FREMONT, SEATTLE, WA :: Here are my new toys! My loving girlfriend got me the Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR camera along with the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. The wide angle view from this lens is amazing! No more stitching together panoramas. To round out my kit, I also picked up the new EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. The 50mm prime is super-sharp and loves low light. The 70-300mm has quite a bit of reach, renders detail as well as the best telephotos, and includes image stabilization.

I think it's the perfect kit to enter into digital SLR photography and a nice upgrade from my Canon G3, which I think I often pushed to its limits. Now it's time to quit talking, and start shooting! As I told Kristie, with this new camera, I have nothing and no one to blame except for myself if I take a bad photo!

Hi John
This looks like a great setup. I am thinking of picking me up one. How do you like it after using it for a spell? I don't think I can afford all three lens, which one would you pick if you had to choose one?

Thanks,
Michael

Hi Michael,

I love the camera and lenses! However, you may benefit by waiting until the end of February for the PMA show, where Canon usually announces its new products. An attractive successor to the Rebel XT or Canon 20d may be announced.

If you must get a DSLR now, I have absolutely no regrets about the Rebel XT. Regarding which lens to get, I think it depends on which type of photography you are into. I love landscapes, so I have the 10-22mm on my camera most often. If you're into wildlife shots, the 70-300mm with image stabilization is a great bargain. The 50mm is excellent for still-life and portraits, although you may find being stuck at 50mm to be a little limiting if it's your only lens. Some people love it as a general purpose walk-around lense for candid photography.

This website is a great resource for lens reviews:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php?cat=45

Good luck!
John

Hi John,

I hope you can spend a minute to give me some advice. I looking for my birthday to get a 350D (or XT as you call it in the States). I can get it in a package with an Canon EF-S 18 - 55mm USM lens. As it will be my only lens for sometime (till I can get extra $$s to add to the kit), what's your take on it's general purpose usage? I like taking landscapes but also like to be able to have some telephoto ability to close in on subjects for natural (un-posed portraits).

Happy Birthday, Keith!

I can tell you the Rebel XT will be an incredible gift, but I have never used the 18-55mm kit lens. There are mixed opinions about it on the internet. Some consider it a great bargain and starter lens, while others are concerned about its softness.

For landscapes, you'll have an effective focal length of 29mm (after the 1.6x crop factor) on the wide end, which I think will be just fine for capturing most scenes. On the long end, 88mm doesn't give you much reach. At times, I wish I had more than the 480mm my 70-300mm IS offers, but I'm not ready to spend more than $1000 on a high-quality, super-telephoto lens.

I think you'll have a lot of fun with your Rebel XT and the kit lens, shooting landscapes, portraits, and still scenes. During the extended periods of rainy days in Seattle, I've been experimenting with some indoor shots, trying to learn a thing or two with different lighting setups. I may post some of the results soon.

I hope you'll share your photos too!

John

Thanks for the review John. Your advice is well received,

I have been doing more searching. I have can have the black XT with the 18-55 but non-USM OR the Silver XT and the 18 - 55 with USM for £20 more. But I cannot buy the black body with USM lens (How stoopid is that?). I have found out that I can get the 18-55 and the 70-300 both USM with the black body in a package a little more expensive but tax free ay Heathrow airport next time I take an international trip so that's what I intend to do.

I have included a link to my Flikr page if you want to have a look at a few of my shots.

John
Do use a protective filter on your lenses? If so what brand?

Michael

No protective filters, Michael. I'd like to get a polarizer for the wide angle lens, and maybe a hood or two, but I'm not too concerned about damaging the lens.

Knock knock knock on wood.

John

Thanks John, Well I went out and did it, I bought basically the same setup you have with identical lenses, no mounted flash though (not sure if I will need that yet, are you using that mounted flash at all? I am learning that good photography relies more on good technique and skill with a keen eye then just relying on good equipment alone to do the job.

Wow, Michael! Congratulations!

I can't wait to see some photos from the new camera on your website.

John

John,

Thanks to your inspiration, I finally got my camera (birthday next week). I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed your idea to shoot the new kit (posted on my blog). I'm looking forward to getting out at the weekend and getting some shots.

Keith

Just checked out your 200th post. I wanted to say thanks for this post on your XT ... I used it as the blueprint for when I got my first SLR, the XTi. 5 days later I went out and shot the Portland Marathon.

When I got home I liked the shots enough to try to sell, so I created little 2x3 proofs and snail-mailed people based on stalking on Google residential phone book. I got enough sales to make me think this could work.

Fast forward a year and a half and I've got my own e-business going shooting 20+ races a year. Thanks for the inspiration.

That's great, Brian! Your images are wonderful - lots of passionate expressions on those runners' faces.

Now you are inspiring me!

Thanks,
John