My first DSLR, XSi?

Hey everyone, so my birthday is coming up and I'm seriously considering getting a DSLR this year

After some looking around, I liked what I saw on the 40D, but the price was a pretty big turnoff and considering its going to be my first (real) camera the 40D might be a bit much So then I read an issue of popular photography where they rated the XSi as the top DSLR under $900. Which sounded great!

I'm just starting out so I don't really know what I'll be shooting. But street, architectural, and sports photography really interest me, so does macro. Also, I'll probably be carrying this camera around A LOT so it seems like a good choice since its not too heavy to be lugging around.

So anyways, now I'm planning on getting the XSi, and unless anyone here has other suggestions or reasons why I should reconsider, I'll probablly stick with it. Now the big dilema is getting a lens But thats for another forum section...

Good choice, but be sure to get the version with the kit lens included! It will probably prove to be more useful than you think, and it has rather decent resale value.

nukos, great choice! Coming from a XSI owner myself, I love it! Best camera I have ever had! I suggest to get a flash! The 430EX is enough for us beginners. Plus it will help out alot with your photos. Check out the 450d/rebel xsi users unite thread! We are all on there and we give each other C&C. Great community of 450D users that will help you out!

I was just going to post a thread about what lens I should get and whether or not to consider the kit lens

People are saying the XSi's kit lens is pretty good as kit lenses come (especially for just $100 more) then again, I am looking to probably get a telephoto and a macro to start out, but the telephoto should have a nice long focal range such as the Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM. Only turnoff here would be that I'll be doing most of my shots handheld (as I'll be carrying it around alot) and no IS would make a fairly big difference (right?).

So I dunno what lens I should get and if I should go body-only or get the kit.

I started with the XTi and moved up to the 40D, I have to say that I love the added features a lot more and Tv mode is so enjoyable to shoot with

I have a lot more fun shooting with my 40D, get double the keepers and its just as easy to use as the XTi.

I think you should pass up the XSi and go right for the 40D.
Lens wise I think a 70-300mm would be a good cheap start, or get the kit lens with it. Try to find one that has IS so that you can really enjoy it even more.

Its really too bad you missed the sale where the 40D was only $930 dollars for the body, it just ended on July 19th. Thats when I made the move up to my 40D ($1,117 dollars after tax and shipping.)

Some stores may still ofer it for that much, just shop around and be sure to go with a certified canon dealer.

I have the 50mm 1.8 and you can never go wrong with that lens, its quite an impessive lens and does fantastic macro with kenko tubes.

IF you can afford the combo I would say the best SHARP combo for a starter would be this.

40D with one of these L lenses.

17-40 f4 L (about $600)
24-105mm f4 IS L (About $900)
70-200mm f4 L (About $600)

I also suggest getting a fast quality card, that will make for quicker shooting, file accessing and transfering. You should also get filters for all of your glass so that it stays clean. Stick with name brand like Hoya (Kenko is part of Hoya too.)

Good luck with your choice

Hmmmmmm the 40D is a good camera and I have no objections to that opinion... But if your looking for a great deal and also, just starting out... XSI will be your choice. The kit Lens is a definite and getting a telephoto lens is ok, but what about your everyday use? Are you planning on wide angles? If so, then the 18-55 is a good beginner. If you really want a good everyday lens with IS and covers some respective range, then the 17-55 f/2.8 will be great! Telephoto is not always great lens. IS is always good and very helpful! Unless you have a super steady hand or a really fast lens, I would suggest it.

Wow Neo thanks so much for your post!

Well $930 is still pretty expensive considering the XSi is on Amazon for $640 So those $290 I save can go towards a real nice lens.

I was looking at the L series, but I wasn't sure which one I wanted, and since they are so expensive (but well worth the investment), I'd probably only get one and that would be that for the time being.

The 24-105mm sounds like a nice choice and would cover the wide-angle shots nicely, but would fall real short on the telephoto side :P So I'm still debating here ^^

I'm kinda worried about getting a prime so soon since I'll probably just have one or two lenses, so having a fixed focal length lens will limit what I can capture standing in one spot (or so I would think).

A friend suggested getting a UV filter and a couple other ones, the UV would stay on most of the time to protect against dust and regular wear. Would this be fine or would my image quality suffer/would it become a hassle having to constantly put on and take off the UV filter?

The fast card might have to wait since its not such a huge priority and I'm already going to be spending enough as it is. heh..

EDIT: For everyday use I really don't know yet since I don't know what I'll be shooting remember I'm just starting out.

The 24-105 is nice actually! Any of the L-series lenses will always be a great choice! Try scouting around for a great deal on the lens or even the camera. This place has alot of people selling there equipment. I almost purchased a 24-105 here and decided not to, because I like my things brand spankin new! So now I wait and raise the money...

Mmm...I'd say don't blow all that extra cash on just one fine lens. Right now your top lens priority is versatility in terms of focal lengths.

Alright it seems you have the money to blow! Then get the EF 70-200mm IS f/2.8 USM! That will really give you the reach your looking for and the quality!

Hey, I just bought a XSi and it is also my first DSLR.

I must say, after about 9 years of point and shoots, this thing just BLOWS them out of the water. For a starter DSLR, and the attractive price, you can't go wrong.

Molson1020, you couldn't be wrong! You are definitely right about that. I love my camera, if I could be with it, I would! LOL!!!

nukos wrote in post #6074678
I was just going to post a thread about what lens I should get and whether or not to consider the kit lens

People are saying the XSi's kit lens is pretty good as kit lenses come (especially for just $100 more) then again, I am looking to probably get a telephoto and a macro to start out, but the telephoto should have a nice long focal range such as the Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM. Only turnoff here would be that I'll be doing most of my shots handheld (as I'll be carrying it around alot) and no IS would make a fairly big difference (right?).

So I dunno what lens I should get and if I should go body-only or get the kit.

Just add the EF-S 55-250 f4-5.6 IS lens to the kit lens and you will have a great combo with normal and tele ranges covered. The 55-250 is a great "partner" to the kit lens, and well adapted to the XSi: it is a good performer, it is not too heavy, it is not too expensive, it has UD element lens inside, it has a stabiliser!.

Rebel450D_Addict wrote in post #6074669
nukos, great choice! Coming from a XSI owner myself, I love it! Best camera I have ever had! I suggest to get a flash! The 430EX is enough for us beginners. Plus it will help out alot with your photos. Check out the 450d/rebel xsi users unite thread! We are all on there and we give each other C&C. Great community of 450D users that will help you out!

Stupid question, but for the XSI, can I buy any SD card or is there a specific model/version that I need?

nukos wrote in post #6074575
Hey everyone, so my birthday is coming up and I'm seriously considering getting a DSLR this year

After some looking around, I liked what I saw on the 40D, but the price was a pretty big turnoff and considering its going to be my first (real) camera the 40D might be a bit much So then I read an issue of popular photography where they rated the XSi as the top DSLR under $900. Which sounded great!

I'm just starting out so I don't really know what I'll be shooting. But street, architectural, and sports photography really interest me, so does macro. Also, I'll probably be carrying this camera around A LOT so it seems like a good choice since its not too heavy to be lugging around.

So anyways, now I'm planning on getting the XSi, and unless anyone here has other suggestions or reasons why I should reconsider, I'll probablly stick with it. Now the big dilema is getting a lens But thats for another forum section...

nice pick. just maximize your gear until you have out grown it.

also, if you can add external flash like 430EX or EX II. your images will improve alot.

remember, good lighting is essential in taking good images.