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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> can the Canon Rebel XT take pro images?
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 10/26/2005 11:30:56 AM · #1
I have always wanted to be a photographer, yet through highschool and college, I never had the opportunity to take a class and learn. This is why I am currently debating on purchasing a Canon Rebel XT. I currently have a brand new imac with photoshop, illustrator, etc... I could get a real SLR, but I don't have time to learn the processing. I am recently out of college and don't have a lot of money, so I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Here are my concerns:

1.) How is the learning curve on this unit?
2.) If I can buy the kit for 650, how much should I expect to spend on extra accessories I NEED (i.e. flash, xtra lens, filter, tripod)?

3.) Can this camera take professional images? (I know this is a pro-sumer model, but I was just curious of the true quality. If the pictures are printed at a nice printer, could these be high art images or is there trademark shortfalls with the images?)
 10/26/2005 11:31:18 AM · #2
oh, and thank you in advance.
 10/26/2005 11:42:51 AM · #3
I have a Rebel XT. I love it, and I am considering doing children's portraits and the like for money when we move. I think the XT takes excellent images. I get my prints from Mpix.com, and they look great (even large prints - the largest so far 8 x 12). I too am looking to buy some more accessories, so I can't help you there. I need to get some backgrounds and lighting.

Please don't look at my challenge entries as proof of great quality pictures. I am not doing so well at challenges:-(, and since I am not a paying member, I don't have a portfolio. I do have a gallery on TrekLens. Take a look at it. I have some pictures of my daughter (especially the work titled "Those Eyes" and "Nude" both taken with my XT with the kit lens.

//www.treklens.com/members/persimon/

I hope this helps.
10/26/2005 11:51:19 AM · #4
yes it can
 10/26/2005 11:53:21 AM · #5
The cameras is great! I've printed a few pic A3+ and they look fantastic, I have no doubts larger prints will look equally as good. I'm sure many people will tell you, the quality of your shots are only going to be as good as the glass you put on your camera (as i'm beginning to realise), the 350d probably wont be the weakest link! That said, you still have to know what makes a good photo and that just comes with experience (which i'm lacking!).

The 350D is my first SLR and I love it, enough "granny features" incase you dont trust yourself, but full manual as well if you want to take control. I cant see mayself growing out of it for a long long time, by which time i will hopefully have some quality glass I can then use on future bodies.

I hope it helps. I read a interesting article on the luminous-landscape where a dood used it for a proper job and more or less would have made his money back for the camera. That said, he was in a possition to get offered jobs like in the first place as hes a pro!

Good luck dood!

Message edited by author 2005-10-26 11:54:18.
 10/26/2005 11:55:13 AM · #6
I've had images from my XT published at full-page magazine size: no complaints from art editors, no disparaging comments re camera, nothing.

e
 10/26/2005 11:56:17 AM · #7
The rebel-xt can take "professional" images, whatever your definition of profesional images is...

Expect to spend a lot of money on accessories :-)

10/26/2005 12:00:04 PM · #8
//www.dpchallenge.com/camera.php?CAMERA_ID=1135
If you look at this DPChallenge Web Page, you will see examples of photographs taken with the camera.
 10/26/2005 12:09:50 PM · #9
Thank you for the help, so far! I worked at a guitar shop and saw plenty of people spending a lot more money than they needed to. I just wanted to make sure that this camera would not have any trademark shortcomings.

do you think in addition to the kit, I could get away with spending 400 dollars for startup accessories?
 10/26/2005 12:10:05 PM · #10
Originally posted by AdamThomas:
...I don't have time to learn the processing.


This will be your biggest problem. The camera itself is fine, and superior to many older "pro" models.
 10/26/2005 12:15:06 PM · #11
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by AdamThomas:
...I don't have time to learn the processing.


This will be your biggest problem. The camera itself is fine, and superior to many older "pro" models.


I meant with the film camera - i.e. the time to learn the darkroom know how.
 10/26/2005 12:25:58 PM · #12
I remember reading about a pro-model photographer who used cheap "disposable" 35mm cameras.

There'd be a pile of them on the floor when he was done. He had assistants who's job was just to hand him the next camera and to clean up the ones he dropped on the floor.

So the key limiting factor in taking "professional" shots is to have a professional skill level of photography. Take Joey Lawrence. He ribboned with a mere 1 megapixel p&s. Has a good eye and natural talent...combined with dedication.

The only restrictions of professional photography limited by the camera itself is "specialty" shooting. ie: you're shooting for a "billboard" well in that case 8 mega-pixels may not be quite enough. You're doing astrophotography (you may need special camera or equipment) or underwater photography.

The rest, is more often limited by the shooter than the weapon. Familiarity makes a big difference too. You'll usually shoot better on equipment you are familiar with. This is why in the DJ world Technics are standard in most clubs. Because almost all pro-DJs have experience on them.

