Canon Digital Rebel XTi

To my surprise, I received a Canon Digital Rebel XTi DSLR camera for Christmas from my wife. Now, being who I am, in order to not insult the camera, I need to learn how to use it to the best of my ability. I've spent most of my free time since Christmas reading about SLR cameras, Digital SLRs, Lenses, Tripods, Flashes, Memory Cards, etc. I haven't only been reading, heh, I've taken a lot of pictures too.

So far here is my plan and this Blog is going to be a place for me to keep track of things and post pictures.

Primary Camera Uses (This is important as it impacts lens selection)

1. Pictures of the Kids At home, at parties, outside, etc.
   
2. Hockey/Ice Skating/School & Church Performances (This is all indoor, I hear shooting hockey is one of the worst indoor sports, so that means big $$ for a nice lens to get good results).
3. Family Portraits.
   
4. Pictures of Friends (Group photos)
   

Common SLR uses that, at this time, are not a priority.

1. Landscape
2. Macro Photography
3. Wildlife

The plan.

1. Keep taking pictures, I used the auto mode the 1st couple of days, since that I've been using the artistic modes, including full manual.
   
2. Keep reading online photography tips and tutorials.
   
3. Research/Buy the accessories that I need to get the best pictures I can.
4. Take more pictures.

Research Notes:

Memory Card: Lexar 2GB professional 133x Compact Flash. I already picked this up after researching CF Cards. It cost me $89, which is about twice as much as most 2GB CF Cards, but it's at least twice as fast. The camera claims 179 pictures available in RAW mode. In the future I'll probably pick up a 2nd card if needed for shooting events like hockey games.

Tripod: This is going to be the next thing I order. I've done a bit of reading, and the "pros" really hate the affordable tripods. If I follow their advice I'll end up with a $1000 tripod. Well, I just can't bring myself to spend that much. It seems like a lot of people like the Bogen 3021 tripod legs and the Bogen 486 Compact Ballhead. The head will support up to 13.2 LBS which is more than I should ever need. This is still pretty expensive at around $200.00.

Flash: I hate using the built in flash, although I need to experiment using it as a fill flash. I've done some research/reading and seen pictures taken with a more professional flash, and they look so much better than the built in flash. So I'm pretty sure I'll be buying this when I order the Tripod. I've read some reviews and I think I'm going to get the Canon Speedlight 430EX for around $240.00. If in the future I need the big canon 580EX I can use the 430EX as a slave flash. I'll probably get a Sto-Fen omnibounce fitting for the flash as it's only $16.00 more (Hey, whats more money)

Remote: Initially I was thinking of getting the wireless remote, but after reading some thing, it seems that perhaps it only works from straight on. So, maybe I'll get the wired remote. It's a shame that they both cost about the same. Maybe I'll just hold off buying the remote. I'll ponder this a bit longer.

Lenses: This is where a lot of my reading has been done. With the XTi being a FOVCF body (1.6x multiplier on the lens) it makes things interesting. Based on all the reviews for Sports (Hockey) I need a 70-200mm 2.8f lens. Now the real question is, do I buy the Canon "L" series lenses, or do I get a Sigma. Tokina sells a 50-133mm f2.8 that is smaller/lighter and has an effective 80-212mm on the XTi. Then there are the EF-S lenses, but if I ever upgrade to a full frame they can't be used. The way I look at it, technology will continue to advance and in 2-5 years full frame digital bodies will be where the FOVCF bodies are today. Based on that I think I should get lenses that will work on full frame bodies. But then would I need a 50-133 on a full frame? I dunno. I suspect it will be a while still before I bite the bullet and get a better lens.