E300 &350xt

[Bledina]

Hi to all Rebel XT owner :D ,I'm new to this forum.Hope this is the right place for this tread.
I'd narrowed my choiced to E-300 and 350XT.I have some question to ask about the 350XT.Is dust really a problem for all the DSLR cam since they don't have the Dust remover like E-300?So far till now,does this problem really a probelm for you guys?I heard about some back focus problem about this 350XT,is it really bad as what they said?and....yup,about the plastic body,how bad/good is it?Hope you all can help me about this. :(

*how you all deal with the dust issue?Thanks

[TheObiJuan]

The body is the same plastic as the 20D. The 20D has some nice rubber for added grip though. The frame is made of metal though, where the 350D is made of hard plastic.

The backfocusing issues are unheard of really. More than likely it is people that use shallow depth of field and don't know how to control their cameras. More than likely it is the lens too.

I thought I had front focusing issues until I put it in manual and used different lenses, it is funny how much better MF is. The lenses, consumer lenses, aren't very good at focusing really. Shallow depth of field means AF is a bit trick sometimes. Recomposing a shot or slight movement on my part would yield an out of focus image. I think with my 20mm at f/2 it has around 1.5" of DOF, that ain't much.

Dust is not a problem. I shoot in dusty areas a lot, and swap lenses liberally. Sure, I get dust, but it ain't nothin' that the rocket blower can't get out.
Sensor dust being a problem is an overrated issue. The feature on the E-300 is neat, but seems that it is not necessary, for me atleast.

[kb3gun]

I have to agree with TheObiJuan. I've only had my XT for a few weeks but everything I've shot has been outdoors. 1000 and counting. I switch back and forth between 2 lenses and haven't had any problems with dust getting in. If only my pictures were as good as the camera is capable of producing (I'm a DSLR/SLR noob).

I use MF almost all the time as the trees are full of leaves and AF picks everything but what I need it to. In normal settings the AF works great.

As far as it being plastic: No problems have been encountered. I carry my XT mounted to a heavy tripod with a heavy lens alot of the time and it's solid as a rock. No signs of wear of any kind.

Just my 2 cents.

[TheObiJuan]

I have to agree with TheObiJuan. I've only had my XT for a few weeks but everything I've shot has been outdoors. 1000 and counting. I switch back and forth between 2 lenses and haven't had any problems with dust getting in. If only my pictures were as good as the camera is capable of producing (I'm a DSLR/SLR noob).

I use MF almost all the time as the trees are full of leaves and AF picks everything but what I need it to. In normal settings the AF works great.

As far as it being plastic: No problems have been encountered. I carry my XT mounted to a heavy tripod with a heavy lens alot of the time and it's solid as a rock. No signs of wear of any kind.

Just my 2 cents.

Your pbase gallery has some great images in it actually. The control of depth of field and composition is nice in a few. I recommend going to fred miranda, rob galbraith, or other forums and seeing what pros shoot and how. This will guide you to become a better photog. It works for me. ;)

If you choose the center focus point and use one shot in AF mode then you will have a lot more control and get still subjects in focus a lot more.

[kb3gun]

Thanks ObiJuan. I appreciate it.

I think I have the right tools for the job now, but as you saw, my skills are lacking. Practice make perfect. That is what is so nice about digital, I can practice and mess up and it doesn't matter. No film wasted.

I've been checking out fred miranda and a few other sites. Up till now, it been to research lenses. Now I will start to learn how to use what I have.

Thanks again!

[Bledina]

How about the kit lens?Many people complain it is not so good.What is the cheapest lens I can find and also give good results?

[TheObiJuan]

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens is the best bang for the buck. I find the focal range extremely usefull. It can be had for around 70 dollars.

kb3gun, you have the 70-200 f/4. That is a great lens! Put it to good use. ;)

[Bledina]

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens is the best bang for the buck. I find the focal range extremely usefull. It can be had for around 70 dollars.

Where can I get it?Ebay?Is it this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48552&item=7516794920&rd=1) one?What is the difference btw EF & FD?How good is the lens?Any photo to see?
Any Good place for me to buy the Camera?I saw the post that Dell is offering a good deal but currently out of stock for the Black colour.Any place else can get it cheap?!
Sorry about all the question as I'm a newbie for all this :D

Thanks

[TheObiJuan]

For the best price you have to go with dell. Wait for a time when you can stack coupons. A friend stacked coupons and paid 640 before tax.

Canoga camera is a great place to get the lens. You have to get the EF version. FD is for a different mount. Now if you wanted to do some uber close up shots then a reversed FD 50 would be fine, but that is a lil' advanced and perhaps for a different thread.

B&H, Canoga, 17th st photo, Delta International, Adorama, Zipzoomfly, and etc are good stores. No matter what go to resellerratings.com and search the company. Don't get sucked into paying a lil' less and getting ripped off.

[Bledina]

For the best price you have to go with dell. Wait for a time when you can stack coupons. A friend stacked coupons and paid 640 before tax.

Canoga camera is a great place to get the lens. You have to get the EF version. FD is for a different mount. Now if you wanted to do some uber close up shots then a reversed FD 50 woud be fine, but that is a lil' advanced and perhaps for a different thread.