The truth about cameras is that cameras are limiters on skill. A P&S may limit 20%, a prosumer 10% and a pro model 5%. But if you shoot at a 5 that means you're be at 4 with P&S, and a 4.5-5 with better cameras.

If you shoot a 10, then a P&S may limit your shot to an 8, and a better camera 9+. But any camera will limit. Until we can capture exactly what the minds sees from the eye.

All that said...

As for a tool. The Rebel XT is a great tool. Very capable. Above average. And excellent room for growth. It can grow with you from probably a 4-5 all the way up to a 9+.

(I'm using 1-10 as skill/ability level, sorry I played too many RPGs when I was younger. Have to convert everything to a dice value.)
 10/26/2005 12:28:44 PM · #13
Originally posted by theSaj:
I remember reading about a pro-model photographer who used cheap "disposable" 35mm cameras.

There'd be a pile of them on the floor when he was done. He had assistants who's job was just to hand him the next camera and to clean up the ones he dropped on the floor.

So the key limiting factor in taking "professional" shots is to have a professional skill level of photography. Take Joey Lawrence. He ribboned with a mere 1 megapixel p&s. Has a good eye and natural talent...combined with dedication.

The only restrictions of professional photography limited by the camera itself is "specialty" shooting. ie: you're shooting for a "billboard" well in that case 8 mega-pixels may not be quite enough. You're doing astrophotography (you may need special camera or equipment) or underwater photography.

The rest, is more often limited by the shooter than the weapon. Familiarity makes a big difference too. You'll usually shoot better on equipment you are familiar with. This is why in the DJ world Technics are standard in most clubs. Because almost all pro-DJs have experience on them.

The truth about cameras is that cameras are limiters on skill. A P&S may limit 20%, a prosumer 10% and a pro model 5%. But if you shoot at a 5 that means you're be at 4 with P&S, and a 4.5-5 with better cameras.

If you shoot a 10, then a P&S may limit your shot to an 8, and a better camera 9+. But any camera will limit. Until we can capture exactly what the minds sees from the eye.

All that said...

As for a tool. The Rebel XT is a great tool. Very capable. Above average. And excellent room for growth. It can grow with you from probably a 4-5 all the way up to a 9+.

(I'm using 1-10 as skill/ability level, sorry I played too many RPGs when I was younger. Have to convert everything to a dice value.)


thank you for this post - made a lot of sense to me.
 10/26/2005 01:04:39 PM · #14
where can you get it for 650? Body only? Better not be one of those seedy online places. Got scammed at www.bestpricecameras.com... may i suggest to check your online retailer first at www.resellerratings.com
 10/26/2005 01:13:01 PM · #15
Originally posted by Ampao64:
where can you get it for 650?


Dell has it for $664 with the kit lens. Note that the Nikon D50, Olympus E-500 and Minolta 5D are all in the same general price range, and there are advantages to each of them.

EDIT- make that "had." Dell's coupon just expired. :-(

Message edited by author 2005-10-26 13:16:00.
 10/26/2005 01:55:42 PM · #16
how about speed? Someone told me that with the Dslr's you could not take the candid shots like you can with the regular SLR's. Is that bs?
 10/26/2005 01:57:58 PM · #17
Originally posted by AdamThomas:
Is that bs?


Yes.
 10/26/2005 02:00:03 PM · #18
Yes it is BS.
Probably referring to shutter lag, which on newer cameras is a thing of the past.
 10/26/2005 02:11:06 PM · #19
I had the standard Rebel (not the XT), I used for 6 months and absolutely loved it, I decided to upgrade to the 20D because of many reasons, the first reason was that I had the money, the second reason was that the Rebel impressed me so much to the point that I wanted to know what more the 20D can do.

The major advantage that I gained from this upgrade is speed, again not that the Rebel is slow, there is no shutter lag in the rebel, it's 0.2 second I believe, but there is a 3 seconds boot time (if the camera is off, it takes 3 seconds when you turn it on until you're able to take the first shot), also the 20D is faster in continuous shooting, the Rebel can do few frames in the first second, and then it will do about one frame per second, but the 20D can do 3 frames/sec for more than 20 frames (sorry I forgot the numbers, refer to the canon web site for exact performance numbers).

