About
Love technology, avid golfer, computer geek, Into music and the equipment that it can be reproduced, played, or recorded on. Former sound engineer.
Reviews (8)
20 January 2010
Canon Rebel XS solid intro camera for DLSR
25 of 26 found this helpful If you are a first time DSLR buyer like I was, I recommend doing some serious research before buying anything. Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Sony (which is Konica/Minolta) all have good DSLR's to choose from. Look at the features of each model and line and do some research into optics. The lenses are the real heart and soul of this kind of camera but they are going to cost you. Figuring out what you are going to shoot is a start.
I chose the Canon Rebel 1000D XS because of the combination of features and price. As I said earlier this is my first DSLR. My first digital was an Olympus Camedia point and shoot (p&s), and while I enjoyed the convenience of digital, especially when it came to viewing and editing, I realized that I missed the control that I had with my old Minolta SLR film camera particularly when it came to focus and extreme light conditions. Unfortunately the 1000+ price tag on the original DSLR's made them unaffordable for me. So I waited.
The Rebel XS 1000D I bought cost me a bit over $400 (ebay) with the 18-55mm kit lense.
The Canon Rebel XS has all the automated features that p & s cameras have with the added advantage that you can shut them all off and control your own view of the world. Even while in auto-focus (AF) mode the viewer on this XS tells you about your f-stop, shutter, and aperture settings are before taking a snap.
I am still playing with and learning about this camera. The Rebel XSI is the next level up for this model. The two were similar enough that I chose the less expensive one. The XSI does have a few more features than the XS so you may want to consider that camera as well. Both of them are Canons so you know that the quality will be good.
Be aware also that this is a sub-frame camera. The actual pictures are smaller than ones on a standard or full frame camera. The photo sensor that replaced your 35mm film is smaller than the area that got exposed on 35mm film. This is why this camera line is under $1000. The "full frame" sized sensors are in the more expensive models however with technology advancing, the full sensors should eventually make is down to the intro-levels. What this means for this camera is that if you should use older EF lenses, your actual shot will be cropped around all four sides. Not a big issue, but something to consider on tight squeezes.
JKE
25 January 2010
Learner Lens
I bought the Canon EF 35-80mm lens because I had just bought my first DSLR and it was an affordable alternative to the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my Canon 1000D XS. New DSLR camera owners who are not seasoned photographers are going to quickly discover that lenses are the real investment in the world of SLR and DSLR cameras. I don't recommend going into this world without doing some serious homework on optics and it is the optics that really make the picture.
Most of the lenses recommended by the pros cost significantly more than the commercially priced DSLR camera bodies being sold today (Dec-2009). The kit lenses that are sold with new Canon cameras are rarely of any quality to the pros, however they are the lenses that most people shoot their first pictures with. The Canon EF 35-80 lens was a kit lens sold with older commercially priced Canon Rebel EOS 35mm film cameras. I has an EF mount so it will work with the newer DSLR Canons although you will lose the outer edges of your shot unless you shooting with a full frame model.
For the most part this lens is thought of as nothing more than a glorified lens cover that you can take pictures with! It's optics are fair to average at best, the glass is slow, and the auto-focus (AF) is there. This is coming from folks who have used higher quality lenses and have developed the eye to notice these issues. For my part the EF 35-80mm lens is very serviceable, especially for beginners, who are still learning the nuances of quality photography and don't have $2500 to drop on a the better lenses that Canon makes. If anything, this is a good learning lens that operates as an IQ test for what good photography is about. If/When you can recognize the 35-80mm's limitations it's time to move onto better lenses. If you don't get to that point, than you've found yourself a very affordable and potent option to the kit lens that came with your digital shooter and for some folks that's all they need.
14 June 2009
Callaway Hawkeye still relevant
3 of 3 found this helpful Last year I spent most of the season watching my overpriced 460 Driver sit in my bag because I was consistently hitting my old Hawkeye 3 wood straighter and where I needed to be off the tee. After 35 years of golfing I realized that all the technology and money in the world will not save a golfer from their inconsistent swing mechanics and lack of confidence in what they are hitting.
This spring I decided to try locating a Hawkeye driver to compliment the rest of the woods in my bag. I found 2. A 9 and a 10 degree here on e-bay for under $50 each. One trip to the driving range and I put the 460 up for sale.
This club may be 10 years old but it still has the Callaway quality built into it, and while it continues to work with my swing I will be hitting the fairways with it.