B&H, Canoga, 17th st photo, Delta International, Adorama, Zipzoomfly, and etc are good stores. No matter what go to resellerratings.com and search the company. Don't get sucked into paying a lil' less and getting ripped off.

Wow,such a Fast reply!! :D
Thanks,TheObiJuan.
The FD is for what kind of Mount?And what is reversed FD 50mm??Sorry again as I'm a Newbie.

[TheObiJuan]

FD is for FD mount canons. Pre 1987 Canon SLRs.

If you want to do some super duper close ups, like taking pics of spiders and what not, then when you reverse the 50mm lens, or any lens, you see a magnified view. Try it, flip your lens over without any lens caps on and look through the end that you normaly shoot through, not the mounted end. Put your finger there and move the lens up/down to focus.

You can mount the lens reveresed to another lens and retain autofocus or you can mount a manual focus lens to the camera reversed and manually set the aperture and manually focus it.

If you don't get what I have just said, its okay. :p

I wouldn't worry about any of this business though since reving a lens is usually done by a small photographic niche.
:cool:

I only mentioned it in jest.

[Bledina]

FD is for FD mount canons. Pre 1987 Canon SLRs.

If you want to do some super duper close ups, like taking pics of spiders and what not, then when you reverse the 50mm lens, or any lens, you see a magnified view. Try it, flip your lens over without any lens caps on and look through the end that you normaly shoot through, not the mounted end. Put your finger there and move the lens up/down to focus.

You can mount the lens reveresed to another lens and retain autofocus or you can mount a manual focus lens to the camera reversed and manually set the aperture and manually focus it.

If you don't get what I have just said, its okay. :p

I wouldn't worry about any of this business though since reving a lens is usually done by a small photographic niche.
:cool:

I only mentioned it in jest.
Actually a bit confuse :confused: .What I don't get it is how you going to mount the lens reversed?Is it use the lens(ED) reversed to mount on the Camera??? I can mount the ED lens in the XT also?or .....but I really want to know more......Please :D

[TheObiJuan]

Look what I got myself into... :p


FD or any manual lens, for that matter, can be reversed to provide very close focusing and more or less macro shots.

This should help, a friend made this.
http://www.styleandspeed.com/theobijuan/pics/adapt.jpg

This can be done on any slr, including a 350D. ;)
Take a rear lens cap, cut a whole for the front element to fit through, then super glue or epoxy it in place. Then mount the rear lens cap to the other other lens you want to mount it to and bam! you got it reversed on another lens. As I stated though, I doubt you will do this, or want to do this. This technique is just for those in the macro niche really.

Then for more control you can mount the lens directly reversed to the camera. But you will only have AE and no camera controled aperture.
This is where a manual lens with an f-stop ring comes in handy.

[Bledina]

GREAT!! :D I will make one for myself but not now. :p .Well,I'm totally new to SLR/DSLR,currently I'm using olympus C-750UZ,and going to switch to DSLR(am goning to learn and willing to learn)so I'm new to the DSLR world.
Can you briefly explain about the the lens for the Rebel?There is so many lens but for different brand.Just don't know which one is for which one and....
Well,because I'm deciding of which camera to go,I read most of the post in DPreview.In Nikon DSLR,Canon DSLR(300 ,350D),Olympus DSLR(E1,E300) post.I notice the owner of nikon DSLR(D70)have less camera problem compare to canon and olympus.Any thought?Seems that canon QC is abit weak or....Thanks.

[TheObiJuan]

Any consumer lens regardless of manufacturer will have QC issues. If you pay the extra for pro series then the best should be expected.
There are many lenses for canon available. EF lenses is what you want from canon, and from sigma look at the EX series, with tamron look at their XR Di series.

What type of shooting do you want to do? How many lenses do you want? How much money are you willing to spend?

I wouldn't mind spending for the tamron 17-35 f/2.8-4 XR Di, Sigma 20mm f/1.8, tamron 28-75 f/2.8 XR Di, canon 50 f/1.8, canon 85 f/1.8, canon 135 f/2L, and the sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX.

But I have different needs though. I don't mind saving and spending 2k for the sigma 120-300 f/2.8. :p

[Ray Schnoor]

If you don't want to go to the trouble of making one, you can probably buy them from your local camera dealer. Since you are looking at Canon, here is a sampling from B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&a=266_2137&shs=&ci=3065&ac=&Submit.x=7&Submit.y=8

Ray.

[Bledina]

What kind of photographing I'm going to do?If can,everything.Except fast action object,potraits and wedding.
For now,I'm a bit tight budget.If I'm going to buy the camera,plus CF card,extra battery...will be around $1000.Lens.....maybe later.Maybe a normal or everage lens that can do all the photography work I do. :D
Lens that maybe I'm going to buy are Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 or sigma 18-125 f/3.5-5.6

[Bledina]

If you don't want to go to the trouble of making one, you can probably buy them from your local camera dealer. Since you are looking at Canon, here is a sampling from B&H Photo.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&a=266_2137&shs=&ci=3065&ac=&Submit.x=7&Submit.y=8

Ray.


Thanks Ray!
The DSLR world is totally new to me.And I'd just learn one more new thing! :D

[Bluedog]

Lens that maybe I'm going to buy are Tamro 28-75 f/2.8 or sigma 18-125 f/3.5-5.6

Good choices especially the Tamron. Click my PBase Gallery below ... ;)