Might sell my Rebel XT, Should I get the 30D?

I had two Rebel XT Kits, put my brand new XT on craigslist and sold it for $450... Now my friend wants to buy the one I use I could probably get about $400 for this one. So from my XTs id have $850 or so.....

What can I get a 30D for? Ive been wanting one and theres one on craigslist for $800 with the kit lens thats 3 months old if its not sold yet, is that a good price?

I was thinking about getting a grip and or better shortranged Lens, (I have a 70-200 F/4L) and a 50mm 1.8 and kit lens. I also need to get a better tripod down the road, a remote button, and grip for either one... ahhh

Help me out lol

From what I've seen, $700-$800 seems to be the going price for a 30d now that the 40D is on the shelves. I could be wrong. The 30D is an awesome camera for that price, especially with the extra metering mode and ISO options over the XT. I would get the 30D any of the aforementioned lenses over the grip. The size of the 30D body makes it feel well balanced even w/o the grip.

yeah, someone posted in the market watch about brand new ones for $799. IM going to check that out tomorrow and call them...

What is different about the 30D's light metering system compared to the rebel XT?

Spot metering is available on the 30D, something lacking on the XT and XTi.

30D has better auto-focusing than the XT. It works much better with fast lenses than the XT due to having a high-precision center focus point for f2.8 and faster lenses.

30D has a larger LCD and MUCH nicer controls. After using it for a little while, the XT will feel somehow lacking.

JackProton wrote in post #4215703
Spot metering is available on the 30D, something lacking on the XT and XTi.

30D has better auto-focusing than the XT. It works much better with fast lenses than the XT due to having a high-precision center focus point for f2.8 and faster lenses.

30D has a larger LCD and MUCH nicer controls. After using it for a little while, the XT will feel somehow lacking.

Does it actually meter the light and the XT just looks at colors? or am i understanding that wrong

if youre going to get a 30D, get it through BH's used selection. they re-finish slightly used bodies, and make them practically brand new. My friend got a new-used 20D and kit lens with EVERYTHING that comes in a box upon original purchase for 700 several months back. i just checked yesterday cause that's what i'm thinking about doing, and they were pretty cheap.

79TAKid wrote in post #4216141
Does it actually meter the light and the XT just looks at colors? or am i understanding that wrong

You may be thinking of the histogram display for the 30D which can show you the brightness level plot you're used to or one based on three plots of individual RGB brightness levels. Not very useful for me but I suppose you might want to check whether, say, BLUE levels were over-exposed compared to GREEN and RED.

The extra exposure mode on the 30D is spot metering. This allows you to base the exposure on the light levels in a relatively small area. Very handy if your subject is lit to a different level than the backgrounf such as being in shadow or being backlit with sunlight.

mm. I just bought one. lol
After reading the flash bible, I thought abt getting an xt and kit combo. but my heart tells me abt the 30 d mainly because of better frip and longer shutter lifespan.
Flash is nice, but oh well, I'll eat instant noodle for now.. .. I'm sold. after waiting for a long time.

Congrats! You'll really like the 30D. As for flash, see if one of the Sigma 500 DG models are in your budget.

I just picked up a 30D for $710 with an extra battery. I added it as a second body, my first being the XT. After only a few days with it I can tell you it's a worthy upgrade. The focusing accuracy and speed are much better, spot metering is nice, larger LCD, better feeling in my hands, more durable....nice all around and a real bargain if you ask me. I was going to get a 40D but decided to save the extra $600 and get something else instead like a nice lens or ABR800 ring flash.

Congrats on the 30D -- get used to it and use your XT with the kit lens as a "snapshot camera". The 30D will outperform.

The common wisdom is to get as much good glass as you can afford, and I agree with this but there are other things as well: do you do landscape photography? If so, get a tripod that will firmly support your 30D. It's heavier than your XT and that counts. Get at least one external flash -- that can make a world of difference. Think about lenses carefully and get the best you can afford a bit at a time.

The 30D is a serious step up, not just in size, but in class, and you will begin to accumulate gear accordingly, so get some good gear bags! If you're out and about, you can pack a couple of gear bags, but five becomes cumbersome!

The Digital Rebel Series are "entry level" cameras -- that means you are entering a field of photography that will be challenging you, but that will reward you as well.

Congrats on your choice!

Tony