XTI?-20D?-30D? Please Help!!

I know there have been alot of post here and I have been reading alot, but here's my dilema.

I'm planning to purchase just after the holidays. I had planned to get an xti body & pick up a few lenses seperatly.

I'm looking for a camera that I won't want to upgrade six months down the road.

My question I guess is, is a 20d- or 30d worth the extra money?? Are they cameras for an entry level shooter?? By that I mean I do have some basic knowledge, and use to be into 35mm. I want to get back into it and looking for a camera that I can not only use in auto mode, but a camera to grow with.

I've seen the 30D for around 900- 1k. Would this camera be too advanced for an amature?? I don't want something that I'm going to get frustrated with and put it down. I don't need 10 mp. I like the 2.5 screen

I know all three are very fine cameras, but given this, I would really be interested in your thoughts. What should I be looking for??

Soon to be DSLR owner,

Mark

Mark, there's no such thing like "too advanced camera for a beginner" if you are serious about learning photography and you're aware of the camera's potential and not intend to use it just like any other P&S or cellphone camera. In fact, starting with a lesser camera, you'll want to upgrade at some point anyway.
The 30D is a better camera than xti without doubts, I don't think there are many 30D users who feel sorry they didn't wait for the xti.
Nobody can guaranty that you won't need to upgrade in 6 months or so. That's all up to you. If the 40D will come with no technical advances but inbuilt sonar for example, there will still be some folks to drop their 30Ds and upgrade.

It's not that I'm looking for an advanced p/s, it's just thst I would like that availabilty when the situation calls for it. I enjoy going to manual, setting shutterspeed, apature, depth of field, pushing this, lowering that, comparing differences, and most of all getting the shot that WOW's you. I had my mind set on the xti, but now find myself second guessing myself.
When the 40d comes out, Id be hoping for a price drop on the 30d new. I'm not sure if I want to make an investment a used body. I think I would rather wait and bite the bullet on new. Ive already picked up a few 2 gig cards, and have been looking at lenses. I want the canon 17-85 to start. I would go used on glass if it's from a forum member knowing that I would have a better chance of purchasing a lense that is as described.

I had my mind set on the xti and the more I read here, I already want to upgrade and I haven't even purchased yet?? Where am I headed??

Best thing to do is go to the camera store and hold each camera...the one that feels the most comfortable is the one you will use the most. With my big hands the xti is just to small. I'm still using a 300D because it feels good. I don't know if you have lenses yet, but you may want to get the xti and buy some good glass first, then after a few years upgrade the camera to a more featured one.

I had the same dilemma when the 300D was released - get the 300D or the 10D?

In the end, I chose the 300D and a nice lens. I do not regret the choice.

Three years later, I had realised I was expecting more than the camera was able to deliver. By that time, I was able to buy the 30D for the same price the 300D cost back then.

In this day and age, camera bodies are expendible technology. Realise this, and use their expendibility to your advantage. Buy just what you need, and use the money saved to invest in glass.


My advice? The XTi. It will likely be more than you need for quite a while.