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March, 2024

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Can I make this old(ish) dslr work?

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JAlps
Posts: 555 - Karma: 1,934
Whatsup NS,
I want to start shooting some photos this winter and I'm exploring my camera options. I really don't have enough money to blow on a huge setup, and right now the cheapest option I have is an old dslr that my sister said I could grab since she got a new one.

It's a Canon Rebel XT, I've got a few lenses and batteries for it etc. so I wouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket. My question to you guys is whether or not this camera is new enough that it can still be used to take decent photos, or is just an outdated piece of shit that I should forget about. I don't really keep up with camera technology.

Link to camera: https://goo.gl/TZa9sR
Dec 3 2015 4:42PM
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.GUCCI.
Posts: 1295 - Karma: 6,038
It would definitely work for a starter cam! Maybe next year pick up a t3i or something like that, but id say this would work fine.
Dec 3 2015 4:52PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10054 - Karma: 25,277
It's fine, especially free.

GEAR DOESN'T MATTER.

Enough pixels for web posts and small prints, just don't crank up the iso.

GEAR DOESN'T MATTER.
Dec 3 2015 4:56PM
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JAlps
Posts: 555 - Karma: 1,934
Solid! Nah I just wanted to make sure it's not considered a potato cam. I'm trying to get some kind of quality photos here.
Dec 3 2015 5:15PM
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HarkStudios
Posts: 243 - Karma: 121
NightFantasiesSolid! Nah I just wanted to make sure it's not considered a potato cam. I'm trying to get some kind of quality photos here.


Quality is found in composition, not in equipment.
Dec 3 2015 6:28PM
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Michael_Thatcher
Posts: 523 - Karma: 3,469
EDolloStoneQuality is found in composition, not in equipment.


I would say quality is found more in composition and glass than in bodies and accessories. Good glass will last you a lifetime, bodies depreciate in value much faster.
Dec 3 2015 6:32PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687
my first DSLR was a Canon Rebel XT back in like 2007. I'd gladly take one again today. Plenty of resolution, tons of glass options... Just buy a few lenses and go with it for a while and move up the body ladder from there based on what sorta thing you'd like to focus on.
Dec 3 2015 8:59PM
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Huck-e-Cheese
Posts: 303 - Karma: 417
Like these guys are saying, get some nice glass, find some L glass on ebay, or look at some nicer ef-s or sigma lenses, new bodies come out every two months, and new lenses rarely come out
Dec 6 2015 11:00PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24704 - Karma: 29,687
3 lenses and you're done.

Tokina 12-24 f4
Canon 24-105L
50mm f1.8.

All you'll ever need.
Dec 9 2015 3:42AM
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JAlps
Posts: 555 - Karma: 1,934
I never realized glass was so expensive. I mean I knew they could get expensive, but I didn't think the average price was so high. Not to make this thread about like everything but, where do I even start with lenses... it's quite overwhelming. Can anybody point me to good resources to learn and figure out what I need etc?
Dec 13 2015 9:02PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
NightFantasiesI never realized glass was so expensive. I mean I knew they could get expensive, but I didn't think the average price was so high. Not to make this thread about like everything but, where do I even start with lenses... it's quite overwhelming. Can anybody point me to good resources to learn and figure out what I need etc?


In all honesty grab a 50mm f/1.8, shoot with it for a few months/progress. Then after that decide what you want to get to complement it. (the 50mm f/1.8 is super cheap and great bang for you buck)
Dec 13 2015 9:10PM
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Huck-e-Cheese
Posts: 303 - Karma: 417
nutz.In all honesty grab a 50mm f/1.8, shoot with it for a few months/progress. Then after that decide what...


Then after that you get the f/1.2L the best lens to ever graze this earth
Dec 13 2015 11:09PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
Huck-e-CheeseThen after that you get the f/1.2L the best lens to ever graze this earth


Why stop there?

Dec 13 2015 11:21PM
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JAlps
Posts: 555 - Karma: 1,934
Man shits French to me...

I do have a macro lens already though so I could possibly sell that to get something more useful.
Dec 14 2015 1:31AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
I'll throw in a suggestion to get a 35mm instead of a 50. Idk what you'll be shooting, but 50mm (85) is too long on a crop body for everyday walk around stuff. That's just me though.

I will agree with everyone else. A free starting camera doesn't matter what it is. If you really get hooked, keep waiting and don't but anything. If you are rolling in money and feel like you have to buy something, invest in a lens. Only upgrade the body when you truly feel like you are being limited.
Dec 14 2015 11:30AM
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