I am starting the venture into looking into dSLRs. The price on this seems good, just wondering what others think of it/heard of it?

I am new to photog and right now using a Nikon L1. And that has me hooked on Macro shots (insects/nature). So I want to continue that. As well as variety of  lenses and more manual controls.

Thanks for any info/tips/advise all.
-Bruce

I don't have this particular camera but I am sure you would not be disappointed,  it has a fine reputation.
Combine it with a  macro lens from the: Canon, Sigma or Tamron range and you will have the kit to capture high quality insect/nature macros.

Attached Link: Rebel XT

Have fun!

I'm using the Rebel XTI..

a macro lens is next on my list..

The Olympus E500 is strong contender as well..

There are extension tubes available that will allow some great macro work.

I've been using the EOS 400D (Rebel) for a couple of weeks now, and all I can say is that I'm fascinated by the versality of this DSLR.
The anti-dust function comes in handy , and the high Megapixel count (10,1) and the moderately high ISO options (up to 1600) almost make this camera a must have.

Colours and contrast are very good to, and you won't have to many problems with high noise levels.

I'm very pleased with my purchase :)

Next to the other artists recommendation I would also consider the Nikon 40D.

Thanks so far for the feed back! Appreciate it a ton. I will look into to the others you have mentioned as well.
-B

striving: A couple of months ago I finally took the plunge and bought a Canon 30D and a Canon 24-105 F4 "L" lens. While I am very happy with the quality of the camera and lens, I must admit there was not as big of an improvement in photo quality as I was expecting (previous camera was a Canon S3).

What lenses you will need will depend on what you like to photograph. If you have only a few interests that can be covered with one lens, then your investment won't be that high. If, on the other hand, you will need a general purpose lens, a wide angle lens, and a tele-photo lens, flashes, etc, expect to spend a lot of money.

Personally, I am delaying the decision to buy more lenses and am debating selling my SLR to downgrade back to a pro-sumer model. Unfortunately, I am absolutely hooked on the quality, feel, and speed of the SLR.

As Gradient mentioned, SLR's are not for eveyone. If I buy one or two more lenses which I want to cover the zoom ranges that I like to shoot at, I will have at least $3500 invested in this setup. In my opinion, I don't think the price increase of the SLR+lenses setup is proportional to the increase in photo quality. Only you will be able to determine that for yourself based on your needs.

My favorite SLR features:

1. Autofocus speed
2. Quality and feel
3. Twisting the lens for zoom (instead of pushing a "zoom in" or "zoom out" button)
4. Saving files in the RAW format
5. Low noise at high ISO's
6. Manual focus ring on the lens

Dislikes:

1. Cost
2. LCD is for photo review/menu setup only, not as a viewfinder
3. Weight
4. Have to purchase and carry multiple lenses
5. Accessories are more expensive (and more of them)

Reasons for considering selling my SLR:

1. Portability of SLR+Lens+Accessories
2. Resell value - I would get most of my inital investment back
3. Additional lens costs if I kept the SLR

Matt

I use Rebel too. Never look back! I have it a last 4mnths now, some image still surprises me how good or what a quality on it. 

Good luck with your choice

seeya  Tunde

I love my Canon XTI. Fantastic dynamic range and features. And as mentioned above, its really the lenses you choose to utilize. Of course, I'm now jonsing for, and may even have to get the Canon D-5 here hopefully next month. After trying out a buddies, just the heavier duty body seems worth it on field shoots. I still plan to hold on to the XTI, cause its so handy having at least 2 cameras along with different lenses.

Cheers!

Kurt

I shoot with a Oly Evolt 500, but have used a rebel and was pleased with it overall, what sold me on the olympus was I wanted dust reduction and the xti was more than I wanted to spend for dust reduction and 2 more MP.

The Oly is a great choice too!   Actually fuzzy choice a bit because they both use a simular sensor.
I've been through the Nikon and Minolta Phase as well lol.  Now then of course there is the $22K Medium format Digital Hassleblad .. akkk !! :)

I'm using the XTi(400d), it's pretty good considering the price. My only major complaint is the size , of the LCD screen. Like you I LOVE MACROS!! and for most cases the screen is quite sufficient, but more resolution would help alot in determining how sharp your captures really are when your out and about. In my RR gallery about the 7 of my latest images are taken with the canon 60mm macro.

When you're thinking about getting the XTi, and you love macro shots, try and get the kit with the 18-55mm lens.
You can quickly turn this one into a very sufficient macro lense by simply detaching the lense and holding it onto the body reversed.

I tried it a couple of times myself and I was surprised how good it works.

I also shoot with the Olympus E500. It's an excellent camera, but a little different than the rest because of the Four-Thirds image standard. You might also consider the Sony A100... A highly recommended camera as well. Here's the full review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/

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

I've owned the Rebel (Canon EOS400d) since December 2006 and I'm very happy with it.
Since many years I am using an analog Canon camera. Two years ago I've bought the Canon Digital IXUS 500 and now the Rebel.
I am also very happy that I can use my objectives I've bought for the analog camera with the new canon also. That is no problem.

Now I'm on my way to detect more and more of the possibilities you have with the Rebel.
I'm having a lot of fun with this camera.

Thanks a ton for all the info. I am thinking a couple months more of checking others out i will be buying. But it sounds like a lot are happy with the Canon so far.

Really appreciate all your input, great group of people over here.
-Bruce

It is not possible to show the resolution of my results with the 400D on my renderosity gallery as I have to shrink the images down to fit. If you have a look most of the posts in the last 5 weeks are from this camera the exif data shows which ones. It has exceeded my expectations. The shooting rate is very good even when set on high res.

I bought the Canon XTi 400D about two weeks ago, and I am quite a novice, so my personal opinion is one of less experience than most around here, and I am a newbie to photography-- but I have no regret in getting this camera. I opted for the better kit lens- the 17-85MM with stabilization.  I have only begun to realize the potential of almost total control, but so far the learning experience has been more fun and educational than I could possibly explain.  I have never had a camera capable of such long exposures, depth of field previews, etc... that this camera offers. It blows me away, and is still more camera than I can handle as of yet.

I have read on this camera something about a DUST CONTROL System.. What exactly does it do? I assume dust is an issue while changing lenses? How does this camera help control that?

It's got a little piezo electric unit that vibrates the cover of the CMOS censor-- initiated on startup and shutdown.  Look at this video 1/4 of the page down: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06082416canoneos400drebelxti.asp

Quote - It's got a little piezo electric unit that vibrates the cover of the CMOS censor-- initiated on startup and shutdown.  Look at this video 1/4 of the page down: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06082416canoneos400drebelxti.asp

Cool deal, Thanks man!

I may be late on the comments here but I have the rebel...I love it....fantastic.  I use the kit lens more than anything.   It may not be as fancy and wonderful as the other canon lenses, but it just works and works well.  My 50mm macro lens is my other favorite.  The rebel has everything you need.  Another reason I went with Canon is price vs quality...you get awesome quality for a great price across the board.