Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D

I recently purchased the Canon EOS Rebel XTi and I must say that I couldn't be happier with this product. When doing my outdoor shots it is amazing what this camera can do. Great performance and lots of features which allow me to have more control over my photographs. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone looking to use it professionally or even just for family photographs. This will allow anyone to capture those great moments in amazingly high detail.

Jake
www.hammersmithphotography.com
Camera Used: Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Lens: Sigma

Canon EOS Rebel XTi:
From date of purchase camera produced "soft" images using a $1300 canon L series len Purchased a Macro 60 mm lens ($550) TO SEE IF IT WOULD CLEAN UP.
Still poor resolution. I then took a college Digiatl camera course to see if it was my operation errors. (used a Canon Film camera for 12 years to take and sell flower photos)
Finally determined camer has a focusing problem. Sen to cannon (I'v eowned the camea for 16 months). Repair ESTIMATE from Canon is $196. Reapir cost estimated based on: they validated that it is not taking quality photos BUT Canon will not open unit up to determine cause. Thus cost might /will go up based on parts needed. So for a $675 camera...they estimate $196 AND additonal $ for parts (unknown add cost until I pay Canon $196 to open camera.)
In addition the camera uses a CF card where he pins frequently get bent. This occured on my camera several months after purchase...not covered by Canon thus I had paid $176 to have the CF card reader replaced.

This should be considered a DISPOSABLE CAMERA that has a high frequency of bent CF card reader pins.

I had great experience with my Canon FILM camera and very poor with the Rebel XTi .

easy to use.
very light weight

CF card: Pins in camera easily bent. Cost to reapir $1560 to $200 which is nearly 1/3 of inital cost. While having mine CF slot repaired I discovered found that this is a high frequentcy issue with Canon digitals not just with the XTi.

Soft focus of camera from day of purchase with issue becoming major over the last 16 months. By the time I realized it was the camera, from day one) and not me or the "L" series lens...it was out of warranty and no amount of pleading with Canon would modify the repair cost.

None

High price and iffy repair cost estimates. Canon refuses to tell you what is wrong with your camera and thus unable to tell you what the true cost will be only the LOWEST cost. The estimate is basicly to open the unit..any parts will be in additional cost. Thus you can easily pay 1/2 to more of the cost of a new camera for a repair.
I instructed Canon repair to send my camea back un-repaired and I will sell it for parts, etc..
Unfortunatly, I own $2,850 worth of Canon "L" series lens that I purchased. I 'm VERY unhappy with Canon at this time.

I bought the xti in 2006 and I've been using it for wedding photography ever since. It hasn't failed on me yet, and the resolution is amazing. The 2.5" LCD is very convenient, yet it for some reason always looks better on camera than on monitor. The thin body does worry me because I'm a clumsy guy sometimes, and I know that if I slip and accidentally drop the camera I'm s.o.l. So that's something to consider.

The auto focus is a little slower than I would like it to be, but that's more so me being really picky and wanting what the 5d has.

As far as money goes, it's the best deal you can get. No Nikon can top this camera for it's price.


www.stringfieldphotography.com has my photos on their, and all of them are taken with a rebel xti.

This camera is extensively reviewed elsewhere, http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/rebelxti.html
That I am not going to go into any of the technical details but just some comments about why I chose this camera vs the Nikon D80. For me the dpreveiw gave the tip; the Canon is visibly more responsive at ISO of 800 and especially 1600. Responsive in a pleasant way, less noise and better contrasts.
The camera disappoints me now, that I’ve had it for six months, in the body being of plastic. However, I knew that going in just a bit disconcerting to see the coating peel off the body in tiny flecks.
The camera is FAST. If fast is good, I can’t imagine one (with my little EF 1.8 50mm ii opened all the way) faster. In my usual mode of setting up each shot for at least two minutes, I’m never using the full capacity of the buffer. When I did pretend I was trigger happy, the camera took 8-10 photos in rapid fire mode at the highest JPEG resolution without any protesting.

Canon has done an excellent job of designing a camera that is capable of delivering high resolution while maintaining color saturation that is pleasing and often exciting. I have found a whole new world of visual wonders with this camera and the EF 28 mm 2.8, Ef 50 mm 1.8 ii, and the Ef canon ef 100mm f 2.8 macro lens. The main key however is the price vs performance that Canon has met with this camera; low enough in price to be in reach but high enough in quality to at last say, “I am working on becoming a professional photographer.”

The other reason this camera wins over Nikon or Sony or others is the system of lenses that this camera is part of. They are without question the main reason I bought this camera. The Ef 50 mm 1.8 only costs 80 bucks, but I defy any one to find a better quality lens (resolution, color saturation and smooth operation) anywhere in the world of SLR format . Unless it is Canon's Ef 50 mm 1.4!

The camera ships with excellent software for processing the proprietary RAW format. The software duplicates some of Adobe bridge and Photoshop CS2 features but there is really, in the long run no problem in using just one set of software. Handy to have the little extras Canon has included in the software though.
The most recent photos of mine are at epitomephotos.com.

Resolution, color separation matched with high saturation capability, speed, lightweight and part of the best lens system in the world.

Plastic body not quite up to snuff.

Fujifilm 602Z

Excellent

I really like my XTi and have used it a lot. The kit lens isn't that great, so I picked up a couple of others to work with and have been happy with the results. I also picked up the Canon batter grip and LOVE it. I can shoot for days and not have to recharge. It also adds balance when using bigger/heavier lenses. It's quick to learn how to use it and the RAW format can be a real life-saver! For the price it is a great camera to learn with.

Affordable entry-level DSLR
RAW is great!
With better lenses, this camera works great!

Really needs the battery grip for balance
Hard to keep clean if you change lenses regularly