Ongoing debate I know, but give me your insight...

[michaelsink]

Ok, I currently own a Rebel XT and some glass. I need a second body for a backup at weddings and events (or a second shooter) and taxes will be here soon. I was (still am) drooling over the 30D and it's robust build, but I need to get a couple of things fixed on the car too. So I'm thinking now: XT, XTi, or 30D. Here's the lowdown...

Current kit:
Rebel XT
EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS
EF 85mm f/1.8
EFs 18-55 kit lens
EF 50mm f/1.8
Peleng 8mm Fisheye
Sigma EF500 DG Super

I want to add a grip to whatever I get, and another Sigma Super (2nd shooter, and wireless usage) a flash meter (w/spot attachment eventually) more glass, etc.

XTi Pros - 2.5" LCD, same batteries I currently use, 10MP...
XTi Cons - Price, 10MP really that big of a difference?

XT Pros - Price, same batteries/grip, Price, Price, more money for other stuff
XT Cons - 1.8" LCD, same old thing I've got...

30D Pros - Command Wheel, Spot Meter, 5FPS, ISO 3200, 100,000 shutter activations...
30D Cons -Price! (won't have it till after a few more jobs ~ 6 months or more with only one bady!) different batteries and grip...

Being a tech geek and seeing how useful I think the pros I've listed above may be (I've never used these, so are they useful?) my mind says go for the 30D, but the (hopefully smart) businessman in me says "cover your ass with another body sooner!" and add some much needed little things to the kit. Then the tech devil creeps back in and says "well the XTi is newer, and has..." but if I plan on going to the 30D late in this year, or tax time next year, should I spend the extra ~$200 on the XTi over the XT?

Let me know what you think, and if you've owned any two of these let me get your feedback.

Thanks,
Michael

PS: Weddings, and portraits and sports (casually doing sports) are the primary needs right now...

[021411]

How comfortable are you with your current XT? If it fits ALL your needs and you don't find it lagging behind on what you use it for, why not pick up an extra XT? They are dirt cheap now.

I thought about getting a new body even though I have the XTi. I'm going to wait until after the PMA's to decide.

But if you need something ASAP, another XT certainly won't break the bank and you get to fix your car. No car = no money. ;)

[crumpler]

I picked up an "EX+" used Kiss N body (Japanese version of the American XT) from http://keh.com for $415.

$415!


$415!

[runninmann]

Fix the car.

[gcogger]

Given that you own the 85 (and 50) f/1.8 lenses, you've omitted the only significant (IMHO) advantage of the XTi over the XT. The AF system is much improved for lenses with a max aperture of f/2.8 or better - the same as on the 30D. I've really noticed the difference in wide open shots with my 100mm f/2.

[steved110]

I'd go for the XTi - it's a great camera and quite an upgrade from the XT.

Actually I'd really go for the 30D but if you have to wait 6 months for that - then go with the smaller camera. It's only little on the outside....

[aLFaDaRK]

I'd go for the XTi - it's a great camera and quite an upgrade from the XT.

Actually I'd really go for the 30D but if you have to wait 6 months for that - then go with the smaller camera. It's only little on the outside....
I'd agree with the XTi. In fact I chose it over the 30D not only for price but for features. I like the extra resolution, I like the compact size, and the self cleaning seemed like it might be useful (it's done the job so far). I haven't found any time when I've needed to use a scroll wheel, 5 FPS, or Spot metering yet, and the 30D didn't feel great in my hands, so it was an easy choice for me.

[runninmann]

The gear won't do you much good if it lets you down and you can't get to the events that you're buying the gear to photograph. Get the car fixed first and then determine what you can afford after that.

[michaelsink]

Alright, so far I'm leaning towards another XT until I can get the 30D, what are the BIG selling points to the XTi (aside from 2MP more, and Dust stuff)? The car is certainly getting fixed (in case I wasn't clear on that) and I dig the 30D for down the road (better build, 5fps, spot metering command dial) but for those that think the extra $179 for the XTi, sell me... why do you think? I'm not intending arrogance here, I just aven't been able to find a great comparison between the two.

Michael

[aLFaDaRK]

Alright, so far I'm leaning towards another XT until I can get the 30D, what are the BIG selling points to the XTi (aside from 2MP more, and Dust stuff)? The car is certainly getting fixed (in case I wasn't clear on that) and I dig the 30D for down the road (better build, 5fps, spot metering command dial) but for those that think the extra $179 for the XTi, sell me... why do you think? I'm not intending arrogance here, I just aven't been able to find a great comparison between the two.

Michael

Improvements of the XTi over the XT:

- XTi has way better autofocus than the XT (same as 30D), that's a huge upgrade.
- Larger LCD is very useful (I won't use anything under 2.5 after my last two cameras, it's great), plus better viewing angles
- More MP with improved microlens array = less noise
- Not only self cleaning, but dust-repelling as well
- Shooting burst up to 27 JPG or 10 RAW
- proximity sensor for LCD (saves a ton of battery life, very noticable)
- Picture styles (same as 30D)
- Improved user interface
- image magnification in review mode
- brightness and rgb histogram
- auto image rotation options
- extra custom functions
- 9999 images per folder on storage card


At least, that's what dpreview.com says ;)

[dmstraton]

With a 30D replacement on the way, with probably a lot of the same features and a few "pro" ones, I'd say just get the XTi if you need something now.

