Canon EOS Rebel XSi? Opinions?

**MaxP** · 08-21-2012, 10:56 AM

Hello-

I'm thinking I need a DSLR.

I had a Sony Alpha A200. I just could get along with it. So, I gave it to my daughter in law.

I can't really afford a new camera so I'm thinking about a used Canon EOS Rebel XSi.

Good choice? Comments? Advice?

What I really want is to be able to take nice sharp closeups. You know razors, brushes. Important stuff!

I was thinking fleabay because there are often sellers who have a second lens and other goodies that are selling all because they're upgrading. Good idea to look there?

Thanks

**Uncle Jackie** · 08-21-2012, 05:16 PM

Excellent choice. I still use mine regularly and it has been a great, solid purchase. I've had it about 4-5 years now, over 25,000 shots taken and not a thing wrong so far. Here is what you can expect.

**MaxP** · 08-21-2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Uncle Jackie

Here is what you can expect.

The pipe shot is the type of image I'm trying to get. Can I ask about lens and lighting to get such a shot? I've got a homemade light box. Daylight CF bulbs. Still I get fuzzy photos.

**texaninkc** · 08-24-2012, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by MaxP

The pipe shot is the type of image I'm trying to get. Can I ask about lens and lighting to get such a shot? I've got a homemade light box. Daylight CF bulbs. Still I get fuzzy photos.

i'm no pro so i apologize for poor advice if it's wrong, but a good tripod and buying a remote clicker really help with getting rid of the fuzziness (if that's what you mean by fuzzy).

also, i have an XSi and I love it. I'm no pro so I don't need anything fancy and it's a good camera to take on trips.

**bastimret** · 08-24-2012, 03:59 PM

If you have an old cannon camera that's broken you can get a great deal on refurbed dslr through their trade in loyalty program. Tons of info on it here:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/849344/

**Uncle Jackie** · 08-26-2012, 10:54 AM

If I remember correctly, on the pipe picture I used a Sigma Macro 70mm f 2.8. I used a tripod with a shutter control. I used an extremely high aperture, around 22 or so, so the shutter speed was around a half second. Lighting was just two work lights on both sides of the box.

**john.bradburne** · 09-02-2012, 05:10 PM

just bought an EOS T3 and love it

**Jack-in-the-Green** · 09-06-2012, 11:54 PM

I finally made the move to a DSLR about 10 months ago, and that's the one I chose, based on the research I did. It was Popular Photography's Camera of the Year when it came out, and I found nothing but glowing reviews. The only difference between the XSi, and the current model at the time (I think it was the T1i) was the addition of video and one more ISO level. Personally, I don't care about video (if you do, don't get the XSi), and all the reviews said that the degradation in image quality made the extra ISO level pretty much unuseable anyway. Plus, Canon makes some of the best lenses in the industry. While this is less true with digital than it was with film, the lens is still probably the most important part of the equation when it comes to taking clear, sharp pictures without distortion. For the type of pictures you want to take, get the best quality macro lens you can afford.

I'm loving the XSi. Now if only I could afford the 5D mark III ...

**MaxP** · 09-07-2012, 05:55 AM

Thanks to all for the help. I'm continuing to watch the offerings on fleabay. I expect to find a low-use model at a fair price.
Then, I'll hunt for "the" macro lens so that I can get the shots I want.

**jamesnj** · 09-07-2012, 08:17 AM

If you're looking to buy used, consider a dealer rather than ebay. You'll get a warranty, and the camera will have been professionally checked before you buy it. I've bought a good bit of used gear from http://keh.com, and highly recommend them. Their BGN (bargain) rated equipment tends to be a really great value, in good working condition, but showing cosmetic signs of wear, but for a good price. I've ordered E (excellent) equipment from them, and it has looked practically new.

Before you get another camera that you might not love, be sure to check out the models in a store, if you can. I went into the DSLR market thinking I'd get a Canon, loving their specs. I picked one up in a store, and really disliked their control layout (I know many love it). I bought a Nikon and am very happy with it.

James