Best $50 Ultra Budget DSLR Camera in 2024 - Canon EOS Rebel XT

The Rebel XT is a bargain of a DSLR camera and great entry for first time shooters into the world of photography. Especially at it's budget used price of $50 and under for the body. The Canon Rebel XT DSLR camera was released by Canon in 2005 and quickly became infamous for it's small form factor, RAW shooting, and ability to utilize a variety of Canon EF and EF-S lenses to take great pictures. It was used for many many years worldwide as the standard bearer in photography classes. The same model is also known internationally as the Canon 350D.
With the kit 18-55mm lens, it's still under $100 used, and if you pair it with my top choice of a 24MM STM lens, you can get that combo for around $150 used, and a little more new. You can find the 24MM here new on Amazon: amzn.to/3HksQWZ
This video goes through sample images shot with the Rebel XT, and some helpful tips for composing the best pictures possible!
Other very similar models to the Canon Rebel XT include the XTi, Rebel XS and Rebel XSi, so if you have or find those models, then they will be very comparable to the Rebel XT featured in this video. For a jump in price of around $50-75, you can bump up to the T1i or T2i models, which give better resolution, better autofocus, live view capability, video functionality, and Magic Lantern compatibility.
The Rebel XT utilizes a Compact Flash (CF) Card for memory, NOT regular SD cards, but will easily plug into a computer via a USB cable to download pictures taken. The Battery for the camera is the Canon NB-2L battery, but given this camera's age, many original batteries are no longer viable, but there are third party options available inexpensively should you need.
The Canon Digital Rebel XT is a DSLR legend for a reason, and even though it lacks the bells and whistles of newer technology, can still offer some great photo capability in 2024.
#camera #photography #canon #mirrorless #camerareviews #reviews #ad
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[@ronjenkins4257]

Still have my XTi, it doesn't get much use these days but it has a place in my heart. Built like a rock, better build quality than today's entry level gear

[@pricklypearcamera]

Nice! Good ol' XTi, I've used and sold a bunch of them along with the rebel XT. Do you still use it occasionally?

[@ronjenkins4257]

@@pricklypearcamera Occasionally, yes. I have a Sigma ring flash (I'm into macro photography) that doesn't seem to want to work with my newer Canon T7i, so at times I get the XTi out. I should try the ring flash on my new Canon R8 (maybe a firmware update in the flash is needed).

[@kelvinsakala]

Love how you recommend these great old dslr though am so much on the video production side than photography, I would like you to recommend an old dslr canon for video specifically

[@pricklypearcamera]

Well for video, older T1i and T2i do shoot video, but if you bump up a bit in price to around $200 used for a body, the T5i shoots 1080P video at 24 and 30 FPS. But if you bump up another $60-70, you can get a Canon 70D used for around $275, and that is quite a capable video recording camera, I've shot a few clips for youtube videos with it. Some have added a mic and even shot short movie productions with it. Offers better autofocus which is quite important. Even though it was released in 2013, it could be a good fit for you. You could also consider a newer R50, which is not a DSLR but mirrorless, and gives you killer autofocus, and 4k shooting capability, that's certainly more spendy, but more "future proof". Body used is going to in the $500+ range. Hope that helps!

[@kelvinsakala]

you're the best sir, thank you so much you've helped

[@michaelbell75]

Ive had all the Rebels and it's all about the lenses. Put good lenses on them and they will work in 2024. My T5i with the 50 f/1.2 still takes some fantastic photos, You just have to be mindful of the limitations like not so great AF, zero DR, noise above 800 ISO etc...

[@pricklypearcamera]

Quite true!

[@maxalmonte14]

I didn't understand a single word of what you said except for "you can upgrade to another body and use the same lenses", so I guess I should start with one of these.

[@anachronismic]

From beginner perspective, the other major thing I think is that it is aps-c, so if you look for examples, the focal lengths people are talking about might look different than they do on the camera

[@TBGTOMPHOTO]

I have the XT and the T3i (owned them both back in the day) and I would suggest the T3i over the XT. That little LCD on the back of the XT is nearly useless.

[@pricklypearcamera]

Yep! The t3i has come down in price too, in the $100-125 range for the body.

[@fanoffans5467]

I’m thinking about buying a Nikon 60D with a Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens for about 85 dollars. Would this be a good purchase? Or would you recommend anything else.

