I have a Canon Rebel XT camera and I need to buy a flash for wedding and portrait photography. What should I look for when buying a flash. I am also looking at cost also because I am still learning.

The EOS 400D, called the Rebel XTi in North America, is a single-lens reflex digital camera. Canon introduced this unique looking camera in 2006. It’s the successor of the EOS 350D.

Canon considers the Rebel to be the best entry-level digital single lens camera of its kind on the market. It’s a priced below $1,000.00 which makes it affordable especially when the lens is included. It produces some fine images with pure, sharp colors. It’s also very quiet.

They upgraded the CMOS sensor to an impressive 10.1 megapixels. Among the other added features we get a larger continuous shooting buffer, an integrated image sensor, vibrating cleaning system and a more precise nine point auto focus system.

Canon didn’t stop there! They even improved the grip of the unit and gave us a nice 2.5” LCD with 230,000 pixels and a larger viewing angle which replaced an ill-conceived top status screen. The changes Canon made to the newer model has a tendency to underexpose the subject whereas the older versions overexposed.

As a user of this model I’ve come to find out that if you remove your glasses or cover up the view finder it greatly limits the light from entering the unit and giving you an unwanted look. Sort of like a filter for the light. This is a fault in the calibration of the product and can’t readily be fixed by upgrades.

I was personally impressed by the censor as the camera boasts 10.5 million pixels, RGB filter array, built-in low-pass filter and a nice 3:2 aspect ratio.

It outputs in three image sizes that can meet most photographer needs:

3888 x 2592

2816 x 1800

1936 x 1288

The camera allows you to save files in jpeg and large form raw files giving you the ability to connect via USB, video and remote to take your photos from the camera to your computer for printing and/or editing.

Rebel XTi retails at around $800.00 but if you want the optional lens kit that comes along for the ride you’ll be paying roughly $100.00 more. This lowers the bar for other $1,000.00 10 megapixel cameras like the Nikon D80 which was also showcased in 2006. I’m looking forward to upgrading to the 5.6 IS USM lens which is Canon’s fastest standard lens in production to date.

Change Summary And The White Sheet

In the end it all breaks down to the features. The Canon white sheet is impressive! The listing of features, the changes from the older camera to this version, is vast which makes this camera one of the best buys.

* -10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with improved microlens array, fill factor and lower noise.

* -EOS Integrated Cleaning System

o .Anti-static coatings on sensor surfaces plus anti-dust materials in the camera body

o .Separate low pass filter with ultra-sonic vibration

o .Software based dust mapping / removal

* -Nine point Auto Focus sensor (same as EOS 30D) with F2.8 support

* -Continuous shooting burst up to 27 JPEG and 10 RAW images

* -Single large, bright, 2.5″ LCD monitor with 160° viewing angles (horizontal and vertical)

* -Camera settings and adjustment on LCD monitor

* -Proximity sensor below viewfinder eyepiece to disable the LCD during composition

* -New viewfinder view includes 9 AF points as well as EOS 30D style status bar

* -Picture Styles, larger range of image parameter adjustment (same as EOS 30D)

* -Improved user interface

* -Image magnification available in record review

* -Histogram available as brightness (Luminance) or RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

* -Three settings for long exposure noise reduction (adds Auto option)

* -Auto rotation with three options (not recorded, record don’t rotate, record and rotate)

* -Additional custom functions (magnified view in record review, LCD display at power on)

* -Up to 9999 images per folder on storage card

* -Automatic storage of setting adjustments (no longer requires a press of the SET button)

* -Improved print / share / direct print features

* -Lower introductory list price ($100 lower)

One feature that is revolutionary is the way the camera handles dust on the sensor! Dust, unfortunately, is attracted to electronics. Canon, after years of denying the existence of dust being able to get on the camera sensor, finally admitted it and fixed it!

Dust pretty much shows up from several sources but typically it’s from fragments released by the moving components inside the camera. Before you had to take the camera apart to clean it or use some sort of blower or mini vacuum.

