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Info on Canon Rebel XSI vs XTI

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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
alright so i currently am in photography at my hs and i hope to take up photography as a minor in college or even a major if i get good enough, i currently have a bomb 35mm canon EOS K2 with a 28- 90 mm marco lense. i love this camera mostly cause i got it for 50 dollars from a soldier headed to iraq, the camera is typically $350. Im looking for a canon dslr to better my photography and hope that you, NS, can help me figure out what the differences are between a XSI and XTi? im not sure if im gonna get the kit with the 18-55mmis lens cause my friend got it with his XSI and he doesnt like it that much, i also will be able to use my macro lense on the rebel i get. so if you find any deals on kits or bodys link em'.
thanks
+ 10,000 karma so you can get in to the finer things cult of esquiset asses 

Differences ive seen so far:

XSI                          XTI
12.2 mp                  10.1mp

3.0 in live view       2.5in screen

3.5 frames per       3.0 frames per
second and 57       second and 27
constant,                constant
6 RAW

$799.99 on            $699.99 on 
canon.com             canon.com
Jan 6 2009 3:48PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
being that you're already into photography I would skip the kit lenses and go for something better right away. I never use my kit lens anymore. The XSi is basically the newer XTi. For what it's worth, I have an XTi and I love it. Anyway, the XSi has liveview, which could be handy if you want that sort of thing. Also though, it doesn't use CF cards like other DSLRs in Canon's line up.. which could make upgrading a pain when you have to buy all new cards. Have you considered buying a 40D? They can be found for pretty cheap right now because of the new 50D, and if you're looking into this as more than just a hobby it would be worth it. I feel like this has all been kinda vague information I'm giving you.. What do you normally shoot?
Jan 6 2009 4:26PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
ooh, and don't worry about megapixels unless you're making huge, huge prints. in fact, less can be better for less noise at higher ISOs. If you shoot a lot of low light stuff I would go for one of the better bodies. I do use ISO 1600 all the time on my XTi, but the 40D handles noise better and has the option of ISO 3200, which would be nice sometimes.
Jan 6 2009 4:29PM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
One thing you should know is you should be able to get better prices than that stated. When i got my 40d it was $720 with tax. So i think you can take at least a hundred off each price. Also depending on what you would like to shoot you need to save money for glass. Good quality glass will help with good quality shots. So what is your budget? And yes i agree you should skip over buying a kit lens
Jan 6 2009 4:54PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
way true on the lenses and prices. Canon's prices are going to be a lot higher than actual market prices. the xti can be had real cheap, especially used.
Jan 6 2009 5:03PM
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hnosyalnif
Posts: 584 - Karma: 30
Yeah the XTi can certainly be found for very cheap and it is still a good camera if you are not after Liveview.  With the XSi you get the additions of the small things that have been stated.  You also if you are already in to photography look into the 40D (normally sold body only) which can be found for similar prices to the XSi thesedays if you look hard enough.  Again the kit lenses on the basic Canon's aren't great (although I still use it my XTi because I haven't had the money to buy a new lens yet).  So look elsewhere and buy body only (especially if you know what kind of lenses you wish).

Overall the 40D body only is probably your best bet as you may find the XSi a little too basic for your needs.
Jan 6 2009 5:49PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60

yo thanks im thinkn the 40D would be amazing but its gonna be to expensive i really dont wanna pay more then 650 for a body and i found a Rebel XSI for about 524 on a amazon and i figure that i just need the XSI my friend has it and it works sweet. 40D is just comeing across as to expensive. but definately just gonna get the body cause the quantary lense that i have with my current 35 EOS is pretty nice

any deal links?

Jan 6 2009 6:49PM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
Don't get a rebel. It won't make you happy. It is just a ton of megapixels, not a great camera...Get a 30d, or even a 20d, they are both better, and cheaper, so you can get better glass and that will make a big difference.

