New camera or new lens?

Okay, so I have some money now. I can either buy a new lens, or I can save a little more and buy the Rebel XTi. I need opinions. I have two lenses (Canon 28-90mm and Sigma 28-70mm) and I currently have the Rebel K2. Should I save a little more and upgrade to the XTi, or should I get a new lens. I'm mainly into nature photography. However, I would like a good macro lens so I can get decent shots of spiders and flowers, but a macro lens can wait for a while. All input much appreciated!!!

Either XT or XTi are good.. I'd say go for it.

depends...would you like to go digital?

Of course I want to go digital. Chemical photography is slowly but surely dying. Digital would be much easier on me, since I don't have my own dark room. I think I'm gonna go for the XTi...a new lens can wait I think. Now, should I sell the K2 to help fund the XTi, or should I keep it just as a backup?

wii_irish_lad wrote in post #2165162
Of course I want to go digital. Chemical photography is slowly but surely dying. Digital would be much easier on me, since I don't have my own dark room. I think I'm gonna go for the XTi...a new lens can wait I think. Now, should I sell the K2 to help fund the XTi, or should I keep it just as a backup?

i guess that answers your question then
considering you're phasing out of film, my personal take would be to sell it all and move on. unless you have sentimental value on that camera and would like to keep it. perhaps tell your kids one day of the good old films days

Lol...yeah. I can add that to my "when I was your age, Pluto was still a planet"....wow. The times, they are a'changin'.

wii_irish_lad wrote in post #2165269
Lol...yeah. I can add that to my "when I was your age, Pluto was still a planet"....wow. The times, they are a'changin'.

I doubt you'd get very much for a K2, I think it'd be better to keep it and throw it in your bag when travelling to have as a backup-- you never know when a camera will conk out, and I'd rather have film shots than none at all. It's not like it weighs very much.

This is true. I think I'm going to hang on to the K2. I'll always have a thing for film. I grew up using film cameras. And if nothing else, I can show it to my kids...or sell it to a museum or something!

wii_irish_lad wrote in post #2165109
Okay, so I have some money now. I can either buy a new lens, or I can save a little more and buy the Rebel XTi. I need opinions. I have two lenses (Canon 28-90mm and Sigma 28-70mm) and I currently have the Rebel K2. Should I save a little more and upgrade to the XTi, or should I get a new lens. I'm mainly into nature photography. However, I would like a good macro lens so I can get decent shots of spiders and flowers, but a macro lens can wait for a while. All input much appreciated!!!

check the net for deals on the XT (350D) it should easily fit your budget and work with at least 1 of those lenses just fine. Be sure to save a few bucks for a CF card too.

usually, it would be the lens.

but... in this case, since you're still on film, do yourself a favour and get an xti. will do your wallet yourself some good in the long run. also saves money and time on film processing.

That was a major factor in my decision. On average, I spend from $20-30 a month getting film developed. I'm pretty sure both of my lenses will fit the XTi, and I saw a 1gig CF card for around $80. I'll also save $100 by getting the body only. I don't really need the 18-55mm lens, do I?

cf card prices differ with regards to their write speeds. you will be able to find even cheaper cards.

and as for the kit lens, it may come in helpful when you want the 28mm field-of-view in your xti - do remember about the 1.6x field-of-view. so if you're very comfortable with your 28-90mm on your rebel, then the 18-55mm will give you exactly the same coverage with the xti. but you could save some money by getting it second-hand for say, $50-70.

You can look around for better deals on CF cards. I got a 1 gig Scandisk ultra 2 for around $35.

I would also consider looking at a lightly used XT (or XTi if you need it) to help save up for a lens upgrade.

my $0.02
-John

I would say upgrade to XT. It is cheaper than the XTi, and based on reviews produces better noise results. They share the same processor, but added more mega pixels. Not worth it to me. The removal of the status LCD was a big mistake to me as well. You may be able to get some more glass as well it you go with the XT.

I understand we are losing our magnetic fields on earth, (according to Nova) and this may effect our electrical balance in life ...so when that or the necular blast happens and disrupts everything you can pull that K1 out and fire away on manual while the rest of us stand and look slack jawed at our then inoperative digitals..

I think once you have a digital in your hands you will quickly lose intrest in the film process...I know I did... My old Canon's hung around for almost 2 years , losing value, before I finally sold them (although it seemed like I gave them away ! ) Also you may do better going to a 20D...about the same price as as an XT.....