Digital Imaging and Photography → [Tech] Thoughts on the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 18-55 Kit

Hello,

I am looking to get my daughter a DSLR camera to start out with. She already has a few Sony P&S and really turns out some good pics for scrap book work. She is 14 and wants to get a little more serious with photography.
I was looking at something affordable and thought that a combination of the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 18-55 Kit and an upgrade to to Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 from version 3 would be a good start.
I am not really concerned if this would be a used once item and then packed away since I have seen her take a camera with her almost everyday.

So any thoughts on the Camera / Software combo would be much appreciated.

The camera is a fine started piece, but unless you're ready to put out for more lenses and an external flash you may want to look at a higher end P&S

The Rebel is an excellent camera and it has come down in price quite a bit since it was first introduced. The camera is very capable, has many features she can learn to use, and produces good images. The 18-55 is a good lens for the money, it will give a good range to start with and is a good value for the money. Elements is very feature packed and again a great bargain for about $99. If I was 14 I would be real excited to get all this if I was into photography. (I got my first SLR at about 14 and haven’t stopped since and I am quite a bit older than that now : ). You have chosen 3 very good, capable products that all are a great bang for the buck which she should be very happy with. Just be prepared once you start buying it seems like it never stops, you are always buying lenses, flashes, filters, etc. etc. etc. Good luck!

Hey Exit, thanks for the feedback. I thought about about a higher end P&S. But it seems that for a few dollars more that puts me in the Digital Rebel XT price range.

I understand the issue of willing to put out for additional lenses and external flash. I guess I would be concerned with buying a P&S and later it is revealed that I should have gone DSLR than if I bought a DSLR and realize I wont need to invest in additional lenses or flash.

I subscribe to the idea of spending a little more the first time even if it meant it was overkill than not pay enough in the beginning and later have to pay through the nose.

I suppose the question would be if the camera is conservative enough or just not a good move? I don't know, maybe I am not asking the right question(s).

Edit: Just replaced keyboard.

I think your starting at a good place for your daughter. The xt is nice for small hands, doesn't wiegh too much unless you have huge lenses and external flash on. My wife has the XT and really likes it. The next step is to create an account here for her so she can share her images with us.

I have no problem with the XT and the kit lens. I don't use the kit lens as much anymore but if you look through my gallery here you'll find a bunch of shots I shot through the kit lens. Finding the sweet spot on that lens is the key.

I had a chance to borrow an XT lately, and it was my first experience with a DSLR. Other than the small size (I am 6'4" after all), I found it pretty easy to use and quick to learn. The four pics in my gallery were shot with it, and were my first. Some minor editing to adjust the contrast and brightnes, which were due to my inexperience.

I don't know how others feel about it, and I don't have any experience with it, but I think the Pentax K100d gets fair ratings, and I believe the price is pretty good.

I would second a higher end P&S like the Panasonic FZ50, unless as already stated, you want to invest in lenses and a flash as well.

If a dSLR is a must I would, at this point and time, forget everything else out there and go with a Pentax dSLR. This opens up a huge range of cheaper lenses since you can use all the older lenses on them as well. The K10D is an amazing camera and offer image stabilization as well as anti-dust for around $999. The K100D is also an excellent camera and is more affordable at around $512-$699 with 18-55mm kit lens.