It's time to get a new Camera...

[dmulk]

Well, with CreSTOC coming up, I want to purchase a really nice camera to document this and future rides that I attend.

I am by no means a professional photographer and really not looking to become one, but I enjoy taking photos and want an all around good SLR camera that I can have for a long time.

I have been considering a Cannon Rebel XTi. As for lenses, I am considering a 3-400mm zoom and a the standard 18-55mm lens.

Questions:

1) Do you have a Rebel XT or Xti? How do you like it?

2) What would be a good "panoramic" lens option for this camera?

Thanks,

<D>

[Medicine Bear]

I, too, have been considering the XTI and the Nikon D80. Can't help you at all with question #2 but as far as #1 goes:

I've been reading owner reviews extensively since the camera came out. I also went to a camera store and played with one. A lot of the reviewers and the camera salesman at the store said the same thing. The lenses bundled with the XTI aren't very good. Also, they felt like a substandard lense made a bigger difference with this camera than with film cameras. They felt like the camera was very good, was a great bargain considering the features, but would buy the body only and pick the lenses they wanted to go with it rather than the bundled lenses.

My own take on the XTI was that it was comfortable in my hands, I liked the size of the viewscreen, I liked the dust removal system, and I liked the price.

As a Canon owner (F1 + lots of lenses), I was kind of disappointed to find out my old lenses wouldn't work with the XTI.

Good luck!

Fred :03biker:

[John Anthony]

I've got a Cannon D10 and I love it. I've had their SLRs for a number of years and it's really nice to be able to swap lenses. These days I almost always shoot with the digital. Maggie and I take it with us for all of our serious riding.

Good luck.

John

[Roomain Georges]

I got a Nikon D70... But if I have to buy an other one or to change it, I will choose the Canon Rebel XTi.

Color more vivid, etc..

See this forum and all the tests made by professionnal are there.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

Ciao !

[ST_Jim]

Nikon D80 w Nikor 17-135 DX kit lens for walk around or while on tour.
I just got a D80 w/18-135mm last week!

The Canon DSLRs just feel a little strange ergonomically to me. I was also thinking about a Pentax K10D, but they aren't really able to keep their lens pipeline filled due to it's unanticipated popularity.

If by "panoramic" you mean a wide angle lens, I'm not too familiar with the Canon line. But the Tokina 12-24mm gets good reviews, and I think it's available in a Canon mount. http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/178/cat/33


- Jim :04biker:

[dmulk]

Just got a heck of a deal (locally) on an XTi....see this thread:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20669


<D>

[Gug]

There are some really nice cameras out there with all kinds of built in lenses and manual controls as well that deliver as good a pics as an SLR without the size. I have a Canon A95 that takes excellent pictures including macro.

Here is a site I utilize as a resource (http://www.dcresource.com/)

[1TallTXn]

I've hand my hands on a XT and a D70/s for a fair bit of time, and I prefer the Nikon. Absolutly nothing against the Canon, just prefer the way the Nikon feels and fits my hand.

[dmulk]

I've hand my hands on a XT and a D70/s for a fair bit of time, and I prefer the Nikon. Absolutly nothing against the Canon, just prefer the way the Nikon feels and fits my hand.

Yeah, the XT(i) felt small to me, but for $80, I purchased a battery grip which doubled the battery capacity as well as provided a larger body - more comfortable grip.

Cheers!

<D>

[Bob Hughes]

Those look wonderfull but don't forget a very small pocket camera that will be with you when the SLR just can't be by size.

[Jim Davis]

Well you already got your camera, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 yen worth.

I've been a photographer most of my life and have had my Canon 10d since it first came out. I love it and have lots of nice lenses to go with it, but...

I hate having to carry that thing both on the bike and when walking around at a rally etc.

Recently I got my wife a nice used Canon IXY400. This is a great little camera too! And it fits easily in any pocket.

