2023 Weekly Challenge Week 38: Canon Rebel T1i

This week's review is about another of the cameras that really inspired me to get deeper into photography, the Canon Rebel T1i.  A year after I got my Rebel XTi I saved up for an upgrade kit in both the camera and the lenses for the Canon Rebel T1i which just came out, and it was a pretty solid upgrade from the XTi I was using (which was admittedly pretty poor in indoor settings and as I started to shoot some Volunteer events that were indoors, I needed something that handled ISO noise better)

One year after I bought the Canon Rebel XTi in 2009 I saved up enough for a Canon Rebel T1i and two new lenses, the 18-55 IS kit lens and the 55-250 IS lens.  Both of those were new releases with the Rebel T1i as well, and while still "Kit" grade lenses they were the first lenses I owned that had Image Stabilization

I re-bought this camera in 2022 for $60 and for $60 this camera is an unbelievable bargin even in 2023, and I'll explain why shortly.  If you want a cheap little "backup camera" to throw in a car to take with you and have something better then a cellphone anywhere you want to travel, a used Canon Rebel (Including the aforementioned T1i) would defiantly be towards the top of that list for me. 

The Canon Rebel/KISS (Japan) or XXX/XXXXD series of DSLRs are one of the main cameras that brought higher end photography to hobbyist photographers on a budget and the masses alike. They're the Toyota Corolla of DSLRs: not fast, nothing fancy, but relatively cheap, reliable, and they will do everything to just provide you enough to get you where you need to go with photography with ease of use.

Released in 2009 the Canon Rebel T1i was the second and only other camera other then the Canon 50D to use Canon's 15mp CMOS APS-C sensor.  

When Canon would upgrade their "Budget" DSLR range in 2011 with the Canon Rebel T3, that camera would be a refreshed two generation back Rebel XSi with the ability to shoot video using the 12mp sensor and not the 15mp sensor of this camera.  

While the 15mp Canon sensor didn't have the lasting success of the 18mp Canon APS-C sensor which was produced in DSLR cameras up until 2018; quality wise there isn't a huge jump between the T1i and T2i like there is from the XT/XTi/XS/XSi to the T1i.

With the upgraded 15mp sensor and Digic 4 image processor the Canon Rebel T1i could do a Hardware ISO of 3200 with the ability to go to 6400 and 12800 via Firmware.  This was a significant upgrade from the Hardware ISO of 1600 or Hardware ISO of 1600/Firmware ISO of 3200 that was on the Canon Rebel XTi, 40D and XSi.

When I look back on cameras of this era and compare them to Modern sensors the difference between ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 or ISO 6400 doesn't seem like a lot.  But back then it was groundbreaking.  

ISO 3200 is often a sweet spot for Indoor event photography; so the ability to shoot at this speed and still have decent looking photos was a huge leap for me.

The 15mp sensor used on the T1i in addition to being higher MP was sharper and had a lot better color rendition.  I didn't have to push images in POST as hard to get them to my liking, and the output from the camera was often even pleasant and warm straight out of camera (whereas the Rebel XTi without any processing the images were flatter and did not have as much color depth or vibrance.)

The Rebel T1i also added a dedicated ISO button, freeing up one of the 4 way buttons for other function use.  This may not seem like a lot but back then being able to change the ISO without lowering the camera by simply shifting my finger off the shutter made things a lot easier to adjust settings on the fly.

Performance wise there isn't a huge difference between any Canon Rebel from the XTi to T2i (which is the range I own minus the original Rebel).  Start up and shut down time on the Rebel T1i is likewise extremely fast. 

Just like most of the other Canon Rebel series cameras the T1i has the same tell-tale high pitched "ca-chink!" shutter sound. A shutter sound which is often used for stock sound effects for cameras in TV shows and movies based on how distinct it is.

The T1i can still show its age at time and does have its limits. It is still a great camera for casual photography but likely would not be as suited for serious work in 2023 and may fall short if it is a camera you rely on heavily. 

This camera is not the best choice for capturing anything in fast motion due to its limited 9 focus point AF system (which would become standard for even the 18MP Rebels all the way up to the Canon Rebel SL1) poor AF tracking and mediocre 3.5 FPS burst shooting; but for going out and doing Street or light Event photography it's plenty responsive.  

While I would upgrade to a Canon 60D and 80D after the Rebel T1i, and later switch my primary camera system altogether to Nikon F and Panasonic Micro 43rds; the Canon Rebel series of cameras still hold a special place in my heart for how simple and easy they are to shoot. 

Fourteen years later the Canon Rebel T1i still can pull off some really nice results without a big investment in either money nor time spent on learning a more complex camera like the Panasonic G9.  

The Rebel XTi may have been my first DSLR, but the Rebel T1i really cemented my joy in photography; so I am very glad to have one in my collection once again.