New Glass or Body

I have a little money burning a hole in my pocket and I can't decide what to spend it on.

I have had my eye on a 30D for some time but I would also like a wider lens.

I guess there is always both

Suggestions?

All my gear is in my sig

Bodies come and go, but glass lasts forever.

Well, we don't really know enough about what you shoot to offer any advice, because it really depends on your needs. You've already got an 18-55, so to go wider you'd have to get Canon's 10-22 or one of the other brands' equivalent lenses. Do you need that wide an angle?

If you don't shoot a lot of fast action sports, for example, and really need wider angle, I'd say get the glass, because the IQ of the 30D and XT are essentially the same, so if you don't need the faster burst rate, bigger buffer and some of the other upgraded features of the 30D, the glass seems like the better choice.

I would get glass.

You've got some useful glass already, so I would suggest getting the 30D.

I enjoy the differences between the 350D and the 30D , and for me it was worth the difference in price.
The 30D has a number of better features, but I enjoy the feel and the far better user interface.

Your purpose might be better served with new glass....Bodies change all the time and the upgrade to a 30D might not be enough of a performance upgrade to outweigh the benefits of an improved lens.

Like Caesar said above, glass (and its quality) last forever!

Thanks for the advice so far.

I shoot my oldest sons (who is 13) soccer games. Everything else is portrait, candid, and landscape.

Can't say no to good glass!!!

If the soccer is important ... then get an upgraded body. The 30D 5FPS when compared to the 3FPS of the 350 is like night and day. 3FPS is so slow that you must wait for the peak of action to make sure you get the shot ... the 5FPS allows you to follow the action and shooting continiously throughout the play. I shoot a lot of sports and soccer.

It doesn't sound as if you need two bodies. Typically if you shoot photo journalism type stuff ... the speed of using two bodies is very helpful. If you feel you don't need two bodies then selling the 350 will provide some extra funds for an ultra wide.

Gary

Thanks again for all the input.

I was in the same boat just last week. Though I already had nice lenses - I had the chance to get rid of one of the lenses for a 30d, but decided to get a grip for the XT instead. If you don't have a grip yet, get one - it changes the feel of the camera so much.

If you don't know the specifics on why you'd be switching bodies, then get the glass. When people look at your pictures, they won't be able to tell what camera it was taken with, but quality lenses will really change what they see.

Have you decided that your present camera won't do all the work you want it to? If so, it's time to upgrade. If not, put your spare money towards another lens or some outings to take pictures.

I don't know what you shoot, nor how much $$ you have in your pocket, but I will take a shot in the dark here:

Sell your entire gear, and add the proceeds to the $ you already have in your pocket.

Then get:

Canon 5D,
Canon 35L,
Canon 85mm F1.8
Canon 200L

The 5D really shines when it comes to fast L primes. The fast apertures will give you the flexability not known to any zoom lens. Your feet will compensate for lack of zoom ring, but there is often no getting around a too slow aperture.

so someone comes on and asks about a $1000 camera, and you advise a $2500 body *and* 2 thousand dollars worth of lenses?

to the OP, faster (longer) glass would definitely help with your sons soccer games, but you'd be limited with the XTs AF system. similarly, if you went with a 30d you'd be limited with the lack of USM/HSM as well. maybe do both, refurb 20d and a 70-200mm f4?