Now I have to get another little pocket camera for myself because I like riding with it in my pocket. I just stop the bike, take off one glove, pull the camera out, switch it on and shoot. No more helmet off, bike on stand, open the saddlebag, open camera bag, remove camera, etc etc. I can keep the little guy with me at all times and as a result I take more photos and stop for photos more often. And that's what riding with a camera is all about.

The older digital pocket cameras don't have huge preview screens and don't shoot as many megapixels, but there's lots of them around used cheap and they take great photos. I like the idea of carrying a camera that won't make me cry if it gets broken, lost, or stolen too.

[UNTMatt]

We used to have two but right now we are at one for a while.

For a compact camera, I've used Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Of the three I've got personal experence with, I would HIGHLY recommend the Sony. Our old P93A has been dropped out of the car...slid off the dash and onto the concrete driveway...with no ill effects. Battery life is spectacular and pictures are great (macro's suck but that's been my typical experence with compact digitals).

The Canon sucked...pictures were never great and the camera fell apart in less than a year. That camera was NEVER abused and it's battery door just broke clean off one day. I had it with that camera and purchased the Sony. That was in Nov of 04.

The Nikon compacts take great pic's and seem to be decent quality. I've got a couple of friends with them and they have been very happy with theirs for a while now. My wife and I had a Coolpix 5700 which died on us after about three years. Kind of disappointing as it took spectacular photo's. One of which has been enlarged and framed.

Personally, I hate Canon. You can read about another users unhappy experence with them over at the Tail of the Dragon (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/RANTS/canon.html) website. I share their view and no amount of convincing will change my mind. Their equipment was second rate 20 years ago and it still lacks quality today.

The thing you have to remember with DSLR's is that the body of the camera isn't what's so important. You will typically invest a substantual amount more in the lenses. Once that investment is made, it's difficult to move to a different manufacturer as your expensive lenses will be rendered useless. I know you have already purchased your camera so before you invest in lenses, make sure you are 200% happy with it first. You can always ebay it and change over now before you have dropped the cash on a slew of expensive lenses.

[CruisingDog]

I have the Canon Rebel XT (8Mpix). Absolutely love it. The lenses are what costs you though. As previously mentioned, the body is usually the least expensive part. There are some good lenses out there. BTW, if you're going for 300mm lenses, make sure that you get the image stabilized ones. I didn't and it's a ***** to get stability (even on a tripod).

Another good tip is to get the flexible Gorilla tripod for SLRs. Best tripod I've ever bought!

Link (http://www.amazon.com/Joby-GP3-01EN-Gorillapod-SLR-Zoom-Flexible/dp/B000KFRSG4/ref=pd_bbs_3/102-3026790-5169740?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1178752941&sr=8-3)

[BigBadblue]

Wow, NightRDR you sure don't like Canons do you. I myself have had great luck with them. I currently have a 5 year old S50 for my carry-around thrasher that I bought used off EBAY 2 years ago for 75 bucks. It is totally hammered and all scratched-up with dents and much of the black finish worn off but it works perfect and takes excellent pictures.
I don't buy expensive new cameras any more because I don't like coddling them. If I break/lose this one I will just buy another cheapo and hammer it.
BTW 5 years ago the S50 retailed for over $500!

[MrClean]

There are many problems with the XTI.
I read this message board , often
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1031


The lenses and the in body IS of the Pentax K10D is what has my attention .
They make the best prime lenses , 31 , 43 and the 77 are famous .
Plus the K10D has weather seals .
Really , I am waiting for the next generation of the K10D
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1036

[cmguerrero]

Well, I'm a professional photojournalist with The Miami Herald and the last thing I want to do is lug around camera gear while I'm riding. Solution: the Canon SD550 Digital Elph. It's a 7.2 megapixel camera smaller than a pack of cigarettes. The image quality is quite amazing and frankly, it's all I'll ever need while I'm on the road, believe me... BTW, I use a 2 gig SD card which has more than enough image space...

http://community.webtv.net/cmguerrero

[Mellow]

