Finally got a new camera!

[Jenise]

A sapphire blue Canon A1100S. My old Sony had a lot of issues, but perhaps the most frustrating of all was the difficulty of getting good closeups. Can't tell you how many food shots I took that turned out not to be postable--I'd take 12 or 13 of the same thing and not one would be in focus.

Congrats on the purchase, Jenise. The official court photographer here loves Canons and has nothing but good things to say about them.

A sapphire blue Canon A1100S. ... .

The Pentax KX comes in an almost infinite variety of colour combinations

http://photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00UVqN

http://www.camera-pentax.jp/k-x/#/ranking

Jenise, you'll enjoy your new camera! I've been a fan of Canon cameras since my first one (AE1-Program) back in 1982. They are all capable of taking better photos than I am, but I keep trying. The Digital Rebel XTi is my current model, and I love it.

[Jenise]

The Digital Rebel XTi is my current model, and I love it.

I have a houseguest right now who I think said last night that's going to be his next camera. Know where to get a good deal on one? Apparently, Canon's got that one price-fixed and it's hard to find--$749, that's it.

The Digital Rebel XTi is my current model, and I love it.

I have a houseguest right now who I think said last night that's going to be his next camera. Know where to get a good deal on one? Apparently, Canon's got that one price-fixed and it's hard to find--$749, that's it.

I'd suggest he look at these online/catalog retailers first:
Newegg.com
B&H Photo
Adorama

They each have good reps and typically great prices on photo gear, and Newegg is hard to beat with electronics in general.

You might try 47th Street Photos (I think that's what it is) on the web. I shopped them a couple of times and they had some great deals going.

I have a Rebel EOS XTi myself, and I love it too. But you get one, and you will end up with at least three lenses, I promise you (and that's if you have the willpower to stop there).

The standard 18-55mm that comes with it kicks ass. Then I picked up a 75--300m that is truly awesome for distance photos (and great because you can stand well off from your subjects and still get great candid shots with superb resolution and composition). Then I caved and got an 18--200m for diversity. Most of the time nowadays that's what I use.

It's possible to get XTi cameras only slightly used, and one iteration away from the current, that are still gorgeous pieces of camera technology. Camera buffs are always trading up. I'd check craigs and e-bay, seriously.

Careful though: they're habit forming.

The Digital Rebel XTi is my current model, and I love it.

I have a houseguest right now who I think said last night that's going to be his next camera. Know where to get a good deal on one? Apparently, Canon's got that one price-fixed and it's hard to find--$749, that's it.

They're all over the place for under $500.00.

Steve's Digicams website is my go-to for thorough camera info. Here is his page on the Digital Xti
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-r ... eview.html
At the bottom are links for where to purchase and the prices. cheers, Bonnie

[Jenise]

A sapphire blue Canon A1100S. ... .

The Pentax KX comes in an almost infinite variety of colour combinations

http://photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/00UVqN

http://www.camera-pentax.jp/k-x/#/ranking

Very cool, Warren. Had no idea such a thing was possible.

[Jenise]

The Digital Rebel XTi is my current model, and I love it.

I have a houseguest right now who I think said last night that's going to be his next camera. Know where to get a good deal on one? Apparently, Canon's got that one price-fixed and it's hard to find--$749, that's it.

They're all over the place for under $500.00.

Turns out it's the Xt1 or X1t he wants. And he's right, I checked earlier this evening and didn't find any under $749 unless it was body only.

Raving more about the XTi:

--if you've ever been frustrated by the major failing of a digicam---it's slowness and inability to capture quick photo ops---you will absolutely love the speed of the XTi. It's amazing. It also excels at doing 'burst' shooting---several photos in quick succession. You'll be amazed how many times you use this feature once you have it.

--although you get damned good photo software with the camera....go ahead an invest in Adope Photoshop Elements (if you don't have it already). DO NOT PURCHASE THE FULL ADOBE PHOTOSHOP. It will likely require much more time learning than you want to invest (similar to a college degree) and it's really only for pros. The Elements series is tailored for "amateurs to highly experienced amateurs" and will probably do everything you need or want done. Plus it's one hell of lot less expensive.

--you WILL need the editing software though, because you'll discover that the secret to great photography is the eye for composition, and the software gives you the capacity to work with composition to vastly improve the photos that you take. Plus you'll probably become fascinated with that aspect and enjoy tinkering with it. And then there's all the other features you get to play with too. A mediocre pic with the wrong color values or contrast or whatever can actually be turned into a pretty good photograph worth keeping.

--The auto dust lens cleaning feature is great---but you'll still need to occasionally clean your lens SLR system, and you'll also need the software to handle the sunspots and dustspots that will naturally occur with a 10.1 pixel resolution. But oh my god the clarity you'll get!

