Canon Rebel XSI opinions

serge944 · serge944's Garage

I'm looking to get an entry level SLR. Just something to take higher quality shots than a run of the mill point & shoot.

I see a few new Rebel XSI 18-55 kits on craiglist for around $500. Look like unwanted Christmas gifts to me...

Yay or nay? Can I spend $500 and get something better?

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I spent 500 and got a used Rebel XTI with a 35-80 lens and 2 gig card...

Halm · 01-23-2010, 09:15 AM

I bought the XSI 2 years ago for 50% more and at the time, it was a deal. I am not sure I would call it an "entry level" camera because it is a lot more than I needed. But the image stabilization is great and I do take better pictures with it than with my old Nikon Cool Pix.

Go for it.

Steve Carlton · 01-23-2010, 09:41 AM

I don't know about Canon, but with Nikon the warranty only goes to the original purchaser. You can buy that kit new at Abe's of Maine for $550 after the $10 coupon discount LOYALTY10.

MRM · 01-23-2010, 02:11 PM

Yes, I have been looking at that exact same camera. There are two lens kits, one with the small telephoto and one with both the wide angle and long distance tele. I've been scavanging Craigslist, looking at the local camera stores and the big mail order outfits - Adorama, Abe's of Maine, and 47th Street Photo. As far as i can tell, other than the probable stolen stuff (how do you get a camera that's new in box, never opened, still sealed packing that is an unwanted Christmas gift that can't be returned so you'll take any cash for it without it being hot?) the used discount just isn't worth it compared to buying new. In fact, my local serious photography camera store had XSI kits on sale for the same price as Abe's and Adorama until just recently. The two lens kit had a $200 instant rebate that brought the price down from $950 to $750. That's really a killer deal, but I think the offer expired.

Anyway, they are complex electronic devices, so buying new gets you something of value. I don't think a used digital camera can be worth more than 50% of the value of the same camera new. The asking price for used XSIs is so close to the camera store cost, I wouldn't go anywhere else. I've seen people asking $650 or so for the kit Steve posted above.

As far as I can tell, the XSi is the best camera in that category. I'd be interested to hear about the XTi or competition from Nikon.

kaisen · 01-23-2010, 02:42 PM

My wife bought the XSi kit last summer for our business use. It takes fantastic photos, period. Like all electronics, now that there are newer fancier models, they are cheap.

We love it, we'd recommend it!

alf · 01-23-2010, 03:53 PM

Try to see if you could find a new one and combine it with Bing cashback.

I would go with a Nikon SLR and Canon compact, but that is personal preference.

Erakad · Erakad's Garage

Great minds....and all. The timing of this thread is perfect, I've been looking at the same camera...but wondering also about experience with the Nikon D5000 (a bit more expensive), and the Pentax K-X (about same price as the Canon).

HardDrive · 01-23-2010, 05:37 PM

I LOVE mine. I got it just before a trip to India last year. It takes amazing photos. My sister has been a professional photograher for years, and she has one as well.

LWJ · 01-23-2010, 08:01 PM

My wife has an XTi. Fantastic. I would give a little caution about the cheapo kit lens however. In cameras, results are generally more dependent on the lens than the sensor. I could give my thoughts here but I am not an expert and I don't know how you want to use the camera. The web has lots of info on lenses.

Good luck.
Larry

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

there is lots of info on Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/XT and EOS 20D/30D Tips, reviews, tutorials, forums and more - EOSrebels.com

masraum · 01-23-2010, 08:15 PM

The various Canon Digital EOSes and the digital Nikons are all top notch cameras. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Another great source for Camera equip (basically Adorama's competition) is B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders

I purchased my Canon EOS Rebel XT, lenses and other stuff from them. Just a happy customer.

They have the XSi with 18-55 IS lens for $589.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html

BRPORSCHE · 01-24-2010, 08:00 AM

I have the XTi with the 18-55 mm IS and I also just bought a 55-250 mm IS lens.

There are two major differences between the XTi and the XSi that you should know about:
1. The XTi does NOT have real time picture oin the LCD screen. You must look through the viewfinder.
2. The XSi takes SD memory, not CF, which is considerably cheaper per gb.

Either way you will be happy with your choice. They are GREAT camera's, and I honestly couldn't go back to a cheap point and shoot. Something you will have to keep in mind is that you are going to want to upgrade bodies. I am craving a T1i baaaaaaaaad.

Crowbob · 01-24-2010, 08:09 AM

What does no real time picture on the LCD screen mean? Does it mean that at the moment you take the picture, and only the moment you take the picture, the screen is blank?

BRPORSCHE · 01-24-2010, 08:17 AM

Not blank. It is only a data screen. The only time a picture will pop up is when you actually take a picture, or you are reviewing pictures you have already taken. You have to look through the eyepiece to frame a picture.

Crowbob · 01-24-2010, 08:53 AM

That seems like a signifcant limitation if I understand you correctly, Tom. You have to actually have the camera up to your eye to see what is actually being framed. Huh, didn't realize that.

kaisen · 01-24-2010, 08:58 AM

While small point-and-shoot cameras have had the 'live' viewfinder for years it is still relatively new in DSLR's, even the pro models. It isn't really a limitation. People have been shooting great photos that way since (before) the first SLR.

masraum · 01-24-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

That seems like a signifcant limitation if I understand you correctly, Tom. You have to actually have the camera up to your eye to see what is actually being framed. Huh, didn't realize that.

Actually, SLRs have always worked that way. Cheap p&s digital cameras started the whole frame using the lcd thing. So many people who have only ever had p&s cameras have been freaking out about not being able to do it with DSLRs that the camera companies figured out how to do it with DSLRs.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

My dad prefers my DSLR b/c it doesn't frame in the screen... He likes the viewfinder... Of course he has had an AE-1 since like '78....

masraum · 01-24-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

My dad prefers my DSLR b/c it doesn't frame in the screen... He likes the viewfinder... Of course he has had an AE-1 since like '78....

Exactly, old school SLR folks are married to the viewfinder. I started using my dad's AE-1 when I was a kid. It seems only natural to me to use the viewfinder. Using the LCD is odd.