I want to buy a Canon Rebel XT

sabbath999 · Jul 1, 2008

I want to buy one simply to play with it... I am a Nikon person, don't own a single lens to put on it, but still I am sorely tempted to get one of them refurbed from Adorama for $387.

I REALLY shouldn't though... because I will just end up getting lenses for it if I do, which will cut into my REAL camera money... still, it is tempting.

Anybody want to trade an XT for a D40? I have a spare one of those!

kundalini · Jul 1, 2008

My brother has an XT and a 60mm macro lens. I've been itching to try the macro.

BTW, I have no desire to buy an XT. No disrespect, I'm too caught up in the OTHER system.

I do have a Canon film SLR and a couple of lenses buried deep in the back closet somewhere. Will probably stay there until I move again.

Iron Flatline · Jul 1, 2008

Dude, the XT is a POS. No offense to a lot of the people here who have one, but it is really entry-level. Even with good lenses the menus and buttons are crap. Don't do this to yourself, go buy a couple of bottles of good wine instead.

rdompor · Jul 1, 2008

No disrespect to you either Flatline, but I find the Rebels to be more than adequate. How much do you really need to go through menus anyway? Punch in your preferences and leave them alone. As far as buttons go, it's a click wheel and the Av increment button that I'm concerned with and they're not difficult to handle at all. The only disadvantage I see with Rebels is the ISO performance at high ISO's and slow burst speeds - two things I don't necessarily find essential.

Rhys · Jul 1, 2008

I have an XT and a 30D. I seem to use the XT far more than the 30D because it's smaller and lighter. In terms of ease of use and so on, I don't find it any problem. It's certainly capable of wedding photography as long as it has AF assist from the STE-2 or a 580EX etc.

My only problem is swopping between the XT and 30D when I have two cameras in use. The UIs are so different.

John_Olexa · Jul 1, 2008

I also use ( a lot) the XT. Along with my favorite lens 70-200 2.8 It's been good enough to get a lot of my images published.

It doesn't matter if you have the best camera on the market, if there's an idiot behind the veiw finder your images are still going to stink.

spiffybeth · Jul 1, 2008

sabbath999 said:
I want to buy one simply to play with it... I am a Nikon person, don't own a single lens to put on it, but still I am sorely tempted to get one of them refurbed from Adorama for $387.

I REALLY shouldn't though... because I will just end up getting lenses for it if I do, which will cut into my REAL camera money... still, it is tempting.

Anybody want to trade an XT for a D40? I have a spare one of those!

why do you want one?

sabbath999 · Jul 1, 2008

Because I like new toys, and that is a new toy.

JerryPH · Jul 2, 2008

You know how it starts Sabbath? Starts with an XT and next thing you know, you get yearnings to spray paint all your lenses white! :lol:

Overread · Jul 2, 2008

That might be cheaper - just get the can of white paint and spend the evening painting them (don't forget a little can of red paint and a small brush for the ever so important red ring!)

Isn't there a new toy for you Nikon you can get though? A new tripod? New -- er -- camo-cloths for you lenses???

keith204 · Jul 2, 2008

The rebel XT is a great camera for the price. I imagine you're not too worried about using this professionally since you have a D300, but it will certainly be fun to play with. My dad has a Rebel XT that I borrow when I could use 3 bodies. A great combo is the XT with the 17-55 f/2.8 IS (whewwww) or a 50 1.8/1.4. Some SHARP images have come out of these combos. I've wanted to give a D40 a try sometime, simply to play.

Also, the XT is a camera that if you find a good deal on, you can use it for a year, and sell it for nearly what you paid. They are going used for just about as much as a good deal on a new one. Figure, if you paid $389...what's the most you could lose after a year of use?? $389 if it breaks. You could probably sell it for $300 or more a year old. Was the $389 a camera that included a lens? My dad paid $379 body only from BuyDig.com a few months ago (new, usa, free ship).

If I had an XT still, I'd say let's just swap cameras for a month...we're only about 3-4 hours away. How's an EOS Elan II sound???

keith204 · Jul 2, 2008

Shoot, you got me thinking too much.

I'll check with my dad. Maybe we could do a swap if you're interested. You basically have the same kits - XT/D40 with a Tamron 70-300. I'd probably let him use one of my cameras for the time being. Are you heading to Bolivar/Springfield any time soon?

sabbath999 · Jul 2, 2008

I could be

I have a lot of family in Springfield, might be worth a visit... who knows, I might even go to the races with ya and watch you do your thing.

sabbath999 · Jul 2, 2008

keith204 said:
The rebel XT is a great camera for the price. I imagine you're not too worried about using this professionally since you have a D300, but it will certainly be fun to play with. My dad has a Rebel XT that I borrow when I could use 3 bodies. A great combo is the XT with the 17-55 f/2.8 IS (whewwww) or a 50 1.8/1.4. Some SHARP images have come out of these combos. I've wanted to give a D40 a try sometime, simply to play.

Also, the XT is a camera that if you find a good deal on, you can use it for a year, and sell it for nearly what you paid. They are going used for just about as much as a good deal on a new one. Figure, if you paid $389...what's the most you could lose after a year of use?? $389 if it breaks. You could probably sell it for $300 or more a year old. Was the $389 a camera that included a lens? My dad paid $379 body only from BuyDig.com a few months ago (new, usa, free ship).

If I had an XT still, I'd say let's just swap cameras for a month...we're only about 3-4 hours away. How's an EOS Elan II sound???

Adorama has them refurbed with the crappy kit lens (non-IS), or did the other day at least.

The biggest thing holding me back is that I mostly shoot telephoto so I would have to get something to shoot telephoto with.

You are exactly right, though... I could likely sell it for not too far from what I paid for it.

I do have the Tamron 70-300, but remember that won't autofocus on a D40.

It would be fun to have your views of the D40 though, after being used to Canons.