Well, I'm a professional photojournalist with The Miami Herald and the last thing I want to do is lug around camera gear while I'm riding. Solution: the Canon SD550 Digital Elph. It's a 7.2 megapixel camera smaller than a pack of cigarettes. The image quality is quite amazing and frankly, it's all I'll ever need while I'm on the road, believe me... BTW, I use a 2 gig SD card which has more than enough image space...

http://community.webtv.net/cmguerrero

I'm considering the SD800 as my 3.1 megapixel Sony is a little on the big and heavy side... I like having a small camera around my neck when I'm riding through an area so I can pull off and shoot a couple shots without getting into the trunk or off the bike. With it being so small I'm not as worried about coming off the bike and the camera being the source of broken ribs either...I have my SO's real small sony but it's too small, about the size of two packs of gum, and it eats up batteries like crazy but it turns on with a slide of the cover which I like.... I couldn't find what I wanted with the other cameras w/slide covers ... but this one looks to be the closest to what I want.

I'd like and SLR type but it would be something I'd only take out for more careful shots so it's not a high priority.

Great comments, thanks!

[uptoblackwood]

I have the SD900 Canon and it takes great images. The new SD1000 is just out and the prices locally (in Dallas) have been remarkable.
I won't take the SLR on a bike trip unless I know I know there will be opportunity off the bike for good images and lots of time to get them. The small pocket cameras, made by just about all the big names, are great for bike travel.

Forest

[ConqSoft]

I wish they made a camera the size of the Digital Elph that has about a 50x optical zoom. Then I'd be all set. :D

[lesjohns]

35mm/digital SLR use Nikon, been using them for over 30 Years so have several lens that will fit the different bodies. Traveling, I prefer a small digital with good lens and medium pixel size, have a 5 and 6 megapixels cannons and happy with both, will fit in the pocket have a mount on the dash with a remote near my right hand. I can get a quick shot, although through the window distorts a little, here in the south it is the bugs on the windshield that mess up a good shot.
Pick the one you like best, look for picture quality, speed,time to next shot/rapid fire(movie mode), battery life, and feel, then go have fun lots of scenes, sunsets, sunrises, rainbow, and people just waiting for you out there....

[Red Duke Rider]

I had both of my Canons crap out within a week of each other. I'm pretty turned off to Canons right now.

Just bought an Olympus 1010. Taking a little getting use to. It is smaller than a pack of smokes. One thing interesting about the new "mini" cameras is they no longer have a view finder. They have giant screens on the rear and you shoot by watching the screen. A little cumbersome but something to get use to.

I like being able to carry the camera in my jacket pocket. I ride bikes other than the ST1300 also and none of them have glove boxes.

[Bob Hughes]

I had both of my Canons crap out within a week of each other. I'm pretty turned off to Canons right now.

Just bought an Olympus 1010. Taking a little getting use to. It is smaller than a pack of smokes. One thing interesting about the new "mini" cameras is they no longer have a view finder. They have giant screens on the rear and you shoot by watching the screen. A little cumbersome but something to get use to.


I just bought a Canon SD870IS and it has a giant screen and no viewfinder, it's great. I also like the image stabilization for the bike.

[Red Duke Rider]

I think more and more you are going to see view finders on the SLR's and other high end cameras only.

How much longer is Kodak and Fuji going to be in business? I bet they don't sell a tenth of the film now they did 10 years ago.

[Shutterbug]

I got a Nikon D70... But if I have to buy an other one or to change it, I will choose the Canon Rebel XTi.

Color more vivid, etc..

See this forum and all the tests made by professionnal are there.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

Ciao !
Go into the menus and change the color to "vivid" or "more vivid".

[Shutterbug]

I think more and more you are going to see view finders on the SLR's and other high end cameras only.

How much longer is Kodak and Fuji going to be in business? I bet they don't sell a tenth of the film now they did 10 years ago.

Both Kodak and Fuji make tons of other products. Kodak makes imaging sensors for high end cameras, Fuji makes some of the best digital photo printers that use one chemical, water!