For the past two years, I've been using my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 for taking pictures of herps. I just got back from a research excursion in Ecuador, and the person in charge of it took pictures of each of the herps that we collected. After seeing the pictures that he took, I decided that it was time for me to upgrade to a digital SLR. My Lumix is nice, but there are drawbacks in the lens, flash, etc.

I've been looking at digital SLRs, and I like the Canon Rebel XTi. I am a little familiar with my dad's Rebel, but I'd like one with 10 megapixels so I can get good, publishable pictures. It'd take a while for a poor college student to manage the funds, but I plan on getting the body, a standard 55mm lens, a telephoto lens (probably will be 300mm; I'd like a 500mm, but those are just too expensive), a macro lens, a flash, and a ring flash.

I'd like to take pictures of herps and insects, so the macro is important, but I'm also a bit of a birder, which is why I'm looking at telephoto lenses. The ring flash is something I only just learned about after this trip, and I've got to say that I like the concept of it. The one big issue I've got with my Lumix is that I get a semicircle due to the flash if I get to close to an object, so I have to back up a bit, which doesn't give me the closeness that I'd like.

So, with all of that said, I'm considering the Rebel because I'm familiar with it and I know it's a good SLR. Given my interests, would that be a good choice, or are there better ones out there? I'd like to stay along similar price as the Rebel, if at all possible.

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