooting info. Now that the ISO is in the viewfinder, I find myself not looking at the LCD info since most of the important info is in the viewfinder. I definitely agree about the JPEG results w/ the XSi. I found myself shooting raw early. Now I'm gonna take a few Photoshop classes to freshen up my shots

I have not tried the AutoISO as I'm a control freak when it comes to my camera. My biggest draw to the XSi was its weight, and I'm not disappointed. Even w/ a 70-200 f/2.8 IS, it wasn't difficult to handhold w/ the right technique. All the other tidbits like spot metering, highlight tonal priority, noise reduction, etc were just perks. I thought that live view was a gimick at first, but after using it at 10X, I found it a valuable tool for MF. The contrast detect focus @ 10X is also very nice.

I'm glad you're enjoying the new camera (and at such a great price!). Welcome to the XSi fold.

Can you compare your Jpeg results that you state *suck* on the Xsi to the results of jpeg in the XT..better or worse?

I honestly can't say they "suck" terribly. It's just that post processing can be more difficult w/ jpegs. If you're relying on in camera processing, you will need to adjust the picture styles. What's nice about the XSi is that the picture styles can be adjusted to your liking, and there are also 3 user defined options where you can put your own custom styles as well.

As j00sten said you have the default picture styles which can be adjusted, then the 3 custom (user defined) styles. Canon does have available for download like 7 additional picture styles, and they are easy to upload to the camera (granted you can only upload 3 of them in the camera at a time).

You can find the additional picture styles here http://web.canon.jp …g/picturestyle/​index.html

Do we have a mirror lock up feature on our camera?

MariaG wrote in post #6032141
Can you compare your Jpeg results that you state *suck* on the Xsi to the results of jpeg in the XT..better or worse?

Honestly, I was speaking to the variance in quality of JPEG vs. RAW-converted-to-JPEG. Even when converting a RAW down to equivalent-or-smaller-JPEG, you get considerably better tonal information than what the JPEG engine in the camera provides. One expects that from the original RAW file, but when all are 8-bit files, the weak point clearly is the path that leads you there, and that is the JPEG engine.

Ok, this is maybe picky, but here is a quick-n-dirty comparison. Note the tone transitions.

RAW, converted in DPP to JPEG (level 8 chromatic NR in DPP):

DonJuanMair wrote in post #6033928
Do we have a mirror lock up feature on our camera?

Yes, via Custom Function #9.

But dang, the RAW converted to JPEG's noise is absolutely horrendous compared to the JPEGs, both NR and non-NR. To fix the tonal variation there's contrast and saturation you can play with. I'd much rather have an un-noisy image than one that I can easily fix. Just my .02

Custom function 9?

Donjuanmair, it's on the custom functions menu, right before the "My Menu Settings" or the third yellow wrench Icon. Look in your Manual! I'm really surprised that you didn't know this.

If anyone had the money, and had a choice to choose between the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L, 24-70mm f/2.8 L, or the 24-105mm f/4 IS L?

Rebel addict yeah i havent really read it too much. Thanks tho for the info. I'm in the same situation as you. I'm ordering the 24 - 105. I rented it and loved it. You should rent one from lensrentals.com to see if you like it