Got a Rebel today

[poptom]

I ordered it from Samy's Sunday night and UPS tried to deliver Tuesday but I wasn't here to sign for it.

http://members.speedguide.net/poptom/rebel.jpg
I haven't tried it yet because the battery is on the charger. I got it with the standard zoom lens for a starter and figured I'd get a the feel of it before I buy other lenses. Bought a hood, a UV filter, and a polarizer on ebay last week.

My first observations:

The viewfinder image is much smaller than life size. I didn't expect that with an SLR.

The lens barrel is made out of plastic.

There are a lot of icons on it to sort out.

Gotta get a better neckstrap. Or maybe run this one through the washer a few times to soften it up. :D

On the good side, The camera is comfortable to hold and I don't see any barrel distortion with the zoomie at the widest setting.

--Tom

[Chris]

$1400 up here, don't think I'll be gettin one too soon :(


Me wants real bad.


Looks awesome, have fun

[qball15j]

I hear that's a really nice camera... I seen a couple reviews for it on TechTV.

[poptom]

Originally posted by Chris
$1400 up here...

That's about what I paid in US$ after adding a memory card, flash unit, and tax. My last two ebay sales of old camera stuff paid the bill. :)

--Tom

[Dakota]

Congrats!!!! Viewfinder smaller than life size? I sure hope so! if not, that viewfinder would be huge! :D

You hadn't shot it yet so I know you don't mean the viewfinder shows 99% of the actual frame...So, what do you really mean?

But, anyway, congrats! You'll have fun with that camera. Also, don't underestimate that lens. It's not half bad and for $100, you can't beat the price.

[poptom]

Originally posted by Dakota
You hadn't shot it yet so I know you don't mean the viewfinder shows 99% of the actual frame...So, what do you really mean?
On my film cameras with a normal lens in place, the v/f image is the same as seen with the naked eye. I can comfortably shoot with both eyes open. This one only reaches that point at maximum zoom position.

It's probably a design constraint due to the small size of the CMOS. I just didn't expect it.

I'll get used to it. It was just a shock to my system. :D

--Tom

[Dakota]

Isn't the Drebel about 95%?

[poptom]

Originally posted by Dakota
Isn't the Drebel about 95%?
Yes, it's 95% coverage which is fine. That leaves some leeway for cropping. It just seems so awfully small. The spec sheet says it's reduced to 80% size with a 50mm lens. It just kind of screws up my sense of perspective since I've spent 40 years seeing actual size in the viewfinder. It's a mental thing so I'll just have to retune my brain. :D

I'll have to study the booklet on this camera to learn how to use all its magical properties. Hand me a manual camera and I can take a fine set of pictures without even thinking. Just set the ap and speed, focus and "click" without having to explain to the camera what I want to accomplish. My eye is my lightmeter.

It's a nice camera, I'm sure. I just have to get in tune with it.

--Tom

[poptom]

Whee! I just now bought an EOS T-mount adapter on ebay so I'll be able to use a couple of long tellies that I have. Didn't know such a thing existed.

[Dakota]

The EOS lens mounting system has been around for a long time. There are gobs of adapters and other trick things that you'd love that are available.

[torsten]

Congrats on the purchase. I'm envious at the moment. ;) The Rebel's a nice camera. Its image sensor is the best you can buy for the $ right now. Even 1600 ISO is usable. I've seen some stunning pics come from them.

I wonder if the viewfinder size has anything to do with the pentamirror vs prism. I assumed it was due to the EFS lens being designed for the 22mm sensor, but maybe not. If the 10D viewfinder looks the same then it's probably the sensor size. Of course I really don't know what I'm talking about.

[mountainman]

Very nice !

I want one real bad.

How much did you score it for ?

[poptom]

Originally posted by torsten
I wonder if the viewfinder size has anything to do with the pentamirror vs prism. I assumed it was due to the EFS lens being designed for the 22mm sensor, but maybe not. If the 10D viewfinder looks the same then it's probably the sensor size. Of course I really don't know what I'm talking about.
It has to be in the viewing system. I expect the pentamirror is much smaller than the prism on a 35mm camera, therefore the light path is shorter and the image smaller. Perhaps if the magnification were greater, it would be too distorted. I did get the eypiece extender which adds a little magnification but it mostly just keeps my face off the LCD. Dunno, I presume Canon pretty much knows what they're doing so I'll accommodate. :D

I do like this camera but haven't yet had the opportunity to get out and use it.

--Tom

[poptom]

Originally posted by mountainman
How much did you score it for ?
From Samy's:

Camera with lens, $1000.
Eyepiece extender, $15.
Lexar 512MB 40X CF card, $160.
Speedlight, $120.

From Tiger:

Lexar USB2 six-way card reader, $30.
Generic spare battery, $25.

From American Eagle:
http://stores.ebay.com/id=38425442
(A great place for the little stuff)

Lens hood, $6.
Polarizing filter, $16.
UV filter, $16.

--Tom