If you are willing to get away from canon, look at a nikon d40, it is older, but it is a killer camera. There are a few people I know who prefer it over the d80 which is ~$250 dollars more expensive, then just by a few lenses...check out photography cult too, great stuff in there.
Jan 6 2009 9:14PM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
I have an XSI with a kit lens. I couldn't afford anything else. I like it a lot. I love shooting skiing with it and thankfully the on-cam flash is powerful enough to shoot at night on urban rails untill i get my cash together and buy a slave flash.
Jan 6 2009 9:25PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
I've been using my XTi for over a year now, and I still love it. A 40D would be amazing, though I don't have the funds at this point. It may certainly be smaller and have less features,  but the image quality is still great. I'm not sure the 40D even offers a great jump in quality, other than that at higher ISOs. More so it provides better functionality to get those shots. I would sitll reccomend something better than a rebel in this case, but though the rebel series may feel like toys, they certainly are anything but.
Jan 6 2009 10:37PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60

thanks but the 40D is nice and the 30D is nice but im low on funds guys and i need to find something and save for it well ohio ski season is still active i wanna stay with canon i belive cause my lense is just excellent and i also need to find one that has decent megapixels, cause i will probably enlarge them and tweek them, really the rebels are more affordable and have features i like, and user friendly. do remeber i am trying to better my self so starting with a high end camera isnt the best choice right now

Jan 6 2009 11:07PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,267
i got my XTi for free from my aunt and i love the thing to death
she now has an XSi and it's sick also
Jan 6 2009 11:09PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
all true, though it will suck when you start wanting the bigger bodies. hahaha, I would know. are you against buying used? you can find some great deals if you're for it. if not, the rebel series still produce amazing images. it's the only camera I use and I love it. there's a lot more places my funds need to go right now too, so a new camera body isn't in my plans for awhile either.
Jan 6 2009 11:16PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
yea, sorta against it cause i live at home with parents that dont let me spend my money so getting this camera has been alotta work. yea i know i will but for now this can completely keep me occupied and i will get the XSi if i do cause then i can sell it later for more money i guess
Jan 6 2009 11:27PM
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hnosyalnif
Posts: 584 - Karma: 30
Used 40D ($639-669).  Top end of your budget but a great camera.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/518207/Canon_1901B004_EOS_40D_SLR_Digital.html

Used 30D ($500-550).  If you don't want to stretch budget to the 40D and don't wish the XSi (the 30D is cheaper than the XSi).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/423708/Canon_1234B004_EOS_30D_Digital_Camera.html

Ultimately the choice is really do you want a xxD series camera which is better for non-beginner or the Rebel series which are great cameras but maybe a bit basic for you (not to say you wouldn't enjoy it).
Jan 7 2009 7:05AM
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B.Snow
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 92
Avril uses the XSI, its the best. But for real, look at the 30d if you can afford it... it rapes them both
Jan 7 2009 1:23PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
i have the XSI and its great. the liveview is a great feature to have for doing product photography (which i do) and the 12.2megapixel is a must for any serious graphic designer because even though you are not printing it huge, every detail counts, especially if you need to crop out parts of a photo and enlarge it while maintaining a 300+ res. It always comes down to a nikon vs canon war on NS but get the camera that makes the most sense for you. Canon makes bomb lenses and the kit lens is great for everyday shooting. then save some dough and pick up a 75 - 300 usm lens along with a macro and you are set.

I picked my camera up at newegg.com for $699 w/8gb card and lens.

Jan 7 2009 2:47PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60

my question is, i know that the 40D is a great camera but it over my price range with only the body even when used!, but why do people prefer the 30D over the XSI, from what ive seen its older it doesnt have as good of megapixels and im not sure if it has a dust cleaning sensor

responses?

