Screw the 5D MkII...I've got an XSi!

[jamison55]

...and I'm not afraid to use it!

It's this time every year that I start to get the itch to upgrade. All of my friends with their shiny D700's, accurate AF, built in commander capabilities, and insane high ISO capabilities were sorely tempting me. When the new 5D was announced, I was even more tempted by the Nikon siren...

So I had to spend some money. I needed a new camera to quiet the "buy something" monster inside.

I ended up making a decision that cost me a lot less than a complete switch to Nikon. I bought an XSi.

Nope, I wasn't looking for this camera to replace my 5D's. I just wanted something new to play with, and I figured that it might be time to put my old Rebel XT out to pasture and buy a new car/travel/family camera. And I wanted Live View! So after selling my G9 (which I was only using as a PnS, despite my plans for pro use), and my old XT, I was alble to purchase the XSi and a Powershot A570 for about even money.

I was sad to see the XT go, as she and I had a lot of history, but I'm liking the new XSi!

From this weekend, with the 28 f1.8 wide open (a great small, lightweight, sharp combo!):

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/IMG_2387.jpg

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/IMG_2440.jpg

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/IMG_2461.jpg

From a couple of weeks ago with a Takamur 55 f1.8 and live view to focus. I LOVE the live view for use with my old MF lenses (though the sensor out-resolves them). I also LOVE that with the live view, you can put the focus point anywhere on the frame. The AF is really slow, but I can see this improving on future models, and can see this having a HUGE impact on the way I shoot!

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/IMG_1563.jpg

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/IMG_1557.jpg

I even brought it along to a wedding where I knew there wouldn't be much going on. I gave it the 50 f1.4, and let her rip:

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/RoxanneDon173054.jpg

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/RoxanneDon173326.jpg


So far I'm having a lot of fun. I quickly realized that I needed to turn off the Auto Lighting Optomizer and the Highlight Tone Priority, even though I'm shooting RAW now, because they added an incredible amount of noise to the files, but other than that, I really like the little camera!

[Gintaras]

wow great photos and you got a remarkable collection of Canon lenses so it was making sense to stay Canon :)

congrats on your new camera.

i agree, new shiny gear does not mean good photos by default... what i am looking for in D700 and 5DII a much better dynamic range and focusing, high ISO is not that important unless i am willing to shoot action indoor or in dim light...

i suppose Xsi should be as good as 40D at least

and (i hope Don is not reading us) forget Sony, which is good only for impressing girls :p

[Rhys]

If the Sony's as good as Don makes out, I can see the Chicken Ranch opening nearby :p

Meanwhile, back on planet normality....

I like what the XSi can do. I'm just not struck on the SD cards it uses. I'd rather stick with CF although it would be nice if there was a universal card that could be used in every device. SD seems to be heading that way.

Of course, having said I prefer CF cards, I had a problem with a cheap CF reader from B&H - the pins pulled out and i had to remove them from the card with pliers. The card works just fine though. I suspect that the contacts on SD devices would be a bit more durable.

[michaelb]

The XSi seems to be a sweet little camera from all that I've read about it. Nice shots Jamie. Live view really is a nice feature once you learn how and when to use it. That 28 1.8 looks good as well.

[24Peter]

Jamie! You are a radical! The IQ from the XSi impressed me from day one - easily better than my 40D. I just don't think I can go back to the tiny camera body. Plus, I've been lusting for a full frame camera for too long. I'm not buying anything until the middle of next year (or maybe in the spring), but the 5DMkII is still my top pick (plus the video possibilities are exciting).

BTW - Luke is looking good... love the tat. Just wait 'til he's 16 and comes home with the real thing!

[cdifoto]

This only proves two things:

1. You kick ass with anything.
2. No one can resist RAW forever.

[jamison55]

I like having a little camera for travel. The XSi definitely won't be replacing my 5D's...I like full frame too much, and the 5D still produces much nicer files...but as a personal cam that's easy to tote around, it's a winner in my book. I actually wish it was smaller, and might trade it for one of the new micro 4/3 system cameras next year when I get that new camera urge!

The little Panasonic with the rotating LCD paired with the upcoming 20mm f1.7!

[jamison55]

BTW - Luke is looking good... love the tat. Just wait 'til he's 16 and comes home with the real thing!

Ha, ha.....:eek:

Hey, you move out east yet?

This only proves two things:

1. You kick ass with anything.
2. No one can resist RAW forever.

It only proves one thing. I couldn't resist RAW. Last 5 weddings were all RAW...

[cdifoto]

oh wait there's a three.

3. You're making too much money.

;) :p

[cdifoto]

It only proves one thing. I couldn't resist RAW. Last 5 weddings were all RAW...
Were they just a trial or are you stuck on it now?

What are you using for software?

[jamison55]

No such thing as too much money, just too much taxes, so I have to spend some of it on new equipment for the business ;).

No trial, I've done trials before, and always gone back. This was a cold turkey switch. I want better color, and I just wasn't 100% happy with my color in jpeg. So...

I spent about an hour on the phone with a friend of mine, who has been hassling me to switch for years (he also runs a popular site, that we've all read, about flash exposure). He taught me his workflow using DPP, and I have alternated between that and LR2, still deciding on which one I like better. DPP is definitely a lot faster, but my photos need a LOT of straightening, and LR is better fot that. As well as having more control over individual elements of the exposure.

I'm processing my first all RAW wedding this week, so I'll see how that works out!

[cdifoto]

I don't know how anyone can get a workflow out of DPP but I suppose anything's possible. :P

I've been using LR 2.1 and must say it's far better than 1.4. I especially like being able to set up defaults that are applied immediately upon import. That means control over things you can't even set in the camera...and done right off the bat!

Plus it kills hot & stuck pixels as if they were never there. :D

[Rhys]

DPP is neat but I find I use Aperture a lot more. It's so nice being able to print straight from RAW. As far as workflow is concerned? WTF? I just go through the photos, eliminating the obvious junk then go through correcting the exposures then finally do spotting, red-eye, straightening etc. Then I go through again, eliminating any junk I missed the first time around. I could pretty much do that in any order. No "workflow".

[michaelb]

No such thing as too much money, just too much taxes....

Welcome to Massachusetts. ;)

[Rhys]

Bonus - all camera gear is tax deductable!

[Mark_48]

Bonus - all camera gear is tax deductable!

Even if you're simply a hobbiest shooter ? :rolleyes:

From what little I know and understand well of the IRS tax laws you have to be a bit careful about taking deductions for equipment. Taking deductions and not showing profit within a given number of years could well raise a red flag at the IRS.

http://www.danheller.com/photo-inc.html#3

[Rhys]

Even if you're simply a hobbiest shooter ? :rolleyes:

From what little I know and understand well of the IRS tax laws you have to be a bit careful about taking deductions for equipment. Taking deductions and not showing profit within a given number of years could well raise a red flag at the IRS.


Lol. Yes... if your deductions don't include a TV advertising campaign, business cards etc. Actually, our businesses all get lumped together for tax purposes.