Do I want a 30D with a good telephoto lens?

I am new to the digital photography world, started looking at Rebel XTI but after checking out the 30d I've gotta have one. Really would like to get the 40d but I'll wait til they come down a little bit. Looking for something that has a good lens to do sports photography with. Let me know what you have and how much.

Thanks
Roger

I'd say grab a 20D since they are cheaper and nearly the same and get a 70-200 f/4L. Probably around the $500-600 ball park for the camera and another $500 for the lens.

I'd agree with the 20d comment, it's almost identical, image quality's the same (of course it's gonna be the same on te XTi but there are other differences to consider there). Overall I'm really happy with my 20d. The prices he put up are maybe low recently, plan on spending $600 for a decent 20d body and $550 to $600 for the lens. If you're doing night stuff you may want to look at the Sigma (or Canon) 70-200mm f/2.8 (L for Canon). They run about $750 (and $900+ for the Canon).

dirtsurfer57 wrote in post #4053993
I am new to the digital photography world, started looking at Rebel XTI but after checking out the 30d I've gotta have one. Really would like to get the 40d but I'll wait til they come down a little bit. Looking for something that has a good lens to do sports photography with. Let me know what you have and how much.

You need to say where you are in the world and also what exact sports you want to shoot. A lens for bright conditions outdoors may not be useful for dim conditions indoors, etc

Nah, I can find 20D's fairly easily for the $500-600 area. I see tons of 70-200 f/4L's for 500, I mean they are only $520-580 new and I sold mine for 500 used.

And honestly, if you get a 20D or 30D, a 40D really isn't another big improvement to warrant the trade up IMO. Just an update to stay competitive in the market. However, If I didn't have a 20 or 30D, I would get a 40D new.

we plan to use the camera for football pics and then basketball pics when the seasons change. We really are novices when it comes to photography, I'm sure it doesn't show, yeah right. what are the biggest differences between the 20d and the 30d? any help would be greatly appreciated, we originally thought about the XTI but the 30d just blew us away, and maybe it's alot more camera then we'll ever need, so any input would help.
thanks
Roger

30D has a bigger LCD and spot metering. That's it.

This has become a thread about the merits of the camera/lens combination rather than a want to buy thread so I moved it here.

JBaz wrote in post #4059266
30D has a bigger LCD and spot metering. That's it.

And RGB histogram and picture styles (that's about it).

There's a good comparison chart here:

http://www.bobatkins.c​om …non_eos_30D_com​pared.html

Steve

bigger screen and spot metering aren't the differences. The 30D has improved shutter life, improved AF accuracy, 1/3 stop ISO increments instead of just whole stops like the 20D, bigger screen, spot metering, ISO in the viewfinder when you change it instead of having to look at the top lcd, picture styles, bigger buffer, etc.

Are you going to be shooting low light sports or outdoors where there is plenty of light. It's really hard to recommend anything when we don't really know the details. Many great cameras and lenses can be used but it's difficult to say what is best for you without knowinth the specifics of what you're shooting.

JBaz wrote in post #4059266
30D has a bigger LCD and spot metering. That's it.

I rented a 20D a few days ago... that was the main thing i noticed... and for that reason alone I would go for the 30D... plus you have a better viewing angle as well... not to mention a few other minor "upgrades" in the 30D. Alot of people say it's not worth it... but having had the 30D then playing with a 20D... a few things start to become a headache!

my .02

30D + 24-70 f/2.8L + 70-200 f/2.8L <-- Perfect!

If you are shooting in daylight, I would get something longer than 200mm for football. I would suggest the following ;
300F4 L (I just saw an older non-is for under $600) I have this and love the focus speed and sharpness. F4, can be used at dusk as well.
Sigma 50-500 - I have this as well, for sunny days, this is a great lens. It is very sharp considering the range.
Sigma 100-300F4, never tried this one, but could be the best of both worlds. Has a great reputation for zoom sharpness. Add a TC and get near the range of the 50-500.

Honestly, the LCD may help, but you can save about 100-300 by just going with a 20d. Most of the updates are very minor.