Dillemma, Canon S5 or Rebel XTI

[ezcompany]

My very first digital camera was a Canon Powershot S1 Ultrazoom. I bought this camera using my college's reward money for coming up with the best non-profit business plan. That was in 2003, and now it is starting to have a hard time focusing, and the screen sometimes turns fuzzy red.

I know there is no comparison with the S5 and the Rebel XTI, but pricewise there is. The S5 will cost me roughly $350 +/- while the XTI I plan on getting this lense for my normal day to day shooting:

EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=7337

and this one for my coral macros:
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7400

so its basically $1400 vs $350 and the S5 has a lot of good features with a pretty good ultra macro mode (from reviews) so it really should be a no brainer for the person with a limited budget (me).

However...I also cannot help but think how exciting it would be to be knowledgable in photography...and with the SLR you can expand more and more.

So my questions are, is it really worth investing in SLR from the beginning? Can the lenses be used practically forever with good care? Will the S5 give me all that I need? And are my lens choices above appropriate :D

Thanks everyone!

[gregr]

is it really worth investing in SLR from the beginning? Only you can answer that for you... for me, yeah, the answer is yeah :p Seriously though- if you really think you'll get pleasure from photography, from learning and improving and mastering it, then the answer is absolutely. It's a great hobby- just like reefkeeping.
Can the lenses be used practically forever with good care? Not forever but a very long time. That macro lens will last you your whole life if you take care of it, but you'll go thru many camera bodies in your lifetime. The zoom lens will likely last you a couple to a few years until you're ready to replace it with an "L" lens. That seems to be the way with most people that really get into photography.
Will the S5 give me all that I need? And are my lens choices above appropriate Again, only you can answer the first question. The lens choices are very good though some will argue against the 28-135. I used it for a couple years and found it adequate, and it's a great focal range. Finally replaced it with the 24-105L.

[Shoreliner11]

I also had an S1 though mine was an IS. I now have a Canon 350d or digital rebel xt. My progress as a photographer increased alot when buyin the 350d, partially because it was a better camera but mostly because they make you pay a bit more attention to f-stop, shutter, iso etc. Don't think you have to go out and buy all the lenses at once. I bought the camera with the crappy 18-55mm kit lens, but it has even proved its worth time and again. So, IMO get the XTi and maybe only get one lens. A couple months later...get another. From then on, lenses will compete with your aquarium for your spare money.

Aaron

[ezcompany]

Thanks for the input guys.
How competitive are the lenses that fit on the S5 with the lens adapter?

these are what i was thinking:


Canon Lens Adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=381970&is=REG

Canon Close up Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=87494&is=REG

Soft leather case
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=382892&is=REG

And maybe the Wide Angle Converter Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=381968&is=REG

Another friend is recommending the Pentax K100, and to use this lens

Canon Lens Adapter
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=381970&is=REG

Canon Close up Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=87494&is=REG

Soft leather case
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=382892&is=REG

And maybe the Wide Angle Converter Lens
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=381968&is=REG

for coral macro.

what do you guys think?

[gunnwong]

Have you consider FZ8 panasonic??

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10746194#post10746194 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gregr
The lens choices are very good though some will argue against the 28-135.

:D

[gregr]

Yeah yeah yeah... :lol: The one I had did just fine for close to two years.

[roblack]

I have a Canon G6 and have had several other digitals. Can't wait to get an SLR, the others always leave me wanting more.