Is The Canon Digital Rebel Xt.........

[Sheila]

Hi,

I presently own a canon digital rebel and I was wondering if you think the XT model is worth the upgrade.
I know it has more pixels and is a little smaller. Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sheila

[timmciglobal]

If the rebel is in good shape then no.

I think your better off waiting for the "next" rebel XT if your happy with the rebel.

Tim

[coldrain]

It not only has more pixels, but it also gives you much more freedom in creativity. You have full control over exposure and AF modes, and it is much faster in operation. All in all, it is better in many areas, so I think it is well worth the upgrade for most people. It just is a lot more camera in comparison.

Take a look at what all has changed:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/page3.asp

[timmciglobal]

Most of which the hacked firmware will give you.

I just don't think at this time its worth the price difference, pick up a used 20D if you want a better then rebel camera, it'll have more value I think over long term. (Plus 20D has some nice features the XT doesn't like ISO 3200 and 5fps)

Tim

[coldrain]

It is not true that teh hacked firmware will give you most of the changes.
And most definately not the improved speed.

[timmciglobal]

In so far as speed no but FEC, AI servo, yes.

Tim

[timmciglobal]

And coldain has no brand loyalty! Look at that sig!

:p

:)

Tim

[Rhys]

I'd stick with the original Digital Rebel. I don't think it's worth upgrading just for 2 extra megapixels. I'll also point out that the XT battery is different whereas the original Digital Rebel battery is the same as those for the 10D, 20D etc.

[cdifoto]

I agree. I have the XTs but only because they were the entry level when I was buying. If I wanted to upgrade I'd go for a real upgrade like the 20D (or its successor).

If you're shooting sports or other events where you need more speed, the XT would get you by but you really should be looking at the 20D or better anyway.

[coldrain]

The difference between the 300D and 350D is much bigger than the difference between the 350D and 20D, and the upgrade is definetely worthwhile.
Try playing with a 300D when you can and you will know what a big difference the 350D makes.

[cdifoto]

The difference between the 300D and 350D is much bigger than the difference between the 350D and 20D, and the upgrade is definetely worthwhile.
Try playing with a 300D when you can and you will know what a big difference the 350D makes.

No doubt it's better but IMO it's still not worth the upgrade. 300D to 20D makes more sense than 300D to 350D just as the 350D to 20D doesn't make much sense to me, unless you're going for a 2nd body then it would only make sense to either get the same thing or something better.

[Rhys]

I don't think the XT is better than the 300D. I think they're about the same aside from the extra megapixels (which means little by the time you're at 6mp anyway). I think the controls on the 300D are easier than on the XT. If I were buying my XT again, I'd save a few dollars and get the 300D, putting the savnings into more glass or a tripod or something else.

[coldrain]

I don't think the XT is better than the 300D. I think they're about the same aside from the extra megapixels (which means little by the time you're at 6mp anyway). I think the controls on the 300D are easier than on the XT. If I were buying my XT again, I'd save a few dollars and get the 300D, putting the savnings into more glass or a tripod or something else.
I think you never used the 300D, I think you do not realize the improvements made with the 350D. I wonder in what the 300D's controls are easier. Oh well, some actually have used both and will tell you the upgrade is very worthwhile.

[Pomaric]

I'd say it depends on how much you get for your old one, aka. how much more it will cost you. Its a better camera overall IMO...a few things I don't like about the 350 are the ISO and WB controls, you have to go through menus to change them on the 350, you didn't on the 300...both take good pictures however. Personally I would say find yourself a little extra money and upgrade to a 20D. Oh, and for the record, I have owned both the 300 and 350, and have used the 20d and the 1ds Mark II.

~Chadly

[coldrain]

Its a better camera overall IMO...a few things I don't like about the 350 are the ISO and WB controls, you have to go through menus to change them on the 350, you didn't on the 300...both take good pictures however.
~Chadly
The EOS 300D and EOS 350D have the exact same buttons to change the ISO and WB, they are the up and down button of the 4 navigation buttons. The difference is that the 350D got the AF method and metering method assigned to the right and left navigation buttons, something the 300D did not have.