[@pricklypearcamera]

A nikon D60 with an 18-70mm for about $85 USD is right about exactly or just shy of where the market price is for that kit, so I would say it's a fair price. Any idea of the shutter count? It's pretty easy to check, just google D60 shutter count and there are a few options that are free I think. I enjoy shooting with the D60. Just like the Rebel XT, the autofocus is a bit limited, but I've seen some great pro level shots out of the D60.

[@fanoffans5467]

@@pricklypearcamera shutter count is 26,366.

[@pricklypearcamera]

@@fanoffans5467 Ok, I think the shutter expectation on the D60 is around 75-100k, so should have quite a bit of life left on it. That's right in the average range for the Nikon D60's I've used. (I've sold over 100 in the last 5 years).

[@SquiresLawerwnce]

I would like by two camra

[@mannycardoso2866]

I thought you would have gone with the nikon d40. Similar specs and much better build quality and feel. Going for Similar price. Oh, and what a bright view finder!

[@pricklypearcamera]

I waffled a bit between the xt and d40/d60, but the amount of autofocus compatible lenses for the XT is substantially higher, and that pushed it over the edge. D40 is definitely a good budget buy too.

[@mannycardoso2866]

Then perhaps an argument might have been made for the d50. The lenses that work with that is basically the whole fmount. It's just that the screen is smaller than the d40 and viewfinder not as bright and uses the cf media as compared to the sd on the d40. I believe the d50 might even 20 bucks cheaper on average. Anyway, thanks for responding.

[@sakura1044]

Where can you buy this for 50 dollars?

[@pricklypearcamera]

In the US, it's frequently at that price or lower on websites like eBay.

[@Photobuffeddy_AGS]

And definitely Reason why sub 6 grade camera don't make the photographer but the camera helps 🆘. Remember stealing gun theft for cameras is the most idiotic theft you can do. Sub 50 use toy or camera don't make millions The artist does 😅

[@xray111xxx]

Canon workhorse for those who wanted/want a bargain. Takes EF and EF-S as he said. I don't think will get why that is important. You spend nothing on the body, but later you can use the famous legacy L quality lenses. Those lenses are outstanding. I bought an F4 70-200mm L lens for a song, and the build is amazing. Images are great too. If you go a bit back further in time a 40D and 50D are a better buy and similar price point. Made way better than the this camera here. Also Magnesium Alloy body for the rough and tumble of new shooters where the this XT is plastic. While tough, the Magnesium alloy body says I have come into your world and I am here for keeps. It will to take the EF glass too. Note the EFS and EF lenses have different flange distances. Heck scare your self and get even a better one for not much more in the used market. Buying from authorized dealers used will have a warranty. Ebay you have to buy a warranty, maybe. Also it is more than price that makes the experience. It is that it works for a long time so you grow with the hobby. I hate wasting good technology no matter how old it is. I shoot with a used 1DX, 1D mk.4 a Sony a7Rii and a7iii. I have also a used RX10 Sony too. My only new cameras are my Iphone 12 pro max, and DJI pocket 2. I have a used Canon C100 Cine Camera, and Pansonic AG-UX90 4K camcorder too. Used always buys you more. But be careful. I like the XT, I really do, the system and support is tough to beat. The lens system especially is good unlike the Nikon that does not allow legacy glass on their tiny D-3000 and D-5000 series SLRs.

[@pricklypearcamera]

Quite right! I love being able to utilize older technology and still get some results out of it! You've got quite the list of some of my favorites to shoot with too, I used to shoot some with the C100 and also had an A7R that I loved shooting with the 35MM prime.

[@CO8848_2]

I think for $50 you can have Nikon D80, which has live view, great CCD color, and can drive Nikon AF D autofocus lenses which are super cheap.

[@pricklypearcamera]

Solid choice too! I've found about a 50% success rate for used Nikon D80's compared to about 90%+ success rate for Rebel Xt's, in terms of functionality of the average USED rebel xt, and I've sold over 400 Rebel Xt's in the last 7 years, and about 50 Nikon D80's. So that definitely factored in, but you're right, a good working D80 takes great pics!

[@SteveHopperJr]

@@pricklypearcamera where do you sell your cameras? I've tried to find you on ebay, but haven't had much luck. Thanks!