 Kathy Zavatson |
Canon XTi, 30D or 5D Currently I have the Canon Digital Rebel and would like to upgrade. I would like to eventually begin my own business and need to know which camera I should purchase next. I have no formal training and have just been teaching myself. I know the 5D is out right now b/c of budget but I want to know also what the differences are b/w the 3 (XTi, 30D,5D).Is it the camera or the lens that make the significant differences? I must be doing something right b/c friends and family keep asking me to take their portraits:). Right now I'm leaning towards the XTi since it's affordable and seems to hold a few of the features from the 30d. Please let me know your opinions. Thanks for your time. Kathy
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Suzanne Colson |
The big differences in specs between the XTi and the 30D are: XTi: 3 frames per second. Important for sports/action shots. The 30D has spot metering. I honestly haven't used it. The 30D can go as high as ISO3200 vs the XTi's ISO1600. I use it in desperation when I can't use flash and the light is very low, but noise does exist. The XTi is capable of 10MP, but I have read on several forums that the XTi tends to underexpose images resulting in soft images and noisy images above ISO400 that are not a problem in the 30D?? For me, I chose the 30D because of the camera build and the location of dials and buttons. Changing settings on the 30D is far easier then the Rebel XT and looking at the XTi the buttons seems to be the same. The 30D is slightly larger and just plains feel better in my hand. As for the lens or the camera making the difference the lens definitely has a much bigger impact on the quality of pictures. I had cheap lenses on my Rebel XT and was not happy with the quality of pictures so I upgraded to the 30D. My pictures didn't improve significantly until I purchased much better lenses. The XTi was available when I purchase my 30D, but if I had to choose right now I would stick with the 30D, but that is purely opinion. I have seen beautiful pictures with both in the galleries here. Because the feature set really is not that much different I would recommend 'holding' both models in your hand. I noticed that Best Buy is now carrying the XTi, 30D and even the 5D. Hope this helps and good luck!!
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John P. Sandstedt |
Suzanne has detailed some/all the differences between the cameras you're considering. My question: Why are you considering an upgrade at all? If you have the Rebel XT, I believe its got a 6 MP chip. If yours is a Digital Rebel, I'm not sure whether it has a smaller chip. The point being that most of us, whether amateur of pro, don't really NEED more than 6 MP. There a good reasons to consider the Canon 5D - these related to the fact that the infamous lens factor is not an issue. If this were a real problem, however, I wonder why Canon didn't include the full size chip [used in the 5D] in the newly introduced 1Ds Mark III. There is obviously a reason [photographic] to stay with the smaller chip. Canon ain't stupid. You're thinking of "eventually beginning your own photo business." When? Since, if you had the business, you could write off some/all the costs of your equipment, why would you make a move before you're established. Remember, if you're trying to interest prospective customers, it's your photographs and NOT the camera you use that are important. I'd be willing to bet you haven't exhausted all of the features of your current Rebel. Until you do, you could be making a mistake buying a new camera now. And, remember, a lot of folks [BP Members or not] need to have the newest camera model available, and make a purchase with no thought as to whether the "supposed" new features will ever be used. Finally, since you're working in digital, you might consider spending your currently available money on a new computer or printer or a copy of Photoshop CS2 or 3 or Adobe Lightroom. This might make much more sense that getting a new camera body.
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Suzanne Colson |
John makes an excellent point. I love my 30D, but honestly had I done some more research and not just jumped at the chance for a newer model, I probably wouldn't have been able to justify the purchase. The other difference between the Rebel and Rebel XT is the 1.8" LCD Screen vs the new 2.5" LCD Screen. Nice, yes, but so much more functional, no. I don't know if it is just me, but I can't tell until I download a picture if it worth keeping. I have become somewhat comfortable with the histogram so the exposure isn't a problem, but I don't rely on the LCD. Does anyone else find this to be the case?
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Kathy Zavatson |
Thanks John and Suzanne for responding. I've been thinking of upgrading b/c I thought I would like the higher megapixels and would be able to get better resolution. I also have been asked by a friend to photograph her birth and I wanted to make sure I had a quick camera (I know lenses help too) I just know that you can't reshoot a birth and I think she would kill me if I asked her to do it all over again. John is right, I have not used all the features of my camera. I'm actually still learning. I tell myself I must be doing something right if my friends and family keep asking me to take pictures. Maybe I should put the money towards software. That's a good point! I only have the Photoshop Elements that came with my camera. I also really want a lens with IS which aren't cheap. I have a few prime lenses already. I feel like my pictures need to "pop" more. I plan on uploading some of my pics to get some critique. I'm so glad I found this website. It's an awesome resource and it's nice to talk to other photographers like you guys. Thanks again for your time and if you don't mind I'll let you know once I upload some of my pics.
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John C. Schwentner |
Put the money into the lens. It is he most important feature of any camera. The 6mp is fine, the 8.2 is better because you can crop closer when you print, but the 5d isnt going to let you notice any perceptible print difference, and the price is huge.
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Amelia Deslongchamps |
I know I'm new to this site, but if you are interested in a good site that lists the specs of the camera as well as (I think) good reviews and detailed information is www.dpreview.com It is nice becuase you can also compare models side by side to help you decide. Good luck.
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