Newest Rebel in the Pack - Canon EOS Rebel Ti

In the summer of 2002 Canon introduced its newest and most innovative and redesigned EOS Rebel line of cameras. This newest camera is called the EOS Rebel Ti. With history behind the Rebel line of cameras, Canon can boast that this particular camera has been one of its most popular and most sought after entry level auto-focus SLR camera.

For several years, the Canon EOS Rebel 2000 camera was very popular and even garnered the industry's top award for best seller (Photographic Trade News).

Recognizing the need to separate itself from the rest of the pack, Canon decided to totally revamp the body style and ergonomics of the EOS Rebel line. Gone is the usual black styled body and in with a new silver colored body. Gone is the plastic lens mount and in with a new metal lens mount that was most requested by many professional photographers. Finally, the only thing missing was a compact and light weight design! Introducing the first EOS Rebel of the new millennium, the Canon EOS Rebel Ti!

THE FEATURES

New Body Design - Canon engineers decided to throw away the look of a normal 35mm auto-focus SLR. The release button and grip unit has been replaced with a new radical triangle shaped design that better fits small and large hands.

Three Auto Focusing Selection - You can choose One-Shot Auto Focus which is your all around focusing choice. AI Servo allows you to track movement such as people running around, sports or wildlife. AI Focus allows the photographer to switch from One Shot to AI Service when needed.

Seven-Point Auto-Focusing Points - There are five horizontal and two vertical focusing points for accurate vertical autofocusing.

Metal Lens Mount - On previous EOS Rebel series of cameras, Canon engineers used a polybicarbonate material that is similar to fiber-glass in design. Many consumers complained about the 'plastic' lens mount. But this plastic mount has not caused any alarm in the twelve years in which Canon incorporated this design. Good bye plastic, hello metal! The new EOS Rebel Ti incorporates a new metal mount that was taken from it's older brothers, the EOS 1v, EOS 3 and EOS 7/E.

Built-in Flash Design - Many of today's cameras features a built-in flash. But there was a problem with the flash so close to the lens axis. That problem was red-eye. That ghastly looking red dot in the middle of your subject's eyes. Canon engineers raised the built0in flash approximately 3/8th inches allowing better coverage and reducing red-eye problems even more!

Weight: 12.9 Ounces without batteries
Shutter Speeds: Bulb, 30 seconds to 1/2000th second.
Flash Synch: 1/90 second can be set in 1/2 increments
AF Control Focusing: CMOS sensor with 7 focusing points
Film Speed Setting: ISO 25-5000 DX coded. Manually set ISO 6-6000. Both in 1/3 increments.
Film Loading: Automatic pre-loading (Camera advances to the end of roll for first exposure).
Flash Guide Number: 39ft using ISO 100 film
Power Source: Two (2) CR2 batteries
Shooting Capacity: Approximately 25 rolls (24 exposure) with 30% flash useage.


THE COMMAND DIAL

Automatic Depth of Field AE (A-DEP) - Allows you to determine where focusing begins and ends. A great example would be when photographing people against a back drop such as a building or point of interest. This mode will allow you to have sharp focus between your subject and the background.

Manual Exposure (M) - Shutter speed and aperture must be set manually. You have full control over exposure.

Aperture Priority (Av) - You choose the aperture and the camera will set the appropriate shutter speed automatically.

Shutter Priority (Tv) - You choose the shutter speed and the camera will set the appropriate aperture automatically.

Intelligent Program (P) - This is the mode the majority of people will use when taking photographs. The camera will set shutter and aperture settings automatically.

OFF - This turns your camera off when not in use.

Full Auto (Green) - In this mode you have no control over aperture or shutter settings. This is an excellent mode for someone who is not familiar with photography but still wants to take an excellent photograph.

Portrait - This setting is ideal for any portrait or head shots of people or pets.

Landscape - Great for scenic shots or photographs of the mountains or anything far off at a distance.

Close-Up - Ideal for macro photography or flowers.

Sports - This mode is ideal for sporting events or anything with fast action or movement.

Night Scene - Ideal for night photography such as city scenes at night. The camera will choose a slow shutter speed so make sure you use a tripod when using this mode.

ON THE FIELD

The camera is very light weight and very easy to hold. Even with a professional lens attached the camera isn't cumbersome meaning you won't be fatigued traveling with it.

All controls are within easy finger reach but learning each function will require study of the instruction manual. For intermediate photographers, it may take several days for you to fully comprehend the entire camera's functions.

I used a Canon EF28-105USM, EF24-70/2.8L and EF100-400IS USM lens and a Speedlite 420EX flash to test exposure for both indoor and outdoor exposures. The built-in flash did a decent job of covering most subjects within 20 feet of the camera at 28-80mm. After 80mm I used my Canon Speedlite 420EX flash with excellent results.

The auto-focusing speed met my expectation for an entry level camera. Film advance is ideal for the every day snap shooter at 2 frames a second. Many photographers dislike this slowness but the average photographer does not take photos in rapid succession as a professional.

After printing both print and slide films, I was critical on focusing and exposure compensation. Using the standard lens that came with the camera, the focusing was average. When used with the EF28-105USM lens, the focusing was even sharper. I generally use slide films to see what the camera sees and my test was right on target. All of my slides was sharply focused and had rich color saturation.

I highly recommend this camera for those looking for an entry level auto focus camera. It is very light weight and easy to hold. It is also an excellent camera for students to learn about cameras.

For ease of use you can't get any better! Become a Rebel!

WARRANTY: One (1) year