In 2-3 months, that 30D won't be so cool any more if the rumors are true.

[michaelsink]

Ok, so after checking out some reviews I'm on the fence again. High ISO performance I can see on the web, but the AF upgrades I'd like to hear about firsthand. MT XT definately performs better than my EOS 650 (almost 20 years later it should!), but if you own both the XT and XTi, what are your thoughts? Did you notice a difference?

thanks for all the input guys and gals!

Michael

[ghms421]

Why not a 20D? Almost the same as the 30D at about the same price as an XTi. The 20D blows away the rebels in the noise department.

[michaelsink]

XTi body only = $679 at b&h...

...if I found a 20d new it was in the $899 range...

[krazziecliff]

I'd say get your car done first. N if you can wait 6 months for the 30D, that would be great. Imagine having 2 XTs or an XTi and an XT and then wanting the high ISO, Spot metering, AF or the noise advantage of the 30D. So simple common sense says, patience my friend. And about the larger LCD, doesnt make much of a difference at all IMHO.

[august23]

Why not a 20D? Almost the same as the 30D at about the same price as an XTi. The 20D blows away the rebels in the noise department.

This is the kind of suggestion that makes it so hard for people to make decisions. No offense to you ghms421, but saying it "blows away" the rebels in noise is a huge....no...a gigantic over statement.:confused:

[Hermeto]

I’ve been shooting with both cameras, but I was never able to see difference in IQ between 20D and 350D..

[Jon]

XT or XTi depending on which you can swing. The 30D would be a better choice as a stand-alone upgrade, but if you're going to be using both cameras and/or relying on one as a backup a common set of controls is a decided plus as is the standardized battery.

[michaelsink]

I figure that I have a wedding in about a month and I need another body for my wife to shoot with for that (I borrowed a Nikon last time, but I don't wanna make a habit of that) so I'll pick up another Rebel. I will get a 30D, even if the 40D comes out by then (unless of course the price is not much higher, and it is a marked improvement) Then I'll have a long lens on one arm, and a wide zoom on the other while the wife shoots with the XT or XTi...

Leaning towards the XTi based on reviews, but I would like to hear a firsthand comaprison of AF performance vs the XT...

What about the irregular buffering, anyone experienced that with their XTi?

[august23]

Irregular buffering? I'm not sure if that's the delay in time between the last shot of a burst and the time you can shoot again? If so, I don't know. I just did a burst test and I didn't notice anything really. It took a couple seconds but then I was ready to shoot again. If thats what you mean, then its a couple seconds between burst shots. And I don't know if that's irregular or not, as this is the only DSLR I've ever owned.

[aLFaDaRK]

I figure that I have a wedding in about a month and I need another body for my wife to shoot with for that (I borrowed a Nikon last time, but I don't wanna make a habit of that) so I'll pick up another Rebel. I will get a 30D, even if the 40D comes out by then (unless of course the price is not much higher, and it is a marked improvement) Then I'll have a long lens on one arm, and a wide zoom on the other while the wife shoots with the XT or XTi...

Leaning towards the XTi based on reviews, but I would like to hear a firsthand comaprison of AF performance vs the XT...

What about the irregular buffering, anyone experienced that with their XTi?
From what I've heard, the focussing on the XTi is a major change over the XT (possibly the most improved of all the changes) - allowing it to focus with lenses that have larger apertures than f/2.8.

I've never noticed irregular buffering either, in fact I never fill the buffer unless I try to do it on purpose - and then it just slows down continuous shooting a tad before picking up again. (133x [I think] 2GB CF Card)

[tsaraleksi]

Functionality wise the 10D 20D 30D line blows the XT XTi line away, depending on your application. For sports there's just no comparison. Naturally it depends upon what exactly you want to do with the camera. Either way you're not ending up with a lemon, but to me the XT felt more like a big point and shoot, and for me at least the interface might as well have been written in moon-talk. I've been poking at the dang thing for months now and I still can't really make it work like I want it to (my newspaper owns one). That said, I'm sure if I really sat down and tried, I could figure it out. So it's not like it doesn't work or anything!

As a side note, there seems to be quite a few people singing the praises of something without having used the alternative in actual shooting. Qualify your posts people!

[august23]

Functionality wise? You mean the use of a dial rather than buttons. That's something certainly useful, but not a justifiable reason to spend an extra 500. The AF system is the same, the IQ is the same, the noise levels are relatively the same 10-30D win on this one if your a horrific pixel-peeper, the 5FPS is amazing but only if you USE IT, spot metering is great too but once again if you USE IT. Other than that, I'll agree with you. I've handled my friends XT many many times and I still to this day can't figure it out. The XTi clears a LOT up using the LCD and its pretty colors to tell me exactly what settings my cameras on. The XT might as well be in hieroglyphics because I simply can't figure it out.

[michaelsink]

Ok, so I did it...

I still want a 30D (soon to be the 40D, we'll see:D ) but I ordered another XT from B&H with the psjan code for $460 and a Sigma flash from amazon for $199. I got the black XT this time (mine is silver) I want to see if the elitists are right about the black body being a better camera :rolleyes: ! (Actually I want to see how people react differently to the black vs. the silver, like "oh, so thecrappy silver one is your backup camera, and the black one is PRO level gear!" from some drunken person one day)

Oh well, now I gotta wait on brown...