PLEASE help a rookie

I wouldn't worry about Err99.

I would however sit down & think what is it you're looking for in the new camera. 40D may or may not be the answer.

When I had XTi (400D) I thought upgrading to 40D would let me take better photos. It didn't. For all intents and purposes XTi was every bit as good IQ wise, and I didn't really care for the added weight and bulk. Sure 40D had a lot of improvements but they were all in the areas I didn't really need. Luckily I bought 40D in Costco so I had no problems bringing it back.

I finally upgraded to T2i, a couple years later. It was primarily done for the video. T2i also has some visible improvements in the IQ over XTi when using high ISO. However I can honestly say that I would have been just as happy staying with XTi.

Now I don't know how 300D compares to 400D. Assuming the IQ is close, and if the money is tight, perhaps you would be better served spending it on something else - lenses, flashes, etc.

Amamba wrote in post #13418775
Now I don't know how 300D compares to 400D. Assuming the IQ is close, and if the money is tight, perhaps you would be better served spending it on something else - lenses, flashes, etc.

Your 400D was a big improvement over the 300D. One of the biggest upgrades was to focusing - the 300D doesn't have AI Servo focusing except in sports mode and that doesn't work very well. It's tough to get a sharply focused image of a moving subject with the 300D. I could never do it reliably, anyway.

-js

smythie wrote in post #13401801
I wasn't even aware that the 40D was prone to Err 99 issues. Mine has been fine so far

I just recently had the err99 on my 40D had to replace the shutter only lil over 6000 hits on it otherwise its a great camera

Have a 40D - great camera. I've found IQ keeps getting better and better the more I use it; and I believe that's the key. Either camera will be great - just shoot, shoot, shoot. I firmly believe user error is the "problem" most cameras have. Shooting wide-open (ie F2.8) is tricky and calibration must be dead-on. Experience has shown me that shooting a stop or two above wide-open gives excellent results and is more forgiving and gets me the tack-sharp results I'm looking for. Now of course I'm being slightly hypocritical here....... I'm still waiting for a FF 5D MKIII. Will I get a lot better results than I do now? Likely not.