Jan 7 2009 3:01PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
If you're looking to use any old glass, don't get any of the "consumer" bodies.  None of them have AF drives in them, therefore you have to use the more expensive lenses with AF built into them.  This severely restricts your choice of lenses.
Jan 7 2009 3:08PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
overall usability is better. remember that megapixels are pretty unimportant. my xti has 10 I think.. maybe? I'm not even really sure because it's not a huge deal at all. the dust cleaning sensor is pretty neat I suppose, though my sensor is still pretty dirty with it.
Jan 7 2009 3:48PM
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jwhyte
Posts: 596 - Karma: 21
The stats are what they are.
the xsi is newer and that's always something to think about when buying a camera.
if you're planning on taking it in college even only if it's a minor you should look more into the 50D as right now it might seem like to much but before you know it, it will seem like not enough.. pending on how far you pursue Photography as a career.
Jan 7 2009 4:41PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
naw my glass in new maybe only 3 years old it has auto focus and macro focusing so its a really decent lense and its light enought that if you were to persay shoot a picture down ward the glass at the front wont pull down the lense
Jan 7 2009 10:22PM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
I believe he is talking about nikon and you canon thus they differ
Jan 7 2009 10:30PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
so from a little research i found:
30D - 549 refurbished by canon U.S.A., 673 new with 4gb memory card
XTi - 549 new
XSI ~ 569 new, 469 refurbished
40 D - 806 new , 649 used , but i doubt i really will go used on a camera
40 D - 699.99, refurbished by canon U.S.A.

 clues to what to get on this cause the XSI fits my hand fine ive used it before  but you (ns) has some interest in the "D" series, and a new camera is really what you prefer to buy when paying this much, dont know what was wrong with the refurbished either, give me input!

Jan 7 2009 10:36PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
have you tried it out for a long period of time? I'm by no means a big guy, and my hands are probably a pretty typical size for a guy.. might even be on the smaller side cause my feet definitely are.. and after awhile my XTi becomes a pain to hold, even with smaller hands. the bigger bodies with bigger grips would be a LOT nicer to use for hours on end.

have you considered the frame rate at all? the 40D can do 6.5 I believe, whereas XSi can only do 3.5. makes a HUGE difference if you're planning on using it for skiing sequences, or anything where you want a ton of frames at once. there have been times where I've missed that.

$800 for a 40D is still a great deal. they were selling used for that a month or so ago when I was looking around at prices. and it should last you through some years of college for sure.

honestly, go with whatever you're comfortable with and you want. the only reason I'm pushing for the 40D is because it's a more sophisticated camera and after awhile you'll start to appreciate its features. I wish my XTi was a 40D, but it's not so eh, I'm stuck so I know how it feels. It's also not going to be my college major which is why I can't really put much money towards a new body at the moment. If it was though, I'd definitely be going for one of the bodies beyond entry-level status. I'd look at it this way.. pay maybe $200 more now for something good and it will last you a long time before you start to want something better. buy the XSi and if you're really into photography.. you'll start craving a new body.

