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Canon Digital Rebel XTi Report
Continuation from the start of the report on
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| What is so
darn surprising about this camera?? The surprise is this . . . It keeps up with the 30 file at all points and even surpasses it in some places. Between the 30D and the Rebel XTi files, at worst case scenario - which would be a 12x24 album spread, there is no difference between the 30D files and the Rebel XTi files. To be precise, the 30D does a touch better in the shadow noise but the XTi wins the day because of the extra resolution. Is that a surprise or what!!! This in effect, makes the Rebel XTi the better file for wedding work and that means I am saying it tops the 30D which is a HUGE mouthful. I took this to Matt expecting him to poo poo it, but he found the same thing I did. Who is Matt Ballard, and why did you team up with him?? Matt Ballard is a very fine wedding photographer that I have found thinks very much like I do towards the equipment we use. Even though we are in different countries and never met personally, we hit it off very quickly and it felt like we were doing a college research paper together. He has the same preconceived notions I do and responded with a laugh when I told him what I found about the Rebel XTi and that I was looking into it further. It wasn't really a laughing with me kind of a laugh, but more of a laughing AT me kind of a laugh. Yet, over the course of time I have seen Matt actually go do physical experiments with so many different cameras that I was right in my thinking. Matt was open to hearing had I had to say even though he told me up front he clearly didn't believe it. It intrigued him enough to get him get in the water with me and do some testing of his own. I got a call about an hour later that Matt had actually gone down to his camera store and bought an XTi. hehehe - gotcha :) Okay - so even if it make a great file - the camera body is a toy - it can't do what the 30D does - what are you thinking??? Right off the bat I will say I thought the same thing. Heck, I even own 3 of the original Digital Rebels as back-ups - really EXTREME backups. If I read someone heralding the Rebel XTi I would probably think inside myself - hehehe, a newbie that is only starting out, they will soon learn - lol. But I can take point by point and prove that it really isn't the truth. In fact, the Rebel XTi may be BETTER for wedding work for certain people and certain needs. Prove it - where is the Rebel XTi better, let's here some facts! Okay, here goes. 1. The Rebel XTi has the SAME focus system as the 30D - no difference. You get the same results shooting with either camera. Not only the same number of focus points, but the same entire system. You are not handicapped in the focus department and they both have the same specs for low-light work too. Read the Canon White Paper on the Rebel XTi, you will raise an eyebrow or two. 2. The same technology as is found in the new 1D MK3 in the pixel density technobabel is used in the Rebel XTi. This means smaller pixels that are packed closer together - BUT has the same light sensitivity and gathering points (meaning the photodiodes) as their former pixel brothers. This means it should put out the same noise levels as the 30D - and it pretty much does. Hold on - what is this "pretty much" business??? Your sliding in the facts here brother . . . Fair enough. The files on a noise level comparing the 30D and the Rebel XTi are so close that it is a wash. If there HAD to be a nod, it would go to the 30D. The shadow noise is ever so slightly better in the 30D comparing the 2 cameras. However, this nod is of NO effect in prints - real prints that you sell or put in albums, not consumer albums - WEDDING ALBUMS, the big stuff! And the Rebel XTi has something the 30D does NOT have - 10 megapixels. This gives an advantage to you much like the Canon 5D also has - a bigger file means more resolution. Formal, group shots, and large album spreads are the type of shots where the Rebel XTi has a NICE advantage - enough to want it over the 30D! But the camera doesn't have the features - you can't be serious?? Wouldn't you rather shoot with the 30D?? Well I was listing those before you interrupted me - lol. Let me tell you, if you went and bought the Rebel XTi today and brought it home, you would probably give it a thumbs down right out of the box. The camera is too small and it feels quite uncomfortable. However, here is where things turn around. If you add the grip, it becomes a difference of night and day. HUGE DIFFERENCE! It goes from "toy" to really something quite nice to use. Let me say a word to the "old timers" that still have an open mind. Remember how we sometimes want a QUIETER camera because sometimes the shutter firing can be so loud that it can be embarrassing? This is the quietest DSLR I have ever used. Plus, I know some photographers that are really sensitive to weight, the camera is SUPER LIGHT. The files best the 30D and the camera is half the price. Are there any drawbacks - are you being 1 sided here?? Yes there are some things you don't get. No spot metering, but the partial setting works not bad. ISO goes to 1600 and not 3200. The buffer is a bit smaller - 10 RAW files, but the camera writes as fast as the 30D writes to the card. Build quality - it is a solid little puppy even though it's plastic. The battery is different from the 30D and runs out quicker. They are 700+ power, but I have just order a few Stirlingteks that are rated at 1500 power. Nice sales job, so why not just buy the 30D?? Some of us have asked for a stealth camera, or something at least a lot quieter than we now have. Some have said they want a lighter camera - for health reasons - hurting backs, wrists, shoulders, and so on, or because they just don't want a heavy camera. All of us want a file that is to our advantage - the XTi has that!. I know I love saving money. The Rebel XTi fits the bill on these. You get the same focus system as the 30D with a file resolution advantage "somewhat" like the 5D gives because the 400D is running at 10+mp over the 30D 8+ mp. I have to say that the layout of the camera is quite nice - instead of the big wheel in the back you get the standard 4 way controller. However each spot on the controller gives you access to something on the menu, ISO, White Balance, Motor Drive, Metering control. I got my camera body for $640, I can almost get 2 30Ds for that price, but after using the XTi, I would rather have the file from the XTi - honestly. Can I use the camera at a wedding and still get that terrific feeling that the 30D gives you? Absolutely!!! Between Matt and I, we have shot a few wedding incorporating the XTi and it is always a pleasant surprise. I feel this camera is a much stronger component of the Canon line-up than all the reviews I have read on it. They don't even come close to telling the story of what it could mean to us if we give it a look. Even the skeptical are welcome to look, I truly was skeptical and almost flippant against the camera, but I don't feel that way now. It is an excellent secret weapon, and makes a better choice in my opinion than the 30D. Gotta have the grip though, or the camera will feel tipsy and way off balance. I have not only added this camera to my gear bag, but look forward to how it may develop in the future. Peter
pgp2000@aol.com |
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