Welcome to the digital SLR world
After years of anticipating the move from film to digital photography, I’ve finally taken the leap with Canon’s Digital Rebel XTi and won’t ever look back.
A testament to the quality of Canon’s cameras is my Canon EF manual focus 35mm SLR, which my father purchased in 1974 and passed along when I enrolled in my first high school photography class. The camera still functions beautifully to this day, and is one of the reasons it took me so long to make the switch over to a digital equivalent.
When digital cameras entered the market, I first opted for the PowerShot S100 Digital Elph. I wasn’t ready to forgo the 50mm, wide angle and macro lenses I inherited with the EF (or afford the replacements) and figured the 2.1 megapixel point-and-shoot was a good introduction to digital photography.
I enjoyed the Elph, but immediately grew fascinated with the manipulation of my photos rather than the actual process of taking the shot. So when my Elph reached the end of its lifespan (due to the battery, not the camera), I decided to purchase a high quality scanner instead. In my eyes, this route was a third of the cost of a digital SLR and still allowed me to digitally manipulate those film-based SLR shots.
After a short while, I missed the convenience of a point-and-shoot, as fussing with the EF and a flash became a chore, as did scanning every photo I took. I soon found myself back at the photo counter, with a point-and-shoot in one hand and the Digital Rebel in the other. But I couldn’t justify the move when I still had a perfectly functioning SLR at home. I walked out with the PowerShot A620. (To avoid the pitfall of the Elph, I purchased a model that ran on AA batteries.) I kept telling myself that the Rebel was just a bonus camera – something I wanted, but didn’t really need.
I realized how wrong I was the first time I spent an afternoon with the XTi. This camera opened my eyes to the world of digital photography, allowing me to forget about Photoshop and renewing that long-lost interest in the process of photo taking itself.
This is in large part to the LCD screen, something I haven't had to opportunity to appreciate. The XTi’s 2.5 inch screen allows you to set your menu options and immediately review your shots to quickly determine whether those settings you are experimenting with are working for you or not. The instant gratification really encourages further experimentation with manual settings, which helps further refine your skills. All the settings are recorded and presented on the LCD screen, so you don’t have to rely on pen and paper or good memory to recall how you created that great shot. The screen displays images (which can be viewed at a 160 degree angle) with remarkable clarity so you can actually see the subtleties between different settings.
LCD screens tend to suck the life out of your battery (another reason I haven’t been a big fan), but the XTi includes an automatic shut off feature that kicks in every time you put your eye up to the viewfinder. This is supposed to help you compose your shot (minimizing distraction from the LCD), but the battery life saved is the true bonus here.
My first time operating a digital SLR, I expected complicated menu options and was surprised at how intuitive this model really is. Within the first hour of having the XTi out of its box, I was completely comfortable finding, selecting, and activating nearly all of the functions. And considering all the features and functions offered in this camera, the lack of frustration is key to a first-timer enjoying its use.
The XTi incorporates features for all users, whether introductory, intermediate or advanced. For introductory-level users, there are seven basic modes that offer the same ease-of-use you’d find in a point-and-shoot. The most noticeable difference for such a user would probably begin with the higher quality, contrast and colour in the shots (thanks to the XTi’s 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor). For those worried about too many megapixels clouding resolution and producing noise, the XTi’s CMOS sensor maintains high resolution with a 1.6x conversion ratio.
For those who enjoy experimenting with colour, six picture styles are offered (standard, portrait, landscape, neutral, faithful, and monochrome for black and white shots) that will adjust the tone, contrast, saturation and sharpness of your shots. You can also save up to three custom settings of your own.
An intermediate user will find the semi-manual functions helpful, such as better aperture priority, shutter priority, auto depth of field, auto exposure (with access to additional features) or even the full manual exposure setting. The shutter speed ranges from 1/4000 of a second to 30 seconds and includes the infinite bulb. (The shutter will sync up to 1/200 of a second with the flash.) There are a wide range of ISO settings (from 100 to 1600), which is especially intriguing for someone just moving over from film.
