This is a simplistic question but hopefully would like to get indepth experiences and maybe what people think of this camera. I'm a first time buyer keep in mind, but feel that I can take in knowledge very quick and am ambitious. In that sense, I want something that has lots of features and will keep me busy a long time, rather than me getting good (let's hope) and having to buy a 'pro' or 'prosumer' camera in a year or two. This is mainly due to money constraints as I'm just looking for small ways to help out tuition funding and would rather not spend it all on another camera in the near future.

Anyway...

Has anyone used the camera and recommends it? I've heard good reviews and read good ones too but if stock photography is going to be the main focus (I'll use it everywhere I guess) will this perform well and on par with other pictures that go up? I assume its in the skill of the photographer too, but skill aside?

Thank you very much, and excuse the confusing and un-structured post, I assure you the pictures I'll take will have better form! 

If it helps, I have the XTi/400D, and I like it a lot.  These high-Mpix cameras are however very unforgivable to lens quality, so this is something important to consider in your budget.
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That is what I have .  And  some Canon L lenses . Adelaide, could you expand on "unforgivable to lens quality" ?

vphoto,

As cameras each time have more pixels, the resulting image has more detail.  Therefore, if a camera suffers from high CA or sharpness, for instance, this will be more evident in the high res image (if you look at 100% zoom).

I experienced something similar when upgrading my slide scanner.  In my previous SLR I had bargain zoom lenses which gave me apparently good results.  I never inspected slides when projecting them on the wall, so lesser quality was not noticeable.  When I started scanning at 3200dpi, therefore obtaining over 12Mpix digital file, I began to notice sharpness problems in the Sigma 28-80mm, whereas older images taken with a Tokina 28-70mm were obviously better.  At the 2100dpi of my previous scanner (roughly 6Mpix image), flaws were much less evident.

Regards,
Adelaide

I've been using the XSI for a couple of months, and I've been happy with it. For lenses you could use the Canon 60mm macro lens or the Canon 17-40mm L glass lens. The macro lens will cost you between four or five hundred dollars, and the L glass lens will cost you around $650 (online).

Example with the macro lens:

http://www.zazzle.com/indian_blanket_print-228792186942588936

Example of L glass lens:

http://www.zazzle.com/beach_surf_print-228821052664918101

If I should be looking to get a better lens than in the kit, what specific ones are recommended? The reason I ask is I don't have much money as of yet, only enough for the kit and getting started. Possibly in the future if photography works out, I will invest in additional lenses to build up my hardware.

For sure I recommend the Canon 50mm f1,8 prime. It's cheap but it's very good. Just look at the contrast and sharpness it has and you will have a very good comparison base for other lenses.