Stuck between a rock and a hard place (xt and 30D)

Well I have held both the XT and the 30D and I find the 30D much more comfurtable. The problem is that if I get the 30D I won't even have anough left for a CF card and I'll have to stick with my cheap lens (28-90mm). If I get the XT then I could get a nice L lens (17-40mm). So It's a tough choice and I need a little help. What do you guys think?

Its ultimately up to you, but I would probably go with the nicer lens and XT.

IQ will not be THAT different between the bodies but you should see a big difference between a cheap lens and a nicer lens.

How about a used 20d? You would still get that pro feel and save lots of money.

taybone wrote in post #3201558
How about a used 20d? You would still get that pro feel and save lots of money.

An excellent recommendation.

Mark

You could also find a refurbished 30D - apparently there's some great deals on them.

I have the XTi with the BGE3 Grip and never think of it as a "small" camera anymore - the grip makes a huge difference, especially shooting portrait. (see also this thread on that idea.)

The 30D will give slight better pictures that are smaller, the XTi would give you slightly bigger pictures that are almost (95 to 99%) as nice. I shoot for publishing and the extra pixels are nice for that. However, my next camera will be the 5D or whatever replaces that when I get it.

I got the XTi because no one in Canada (when I bought mine) was selling refurbished 30D's - I might have gone that way if they were though. I just hate for something to go wrong have have to deal with out of country dealer.

I just bought a used 20D here on the boards. You can get them pretty cheap if you're patient. It replaced my XT w/Grip that I've used for the past 2 years. So far I LOVE it. However...if it strictly comes down to XT + nice glass vs. 20D/30D w crappy glass, get the XT. My pictures improved dramatically going from a 100-300 USM (which is still a nice lens) to the 70-200 f/4L. I've also used a 17-55 several times and it is outstanding as well. Good glass makes much more difference to image quality than the body does.

If I were in your shoes, I would make quality glass the priority. Buy your glass, figure out what you have left, then buy whatever body you can, wether a new XT or a used 10, 20, or 30D.

MikeI wrote in post #3202210
If I were in your shoes, I would make quality glass the priority. Buy your glass, figure out what you have left, then buy whatever body you can, wether a new XT or a used 10, 20, or 30D.

+1

Won't matter if you have a better camera if you don't have good glass. Get the glass now, watch for used 30Ds in the future (a month or so) drop in value due to the MKIII coming out and having a trickle effect down through the rest of the line.

I'd rather have a comfortable camera and cheap glass as a temporary solution to start out (while saving up for better lenses) than a cheap uncomfortable body and good glass as a long term solution.

depends on how soon you can sink more $$$ into better lenses... if you're planning on buying more lenses in a few months, by all means go for the 30d, learn on the kit lens and buy better lenses when you're ready to move on. if you're *not* going to be buying additional lenses for awhile, I'd say look at the refurb 20d and better glass. also, there are a lot of alternatives to the 17-40 that cost less and still perform very well (sigma 18-50 macro, tamron 17-50, etc).

Get a USED 30D....

StreetShark wrote in post #3201520
The problem is that if I get the 30D I won't even have anough left for a CF card

Well, I think you've got your answer right here, a new 30D is out of reach at this point. It would be a pretty expensive paper-weight if you can't afford a CF card

Seriously though, you can get CF cards pretty cheap these days (check out Costco if you're a member or have a friend who is). The XT is a great camera but what about the XTi? Or a 20D?

i was in the same, EXACT situation as you two weeks ago.

first, i went ahead and bought an XT, 17-40L, and 430ex. but after using it a few days, i wasnt happy with the XT's size (i had a 20D before and was used to that). so i went ahead and returned the XT and the 430ex and got the 30D w/ the 28-135mm IS and added a little cash.

IMO, if you want the 30D that bad and needed to start a thread to persuade you to get the XT, i would hold off for a few weeks and save a little more to get the camera and lens that you really want.

Glass. I wish I invested in it sooner but I'm making up for it now.

Go for the used XT or 20D 'cause it'll save you a lot in the long run so that you may not go out and by superb glass but something better than the film kit lens and you can get a card and even a grip if need be. Unless you pick all that up in a deal on here like most sell for.

get a good lens first, then pick up an xt or used 20d/30d