Also of interest to intermediate users are three auto focusing modes: one for stationary subjects, one for moving subjects, and one “smart” setting that will start or stop focusing for unpredictable subject movements. Three metering modes (evaluative, partial, center-weighted) are also provided. And new to this model are nine individually selectable autofocus points.
Advanced users should be fully satisfied with a histogram that displays either brightness levels or separate RGB values. You also have the ability to shoot in JPEG Large + RAW mode for advanced printing and editing, and have the option between sRGB or Adobe RGB colour settings. Seven preset options are available for white balance, which is also customizable.
Equipped with a DIGIC II Image Processor, the XTi provides the responsiveness, power and speed you need when you don’t have time to think twice about a shot. I broke in my XTi with a photo shoot of my sister’s newborn baby, capturing three frames per second in continuous shooting mode (which can produce 10 RAW images in a row) in-between crying fits and random naps. The XTi happily kept up with the pace. In the amount of time it takes for you to announce that you need to wait for the flash, the three-second recycle time passes and it becomes operational again. On a full charge, the battery allowed me to fill my 4GB CF card with hundreds of RAW shots. And the 0.2 second startup was near-immediate.
The EOS Integrated Cleaning System is a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system that Canon says is available “on no other camera of any make, at any price.” The XTi will literally shake dust particles off the CMOS sensor to keep itself clean. Further dust removal is possible by aiming at the camera at a white surface and “mapping” the size and position of the dust. This information is attached to your shots and once the files are transferred to your computer, the included Digital Photo Professional software will automatically remove it. The lens filter also includes an anti-static charge so dust doesn’t get attracted to your lens in the first place.
The XTi feels good and features a sturdy grip for your right hand. The body is lightweight, so you won’t feel a burden if you need to carry it around with you for a whole day. You have a choice between a black or silver body colour.
Ever since the first Digital Rebel was introduced in the fall of 2003, pricing has hovered around $1000, with Canon continually improving the quality for the price. The XTi comes with an MSPR of $1175 for the body-only kit and $1350 for the zoom lens. It also comes complete with a Mac and Windows compatible software bundle for photo editing, image noise reduction, direct printing, and the new dust delete data function.
After years of anticipating the move from film to digital photography, I’ve finally taken the leap with Canon’s Digital Rebel XTi and won’t ever look back.
A testament to the quality of Canon’s cameras is my Canon EF manual focus 35mm SLR, which my father purchased in 1974 and passed along when I enrolled in my first high school photography class. The camera still functions beautifully to this day, and is one of the reasons it took me so long to make the switch over to a digital equivalent.
When digital cameras entered the market, I first opted for the PowerShot S100 Digital Elph. I wasn’t ready to forgo the 50mm, wide angle and macro lenses I inherited with the EF (or afford the replacements) and figured the 2.1 megapixel point-and-shoot was a good introduction to digital photography.
I enjoyed the Elph, but immediately grew fascinated with the manipulation of my photos rather than the actual process of taking the shot. So when my Elph reached the end of its lifespan (due to the battery, not the camera), I decided to purchase a high quality scanner instead. In my eyes, this route was a third of the cost of a digital SLR and still allowed me to digitally manipulate those film-based SLR shots.
After a short while, I missed the convenience of a point-and-shoot, as fussing with the EF and a flash became a chore, as did scanning every photo I took. I soon found myself back at the photo counter, with a point-and-shoot in one hand and the Digital Rebel in the other. But I couldn’t justify the move when I still had a perfectly functioning SLR at home. I walked out with the PowerShot A620. (To avoid the pitfall of the Elph, I purchased a model that ran on AA batteries.) I kept telling myself that the Rebel was just a bonus camera – something I wanted, but didn’t really need.
I realized how wrong I was the first time I spent an afternoon with the XTi. This camera opened my eyes to the world of digital photography, allowing me to forget about Photoshop and renewing that long-lost interest in the process of photo taking itself.
This is in large part to the LCD screen, something I haven't had to opportunity to appreciate. The XTi’s 2.5 inch screen allows you to set your menu options and immediately review your shots to quickly determine whether those settings you are experimenting with are working for you or not. The instant gratification really encourages further experimentation with manual settings, which helps further refine your skills. All the settings are recorded and presented on the LCD screen, so you don’t have to rely on pen and paper or good memory to recall how you created that great shot. The screen displays images (which can be viewed at a 160 degree angle) with remarkable clarity so you can actually see the subtleties between different settings.
