I have been researchying the Canon Digital Rebel XT and the XTi, I have noticed the major differences to be the megapixels, total focus points, and LCD screen size. I was wondering if anybody has had a chance to to use the XTi yet?

I am curious if the differences warrant the difference in price?

I can get a Digital Rebel XT new for 679.00 and the Digital Rebel XTI for 850.00 new. I would prefer to save the money and get the XT but if the additional focus points are going to make a tramendous difference and the megapixels as well i am willing to spend the extra money.

I am also looking at the EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
any thoughts on the lens selection as well?

I am going to be photographing, local storms, And various events on our vacations to the carribean and Alaska.


thanks

I bought the XTi as soon as it was available and have already shot a ton of photos with it. So far, I think it's a great camera. Here's a link to the Digital Rebel XTi gallery on the site:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D Photo Gallery >> (http://gallery.photographyreview.com/showgallery.php?mcats=all&crproducts=sdcpid35998327:Canon%20Rebel%20XTi%20Di gital%20Camera&what=allfields)

As for which camera you should buy, I think that depends on your expectations and how you want to use the camera. What camera do you have now? If you don't already have a digital SLR, I think the upgrade to the Digital Rebel XT is going to be so wonderful for you that you'll be perfectly happy. Plus, if you save a couple of hundred dollars you can invest in a better lens. I would recommend buying just the camera body and buying a better lens like the Canon 17-85mm IS. For most people, that would be a better use of their moeny than buying the XTi.

On the other hand, the XTi is very impressive. I have used the Digital Rebel XT only a tiny bit so I can't really compare. And people were very happy with the XT, which has many of the same features as the EOS 20D, but in a smaller, less expensive package. The new LCD is very nice and so far I'm very impressed with the auto focus. But whether those new features and the extra 25% resolution will make any difference to you is hard to say. Usually, it's best to save a little money and invest in a better lens, though.

Hope that helps-

Photo-John,

Thank you for you input, I will deffienently take that to heart. I was thinking about the body only purchase,

The lens that i was considering the EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens I am curious as to your opinion on it.

I am looking for a lens with a pretty good zoom.

I also found this lens EF 28-90MM F/4-5.6 would that be better then the one you suggested?

Presently I only have a Point and Shoot Digital. I used 35MM SLR's in high school for photography for the year book but that was many many years ago.

I would give you two suggestions - the Canon 28-135IS and the 28-105. I used to own the IS lens and was very happy with it. I would also suggest getting the 50mm/f1.8 lens as it's a nice, sharp and fast (1.8) lens that is great for low light situations and portraits.

Liz

Photo-John,

Thank you for you input, I will deffienently take that to heart. I was thinking about the body only purchase,

The lens that i was considering the EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens I am curious as to your opinion on it.

I am looking for a lens with a pretty good zoom.

I also found this lens EF 28-90MM F/4-5.6 would that be better then the one you suggested?

Presently I only have a Point and Shoot Digital. I used 35MM SLR's in high school for photography for the year book but that was many many years ago.

Looks like you aren't sure about the focal length. Keep in mind that both the XT and XTi have a 1.6x digital crop factor. So a 28mm lens will be roughly equivalent to a 44mm lens in the 35mm format. That's why the kit lens is 18mm on the wide end. My "normal" digital zoom lens is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di (which I bought from Liz!). It's a wonderful lens and not very expensive. I also have the Canon 28-135mm IS and think it's a nice lens, too. But generally, I prefer the constant f/2.8 aperture on the Tamron. I also think the Tamron's optics are much better.

Looks like you aren't sure about the focal length. Keep in mind that both the XT and XTi have a 1.6x digital crop factor. So a 28mm lens will be roughly equivalent to a 44mm lens in the 35mm format. That's why the kit lens is 18mm on the wide end. My "normal" digital zoom lens is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di (which I bought from Liz!). It's a wonderful lens and not very expensive. I also have the Canon 28-135mm IS and think it's a nice lens, too. But generally, I prefer the constant f/2.8 aperture on the Tamron. I also think the Tamron's optics are much better.

I agree with John - almost forgot that great Tamron lens. I would vote for Tamron! You'll be very happy.

Liz