Canon XSI for sure - most camera you can get for the money hands down

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page23.asp

Comparison Chart

[Edited on December 24, 2008 at 3:25 AM. Reason : .]

12/24/2008 3:22:37 AM

2 different people will give you 2 different answers on the Canon v. Nikon question.

The XSi is a small step above the D60 (.5" larger LCD, .5 frames-per-second faster, 2 more MP), however;

The Rebel XS is spec-for-spec almost identical to the Nikon D60, except that it will focus any autofocus lens made for Canon in the last 20 years, whereas the options for AF lenses with the D60 are more limited (but ever increasing.) Most people just starting out will do fine with either of these cameras. Or if you want to be really cheap, check out the Nikon D40, which is essentially a 6 megapixel D60. I'd guess that 6MP will be more pixels than 80% of people will ever need (are you really gonna make prints larger than 16"x20"?).

The Rebel XS v. Nikon D60 question was asked on the previous page. Basically, go to Best Buy and hold both in your hand and see which feels better. If you wanna be a good citizen, go to a locally-owned camera store and get informed and buy it there. Just don't be a dick and lead the salesperson on, waste their time, and then go buy it online after you've used them.

[Edited on December 24, 2008 at 3:23 AM. Reason : ]

12/24/2008 3:22:50 AM

Thanks for fixing that photo. That's amazing how you took that plug out of picture. I was upset about it being there and that was one of the best shot of the day.

It was ridiculouly hard to take photos of two less then 2 year old. It was already difficult to take pictures of one, let alone two.

Thanks again! (Your Kungfu Photoshop is much better than mine :-) )

12/24/2008 9:01:18 AM

There's the most beautiful snow coming down outside right now. I think it's time to go outside and play around and try to get some shots...

12/24/2008 9:46:09 AM

^remember to "overexpose" your pictures a tad since snow tricks your camera's meter.

12/24/2008 1:11:04 PM

Yea, I think I've decided on the XSI...

this is the package I'll be ordering today http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541162053.htm?bct=t1134
+ $49 for the 75-300 non IS lens, I figure you can't really beat that. $749 to my door no tax, seems pretty good.

What else do I need to pick up in the mean time? I can think of 4GB Card, bag, UV lens protector.

12/24/2008 2:44:43 PM

Eventually you'll wanna pick up at least an extra battery and more memory cards, but that kit should get you set to start shooting.

12/24/2008 2:50:08 PM

Although I can't beat the price for the XSi + 2 lenses, newegg has the XSi + 18-55mm lens for $649.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120262

I'm buying it this week and skipping on the 75-300mm lens, its not a very high quality lens and I'd rather save my money for something decent.

Canon XSi + 18-55mm Lens + Bag + 2GB SD Card + 8GB SDHC Card + Card Reader = $712 total w/ shipping.

12/25/2008 2:21:13 AM

^my parents got that deal about 2 months ago for $600

12/25/2008 9:36:37 AM

question...
I have a canon rebel xt 350D
I am looking to get a new lens for it as the kit lens that came with it seems to just not meet my satisfaction as far as focusing and crispness of images.
Can you guys make some suggestions for me? Looking to do the same kind of general shooting, with a decent zoom...
Thanks!

12/25/2008 12:48:52 PM

You're looking to spend how much? And what do you consider decent zoom?

I decided to skip the kit lens when purchasing a body and chose the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 as my every day lens. For $400 it's great. The focus noise takes some getting used to, and the focus is not lightning fast either, but for the money you get great sharpness and color.

If you can go to the $900-1000 range I'd look to Canon's 17-55 f/2.8

12/25/2008 1:20:17 PM

playing with a Nikkor 500mm right now. I think i need a tripod. lol.

12/25/2008 1:30:44 PM

hell yes
got a new backpack today

12/25/2008 5:53:19 PM

Sweet. What kinds of photo presents did every one else score today? I got a spare CF card reader to keep in the laptop bag.

JBaz says "Merry Christmas"

12/25/2008 8:19:05 PM

^^love the bag. why i enjoy christmas. i get to play with all my mom's cameras and lenses and dream of the day i'll have money to buy nice things.

12/25/2008 8:52:12 PM

i got a lil LowePro Fastback 100 for xmas for my D40 and two lenses. its perfect.

12/25/2008 11:07:02 PM

My fiancee and I got her mother a Canon 50mm 1.8. She's one of those people that has an SLR but keeps it on auto and doesn't really know how to use it; hopefully I can explain a few basic concepts so she can use the lens like it's supposed to be used.

I got an underwater housing for my point-and-shoot from my fiancee awhile ago as an early Christmas present.

12/25/2008 11:12:10 PM

Trying out my new Christmas present... 105mm VR

12/25/2008 11:12:49 PM

^Wow, that's a kickass Christmas present!

Your spider shots especially look a little grey. Try messing with the levels in photoshop to make your pictures less grey, or even pop. Or you could really f'k with your images, like this...

12/26/2008 2:09:22 AM

^nice..... I may mess with them a little this weekend.

12/26/2008 10:36:44 AM

no photo gifts, but I didn't ask for anything knowing my family wouldn't get it anyways so very little disappointment this year. :p

I ended up visiting family in TN and brought my photo equipment along with me and setup a family portrait shoot at the house and gave everyone prints, plus prints of my past work. Everyone loved it. Probably the most thoughtful gift I've given out thus far.

12/26/2008 11:01:14 PM

Quote :

"got a new backpack today"

Is that a Canon pack? Looks a lot like the one I have.