LCD screens tend to suck the life out of your battery (another reason I haven’t been a big fan), but the XTi includes an automatic shut off feature that kicks in every time you put your eye up to the viewfinder. This is supposed to help you compose your shot (minimizing distraction from the LCD), but the battery life saved is the true bonus here.
My first time operating a digital SLR, I expected complicated menu options and was surprised at how intuitive this model really is. Within the first hour of having the XTi out of its box, I was completely comfortable finding, selecting, and activating nearly all of the functions. And considering all the features and functions offered in this camera, the lack of frustration is key to a first-timer enjoying its use.
The XTi incorporates features for all users, whether introductory, intermediate or advanced. For introductory-level users, there are seven basic modes that offer the same ease-of-use you’d find in a point-and-shoot. The most noticeable difference for such a user would probably begin with the higher quality, contrast and colour in the shots (thanks to the XTi’s 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor). For those worried about too many megapixels clouding resolution and producing noise, the XTi’s CMOS sensor maintains high resolution with a 1.6x conversion ratio.
For those who enjoy experimenting with colour, six picture styles are offered (standard, portrait, landscape, neutral, faithful, and monochrome for black and white shots) that will adjust the tone, contrast, saturation and sharpness of your shots. You can also save up to three custom settings of your own.
An intermediate user will find the semi-manual functions helpful, such as better aperture priority, shutter priority, auto depth of field, auto exposure (with access to additional features) or even the full manual exposure setting. The shutter speed ranges from 1/4000 of a second to 30 seconds and includes the infinite bulb. (The shutter will sync up to 1/200 of a second with the flash.) There are a wide range of ISO settings (from 100 to 1600), which is especially intriguing for someone just moving over from film.
Also of interest to intermediate users are three auto focusing modes: one for stationary subjects, one for moving subjects, and one “smart” setting that will start or stop focusing for unpredictable subject movements. Three metering modes (evaluative, partial, center-weighted) are also provided. And new to this model are nine individually selectable autofocus points.
Advanced users should be fully satisfied with a histogram that displays either brightness levels or separate RGB values. You also have the ability to shoot in JPEG Large + RAW mode for advanced printing and editing, and have the option between sRGB or Adobe RGB colour settings. Seven preset options are available for white balance, which is also customizable.
Equipped with a DIGIC II Image Processor, the XTi provides the responsiveness, power and speed you need when you don’t have time to think twice about a shot. I broke in my XTi with a photo shoot of my sister’s newborn baby, capturing three frames per second in continuous shooting mode (which can produce 10 RAW images in a row) in-between crying fits and random naps. The XTi happily kept up with the pace. In the amount of time it takes for you to announce that you need to wait for the flash, the three-second recycle time passes and it becomes operational again. On a full charge, the battery allowed me to fill my 4GB CF card with hundreds of RAW shots. And the 0.2 second startup was near-immediate.
The EOS Integrated Cleaning System is a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system that Canon says is available “on no other camera of any make, at any price.” The XTi will literally shake dust particles off the CMOS sensor to keep itself clean. Further dust removal is possible by aiming at the camera at a white surface and “mapping” the size and position of the dust. This information is attached to your shots and once the files are transferred to your computer, the included Digital Photo Professional software will automatically remove it. The lens filter also includes an anti-static charge so dust doesn’t get attracted to your lens in the first place.
The XTi feels good and features a sturdy grip for your right hand. The body is lightweight, so you won’t feel a burden if you need to carry it around with you for a whole day. You have a choice between a black or silver body colour.
Ever since the first Digital Rebel was introduced in the fall of 2003, pricing has hovered around $1000, with Canon continually improving the quality for the price. The XTi comes with an MSPR of $1175 for the body-only kit and $1350 for the zoom lens. It also comes complete with a Mac and Windows compatible software bundle for photo editing, image noise reduction, direct printing, and the new dust delete data function.
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