Digital SLR Feedback please?

Question

Looking into buying a digital SLR. I though I'd stick with Cannon so I can use the lenses from my film SLR (28-75mm & 70-300mm). Can anyone provide me with feedback? I'm an amateur photographer and price and affordability has a big influence on my final decision.

Thanks!

I looked into the Digital Rebel but I've heard mixed reviews.

Answer 1

I own the Canon Digital Rebel -- and LOVE it -- I take it everywhere with me -- and yes, the lenses I used with the 35mm Canon Rebel WILL work with the Canon Digital Rebel (which is why I purchased it in the first place).

One of the things I would suggest is that you purchase about 2-3 Memory Cards first -- because when I started shooting images with the Digital Canon Rebel -- I really STARTED shooting images -- hundreds of them. It is a very intuitive camera -- I like the balance in my hands (but do use a tripod for quite a few situations), I was reeling in GREAT JOY at the quality of the raw (.crw) photos I took for this year's Fourth of July Fireworks display in my rural town, love the nature Shots I've taken -- like everything about it. This is one very fun camera to play with -- and yes, it is kinda big comparing to the non-SLR digital Cameras -- but for me -- this is the one.

I owned Canon Cameras since the early A Series (so you can see -- quite a few decades).

The price has fallen tremendously in the past 6 months for this series by Canon -- and I expect as more Digital SLRs come on the market (and the competitors start lowering their prices too), then Canon by Christmastime will have this one priced in about the same range as the other makers. But for me, with the two lenses you mentioned (which are pretty good for most shots), I'd recommend that you look at the Digital Rebel as part of your choices.

Answer 2

I'm sure that you could compare the EOS 350D Digital Rebel to the higher line Canon's and find some features missing, but it is a pretty good camera. This is a very popular camera and there must be a reason. I see nothing but 4- and 5-star reviews.

Although I'm a Nikon fan myself, I would encourage you to go ahead and get the Digital Rebel. The fact that you own a couple of lenses is important in your buying decision. You may find yourseld adding a lens or two and then, when you have some more money, you can step up to a "better" Canon without losing the value of your lens collection.

Answer 3

I agree with the above answers to get the digital Rebel XT (aka 350D).
The only three 'drawbacks' are:
* the smallish viewfinder (but this is the same with entry level Nikons and other brands),
* the small size of the camera (some people love this, but I have large hands),
* and the fact that it magnifies your lenses by 1.6x (this is great for your telephoto reach, but you may find that you need a new lens for wide angle shots).
Don't let any of this discourage you though; it really is a great camera. Also, the price has dropped over the last 2 weeks, since the announcement of the replacement model, making it fantastic value for money. The replacement model is the 400D - with 10 megapixels vs. 8, automatic sensor cleaning, and a few other goodies.

Answer 4

I have the Reb XT myself and it will work w/ those lenses, the only thing you haave to worry about is the sensor magnification (1.6 times so your 70-300 lens will be 112-480mm) but if I were you, I'd see if you could find a 20D. The 30D just came out recently, so the 20D's are pretty cheap, considered a really good camera (it still has the 1.6 mag tho) and should keep you going for a while

Answer 5

The Canon Rebel is an awesome camera!

Answer 6

im a nikon user but i do somewhat monitor canon cameras as well. one that many people would recommend you would be the digital rebel XT a.k.a 350d. another one would be the more professional 30d.