So again, if money is no issue and you want to do extreme sports or something that requires continuous shooting get the 20D, otherwise the Rebel XT is a great choice ..
 11/04/2005 10:21:15 AM · #20
some of your XT info in incorrect. The XT will do 2.8 frames/sec for up to 14 frames. the 20D does a little more than 3 for a longer burst. Startup time is almost instant, less than 1 second before you can shoot. The main difference between the XT and the 20D is the ISO speed, XT = 1600 ISO while 20D goes a bit faster and the shutter speed. 20D has a bigger range of speeds at the fast end, both end at 30 seconds with a bulb feature. I was debating between the XT and 20D pretty hard. I couldn't justify the 300+ difference for some settings that I will not use all that often. The 20D has a few more manual settings, but nothing crazy. You MUST get a good warranty for your new DSLR, which will cost a few hundred, but worth every penny. My coverage is.. if they can't fix it they replace it except for fire damage and theft. For the XT w/ lens and all the basic neccessities such as kit lens, tax, warranty, CF card (get a fast one, it helps with the burst shooting) you should be planning on spending $1200 give or take a little. Enjoy.
 11/04/2005 10:38:42 AM · #21
I didn't see anyone really answer the accessories question... yes, for $400 you can do OK on accessories, but you should realize that you will quickly outgrow the kit lens. I'd strongly suggest that you also buy the Canon 50/1.8 lens (it's only $75). It will give you a fast prime that will really show you what the camera is capable of. The kit lens, unfortunately, is not a great performer. Be prepared, once you get your mind around lenses, you'll end up spending much more on lenses and accessories than you'll ever spend on camera bodies.
As far as other accessories, a couple 1GB cards (I suggest Sandisk Ultra II) will keep you shooting. I'd buy two 1GB as opposed to one 2GB, that way you are more protected against failure of a card.
 11/04/2005 10:50:46 AM · #22
I don't have a Rebel, I'll be getting an Olympus E-500 next week. I know a couple people that do professional work with the Rebel though. One runs a portable portrait studio- she does beautiful work. The other does studios and gallery work- she does a lot of still life and abstract work. The second gal just has the camera with the kit lens. The other has the kit lens and a 55mm lens- I'm not sure what else.

11/04/2005 11:39:56 AM · #23
Originally posted by AdamThomas:
... I worked at a guitar shop and saw plenty of people spending a lot more money than they needed to. ...

If you buy a DSLR as your first digital camera that's exactly what you will be doing. Get a top level prosumer and spend some time learning about photography. You'll save some money and have something with a more reasonable learning curve to begin with; and you'll build a better understanding of the basics. After a while you'll know when you have outgrown that cam and are ready for the next step. Or you may find that you don't enjoy it as much as you thought you would and want to move on to something else. Just as there are lots of expensive guitars collecting dust in people's closets, there are many photographers whose skills don't match the cameras they are carrying around.

A couple of models that I'd suggest you consider are the Olympus C-7070 WZ or the Nikon Coolpix 8800, but there are many others on the market that would be a great first digicam for someone who wants to try their hand at serious photography.

Read lots of reviews at sites like dpreview.com and imaging resource to educate yourself before you take the plunge and make a purchase. And when you have narrowed your choices to a few, go to a camera store and hold them in your hands to get the feel of what's best for you.

Message edited by author 2005-11-04 11:47:39.
 11/04/2005 12:22:03 PM · #24
I have had the XT since March this year & have taken about 14,000 photos with it. I love it.

You don't need a lot of extras.
When I got my camera I got body only and went for another lens which I hope will keep me happy for a while. I got the EF-S 17-85. If you are on a tight budget, then stick with the kit to learn with.
Get a 1gb card, a Bag and the 50mm lens. For a bag I got the Tamrac velocity 6 which fits all that stuff. That is all you need to get out there and learn the camera, learn photography and take great images.

When you have some extra funds and you see a need then you can start looking at extras. I had a tripod, but that is a good starting point if you don't have one. To start with you can get some quite functional tripods very cheap.

My next purchase was a reflector to help with portrait lighting outdoors (cheaper than a flash).
Next came an extra battery, but this is not really necessary with only a 1 GB card.
I recently got the 580EX flash, as reflectors don't work indoors in winter.
Now I am tossing up between a Tele zoom (70-200) or a studio flash system with flash meter, and it is 8 months after my initial purchase.

Over time your interests will develop in different areas, you often can't tell what that is at the beginning, so save your money by not buying unnecessary toys, and see where you want to go.
 11/05/2005 05:29:32 PM · #25
As far as the quality of the image coming out of the camera, the XT is on par with the 20D, which is good. Look at the limitations and how it may affect your ability to shoot certain styles of photography. For example, I would go with a 20D as a min if you shoot sports or high action. If you just want pictures of parties and people, portraits (with proper lighting), then an XT can produce quality.

I shoot sports, so I'd never own an XT for that. I've never owned one, and did not read everyones replies, so I'm sorry if I brought up the same advice.

I'd say get the XT if what you shoot won't be immediately affected by it, then see how far you want to take photography. If you outgrow it, then get a better camera, full well knowing you need it, not just want it. If you don't, then accept that you have a small easily carried camera that can deliver quality results.

Hope this helps.

Max
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