What is bad about Canon Digital Rebel XT?

Question

i heard lots of good stuff. wanna know what bad things are much bad enough to change my decision to buy rebel.

Answer 1

Rebel XT: the downside.

First, it has a plastic body. Cameras with a magnesium body are much more rugged and better handle the wear and tear of travel.

Second, the big one. It's far, far more expensive than it looks. Sure, the body isn't too expensive, but then you have to get lenses for it. If you buy a package, the included lenses are never any good. Good lenses will cost at least as much as the camera body - that doubles the price right there. Next, the on-camera flash is terrible (just like every other on-camera flash). You'll want to get a Canon speedlite, and that's another couple hundred bucks.

Basically, a Rebel XT is NOT a stand-alone camera; it's part of a camera system. It's too good of a camera to just use with a crappy lens and on-camera flash.

There are plenty of high-quality stand-alone cameras with fixed lenses. Sony, Canon, and Nikon all make good ones. If you get one of these, get one with a big optical zoom.

If you use a Rebel XT the way it's supposed to be used, it's a fantastic camera.

Answer 2

The lens that comes with the kit isn't the greatest and you will not be able to take advantage of the XT's quality with it. In order to get performance out of this camera, you need to pony up several hundred dollars for a decent lens (there are many fine choices).

Also, this is a digital SLR camera. That's a good thing for a skilled photographer but not so good for an amateur. Many things that digicam users take for granted (like seeing your picture framed on the display before you take it) are not present in almost all SLR cameras (one notable exception I know of but it's prohibitively expensive). At least one guy I know plopped down the cash for an XT and can't seem to get the hang of taking decent pictures with it. He's a point and shoot kind of guy and an SLR demands more from you than that.

What he should have done was buy Sony's top of the line point and shoot camera, the DSC-R1. This has the same quality of electronics as a good entry level DSLR like the XT but it has all the features that assist an amateur in taking great photos (it's actually quite advanced in that regard). Unlike an entry level DSLR, it has a good lens, making it a far cheaper option for about the same quality. An R1 will run you about $800 while an XT could cost as much as $1500 for the same quality photos.

With regard to price. If I was of a mind to drop the cash for an XT, I would probably go out and get the EOS-5D instead. Although it is going to cost you about $1000 more, it is a far better camera. It's probably the best camera a non-professional would ever want for anything.

Answer 3

Hmm, tough one. Nothing really. You could get a Nikon D70s for the same price, but that would pretty much come down to a personal preference for the bigger size. The Rebel XT is an excellent camera.

Answer 4

I actually use one right now and i love it. I recommend getting some other lenses because the one it comes with is nice, but has limited depth of field and the distance it can go. However, the camera itself is amazing. Just read the manual or play around before you really take any serious pictures to familiarize yourself with how to set apature and control the light meter and manipulate areas of focus.

Answer 5

The only problem I have found is that for the money you spend for one, the lens cap is not attached by a string or anything. Otherwise I love mine.