DSLR Camera question?

Question

I am looking forward to buying a camera for spotting airplanes at mostly VNY, BUR and LAX. I want to get a 70-300 mm lens and a cannon camera. I dont know which model is good is the XT fine or the XTi is much better. Are there any new camera's that will be released by cannon in that price range any time soon.

Answer 1

I don't think Canon will update the Rebel line this year. They usually update their models every 18 months, and other models are in line before the XTi. They might introduce a new model to compete with the lower end models like the Pentax K100/ 110 and the Nikon D40, but this is just wild speculation on my part.
I'd get the Rebel XTi ($700) with the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens ($550) and a $100 tripod. If you don't have Canon lenses already, also get the cheap 18-55mm kit lens for general use, or pay extra for the 17-85mm ($500) for better image quality.
As for the body, the XTi gives you 2 more megapixels than either the Rebel XT or the Canon 30D. This alows for bigger prints/ more cropping. The Canon 30D is a superior camera in many ways - build quality, frames per second, ergonomics, etc. - but those extras are not neccessary for your intended purpose.
As for the lens, Canon makes two versions of a 70-300mm zoom. Both are better than anything by Sigma/ Tamron/ Tokina, and better than the Canon 100-300mm, etc. The version that I recommend is the cheaper of the 2. With the more expensive 70-300mm 'DO IS', you get a tad better image quality, but mainly you pay for a more compact lens design. Again, this is not something you need for your intended purpose.
If you're willing to spend around $1000 for the zoom (the 70-300mm DO IS is an $1100 lens), I'd rather get the Sigma 50-500mm 'Bigma', or the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens with a 1.4 extender. And if your budget allows for a $1400 lens, the Canon 100-400mm zoom is the obvious choice.
The tripod is a neccessity. A $100 model that's rated to support the wight of your camera + zoom should offer decent quality. Slik, Manfrotto, Giotto, Bogen, etc are some of the better known brands but tripods also come in many quality levels. If you want to go crazy, you can spend +$500 on a tripod ... or even just on the ball head. Since you probably won't be doing a lot of hiking with your gear, don't pay extra for items that advertise light weight - the heavyer and bulkier, the better.

Answer 2

Probably not. For the Rebel series not for another year or two. But why planes? Thats going to seem a little ackward. But you will need a tripod to reduce camera shake with that 70-300mm lens. But if your going to drop that much money a lens might as well go for the 30D by Canon, faster FPS, and better picture quality. But if your going with the Rebel series go with the XTi, I love it. You WILL need to take classes or learn how to use long lens properly. You will get exteme camera shake if you do not buy a tripod to keep the camera steady or you can use a wall... but tripod is better.

Drop a good $1000 on a lens, its not worth getting the $500 in my opinion. You want good imagine quality drop money on the lens not only the camera.

Answer 3

I have shot a lot of motorsports and I could see where there could be some similarities. You will probably need to shoot a little loose, that is leaving a fair amount of space around the subject because they are hard to compose due to the quick movement. The higher megapixels will help you when you crop in post processing.

Answer 4

I have read reviews saying that the xt is the better choice