markovwgti 0 #1 February 11, 2008 Cant make my mind up...gona use it for skydiving of course...definetly tandem photos in the future...whcih would you reccommend? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefalle 0 #2 February 11, 2008 Which can you afford? They are both great cameras and will work fine for what you want. If I had the choice I would go with the XTI. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markovwgti 0 #3 February 11, 2008 i can afford both....what about the canon 30d and 40d...too heavy you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueSBDeath 2 #4 February 12, 2008 If you can.........go 40D, this will be my next Canon body!!!! Stay Safe, ArvelBSBD...........Its all about Respect, USPA#-7062, FB-2197, Outlaw 499 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #5 February 12, 2008 I've owned both the XT and XTi. Overall, don't spend too much time on the decision, it's just not worth it because they are so similar. The XTi has a few advantages...better autofocus (if you plan to use it) and supposedly slightly better high-ISO performance. But in reality, I can't tell which camera took which pictures. Picture quality is basically identical. XTi has some downsides. Bigger files take up more hard drive space, transfer slower, and fewer fit on a memory card. Battery life isn't as good either. I like the big screen on the back with all the settings, but it does use more battery power. Two extra megapixels isn't an advantage, in my opinion, because the pictures look the same from either camera. Can't really use those extra megapixels very effectively. Both are great cameras though. XT is probably a better value, but the XTi is nice too. I'm guessing the XT will be going out of production real soon if it hasn't already, since the XSi is coming out. Might drop the price... Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markovwgti 0 #6 February 12, 2008 nice write up...im gona shoot down to best buy and play with the xti and 40d....the 40d doesnt seem like it has many more advantages over the xti when they are compared! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #7 February 12, 2008 40D has better autofocus, much better high-ISO performance (for low light), and a bunch of other stuff you won't need. It's definitely a better camera, but I personally don't think the extra features are worth the increased size and weight... at least not until I figure out what the limitations of the XTi are that the 40D overcomes. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #8 February 12, 2008 Are you planning on using the camera for jumping only, or are you planning on shooting a lot on the ground too? The rebels are great for skydiving since they are so small and lightweight (and cheap), but for on the ground I don't like them, too small for my taste. Also the extra features of the 40d will come in handy on the ground. The 40d is by far the better camera, more weatherproof and more durable, also nice for skydiving, but it's also heavier and more expensive, might be overkill for most people for skydiving use only but a ground photographer should love it. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #9 February 12, 2008 Quote The rebels are great for skydiving since they are so small and lightweight (and cheap), but for on the ground I don't like them, too small for my taste. I never experienced that problem until the other day when I added a big flash to mine. Holy crap, it suddenly feels like a miniature camera. Gives my hand a cramp to hold it for a few minutes. Wonder what it'll do to my neck when I get the flash mounted to my helmet somehow. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HSPScott 0 #10 February 12, 2008 @ B&H: XT: $469 XTi: $519 For the $40 I'd get the XTi. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 February 12, 2008 QuoteThe rebels are great for skydiving since they are so small and lightweight (and cheap), but for on the ground I don't like them, too small for my taste. I think the size thing really depends on the size of your hands. The XTi fits my hands perfectly but it's way too small for my s/o's hands. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #12 February 12, 2008 Agree. For jumping (meaning for tandems) the 40D is way too much. The investment to buy a 40D is only worth it if you going to use it on the ground too for lot of action photography. (but then you need to spend even more for lenses). The XT is a very good camera, even that one is almost an overkill for tandems. -Laszlo- ps. according with your profile you're still kinda far away to photograph tandems... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the_sarge 0 #13 February 12, 2008 What i specifically like about the 40D, is that it shoots 6,5 frames per second... This comes in handy in exit-shots and is, in my opinion, one of the most important advantages of the 40D. Of course, the magnesium body is a lot more durable too... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #14 February 12, 2008 For a good exit shot you need a good exit from both the jumpers (in this case the tandem pair) and the photographer. If you want to rely on frame rate as some one mentioned already a movie camera would be the best choice (like the ARRI 235 which can take 75 35mm frames a second...) But trust me if the exit goes bad... no good shot. If it goes well there's is a good shot (of course the photographer still need to know his stuff...). Good photos are coming from good skydives and good photographers not from the frame rate of the camera! (...of course there's still need a good light, a good lens, and etc...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markovwgti 0 #15 February 12, 2008 not planning on doing any sort of tandem photos till the end of the summer or when my jump numbers get up there...i just want to get the camera now..learn the settings and know what i am doing with it so when the time comes to use it to make money and get good shots i know what im doing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #16 February 12, 2008 Sounds like a good plan, working the ground, learning how the camera functions, understanding shutter, aperture, composition are all things many camera people don't seem to understand. Learning those things on the ground is the best way to figure it out, IMO. I'd also suggest that when you do put the camera on your head, you start with video, then work stills into your jump later on, or vice versa, but don't attempt to do both at the same time. That was the advice I received early on, and it was good advice, IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markovwgti 0 #17 February 12, 2008 DSE i am taking that advice very seriously and it will be a while until i throw a still on my head!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #18 February 12, 2008 Quote Quote The rebels are great for skydiving since they are so small and lightweight (and cheap), but for on the ground I don't like them, too small for my taste. I think the size thing really depends on the size of your hands. The XTi fits my hands perfectly but it's way too small for my s/o's hands. I don't have big hands, but I still find the digi rebels, nikon d40x etc too small for comfort. I also tend to hang a lot of stuff on my camera, like a flash, sometimes more flash-es, macro bracket for flash, some fairly heavy lenses. If you try to hang a 80-400mm lens or 80-200 f/2.8 lens from a lightweight (plasticky) camera you may very well damage it... When I shoot handheld macro, balancing a 150mm f/2.8 from a D200 feels much better then from my D80 let alone a D40 Of course if all you ever use is the kit lens, no issues there. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laszloimage 0 #19 February 12, 2008 I use my XT for tandem landing photos with the Canon 70-200 f2.8 USM IS lens for 2yrs now. Every day! So far it didn't break... ...yeh the 5D fits better in my hand though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMFin 0 #20 February 13, 2008 Have you tried a Battery Grip ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pbwing 0 #21 February 13, 2008 That is the best advice by far. Also, there are tons of great resources including http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/. I use this site a lot not only for info, but for getting feedback on shots I've taken. There are also some great 'bibles' of photography that are worth a read. I found "Understanding Exposure" was an excellent resource. Most people underestimate or don't understand the importance of aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how they relate to each other... My .02 cents! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MajorDad 0 #22 February 13, 2008 I have had my XTi for over a year now and love it. It is also worth it to invest in good quality lenses to go with it. Enjoy whichever way you go!! Major Dad CSPA D-579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #23 February 13, 2008 Quote Have you tried a Battery Grip ? I have a battery grip on my D200, and i love it. The camera is better balanced and I love the extra button. A battery grip won't help you prevent a heavy lens damaging a plastic lens mount however. Why do people buy a tiny camera (D40x, 400D) and then add a grip because it is too small, why not buy one size bigger camera (D80, 40D) in the first place? Usually the price difference for these cameras isn't that great after adding the grip... Unless you need a small camera for other purposes, like skydiving, backpacking, i think it's kinda funny ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #24 February 13, 2008 The Canon's have all metal mounts on the camera's, its on some of the cheaper lenses they have moved to a plastic mount.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #25 February 13, 2008 QuoteA battery grip won't help you prevent a heavy lens damaging a plastic lens mount however. Both the XT and XTi have metal lens mounts. Not a concern. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