[Pomaric]

The EOS 300D and EOS 350D have the exact same buttons to change the ISO and WB, they are the up and down button of the 4 navigation buttons. The difference is that the 350D got the AF method and metering method assigned to the right and left navigation buttons, something the 300D did not have.
true, but it still takes you into a menu whereas it didn't on the 300

[jamison55]

The biggest improvement is the ETTL-II flash metering. That alone is worth the price of the upgrade if you use the flash a lot. Having said that, purely ergonomically, the XT always felt like a bit of a downgrade to me. I've grown to love it's light weight and smaller size, but it was definitely the hardest adjustment to make. With the DReb with the hack it was also easier to control hacked features such as FEC. The XT makes you crawl around menus to reach them. I for one, wish that they would allow you to remap buttons to assign the features that matter best to you.

Having said all of that, the 20D will definitely feel like more of an upgrade, and the images it produces are slightly better then the XT. Other than that, the XT has all of the important functionality of the 20D.

Used 20D's are going for around $800-$900 now on sites like fredmiranda.

[coldrain]

true, but it still takes you into a menu whereas it didn't on the 300
Then what does the 300D do. The 350D:
Press up(ISO)
You go directly to the ISO choices.
Press up or down to the wanted ISO setting.
Press middle button to Set.
Ready, pressing shutter button half way shuts LCD off again.

Same for WB, AF and metering.

Does the 300D cycle through ISO values and show them through the view finder?

[Pomaric]

Then what does the 300D do. The 350D:
Press up(ISO)
You go directly to the ISO choices.
Press up or down to the wanted ISO setting.
Press middle button to Set.
Ready, pressing shutter button half way shuts LCD off again.

Same for WB, AF and metering.

Does the 300D cycle through ISO values and show them through the view finder?
hold down the button and use the scroll wheel to change the ISO and WB, when you're used to using it, its much faster IMO...maybe others think its easier on the 350...thats cool too, its not a big deal, just one of the things i noticed

[cdifoto]

hold down the button and use the scroll wheel to change the ISO and WB, when you're used to using it, its much faster IMO...maybe others think its easier on the 350...thats cool too, its not a big deal, just one of the things i noticed

You can use the scroll wheel on the XT too. You just have to press "Set" after you've selected your ISO, WB, etc.

[aparmley]

I agree with most of the earlier comments here. I have not used a 300D though. I agree the 350D is worth the money to upgrade from the 300D. But the simple fact of the matter is that the 350D and both the 20D are getting to the end of their respective "planned lifecycles" The 350D has a little more "Corporate Mileage" left. PMA announcement is next tuesday if you weren't aware and most anticipate a 20D replacement, maybe a new entry level camera. . . theres lots of speculation but I would think at least an upgrade to the 20D whether it be a full blown upgrade or just a cosmetic deal [aka 20DN]. What this means to you is that a 20D may make more sense after the announcements, the 20D's used price should drop a little more. . .

Ok. . . to summize. I'd get the 20D if I were in your shoes. But thats just one persons opinion.

Why the 20D: For all the characteristics it has in common with the XT + ISO 3200, 5 fps, larger body, more AF points, a little better AF. Those are the reasons I would choose it today over the XT.

[ReF]

350d is definately an upgrade because of faster startup and replay, + much better buffer. it felt like a big upgrade over the hacked 300d that i been using for a while, but:

i really don't care if people have differing opinions about this, but i find that the 300d's controls are easier to use. the 300d had more control over MLU delay and allowed the user to disable MLU simply by switching drive modes instead of going through the menu and going through more steps. speaking of menus, the use of it for pretty much every control change on the XT is fairly annoying. you change the white balance and suddenly the menu screen isn't where you left it. having the press SET everytime gets old quickly too. oh yeah, and after 4 months of constant use i still don't like the 350d's grip.

if you sell your 300d then it's not really all that much $$$ to go to the XT. worth it in my opinion. Oh yeah, selling the 300d for the XT is exactly what i did. considering the time of year, i'd wait and see how good the 20d's replacement is. it should drop the price of 20d's too, which of course is more of an upgrade, as others have said.

[Sheila]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their opinions. I have my digital rebel for auction on Ebay. I have a reserve price of $450. with lens. If I get $450.
or better, I will sell and but the XT. If I don't get my price, I will be content for now with the digital rebel. It does take awesome pictures.

