getting new canon camera for xmas,which one???rebel xti or 30d and why

[gene1340]

Hi all,
My wife is letting me pick my present and I have it narrowed down to the two cameras. I am asking which seems to be the better choice and why. I have been out of photography for a longggg time so this is all greek to me now. I want to get my bang for the buck and I don't even know the difference between the two. I am borrowing a friends 20d right now and it is awesome. Anyone have any input on the new Rebel xti and the 30D? Also, what 2-3 lense combo would one go with? I think I am going to spring for the Ikelite housing before our Bonaire vacation in January and I want time to play with everything.
Thanks,
Gene

 

[Jamdiver]

Hi Gene,

Just a few questions so that I can get a better idea of what suits your needs.
I see that you're planning on housing the camera.

There are some differences between the 30D and Xti(400D) but it comes down mostly to body construction, the 30D has a much more sturdy (for lack of a better word) construction that the Xti.
It's more rugged so to speak, the grip is also larger as compared to the Xti.

Xti and 30D both have the same 9 point AF focus system..
30D does have a larger buffer and can shoot slightly more pics continously than the XTi.

Re lenses, you said you were into photography before so you probably have a good idea on what type of photos you like to take.
Macro, wide angle etc.

I think for u/w usage 3 good lenses to have are a macro lens, wide angle and general purpose zoom lens such as....
-Canon 60mm f/2.8 EF-S (Macro lens)
-Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 (zoom lens)
- Canon 10-22mm EF-S lens (wide angle)
What I recommend that you head on over to Dpreview and check out the reviews of both cameras.
And here's a side by side comparison

There's tons of information on the forums here and over on Wetpixel about good camera/lens choice for u/w photography.

As a matter of fact a mod Alcina, has a nice writeup of her choice to go DSLR here
Highly recommended read..

Good luck with your decision .

 

[havnmonkey]

I like the 30d's construction and solid feel... However the XTi is 10.2mp and has the anti-dust doo-hickey.

30d is faster 5 fps and larger buffer.

both have same digic II processor.

If you aren't paying then i would lean toward the 30d because of construction quality.

but 10.2 mp's is good also.

 

[Jafo123]

I also don't think they make an underwater housing for the Rebel xti yet. I've been looking for some time now and haven't found one yet.

 

[Jamdiver]

I also don't think they make an underwater housing for the Rebel xti yet. I've been looking for some time now and haven't found one yet.

Several manufacturers do make a housing for the Canon Digital Rebel XTi otherwise known as Canon EOS 400D in the rest of the world.

Ikelite is one such manufacturer.

 

[Ryan]

One thing to consider is that the 30d has 2 command wheels, independently configured for aperture and shutter speed. The XTi has only one, and in manual mode changing the aperture is a 2 button operation. A well engineered housing makes this tolerable, but not as easy as having seperate dials.

Ikelite is shipping now for the Rebel XTi. Sea & Sea & Seatool are working on housings w/ Jan ship dates.

Ikelite & Subal are shipping for the 30d. I don't know of any other housings in the works.

The Subal 30d housing places the rear command dial within reach of the right handle. I think this is very important.

 

[Jafo123]

Jamdiver; Thanks for the link to the Rebel xti housing. I'll be checking it out real close.

 

[gene1340]

Thanks everyone for the input. Still haven't made up my mind what way I am going to go. Any additional input would be appreciated as I am not done with research and just don't know enough about either camera.
Thanks,
Gene

 

[newbidown]

I won't be taking my 20D underwater anytime in the near future as I just can't justify the price of the housing yet, but for you the biggest question is what are you going to use the camera for and how often. If you are going to get back into photograhy big time and plan on carrying it with you alot then go with the 30D, if the majority of your use will be around the house, at family events like birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, or at the kids sports or dance events, then go with the XTi. The 8-10 megapixel difference to the average user will not be noticed, both will give you amazing 13x19's. The difference is in the housing. The 30D is "prosumer" has a titanium frame and shell, and uses fibre reinforced engineered plastic only in the prism frame, the XTi's whole frame is engineered plastic with a titanium skin. Add to that the higher shutter speed (1/8000th as opposed to 1/4000th) and the higher frames/sec (5 aot 3) and the 30D is the better camera for the more active, more advance user. I wouldn't be scared of the composite body, I watched a Rebel XT fall off the desk at a Canon seminar without any harm, but I wouldn't want to see that too often. My 20D gets sees alot of use and I just feel more comfortable with the tougher chassis. As for the lenses, I carry only 3, the Canon 17-40 usm f/4L, a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, and for general walkabout the kit lens Canon 17-85 f4.5-5.6 EF-S IS. I caution against the other kit lens the 18-55 EF-S as you will read on the review pages, and from my experience, the 17-85 is a much cleaner lens. Ultimatly that little "L" after the F value is the way to go, but only if it's in your price range. DPreview.com and Robgalbraith.com are definitly the sites to research this stuff more indepth.