Canon took care of this issue by implementing the following:

* Used materials in the mirror box and shutter chamber which are less likely to generate dust.

* Improved the body cap, again to not generate dust.

* Used anti-static coating on the sensor surface.

* Created a new separated anti-alias filter which vibrates to shake off dust.

* Added a Dust Delete Data feature which can map stubborn dust to be removed in software.

This all helps keep your camera healthy for prolonged use. You can smile as your fellow photographers take time out of shoots to try and swab out their cameras while you continue to snap gleefully away.

As I’ve mentioned earlier there are two separate versions of the Rebel XTi but what comes in the box? And what doesn’t?

* The 10.1 effective Megapixel Digital Rebel XTi camera body

* 18 - 55 mm F3.5 - 5.6 Mk II EF-S lens [lens kit only]

* NB-2LH li-ion rechargeable battery pack

* Battery charger

* Neck strap

* Eyecup

* Body cap

* USB cable

* Video cable

* CD-ROM featuring EOS Digital Solution and software instruction manual

* 179 page camera manual (printed)

Unfortunately the one drawback I found was that the camera did not come with a memory card. This can hinder your potential. So when you’re going out to buy keep that in mind. CompactFlash cards are fairly inexpensive these and depending on your needs I’d do what I did and pick up a 1GB card. For tech heads out there the XTi supports Type I and II cards and even the microdrive. You might also want to pick up a 50X or better CF card.

I love photography and my work dictated the need for the lens kit so I sprung for it. When you get the kit you also get Canon’s second gen 18-55 mm EF-S in the box. It’s not the best and aperture can vary to small and unclear. I had little use for this one since the other lenses are quite nice.

The Rebel XTi uses the same lithium-ion battery as its predecessor. The energy value of the batter is right in the middle of the pack with the life of it about 10% less. Bigger LCD takes more power.

Personally I love this camera. I use it as a back up to my professional setup. If you want quality for price and reliability then I suggest the Rebel XTi. It makes a great mid-range camera for everyday photography needs such as real estate agents, car dealers and family vacations.



By: Rhommel Bernardino

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As you look through the vast array of cameras and digital cameras you can buy, you may start to wonder which ones are good for the average photographer. The many features that are offered with these cameras seem to be in many ways similar to each other. Of the many cameras that you can look at the camera Canon Digital Rebel XT is a smaller and lighter digital camera that offers you many great features for your photographing pleasure.

The new camera Canon Digital Rebel XT was launched as the successor to the first Canon Digital Rebel. This new camera from Canon also has many of the features of its predecessor as well as many improvements that have been included in the design modification.

These new modifications include an eight megapixel CMOS sensor that delivers 3,456 x 2,304 pixel images. This pixel counts yields and even higher image resolution and better manual control. This camera Canon Digital Rebel XT has a single lens where you can interchange the lens with the other Canon Digital Rebel series lens.

With this camera Canon Digital Rebel XT there are more features to be found. These are custom function menus where you have been given the ability to customize this Canon Digital Rebel XT even more. In addition to the customizing menu system you have access to an adjustable EV step size, metering modes and also there is a flash exposure compensation.

These many features that are part of this camera Canon Digital Rebel XT has incorporated, makes this an excellent camera for the experienced photographer as well as the novice.

The best place for you to buy this type of camera will be in camera shops where you can ask for assistance from the experienced sales personnel.

For the person who is looking to buy a camera Canon Digital Rebel XT there are many benefits to be found. These are the various instructions in the digital camera that make it possible to use this camera easily everyday. There is a faster processing of images that customers require.

Additionally you will also find that this camera Canon Digital Rebel XT has been designed for low noise output and it has precision optics. The flash of this digital camera has also been improved on as well.

With all of these improvements and added features the camera Canon Digital Rebel XT is known to be a superior camera that you can purchase. Knowing the various benefits of this camera will convince you that you have selected a good choice for your photographic needs.



By: Muna wa Wanjiru

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