Looks like a great deal to me if it's all in working order. Make sure it includes at least one battery and the recharger to go with it. The manual would be good, but it should be available to download from the web if necessary..

It should also have a memory card, but these are becoming so cheap now it's not so much of an issue if it doesn't have one. You'll also need a device to connect your memory card to the PC, they can be had for under 10..

To get you going on your PC, maybe downloads Google's Picassa - it's free and allows basic photo manipulation..

Hope that answers your question..

Bob.

Daleofmesa wrote:.

First let me date myself. I have not touched an SLR for over 10years. My last experience was with a Minolta 101, lens were a 50 andan 85. I have an opportunity to purchase a Canon XT with the kit lensand also the 75-300 zoom for less than $300. This equipment isfactory reconditioned and it seems like to good of a deal not to takeit..

The real question I have is what should I expect and maybe not expectwhen I receive this outfit. How much will I need to re-learn from theold days of film. I always was just a hobbist. Thanks for any help.Dale.

Bob.

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Can't help you with the Canon specific stuff, but, well... some things never change. You'll still need to learn the quirks of your particular setup, you'll still need to read the instruction manual (perhaps more so with digital) and you'll still need to have an eye for a good picture. The big differences between film and digital -.

New jargon - how does RAW, JPEG, sensor, pixel density, anti-aliasing, Unsharp Mask and colour space sound? (just to name a few). What used to be simple is now a mess of technical terms. But you'll learn them fairly swiftly, and most you'll be able to ignore for quite a while, some forever..

No film (obviously) - replaced by memory cards. There's no more sending films away and getting back prints; now, it's mostly down to you to 'develop' and print your pix. There's a lot of places around that will print straight-from-the-camera JPG files, but most of your images will look better if you spend some time tweaking them. Which leads to....

Computers - if you want to tweak your photos personally, you'll need one. Which, I would guess, you already have (seeing as you posted here). You'll also need....

Software - from free and easy (IrfanView and the like) to expensive and horribly complex (Photoshop etc), it's a new world for you to discover. Fun for all the family!.

Batteries - there is no such thing as a battery-free digital camera. You will need them, or you will not shoot!.

Freedom! - No more counting the cost with each frame exposed. Digital image making is (essentilly) free. Shoot whatever, whenever, as much as you like. The downside is the time you'll spend in front of your computer instead of out shooting, but there ain't no such thing as a free lunch..

Immediate feedback - you can see what you've done straight away on the LCD. Not really recommended for critical decisions, but it gives you an idea of how you're going. And you can check exposure with the histogram (more jargon), to make sure that it's right. The other benefit is that all the camera settings are recorded on the picture file, so that you no longer need to carry a notebook around with you to write down all the details. Make it really easy to learn, if you're willing to put the time into it..

There's lots more differences too, but you'll have no trouble adjusting. Jump in, the water's fine. Any skills you have in regard to basic camera handling are still relevant. The only new things are going to be the camera specific details and using the software. And that comes one step at a time..

Welcome to the New World(tm)! Hang around here and ask questions, and soon you'll be answering them to help others. And don't forget the relevant forum for your chosen weapon..

Rob.

Everyone, everywhere, has to do everything for a first time. There is no failure in failure, only in failing to learn...

Hi Dale,.

I recently made the film> digital move myself - huge learning curve but so much fun and this forum is always on hand to be helpful as is the ever presetn WWW!.

Like previous posters have said, learning is essentially free, I have been doing so much experimenting with my new kit but not had to pay a cent for film, processing, prints etc so I am not worries about shooting a lot..

Here is a thread that may have some interesting points for you:.

Http://forums.dpreview.com/...ums/readflat.asp?forum=1034&thread=23562729.

I say go for it and have fun!.

FallingphotogirlSydney, Australia.

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As the others have said; taking pictures is just the same with some added advantages like being able to change from "daylight film" to "artificial light" film from shot to shot and being able to change the "film speed" and increase the "grain/noise" as you go....

No need to tell you that you get instant feedback - but it takes a bit of getting used to and, of course, they will tell you to shoot a lot as it's free. This brings me to an important point; go away for a couple of weeks and, with film, you fire away and then spend a small amount on the next roll of film or cassette. You can't do this with digital. When the card is full you have to put a new empty one in because casual buying of media cards just isn't on..

A lot of people like post processing but I reckon you should get the picture right before taking it. Luckily minor tweaks (getting the horizon level, vertical perspective, contrast and brightness) are easily done with free or cheap software. Whatever you do don't fall for the "you must have expensive software" line a lot of people will force on you..

One last point, it is very easy to experiment with digital but you'd be amazed how many can't be bothered to try things to see if they work. Despite the instant feedback..

Regards, David..

Hi, Dale,.

Shoot just as carefully as you did with the old 101 set-up and your new digital camera should exceed your expectations. The main difference now is that thanks to being able to instantly review the shots to see what's happing, and even later on you can easily rescue detail from shadow areas with post processing. So shoot as you might have done with slide film and watch the histogram keeping the graph spread across to the right hand side. I'd advise getting the latest Photoshop Elements and then you'll be able to follow the advice from the modern magazines. For example UK magazine 'Digital Camera' August edition has a great tutorial CD for that kind of stuff.Digital can be liberating... enjoy the journey..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

Thanks for the feedback everyone. This is kind of like the first day on a new job. Really exciting and scary at the same time.Dale..

Daleofmesa wrote:.

First let me date myself..

I wonder if dating yourself is considered to be some form of incest? .

I have an opportunity to purchase a Canon XT with the kit lensand also the 75-300 zoom for less than $300. This equipment isfactory reconditioned and it seems like to good of a deal not to takeit..

Where is this deal? Does not sound legit to me..

Seen in a fortune cookie:Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed..

I am getting it from my uncle. He purchased several items before he quit Canon. This has been in his closet for about 6 months...

Daleofmesa wrote:.

The real question I have is what should I expect and maybe not expect.

Expect to spend a whole lot more money than you'd ever have thought possible. .

'Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!'.

Tom Younghttp://www.pbase.com/tyoung/..

The best information you've received thus far is from BraveUlysses.I moved from film to digital well over 5 years ago so a lot is 2nd nature to me..

While digital provides you with the opportunity to shoot to your heart's content, I have not changed my shooting style since going digital. As and example, I don't machinegun images rather compose and shoot. My 5 YO DSLR has under 7,000 actuations and my newer model is under 3,000 so that's under 10,000 in a bit over 5 years. While that number may seem huge, I've read of photographers that have worn out 150,000 actuation shutters in less than a year.Take the same care with your shooting style as you would with a film DSLR..

For software, I've highly recommended FastStone Viewer (http://www.faststone.net ) which includes editing tools. The price is right and it's very comprehensive..

As you start, stick with jpg at the highest quality for your camera. Push your lenses to their limit until you find that you're limited at either the long or short end and make your lens buying decisions based on your style and not what lenses are recommended by fellow Forum members as well intentioned as they might be.Most of all, enjoy yourself!Troll WhispererBill Turner..

One thing you'll need to adjust to is auto-focusing. The old Minolta manual-focus cameras had large viewfinders, lots of focusing aids, and fast primes (that let a lot of light into the viewfinder). On a DSLR you will probably want to let the camera do the focusing but you will need to be aware of what it picks as a focus point, so you can override it's default choice if necessary...