In December of 2011, I traded in my XTi and upgraded to the Canon Rebel T3i a.k.a. 600D. I absolutely love it.

 

It's a great upgrade from the XTi, and the it's perfect DSLR for my needs and my level. A lot of the controls on the T3i are similar to the XTi, but a lot of it is new. And, of course, it's a much more progressive generation than the XTi. If anyone reading this is considering the T3i, feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

---------

Pictures from 2012 and onwards were taken with:

 

Canon Rebel T3i / 600D (current camera)

  

From summer 2008 to autumn of 2011 taken with:

 

Canon Rebel XTi / 400D

  

Lenses used (with both Rebels):

-Canon EF-S 18-200mm (my workhorse lens)

-Canon EF-S 10-22mm (my lovely wide-angle)

-Sigma DG 70-300 (I rarely use this one! maybe it'll come in handy for wildlife somewhere, but I might sell it. Great lens though.)

-The original kit lens that came with my XTi was the Canon EF-S 18-55mm, which I used for about a year until I got my 18-200mm. When I traded in my XTi in 2011, I sold the kit lens with it. I bought the T3i without a kit lens, because I didn't need one.

  

Pictures from 2001 and prior to summer 2008: My old Minolta film SLR

(ah, the film days. I have a roll of film from an Alaska trip in September 2007 that's lost. Sooo glad digital replaced film!)

  

Pictures taken prior to 2001: My dad's point-and-shoot camera.

  

software used so far:

 

-Canon Digital Photo Professional (prior to autumn 2009)

-Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (autumn 2009-autumn 2013)

-Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 (autumn 2013-present)

-Microsoft Paintbrush (used prior to buying PE6, for some simple airbrushing functions)

-Photomatix Pro 4 (stand-alone version) for HDR (spring 2012-present)

 

--------

Just invested in 5 new filters and I'm really excited to use them!! (7/16/2011)

Tiffen ND4 filter 77mm (for my wide-angle lens)

Tiffen ND8 filter 72mm (for my workhorse lens)

Tiffen CPL filter 72mm (for my workhorse lens)

Hoya ND8 filter 77mm (for my wide-angle lens)

Hoya ND4 filter 72mm (for my workhorse lens)

 

Bought all of these used (in great condition) on Amazon and Ebay for much cheaper than new retail price. Make sure to bargain hunt!!!!