Hi striving,

I've owned a Rebel XT since August of 2006 and I have to say I've been very happy with it! Prior to the XT I used Canon point and shoots (the A80 was the last I had). I do mostly nature type shots. Not much macro, but that's something I do want to do.

I originally went to buy a Nikon D50 (the D70 was slightly out of my range). After handling them both I felt like the Canon felt a little better in my hand. Of course, this will vary between people and hand sizes. :)

The "kit lens" isn't the best, but I think you'll be suprised to find out it's not quite as horrible as alot of people make it out to be. Course, compared to L glass it's absolute crap, but for beginning photographers I think it's great. I used it for awhile until I knew enough where I wanted a sharper shot.

Take a look at Robert Mekis' gallery on deviantart (http://robertmekis.deviantart.com/). He primarily uses the Digital Rebel and the Digital Rebel XT, with the kit lens, to do his panoramas. I think it's a glowing representation of what the kit can do.

-Melen