Canon Digital Rebel...?

Question

Is the Canon Digital rebel a good replacement for a real SLR camera? i've been using an old school Canon AE-1 Program for taking pictures, and i love the results. i've been told that the Rebel was like the modern version of the AE-1 Program, is that true? and does the Digital version deliver as good of a picture as the film version?

Answer 1

The digital Rebel XTi or even the previous model, the Rebel XT should be a great replacement. Even these entry level dSLR cameras are at a point where they equal the image quality of 35mm film. Film still has the upper hand with black and white (more resolution), and digital has the edge with high ISO (less grain), but for most applications, there's no real difference.
The bad news is that you'll need to start your lens collection from scratch. Canon's digital SLR cameras use the EOS EF lens mount and your Canon FD lens(es) won't work.
I can second Sam's suggestion to get the Canon 17-85mm zoom. At around $510, it's vastly better than the 18-55mm kit lens, and probably the best walk around lens save the $1050 Canon 17-55mm f/2.8. Note that digital Rebels appear to magnify your lenses by 1.6x (as do the Canon 20D/ 30D), so the 17-85mm zoom efectively becomes 27-136mm.
Since you're facing the complete replacement of your gear, you could also consider some alternatives in this price segment. The Nikon D80 offers a larger viewfinder, a larger grip, and yes - it has a spot meter if you need it ;-) The Pentax K10D has better build quality and built-in image stabilization - but I'm not crazy about their upgrade path. You could even look into a Canon 20D. The 20D was discontinued this Spring and prices have dropped to under $1000.
You can read reviews for these models at
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html
and http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp?view=alpha
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P.S. (to Sam:) Panacea is still quite active in other sections. Here, he used to recommend the Canon 28-200mm zoom, not the 17-85mm. I always thought the 28-200 was a terrible choice due to its poor image quality and the lack of wide angle coverage (after the 1.6 focal length multiplier.) Panacea also went on and on about how his Sony R1 point & shoot could compete with digital SLR cameras.
He usually knew his stuff with point & shoot cameras, but his answers to dSLR questions were laughable - and often factually wrong. In my opinion, the Camera section has improved since he left and people like Petra_au and Clave 'the Pentax' Stone took his place.

Answer 2

Check out the EOS Rebel XTi. At 10 MP, it should do pretty well. Read the review at this site and look at sample images. As long as you have a decent printer (or use a decent commercial printer), I think you will be happy. The thing that I don't get, though, is the XTi does NOT have a spot meter. The closest they come is offering a "partial 9% at center," whatever that really means. The kit lens has a reputation for being kind of crappy, but I am not a Canon expert, so maybe someone else will make a suggestion. For Canon, one of our best answerers (Panacea - who either changed his name or went on hiatus) recommends the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. This costs about $500.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

Answer 3

I agree completely with Fishmei--- (the answerer above). However, it is true that a (d)SLR will have a much less shutter lag. Considerably so, indeed. But I think you should, currently, stay away from them and stick to compact cameras for now. The XTi has been replaced with the XS, aka 1000D in non-US terms. Prices are as follows, non refurb, with lens kit (cited from Adorama, US online store): XS - currently $600 with 18-55mm IS ~ with Canon rebate on at the moment XSi - currently $800 with 18-55mm IS ~ with Canon rebate on at the moment 50D - currently $1200 with 28-135mm ~ with Canon rebate on at the moment I suggest the 50D, of course, but the XSi would be best for you. Followed by the XS, followed by the 50D.

Answer 4

I cannot speak for SLR Rebel and keep in mind their are two models of the canon camera. The EOS Rebel, and the EOS Digital Rebel XT.
I am currently just using the powershot A610 6mp which has been awesome.
As far as the SLR equal to a 35mm, any digital over 5mp is equal to a 35mm, so yes I would say it would be.
Check below site steves digicam who gives real detailed reviews of almost any camera you can think of, and both of the above are listed.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_digpro.html