Advice for upgrading

I'm just starting to get money for my shots, and I want to plan in advance for upgrading.

Current Equipment:
350D
70-200 2.8L
28 2.8
Sigma 28-80mm
Couple SanDisk Ultra II cards
Velbon RUP-43 monopod

I'm a freshman in high school currently, i could probably stick with the lens setup, but i feel the need to upgrade a body. I'm also pretty much in demand with the school, and find myself taking mostly sports and events, sometimes portarits for yearbook and newspaper. I also need something that can last a while shutter and battery wise, and is also in my budget.

Thanks in advance.

What is it about your XT that makes you feel the need to upgrade?

With the exception of a fast prime you seem to have your range well covered.

Depends on your budget. If you want to spring for the 40D it is fantastic for sports, works very well for portraits, the battery lasts for ages and it's rated for 100k shutter clicks. If you're not planning the purchase now, the price will slowly drop and there are already some used ones appearing - though I'd recommend a new one as you never know why someone is selling such a new camera.

Otherwise, look at the 20D or 30D (used).

There are numerous threads here about all these cameras (sift through the posts carefully as there's a lot of mis-information around) and lots of reviews if you google (some reviews are more reliable than others).

to dave:
i feel like the XT is always running through batteries, and i also want faster shooting for sports.

to miriam:
i was thinking for a 30D or even a 40D if i can get the money for it.

thanks

If the money is tight, I would get the 30D before I would even consider the 40D. You still get 5fps with the 30D, which is nice.
20D is even cheaper would also be an option...

i went to the local camera place and tested both the 30d and the 20d. im leaning with the 30d because it feels great on my hands, better than the xt.

If you are running batteries down that quickly you either need some new ones--your's are at the end of their life--or need a battery grip regardless of what you upgrade to. I can shoot an all day tournament with my gripped XTI without needing to change a battery.

I am considering the 40D also but for the improved AF system not the 6.5 frames per second. I have access to a mk2n and as great as it sounds thats a lot of frames to sort and process if you are the type to hold the button down.

You may want to consider an 85 f1.8 for your indoor shots. If the facility is not really well lit you may struggle with your 2.8s.

And last but not least here is a link to the sports boosters web site we shoot for.

http://rmirelesphoto.e​xposuremanager.com/g/s​ports_season_07-08l

I always recommend to get at least two generations above to have any significant improvement. That said, the XT is on par with the 10D, thus you should get at least the 30D and skip the 20D. And for the price of a 30D you can also get a good condition 1D pro camera. I think you would do great things with the 1D and you will simply fall in love with. Sure it has "only" 4MP and is CCD (which does chew batteries for breakfast), but you'll gain 8.5 fps, 45 AF points, spot metering, solid as a tank build, weather-sealing, and pure awesomeness. There are still many pros out there shooting their 1D for the newspapers and photo-quality full page magazine photos. The image quality is on par with the 10D, and nothing that anti-noise software won't cure.

If I were you: don't think twice and get the 1D for about $800.

The first thing to do is to list out your requirements. What are you looking for in an "upgrade"? List those out. Out of those, which ones are needs and which ones are wants. Determine your budget and then evaluate your options.

Battery consumption is easily cured by new, fresh, high capacity batteries like the ones from Sterlingtek. I'd also argue that you would benefit from a grip for shooting convenience and battery capacity. Not only can one hold 2 rechargeable batteries, it also has a cassette for AA's. Swap out the cassettes in the grip and you're back in business in 10secs or less.

I would suggest some ebay batteries and a flash to your list of goods...

Ultimate CC wrote in post #4183574
...a flash...

For sure

I'd go with the 40D if your budget allows, simply because it's the latest incarnation of the xxD family. But if the budget is tight you can save $300-$400 by getting the 30D which is pretty close to the 40D in most ways and equal in some. Either way, it's a nice step up from the XT.

there's only two reason your battery runs out fast.. 1) you are previewing your photos too much. 2) you got a bad battery.

faster for shooting sport - how much faster you want?? if you are referring to fps, you need to look into the 1 series.. or maybe 40D.

ebann wrote in post #4181846
I always recommend to get at least two generations above to have any significant improvement. That said, the XT is on par with the 10D, thus you should get at least the 30D and skip the 20D. And for the price of a 30D you can also get a good condition 1D pro camera. I think you would do great things with the 1D and you will simply fall in love with. Sure it has "only" 4MP and is CCD (which does chew batteries for breakfast), but you'll gain 8.5 fps, 45 AF points, spot metering, solid as a tank build, weather-sealing, and pure awesomeness. There are still many pros out there shooting their 1D for the newspapers and photo-quality full page magazine photos. The image quality is on par with the 10D, and nothing that anti-noise software won't cure.

If I were you: don't think twice and get the 1D for about $800.

I haven't thought of the 1D yet, ill consider that. Thanks ebann!

dave kadolph wrote in post #4181576
If you are running batteries down that quickly you either need some new ones--your's are at the end of their life--or need a battery grip regardless of what you upgrade to. I can shoot an all day tournament with my gripped XTI without needing to change a battery.

Probably, I put the 30/40/1D up high because I am borrowing the XT from school, as my Nikon D70s gets its shutter replaced in who knows when. (im an official canon convert because of this)

dave kadolph wrote in post #4181576
I am considering the 40D also but for the improved AF system not the 6.5 frames per second. I have access to a mk2n and as great as it sounds thats a lot of frames to sort and process if you are the type to hold the button down.

I consider myself that type who justs holds the button down, really tedious to sort it.

dave kadolph wrote in post #4181576
You may want to consider an 85 f1.8 for your indoor shots. If the facility is not really well lit you may struggle with your 2.8s.

Well the lighting in my school's gym is great for a 2.8 @ ISO800 when natural light filters in from the large windows, but if its night ill have to bump it up to 1600.

Thanks Dave!

johnlo wrote in post #4185529
there's only two reason your battery runs out fast.. 1) you are previewing your photos too much.

Got the bullseye on that one, although its not me who's previewing the photos, its either my editor in chief, friends, or random girls.

johnlo wrote in post #4185529
faster for shooting sport - how much faster you want?? if you are referring to fps, you need to look into the 1 series.. or maybe 40D.

i want enough fps to at least get the ball out of the players hands, or into them. I am a student, so i think most of the series 1 cameras are out of the question financially. Thanks John!

harrydog wrote in post #4184433
I'd go with the 40D if your budget allows, simply because it's the latest incarnation of the xxD family. But if the budget is tight you can save $300-$400 by getting the 30D which is pretty close to the 40D in most ways and equal in some. Either way, it's a nice step up from the XT.

i've let go of the 20D mainly because of the LCD (i do a lot of previewing for people) and the weight kinda. for some reason a 20D with a 18-55mm feels heavier to me than a 30D with a 70-200 2.8L IS attached. strange isn't it? I hope its the 40D because of all the praise for it, but if buisness doesn't go all too well, ill fall back onto a 30D. thanks harry!