XTi or 30d?

Returning my XTi because of a dead pixel,

I was thinking about just buying a new XTi when I realized that a 30d body is not that much more expensive (about $1000 for the kit)

I shoot mostly for fun- sports like football and surfing. The only complaint I have about the XTi is the slow FPS bursts, and I think I would enjoy the faster continuous shooting mode in the 30d.

Will the jump from the XTi to the 30d be worth it for me? Or should i go with the XTi and save myself a few bucks?

looks like you have already made up your mind.. the xti is a learners camera.

The 30D is worth it, in my opinion. The handling of the 30D is different, and much more pleasant in my opinion (I briefly owned an XTi but found it too small for my hands to be comfortable with it). For instance, the 30D has a dial on the back which allows you to adjust the shutter speed and the aperture independently and quickly, while the XTi requires that you press a button while moving the front dial in order to adjust aperture (while in manual mode).

The 30D's autofocus is reportedly better, but I never got a chance to use them side by side for comparison.

The 30D has spot metering, which I find very useful (makes it a lot easier to do moon shots, for instance).

And finally, there's a world of difference in build between the two, with the advantage going to the 30D.

If the prices are anywhere close, I'd go for the 30D.

Note, too, that with the advent of the 40D, you should be able to pick up a 30D on the used market for a very good price. Check the classified forums here on POTN.

The XTi is a good camera, but it's still "current" which might mean the prices haven't dropped too much.

The 30D has some advantages over the XTi, but has been replaced by the 40D which means the prices on the 30D have been dropping.

The result is that the 30D is a bit of a better deal in terms of what you pay for what you get.

30D without a doubt. I uprgraded last year and have not had 1 regret.

shannyD wrote in post #4042982
..... the xti is a learners camera.

<rant on> Are we ever going to stop propagating this misconception? Referring to the 3 digit cameras as beginner cameras is an insult to the photographers who choose to use them insinuating that if only they had a few more bucks then they too could become real photographers. The 300, 350, 400 is no more a learners camera than the 20, 30, 40 is a pro wanna-be. They are all cameras with nearly identical features and nearly identical IQ. The only real difference is in build and size with a few extra features sprinkled in. <rant off>

seems like 30d is the best bet...

any reason to wait a bit longer?
like rebates (in october?), or to give it more time for the price to drop?

doubledragon wrote in post #4042975
Returning my XTi because of a dead pixel,

I was thinking about just buying a new XTi when I realized that a 30d body is not that much more expensive (about $1000 for the kit)

I shoot mostly for fun- sports like football and surfing. The only complaint I have about the XTi is the slow FPS bursts, and I think I would enjoy the faster continuous shooting mode in the 30d.

Will the jump from the XTi to the 30d be worth it for me? Or should i go with the XTi and save myself a few bucks?

Right now I'm not sure a 30D at $1000 is best bang for the buck.
You could buy a mint XTi right now for $500 and take the other $500
and get some nice glass... say a mint 70-200 f/4L or a 200 f2.8L for
$500 and I think you'd be very happy with the images... slower burst
can definitely be offset with greater attention paid to timing, at least IMHO...

A beginners Camera?...1,000,000 people shall prove you wrong :P

shannyD wrote in post #4042982
looks like you have already made up your mind.. the xti is a learners camera.

really? care to elaborate on that?

The XTI is Canon's "Entry" level camera. I doubt that ShannyD is saying that anyone that shoots with an XTI is a beginner. I took some really nice photos with my XT. In fact, instead of selling it when I bought my 30d and 5d, I sent it in to have it converted for IR. The XTI isn't as nice as the 30d (in my opinion) and I don't think that Canon meant it to be at that price, but it still takes nice pictures.

ducko wrote in post #4044452
The XTI is Canon's "Entry" level camera. I doubt that ShannyD is saying that anyone that shoots with an XTI is a beginner.

I would not even say it that way. The three digit cameras are not beginner cameras, entry level cameras, or learner cameras. If the two digit cameras are referred to as prosumer cameras then the three digit cameras are consumer cameras. They will provide the same image quality as a prosumer camera, have nearly all the features but are smaller and not built to the same standards needed for professional work.

gjl711 wrote in post #4044573
I would not even say it that way. The three digit cameras are not beginner cameras, entry level cameras, or learner cameras. If the two digit cameras are referred to as prosumer cameras then the three digit cameras are consumer cameras. They will provide the same image quality as a prosumer camera, have nearly all the features but are smaller and not built to the same standards needed for professional work.

I don't want to seem like I am trying to argue but it is currently the cheapest digital SLR that canon offers. That's what I mean by "entry level". I'm not saying that if you own one, you can't be a professional. I don't know any professionals that use the XTI, but that doesn't mean that they aren't out there.

Entry level is much less condescending than beginner or learner with both the latter insinuating that somehow if I choose to shoot with my XTi I am no more than a beginner, but if I use my 40D or 5D somehow the cameras boost my status. I know it’s a nit maybe not worth picking and I’m being argumentative, but the three digit cameras get a bad rap and I was feisty yesterday.