• Two Rebels
• Features
• Compatible lenses

Photo: Canon

Using a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera can do wonders for your photography. By upping your ISO, you are able to shoot in low light conditions without a flash, adjusting for white balance. The Canon Rebel is pretty well priced considering the features it offers.

It’s not the biggest of DSLRs but then it is compact and not as heavy, so it’s easy to carry around.

Two Rebels

There is a newer version of the Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR – the Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR camera. Whichever model you choose, the Rebel takes a good quality photograph and it’s also a pleasure to use. Also, ergonomically speaking, it feels good in your hands.

Features

It’s worth spending some time learning what you can do with its dials and buttons but here are some first impressions: the camera has a high resolution sensor which means that images look great. You can still manage to see the screen when you’re trying to get overhead shots and the viewfinder is large and bright.

The flash exposure compensation adds to the toolkit, as does the timer function which has a custom mode – meaning you can tell the Rebel how many successive shots you want taken in one go. This saves a lot of backwards and forwards running around when you’re doing self-portraits.

Also, the camera’s ISO button is easy to access. And the camera can adjust the ISO value automatically, not forgetting that the higher the ISO, the less images you can store on the Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP memory card.

Compatible lenses

A kit lens comes with the camera. Although it is image stabilised, it may seem a bit lightweight if you’re a serious photographer. That doesn’t stop this camera from being highly effective, though, since you can use other lenses, like the Canon 50 mm 1.8 lens.

Yes, it’s also lightweight but the Canon 50 mm 1.8 lens isn’t precious. It’s a bargain and a great way to start. If you own a Canon DSLR, you should try and get one of these. Otherwise opt for the Canon 50 mm 1.4 which is faster but pricier, and a good lens to use for low-light conditions.

For seriously close up work, there’s the Canon Macro 60 mm. It’s not cheap but a great buy for seriously up close and personal work. Also not for the faint hearted is the Canon 24-70 mm zoom. It has a large range of uses and it is fast – but the downside is that it’s heavy.

To summarise the Rebel, it’s a really good quality camera and well priced considering all its features. Add a macro lens and you’ll be having your cake and eating it too.