Thanks again

Sheila:o

[aparmley]

If you don't get your asking price - use the money you were going to combine with the 450 and get a top notch lens!

[timmciglobal]

Yea glass has more of an effect then camera bodies in most situations.

Some of the shots from my 24-105 IS are just amazing so far.

Tim

[24Peter]

Some of the shots from my 24-105 IS are just amazing so far.
Tim
Tim - do you have any galleries up yet where we could check out the results from this lens? I'm curious to see how sharp it is.

[Rhys]

I agree. Don't spend money on a new body. Spend it instead on getting the best glass you can afford, even if it's only one new lens a year.

I have the XT together with:
Canon 50mm f1.8 (piece of junk)
Canon 18-55 f3.5 (worse junk)
Tamron 17-35 f2.8 (fantastic)
Tamron 28-75 f2.8 (fantastic)
Tamron 70-300 f4 (so-so).

I intend (when I get out to do more photography) to get myself the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 lens. I'm also thinking of selling my 18-55, 50 and 70-300 lenses. If I need a lens over 200 then I'll get a 300 or a 400.

[Sheila]

I just thought I would let everyone know that my digital rebel 300d w/ kit lens did sell on Ebay. I had a reserve price of $450. and it sold for $455.
Once I get the payment, I will have to see what my options are for a new camera. Hopefully, Canon will have a new edition on Tuesday, which will probably bring the price of the XT down or maybe even the upgraded model
(20d ?)

I think I will take the good advice and start to collect some good lenses.
It is only a hobby for me but I love taking beautiful pictures to scrapbook.
Thanks Again.
Sheila

[Rhys]

Congratulations on the sale of your camera. I hope it all goes well for you.

I have the XT and while I like it, I find the controls aren't very intuitive, coming from a Nikon manual focus background.

I suspect you sold your camera at just about the ideal time. If you'd kept it longer you'd have got a lot less for it. I would not recommend going for an XT or a 20D yet. I'd recommend waiting to see what Canon announces in their new product lineup.

I wonder whether a 5D is out of your price range?

[aparmley]

I wonder whether a 5D is out of your price range?

I can only speak for myself here, but if money wasn't an issue, and beleive me when I say if I could swing the 5D, money really wouldn't be much of an issue, I think its fair to say that most of the questions relating to would the 20D be worth it to get over the XT, would cease to exist.

[cdifoto]

It is only a hobby for me but I love taking beautiful pictures to scrapbook.


I wonder whether a 5D is out of your price range?

IMHO the 5D would be overkill for Sheila, and an unecessary expense.

[24Peter]

IMHO the 5D would be overkill for Sheila, and an unecessary expense.
She can buy me one. In fact, all you guys could chip in and get me one. Wouldn't that be great?!?:rolleyes:

[cdifoto]

She can buy me one. In fact, all you guys could chip in and get me one. Wouldn't that be great?!?:rolleyes:

lol. Everyone chip in and get Pete one, then chip in and get me a 1D, then a 1D for Jamie (or whatever he wants)... Parm, what do you want? :eek: :D


We can redefine "Community Pool"!

[coldrain]

lol. Everyone chip in and get Pete one, then chip in and get me a 1D, then a 1D for Jamie (or whatever he wants)... Parm, what do you want? :eek: :D


We can redefine "Community Pool"!
Yeah yeah, and leave me out :(

Or were you guys planning to get me 24peter's model?:eek:

[cdifoto]

Yeah yeah, and leave me out :(

Or were you guys planning to get me 24peter's model?:eek:


Oh my bad I forgot all about you! :p Which one do you want?

[24Peter]

Or were you guys planning to get me 24peter's model?:eek:
coldrain - did you have someone in particular in mind? :cool:

[TheObiJuan]

I purchased a used KissDn for 650 and sold it for that ammount a few months ago. The 350D is a great camera and can be found for cheap on some internet fora. It is even getting easier to find sub 900 dollar 20D's. That would be a steal.
The updated 20D will no doubt be great, but is it worth getting over a super cheap DSLR?

[aparmley]

lol. Everyone chip in and get Pete one, then chip in and get me a 1D, then a 1D for Jamie (or whatever he wants)... Parm, what do you want? :eek: :D


We can redefine "Community Pool"!

. . . And so the pyramid scheme was born.