--the XTi is actually so good, so well designed, that you can work the left side of the control dial and use the camera as the most incredible "point and shoot" you've ever had. Of you can go over to the right side of the dial (full manual) and get really creative!

--plan on buying a flash attachment along with the two or three lenses you'll be getting. It's worth it, and it makes a difference.

--when you're buying lenses, pay attention to whether the lens has auto-stabilization. That's usually the feature that makes it more expensive. It's an incredible feature too, and usually worth it, especially in super long distance or super close quarters shots.

--Canon lenses are superb...but keep your eyes open for Tamron lenses too. They are often made in the same place and can be great lenses (my telephoto is a Tamron, and it has been remarkably good). They also tend to be cheaper, and more often available on deep discounts.

--the battery (rechargable, and easily rechargable with a wall plug cradle) is the best I've ever seen on a camera...especially one this powerful and complicated and multifaceted. Lasts a long time.

Raving more about the XTi:

--if you've ever been frustrated by the major failing of a digicam---it's slowness and inability to capture quick photo ops---you will absolutely love the speed of the XTi. It's amazing. It also excels at doing 'burst' shooting---several photos in quick succession. You'll be amazed how many times you use this feature once you have it.

--although you get damned good photo software with the camera....go ahead an invest in Adope Photoshop Elements (if you don't have it already). DO NOT PURCHASE THE FULL ADOBE PHOTOSHOP. It will likely require much more time learning than you want to invest (similar to a college degree) and it's really only for pros. The Elements series is tailored for "amateurs to highly experienced amateurs" and will probably do everything you need or want done. Plus it's one hell of lot less expensive.

--you WILL need the editing software though, because you'll discover that the secret to great photography is the eye for composition, and the software gives you the capacity to work with composition to vastly improve the photos that you take. Plus you'll probably become fascinated with that aspect and enjoy tinkering with it. And then there's all the other features you get to play with too. A mediocre pic with the wrong color values or contrast or whatever can actually be turned into a pretty good photograph worth keeping.

--The auto dust lens cleaning feature is great---but you'll still need to occasionally clean your lens SLR system, and you'll also need the software to handle the sunspots and dustspots that will naturally occur with a 10.1 pixel resolution. But oh my god the clarity you'll get!

--the XTi is actually so good, so well designed, that you can work the left side of the control dial and use the camera as the most incredible "point and shoot" you've ever had. Of you can go over to the right side of the dial (full manual) and get really creative!

--plan on buying a flash attachment along with the two or three lenses you'll be getting. It's worth it, and it makes a difference.

--when you're buying lenses, pay attention to whether the lens has auto-stabilization. That's usually the feature that makes it more expensive. It's an incredible feature too, and usually worth it, especially in super long distance or super close quarters shots.

--Canon lenses are superb...but keep your eyes open for Tamron lenses too. They are often made in the same place and can be great lenses (my telephoto is a Tamron, and it has been remarkably good). They also tend to be cheaper, and more often available on deep discounts.

--the battery (rechargable, and easily rechargable with a wall plug cradle) is the best I've ever seen on a camera...especially one this powerful and complicated and multifaceted. Lasts a long time.

Hoke

I was in a camera store today and the guy told me the XTi was the "old model" and had been replaced by an ES model. The price was more like $500 for the basic camera with lens. DOes this sound right to you?

Yes, there is a newer model beyond the XTi, and that price might be right...especially if they're pushing discounts on the new model to get them out there.

I would hope this would also result in lowering the price just a bit on the XTi. And there should be some used or remanufactred coming out now with the onset of the new model. To be honest, XTi is as much (actually, a great deal more than) camera as what I need. And I know a pro that thinks its more than enough to fulfill his needs too.

I also think we've reached a point in camera development where it's becoming bells and whistles time. Right now everyone is pushing more and more pixels. Fine, but pixels are not the be all of digital photography, oddly enough. I don't need any more than my 10.2 on my current XTi, honestly.

And when you get into SLR, it then becomes more and more a focus on the lens that fits on the front of your box. (That's also where the really big money outlay starts to register. Get a good, solid base unit, whether Canon or Nikon---although I prefer Canon, a buddy swears by Nikon---and you'll have years of opportunity to waste time and spend money on it.

You aren't going to get more camera for the price very easily. Good choice.

Are you sure the lack of focus on your old one was the fault of the camera - could photographer marination possibly be implicated....?

[Jenise]

You aren't going to get more camera for the price very easily. Good choice.

Are you sure the lack of focus on your old one was the fault of the camera - could photographer marination possibly be implicated....?

Ha ha, but no. The macro function just didn't seem to work well. Plus, some days it would only take 17 or 20 photos on a pair of batteries, and lately the lens cover thingies sometimes failed during a shot and shut or partially shut. Like it wanted to go to sleep. Anyway, all unacceptable!