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Nature Photography & Optics

Digital Rebel XT recommendation... HELP!

21 years ago

I am seriously considering buying the Digital Rebel XT. I am interested in learning more about photography, nature photography in particular. I like to photograph butterflies, insects, flowers, scenery, and birds. The "default" setup comes with a 18-55mm lens. There is one for $400 more that comes with a 17-85mm EF-S IS USM lens. Should I spend the extra $400?

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Comments (8)

tangoway
21 years ago
If you plan to photograph birds, you will need a much longer lens. The 17-85mm is a great lens for normal photography, family, groups, and senery, but you might want to think about something in the 28-300mm range. Tamron, Vivitar, and Sigma all make good lenses in this range. If you decide to go with the 17-85mm, then you might consider a lens in the 80-400mm range.

The macro capabilities of these lenses may or may not suit your needs.

Cannon is also a good choice, but you might also look at the Nikon D70 and decide which features you like best.
sarahbn
21 years ago
Instead of spending the money on the 17-85 why don't you buy the 75-300 ism it has a higher magnification for birds and image stabilization it only costs 414 dollars at b and h so it would probably work better. then the 400 dollar one this is just my opinion I have the 75-300 without stabilization under 200 dollars but I have to use a tripod. Sarah

Here is a link that might be useful: canon zoom
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poppabird
21 years ago
You may want to try one of the Photo forums. There are many and lots of then can help, if you don't mind doing a good bit of reading. If you check around you can find many reviews on about any lens.
Here is a good start, and one that I like.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56752

If you Google "Photo Forums" you will come up with lots of great forums. Many of them will have whole areas that are about lens only.
I know that I may not have been much help but hopely I've pointed you to places that can give you some good ideals.

Good luck with your new gear!
john
amy_z6_swpa
21 years ago
I will be purchasing a digital camera sometime this year (it'll be my first digital cam) and after researching them yesterday & today I have my eye on the Fujifilm Fine Pix S5100 (4MP, 10x optical zoom). Any tips? I hope to get one that takes nice macro pics, as I love to take pics out in my garden, of flower blossoms and of insects.....but I will also be taking lots of "regular" photos---family, scenery, maybe some birds if I can. I currently have a large (70-210mm) Vivitar macro lens on my film camera and have been taking macro shots for almost a decade now.

I've also heard good things about the Olympus C 765 (also 4MP with 10x). I've had one member say the Fuji failed them on color accuracy (flowers) and she went with the Olympus. I'm still drawn to the Fuji. They both have pretty equally great reviews at Amazon....any other recommendations? I'll take a look at this Digital Rebel, too...
JoanMN
21 years ago
I have the Digital Rebel. I have the "kit" lens which is a nice all-around lens. I also have a Sigma 50mm macro lens and the Canon 75-300 IS USM lens, great for bird shots (see my Pine Siskin post, that's the lens used). BUT...last week I got the Sony Cybershot DSC-H1. x12 optical zoom, 5.1 MP, small, light...I LOVE this caemra. And sometimes it's nice not to have to change lenses all the time. Lots of cameras out there to consider!
ginni77
20 years ago
I've got a Canon Digital Rebel XT that came with the 18-55 mm lens and then I went out and bought a Canon 75-300 mm lens and it didn't cost $400...it was just under $300.

Joan, your Pine Siskin picture is amazing! Did you use a tripod?

Ginni
JoanMN
20 years ago
Ginni, did you get the 75-300 lens with image stabilization? I should have explained that that's what IS meant.
ginni77
20 years ago
AAAhhhhh...now I understand! I'm sorta dense sometimes. LOL Now I see the diff in price!

Thanks,
Ginni

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