12/27/2008 12:16:18 AM

that's the Tamrac Adventure 75

12/28/2008 7:50:40 PM

ManRam Adventure?

12/28/2008 7:56:52 PM

Christmas up north at my grandparents' house in PA, about an hour from Scranton in the mountains. There was over a foot and a half of snow, and the weather for the day I was there was flat and gray and dreary. Family time didn't allow for too much photo time though.












And my girlfriend's cat.

12/28/2008 8:02:44 PM

basement cat in sheeps clothing

12/28/2008 8:56:35 PM

Ok Ronny, I like most of the pictures posted. Good job.

12/28/2008 8:58:25 PM

nice shots, minus the mud sucking grey in a few of them.

12/29/2008 3:09:33 AM

Anybody have any tips on how I could of avoided the glare in this pic?

DSLR Noob here

12/29/2008 8:31:29 AM

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy the creepy spider?

I just squealed sitting here at work. haha

Yay for your new camera though!!!

12/29/2008 8:35:46 AM

^^Don't shoot directly at the light source? Honestly, light flare is something that's hard to avoid in a shot like that.

12/29/2008 1:56:30 PM

Thanks!

12/29/2008 2:22:23 PM

You can always tell a person with a new camera:

[MACRO PHOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS]

12/29/2008 2:31:15 PM

What?

New cameras =/= "macro" shots. (Entry level dslr's and kit lenses typically do not have any macro capability, by the way)
Experienced photographers take "macro" shots, too.


I'm saying "macro" because there hasn't been much true macro photography posted in this thread.

12/29/2008 3:47:01 PM

It's a typical "cool photo" shot.

"I can take this everyday normal object, shoot it up close... and WHOAAAA THAT'S SO COOL!"

[Edited on December 29, 2008 at 3:50 PM. Reason : hahah I see you posted all those macro shots]

12/29/2008 3:48:59 PM

I dislike this side of your personality, Ronny

I dislike you because you are the #1 reason that -ZiP!- quit TWW

12/29/2008 3:51:10 PM

^^I agree with you on that, actually. It is an easy way to take cool photos without much effort, which is one reason why I miss my macro lens.

^What are you talking about?

12/29/2008 4:01:47 PM

Yeah... we're pretty much in agreement, he's the reason people think photographers are full of ego.

12/29/2008 4:03:24 PM

I don't know how I can clarify what I said. It seems to be pretty clean cut to me.

If you can't grasp this, then I can't help you.

12/29/2008 4:07:22 PM

Quote :

"New cameras =/= "macro" shots."

he has a point

12/29/2008 4:09:27 PM

Why, because I usually know what I am talking about? Aside from the occasional comment directed at Kiwi and cddweller, I think I've been, for the most part, positive and hopefully constructive in this thread.

Quote :

"I dislike this side of your personality, Ronny"

Which side? The side that is knowledgeable and passionate about the topic at hand, as opposed to my personality in every other thread? That makes little sense.

[Edited on December 29, 2008 at 4:11 PM. Reason : .]

12/29/2008 4:09:35 PM

Quote :

"Anybody have any tips on how I could of avoided the glare in this pic? "

circular polarizing filter

12/29/2008 4:10:45 PM

ehhh ronny, i think you are dickish at times.

but i also think its more of constructive criticism

12/29/2008 4:12:56 PM

I mean....I'm not going to sit here an argue about how you love to ruin an otherwise decent thread.

I'm just saying, you can enjoy your passion without being an egotistical bigot...


that's about all I'm ever going to say on the subject at hand.
























happy holidays!

12/29/2008 4:19:36 PM

Yeah, I apologize if I come across as sounding like a dick to anyone in this thread. (Note: This apology doesn't go beyond this thread)

I was under the impression it was for people to talk about cameras and critique each others' photos. Critique typically involves some negativity. When I first started shooting, the first photo editor I had was a huge dick. I'd come back with images and he'd ask what the fuck that was, why I did that, or he'd just tell me that it sucked. Every image can be improved upon, so even if the image wasn't complete shit, he'd still be negative and tell me what I could have done differently. During that short time I learned quite a bit. He knew what he was talking about, and him making me second-guess my work was a great way, as a beginner, for me to learn. If I was babied and not told that my shitty shots were, in fact, shitty, I probably would not have been inclined to try and get better, or put more thought into my shot composition, or use exposure creatively, etc. So, to EMCE and whoever else has had their feelings hurt by me in this thread, I apologize and was legitimately trying to help.

12/29/2008 4:22:48 PM

^ i think you are fine honestly. imo-keep doin what your doin

[Edited on December 29, 2008 at 4:25 PM. Reason : dfg]

12/29/2008 4:25:40 PM

Honestly, I think that it's you act like your shit don't stink. Criticism in all ways is awesome and does help but you throw in an air of arrogance sometimes.

IMO but whatever I don't pay that close attention anymore to your negativity.

12/29/2008 4:27:40 PM

In my opinion, I think that we need to drop in, and get on with the pics...

12/29/2008 4:32:15 PM

Jeff, you still talk to ZiP?

you should check out his blog sometime. its pretty cool.

but eitherway I used to be much more of a fan of this thread than I am now. But if anything it does show a dramatic change in how people shot with dslr's at the beginning and how they shoot in them now.

12/29/2008 8:38:16 PM

haven't talked to him in a minute

I think he hates me

12/29/2008 9:00:11 PM