What upgade path would you recommend?

Hi, I've been thinnking (always dangerous), this time about an upgrade I'm hoping to carry out in coming weeks, from my 30D to a more modern used body. I'm not looking to spend a lot on this, hence nothing new. The choices I'm considering are:

1 40D
2 50D
3 60D
4 7D
5 5DII, but wait for price to drop
6 other.

My main interests are people, (including children playing but not sports), landscapes, macro (still beginner).

lens before body.
get a few L lenses before upgrading otherwise you won't see much of an improvement.

What are you not able to do with your current kit, or thinking will change with getting a new body? Is there a specific feature you're looking for? Or just wanting to update gadgets?

Neither is wrong, but it helps to know where you're coming from.

For the most part, I agree with Futurama; you get more bang for your buck upgrading your glass than your bodies.

30D/40D/50D are the same in my eyes, honestly.
60D is fun for the video. 7D has a better build quality, but same thing without tilt screen.
5DII is your best option when price drops, not now.

I'd go for a 60D since it's most current and I love the tilt-y screen.

i would def get lenses first.
I voted for 5D2, but then i looked at your sig. None of your lenses will work, lol.
So i'd definitely get lenses first. at least some of the non-L fast primes are worth looking at before getting a new body.

60D for video.

Since you asked about body, I will not comment on glass.

Since I'm assuming your on some sort of budget, I vote get a 50D (refurbed if Canon ever restocks...) or a 40D if you can get your hands on one. Then you can spend some $$ on some quality glass or something. Maybe a nice big flash if that's your thing

A good deal on a 40D is probably around $550 used (no refurb anymore ) and the 50D is in Canon refurb for 703 or something, but it's out of stock. Rawr

Go for some lenses dude, that 30D is still a reputable camera. If you were really lusting after a new body because there's something about the 30D that's bothering you other than just "it's old" I'd say go for a 60D but you'll soon want new lenses to pull in sharper shots on 18MP.

Get yourself a prime like a 50mm f/1.8 or a Sigma 30mm f/1.4, then decide if you want to replace your kit zooms or get a new body.

Snydremark wrote in post #12618288
What are you not able to do with your current kit, or thinking will change with getting a new body? .

I would also ask what do you want in a " more modern used body"
HD video?
more megapixels?

Thanks for the responses. To answer a couple of questions:-

* I am planning on buy more glass but I find the two EF-S zooms quite satisfactory for now; as eveyone says, their optical quality seems good and they haven't broken yet despite being of plastic construction. Of course, if I eventually go to 5D I'll have to change these two lenses.

* I'm looking to avail myself of the better features offered on more modern cameras, features that have been listed many times in reviews and threads here and elsewhere. Video doesn't particularly attract me, but I daresay I'd use it if I had it.

The biggest difference between the older DSLR's and the current generation was the change to 14 bit color IMHO. The 12 bit bodies I still own only get used as backups and remotes to be placed in harms way.

LudwigVB wrote in post #12619142
...
* I'm looking to avail myself of the better features offered on more modern cameras, features that have been listed many times in reviews and threads here and elsewhere. Video doesn't particularly attract me, but I daresay I'd use it if I had it.

Given that, I'd have to suggest either the 60D or 7D. The 40/50D aren't HUGE updates to the 30D, IMO; and the 5D would require all new lenses.

If you want to stay cropped, the 7D. If not, the 5D2. I'm afraid prices won't drop for a while as this is a hot body, but you might be able to save on it refurbished from Adorama.

$100 rebates for both the 7D and 60D are starting.

Hi all,

Well, I certainly appreciate the helpful replies I received. I thought I'd bring this thread up to date with what I finally did:

* Upgraded the 30D to a 40D - a much more significant upgrade than some of you seemed to think. There are many aspects to this but I especially like live view, which helps with accurate manual focusing of old M42 lenses.

* Replaced my Canon 18-55mm IS with a Tamron 17-50mm non-VC.

* Replaed my Canon 55-250mm IS with a Tamron 70-300mm VC.

Both the Tamrons are good value, IMHO, since my budget doesn't extend to L glass.