Which Canon would you upgrade to?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/23/2008 11:53:58 AM · #1

I currently own a 300D digital rebel...
I am in the market to purchase an upgrade.
I have been looking at the Canon 40D and I am impressed buy it.
Although I don't know that i can part with $1150 for the body alone.
I also know that Canon will be coming out with the new Rebel Xsi.
A 3rd option is to buy a 30D...
Assuming that out of the 3 options the 40D is what everyone would consider the best, What would be the best option between the 30D and the Rebel Xsi and why?
I may also be swayed by any strong opinions on why I should spend the extra money for the 40d.
Thanks in advance for any insite.

Chas

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

02/23/2008 11:59:26 AM · #2

If you got a cheap 30D I think that would be a great option but the new rebel has a lot of stuff on it, so depends what feature you need. Why do you want to upgrade - make a list? Then see which of the bodies satisfy that need.

ryand

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/23/2008 12:03:50 PM · #3

I just bought a 30d on ebay with only 2566 actuations, an 18-55, and a lexar 4gb 133x compact flash card, all for $650, that would be my advice, wait for a good deal to come around.

02/23/2008 12:05:06 PM · #4

I think that I would like the upgrade for the 3 of pixels up from my 6.3 currently.
I also would like a larger view screen, currently 1.5".
I think my photography would benefit from better noise reduction at higher ISO's as well as an increased # of focus points and spot metering.

ryand

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

02/23/2008 12:14:49 PM · #5

Originally posted by ChasSourek:

The 30d is 8.0 mp, and the screen is 2.5" and absolutely gorgeous, it also is very good at the higher iso's (800 and 1600), it also has the optional 3200 available. I just got mine and I'm already in love with it.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/23/2008 12:29:54 PM · #6

So for the cost, the 30D is a great buy compared to 12Mp in the Rebel and of course the 40D?

photodude

02/23/2008 12:32:24 PM · #7

Check pricegrabber.com new 30D's from reputable sellers for low to mid $700's, probably while supplies last

jschro

Canon EOS-30D

02/23/2008 12:38:29 PM · #8

My choice would be the 40D if you can swing it, if not then the 30D. I switched from an XT to a 30D and absolutely love it. The rebel series is just too small and cheap feeling for me.

A second thought would be to save up a little bit and pick up a used 5D (I guess if you're shooting portraits and landscapes, not the best choice for sports)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/23/2008 12:50:10 PM · #9

Portraits and landscapes are what I shoot most often.
I dont do much fast action shooting.
But for sure cant swing a new 5D.

Quasimojo

Canon EOS-30D

02/23/2008 12:51:44 PM · #10

40D - no brainer.

Why not the the 30D? Greater mpix, dust cleaning, live view. I think you'll be more than happy with the 40D for a long time. Failing that, get the new 450D in March...

N

trevytrev

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/23/2008 01:35:24 PM · #11

I would say it would be between the 30D and the 40D with a lean towards the 30D. I really feel the only thing that would really push me towards the 40D would be how it handles high ISO noise, which I have read is pretty amazing. The few extra megapixels and live view don't do much for me though the increase in frames per second is a nice bonus. I own the 30D and have been extremely happy with it's performance all around. It actually handles noise very well at 800-1250 ISO if exposed properly. The cost difference between the 30D and 40D brand new is somewhere around $400, which could be used towards some nicer glass or other accessories such as a flash . You can even do as some have suggested and watch ebay and craigslist and get a great deal on a used 30D for even more savings. Regardless of which way you go you'll be happy with the camera you get. Trevor~

shutterpuppy

Sony Alpha a7

Canon FD 70-210mm f/4.0 MF

02/23/2008 02:26:00 PM · #12

I can't really speak to the difference between the 30D and the 40D, but the as trevytrev says above, the 40D's handling of high ISO noise is simply amazing. I upgraded from the 10D -- which I loved but I was never really comfortable shooting above ISO 400 with it -- to the 40D and couldn't be happier with the decision.

Better build quality, a little bigger body (a plus for ham-fisted me), and the rear control dial on the 40D make the choice between it and the Rebel series model an no brainer in my book.

If I had my druthers, I would be shooting with a 5D. But since I can't swing that, financially, the 40D is an excellent substitute and well worth the premium over the Rebel series models.

Message edited by author 2008-02-23 14:27:05.

Sammie

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

02/23/2008 02:51:58 PM · #13

I would go for the 40D. I have a 30D and received the 40D for Christmas. It is a wonderful camera, just seems to take nicer pictures than the 30D. It has a higher dynamic range and it really is a joy to use. For some reason, it makes the most mundane photo look great.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

02/23/2008 04:02:46 PM · #14

I upgraded from the 350XT to the 40D. While trying to make my decision I was wonder the same thing - I wanted the 40D but the cost was high, I though about the 400XT but the price was not low enough to go back to the small body cameras. Then I thought about the 30D - big body but did not offer any more MP than my 350XT plus it did not have the live view feature or sensor cleaning.

After much debate I went with the 40D, LOVE IT! The sensor cleaning is nice, the body feels great in my hands, it feels like a real camera, but the LIVE VIEW is the best feature. Absolutely one of the best cameras Canon has offered the consumer.

40D - its the way to go!

Message edited by author 2008-02-23 16:04:12.

slickchik

OM System OM-1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

02/23/2008 04:52:37 PM · #15

40D is well worth the money. I bought one when they first came out and my Rebel 350D felt like a toy compared to the 40D. Plus I was amazed at the performance I got out of my lenses...I could never get as good of images with the 350D with the exact same lenses.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/23/2008 05:05:26 PM · #16

the 40d might well be worth the money - but we all should know that the next-gen version will be coming out soon enough. and the 40d becomes the 30d - price wise.

so if money is THE issue and you have to have an upgrade NOW - the 30d would be a reasonable purchase.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

02/23/2008 05:10:09 PM · #17

Originally posted by soup:

Yep, but the 40d has an 18 month lifecycle. The 450D shares the same cycle. 30D is past that same time phase.

But, if money is an issue, then the 30D for 6/12 months, then a 40D would make sense:)

mjwood0

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/23/2008 07:54:41 PM · #18

Based on your list, it looks like the "last generation" 30D is a good buy.

Do you really want 12MP? There's a lot more than just megapixels.

For example, I just picked up a Nikon D200 for under $800 used. Would I have liked the D300? Sure. But did I need it? Not really.

For me (shooting mainly landscapes and the like), I really didn't want to deal with more than 10 MP. That's a lot of processing power, disk space and CF card space that really doesn't gain me anything since I rarely print over 8X10 or so. Also, it has all the pro features (fast autofocus, customizable shooting settings and the like), but without the high cost of the newer bodies.

The $1000 I saved could go to some really nice glass such as a 10-20mm and an 85mm prime. To me, I get much more for my money this way.

Make a list of what you need, what you want and then go from there.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/23/2008 08:23:01 PM · #19

The next best thing is ALWAYS right around the corner.

02/23/2008 10:39:42 PM · #20

I know its right around the corner, but how far away?
I suppose the price for the 40d will drop when something new comes out.
But the price of the 40d has dropped from where it started when first introduced.
A catch-22 for sure!

coryxmorton