I have been shooting with a RebelXT for about 3 years now. I have two lenses: Canon 28-135MM and a Canon 10-22MM wide angle.

I am going to be traveling extensively for the rest of the year and want to change my camera setup before leaving. I feel perhaps I have outgrown the RebelXT body and would consider upgrading. However, I am curious, would a new lens be a better investment? So, the question is, new lens (any suggestions) or new body (30D 40D) ?

Thanks for your input

 

Are you happy with the results? If you do get new lens, spend the extra and get an L lens. It's way better than stock lenses. Make sure you are OK with the extra weight of L lenses though.

Rebels are great cameras that are small and light compared to D series. I don't have a reason to upgrade except for the live view mode which the XSI and 50D have.

I'd say get a new lens! In another 2 years, it'll still be worth 75% of the retail. Body will be worth 40%...

 

How many actuations on your current body?
What do you shoot?

 

40Ds are getting so affordable that I would say it definitely wouldn't hurt. The better noise performance, LCD, FPS will easily make the upgrade worth it. I would keep the XT as a back up though. I use my XTi for my long lens so I dont have to swap lenses if I see something I want to shoot. 40D will also be better for traveling because it is weather sealed and magnesium so it will hold up to abuse much better.

 

Thanks for the input guys. My mom just got a L series (17-40mm) for her BDAY and I really like it, so I might go that route.

However...I think upgrading to the 40D might be the best route right now. I am going to go to the store sometime this week to play around with some stuff!


By the way, how do I find out how many shots I've taken with my current body?

 

There are little software plugins available. I have one for the 40D, but I don't think it'll work on your cam ...

I have a 40D and keep in mind it's pretty bulky, especially with a big lens.

I'm actually considering switching to a T1i, as I don't shoot sports so much any more (hence don't need the fps and noise performance), and would love video possibility.

It really is determined by what you shoot.

 

Well, I shoot cars, landscape, pretty much anything. Not limited to one specific category. I didn't realize the 40D was bulky, I definitely need to go check it out before I make the jump!

 

Also, looking for something that handles noise a little better in low light conditions. ISO 1600 on the RebelXT is pretty much useless IMO in terms of noise. Will I see significant improvement here with the 40D?

 

I'm a bit anal on this, so take my comment for what it is, but I consider ISO1600 unusable on 40Ds. ISO1000 is the highest I will shoot if I want a clean shot. I'll try to upload some pics tonight when I get home.

The 40D isn't that bulky (especially compared to the 1D!), but the Rebel is definitely smaller.
Rebel = perfect for girly manicured hands
20/30/40/50D = perfect for manly hairy hands
1D = perfect for Sasquatch hands.

For a do-it-all type of camera, I'm not sure a 40D will be worth the expense compared to a Rebel. The only reason I picked a 40D was because I shoot sports, where I need fast FPS and good low-light performance.
OTOH I would seriously consider the new T1i since it seems to have better ISO management (5D MkII derived computer). But I'm biased, as I'm actually considering making that switch myself.

Or just get a decent low aperture lens, you won't feel the low light pain anymore. That 10-22 is a b!tch and likes to hover around f4+ ... no wonder you're after more ISO. If you can/want, there's a 11-16 f2.8 by Tokina which you could replace it with, pretty cheap too @ 600$ or so. I've been wanting to pick one up myself for a while now but haven't found the time to try one out.

I'm actually thinking a wide angle, fast prime (35mm f1.4 for instance) and big zoom (70-200) would be a great do-it-all setup.

But if we make this a "which lens should I get" thread, it will be up to 500 pages in no time!

 

Whoa! Thanks for all the input!

Curious - any experience with the 50D? If I upgrade the body, I wonder if it'd be worth it to just go up one more notch to that instead.