all that said, does the school provide camera of some sort? I really have no idea about that sort of thing, but I figure it's a possibilty and something to be looked into.
Jan 7 2009 11:53PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
yea i understand that right now im looking at the 30D cause of the suggestions on how mega pixels dont matter to much and that i dont plan to blow up my pictures for a new one i can get it at about 673.95 and it has 5fps or i could look into a refirbushed 40D at 699.99 ( sketchy on refurbished cameras so i dont know about which yet
Jan 8 2009 12:14AM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
If it is refurbished by canon you are set, it comes with a year warranty like that so you are good. I bought my d40 from nikon after it was refurbished. Works great. 30D refurbished is good, and at the lower price you can save some green, and a 40D would be a camera you would most definitely not regret buying. It is dope, they are easy to use, and everything just seems to go how it goes.
Jan 8 2009 12:25AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
only if your shooting nikon, canon has had there motors in there body for a while
Jan 8 2009 3:40AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
...motor in there lenses...
Jan 8 2009 3:41AM
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hnosyalnif
Posts: 584 - Karma: 30
Yeah in there lenses.  Those old lenses that don't have an AF motor will not have AF on Rebel body's due to the lack of a body mounted AF motor.  Not sure the 40D has a body mounted AF motor either...
Jan 8 2009 3:59PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Is that not exactly what I was saying?  I'm just saying I like the fact that I don't have to worry about whether it has a motor in it or not, I just know it will work on my body.
Jan 8 2009 4:44PM
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Pippin
Posts: 4846 - Karma: 661
40d does not have it in the body, its in the lens i believe, thus different lenses are faster
Jan 8 2009 4:57PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
any ef lens has the motor in it, even the 1d/1ds series dont have motors in them, is what i was saying, in nikon the d60/d40/d40x are the only cams without motors
Jan 8 2009 7:26PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
yea so after all this discussion ive talked to my teacher about this and ive been convinced out of the "toy" rebels and into a 40D, hopefully my teacher said he could find me one for under 700.00. ive used his and its wicked fancy and it has a nice size to it. hopefully ill be able to get a telephoto lense and a FISHEYE for sure, fisheye first. but is there any thing i should look at on the 40D any hazards? also the canons have in  lens motors i do believe. anything anybody else wants to say?
Jan 8 2009 11:54PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
sounds good to me, I'm jealous haha. make sure you look for a fisheye designed for crop sensor cameras (like the XTi, 40D...), as opposed to for a full frame sensor camera (5D.) an example is the Canon 15mm f/2.8 fisheye. pretty fishy on a 5D, but no so much on a 40D. You'll have to look into other brands for lenses like the tokina 10-17 (I think..) for a really cheap, all manual focus I believe, fisheye do a search for the peleng 8mm fisheye.
Jan 9 2009 12:30AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
fisheye sucks

regular wide angle is better

but if your set on a fish then go with the tokina 10-17
Jan 9 2009 1:58AM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Drop that shitty Quantaray glass if you get a 40D.  Go ahead and tell me how awesome and sharp it is, there is no chance it will compare to L series glass or any Canon glass for that matter. 

And using a wide angle in a fisheye situation is as whack as it gets.
Jan 9 2009 8:32PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
theres no such thing as a fish eye situation, ever
Jan 9 2009 9:06PM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Hahahaha, yeah pros who use fisheyes are whack huh?
Jan 9 2009 9:15PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
sorry i ment to say that when someone is learn photography fisheye sucks. and pros who use it still dont need to use it, alot of people want a fisheye shot becasue they think it looks cool, but ist isint photography.
Jan 9 2009 10:17PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
sorry champ but just because you favor nikon doesnt mean canon cant be as good if not better, the lens, isnt really that shitty it actually is in great condition and takes perfectly fine pictures, and a wide angle is nice along with a fisheye but in personal prefrence a wide angle lens is more useful considering you use a fisheye very rarely and they are ridiclously expensive. so ill stick with a lens i feel is decent enough considering im going over budget to buy a more expensive body so that i will be able to use it longer, eventually buying new glass
Jan 10 2009 12:16AM
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ChronicLines
Posts: 951 - Karma: 61
Ya dog, you're so right.  Because Quantaray doesn't make shitty lenses for both Canon and Nikon.  I wasn't favoring either companies, I actually said that Canon makes really nice glass if you take the time to read my post.  And I rarely shoot fisheye if you look at my flickr, but it's a lens I like seeing in my bag if I ever need it.
Jan 10 2009 2:41AM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
word to the point about fisheyes. that's why I mentioned the peleng 8mm. it's pretty cheap, and not the greatest lens, but it is a fisheye. and yeah, honestly I would start with a few normal lenses before jumping into just a fisheye for like $500.
Jan 10 2009 12:10PM
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ParkE
Posts: 1388 - Karma: 190
i have an xti. skip the kit lenses you wont use them once you invest in better lenses. also buy from vanns.com they are reliable and cheaper
Jan 11 2009 11:54AM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60

my next question is what lense should i look at, or what type of lense. keep cheap under $200, or im lookn at something used maybe?

tele

macro- already own

zoom

really would like a wide lense

or fisheye

Jan 12 2009 9:54PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
the 50 1.8 first lense is sorta what i have so i might just skip that cause im personally broke during the winter
Jan 12 2009 11:03PM
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