My MIL paid $1200 for the camera and a lens and my $300 camera rivals it. She is still trying to learn everything about the camera and misses some great shots. But, I am sure it is a great camera. --I am actually SICK of her w/ her pictures...learning, showing me some pictures, etc...(aurgh)...but I deal with it because it makes her happy:biggrin: hee,hee

I think as a general rule its not the camera you use but how your artistic side is with capturing great pictures. You can have the best camera in the world, but if you don't know composition, then your pictures are still going to be average. There are so many people buying huge expensive cameras and don't know anything about anything but expect good results...

Its an art form and it takes an artistic person to get exceptional shots.

IMO.

So true, and artistic I am not. So I want a simple to use, uncomplicated camera...any suggestions?

I know this thread is about the XT, but I have the XTi. I was wondering if anyone here has the 50mm f/1.8 lens? I'm going to get a new lens soon and everyone recommends that lens.

Oh and for everyone who is thinking about getting an XT or XTi, I would try to wait till April. The Canon XSi is being released and prices will drop.:)

Its a really good lens...you can acheive some really cool pictures with out of focus backgrounds and whatnot. Honestly, it takes some getting used to. I love the versatility of range lenses (ex. 18-55mm) but you get better lenses overall with you get a fixed lens (ex. 50mm only). I recommend it but your going to be doing a lot more moving since you can zoom in and out standing still.

Thank you for that info!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

We have the XTi with two lenses. The standard 18-55mm it came with and the 70-300mm zoom. Especially in the case of zoom lenses, always get the Canon lenses with IS (Image Stabilizer). You'll pay more, but it's worth it.

While it takes EXCELLENT pictures, you will be no more of a pro photographer with this camera then you would be a race car driver with a Dodge Viper. In fact, like the race car, it may be less forgiving when using the wrong settings.

That being said, I'm afraid I shall forever be an amateur photographer with a camera that will forever be better then I'll ever be.

You'll rarely go wrong in the auto modes and the manual modes will be there for you when you're ready to experiment, learn, and improve.

As far as your casual consumer use, there's not a lot of performance differences between the XT and the XTi. Also, there's not enough visual differences between 8 megs and 10 megs to warrant the current $200 price difference.

For in depth digital camera descriptions, reviews, and ratings, I recommend this web site - Steve's Digicams. There are several others and I encourage several online searches for what you are considering.

(only 6 days to the Houston area Yorkie meetup!)

I have the XTi and I love it. I do a lot of scrapbooking of my pictures so I need a really good photo printer. Anyone have any suggestions on photo printers? I have used the HP and the Kodak and have just not been pleased. I'm about to give up hope on all of it.

Unfortunately, its hard to find a good at home printer. Even spending a few hundred dollars does not produce the results as with a photo place.
I don't know what you've used in the past but i was always very happy with shutterfly.com for all my at home needs. after using them a short time i started getting emails of free prints, free products, etc. quick turn-around time and great customer service!!