Recommend the Rebel XT

I have always purchased Canon products. In the past I have owned 35mm slrs: T50, AE-1, Elan 7e and maybe some others. I find Canon superior to similar Nikon products.

The Rebel XT was my first digital SLR. I purchased a factory reconditioned model at a discounted price. I recommend it as a first digital because for one it is going down in price with the new Rebel XTi now on the market. And for another, it is unbelievably easy to use.

I have been tremendously impressed by what this camera does. I have used it extensively for business and home. I like to use what they call the Creative zones, meaning the Program (P), Shutter priority (Tv), and aperature priority (Av). I have yet to use the Depth of field zone or the manual. I have shot at most of the ISO settings with great sucess. I almost exclusively shoot on the highest quality settings for reproduction. I am impressed with the B/W settings including the sepia and other tones. All in all the whole camera works great and takes amazing pictures.

Here's what's the best feature about it as far as I am concerned. My wife knows little about photography. She would have no idea what ISO or shutter priority is, and wouldn't care. But she also uses the camera with ease by using the fully auto setting or sometimes one of the other Basic settings. It still produces great pictures.

I would heartily recommend the Rebel XT. I looked at the newer XTi and it is also an impressive camera but it costs $200-$300 more and has only a few additional features.