XTi -> 5d / 40d? Do I Really Need an Upgrade?

hello fellow POTN'ers

I bet half of you are smacking your heads on your desks, as I see threads like these all the time. I have read through almost every type of comparison thread. But an extra one wont hurt right :P

Anyways, before I list my dilemma, here is my gear list.

XTi w/ grip
Sigma 17-70
Tokina 12-24
Canon 50 1.8
Carl Zeiss 135
580ex & 430ex
and lots of other irrelevant goodies :P

[SIZE=2]I initially started off getting a dslr just to get better photos that my P&S could not provide, but low and behold, I am almost spending every dime I can find on photo gear.

Glass wise, I feel that my kit is almost complete, but I would like to buy maybe a 70-200 f4 or a 135mm just to have an AF telephoto lens since my Zeiss is MF only.

I've been looking at the xxD lines of cameras, and from what I read, the IQ difference isnt THAT much better than what my XTi can produce. Then theres the 5D, which hopefully will be dropping price within the next month or so with the release of the 5D MK2. But the only problem with me getting a 5D is that I would have to start over and buy glass again.

I've been pretty happy with my XTi, up until I had to shoot a 5-6 hr wedding + reception (as a second shooter), most of the time with the 70-200 2.8 IS and a 580ex on board. My hands became so cramped, it was painful. Aside from the size of the XTi and poor ISO performance, I have no gripes about this camera.

Within the next few months, I am going to purchase a telephoto of some sort either the 70-200 or 135 f2. After that, I should have around ~$1800 to play with give or take. (but the more money I save, the better off i will be when it comes to paying for school)

So the 5d and 40d are both very viable options, I just dont know which would suit me better. (I guess thats also something I should be able to answer myself huh? :lol

How much further do you guys predict the 5d prices to drop? I just cant really justify the 40D other than the cheaper price, better ergonomics, screen, (6.5 fps and liveview doesnt matter to me).

I just dont want to fall into the whole gear buying hype, I still remember when I was perfectly happy with the XTi, kit lens & the 50mm. I blame these forums for making me want more :P

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Well, since you are happy with your lens lineup aside from a telephoto I'll advise against going to the 5D since your Sigma 17-70 and Tokina 12-24 aren't compatible.

What about your Xti is making you want to upgrade bodies? Have you reached a limitation or is it simply WANTING to upgrade? If it's results, well, the glass you have is good, the camera you have is capable, so it comes down to perfecting skill. The reasons to upgrade to another crop body really aren't IQ - it's handling, ergonomics, higher ISO performance, larger screens, intuitive controls, and frames per second.

So, in your case, I'd probably stick with the Xti, get a good telephoto, and put the rest in the bank since your sig says "one broke college student".

Have you looked into how you hold the camera? If your hands are cramping after a wedding shoot, this won't be significantly better with a larger camera unless you are holding it incorrectly. Take a look here - especially the bottom of the page, describing how to hold larger lenses.

If that is how you're holding it, I'd suggest trying to be aware of what you're doing whilst using a larger lens. Some suggestions:
- Is the right hand tense, or supporting weight? It should be relaxed, and just used to steady and control the camera.
- If you remove the right hand from the camera, does the camera/lens move? The left hand should be supporting the weight at the balance point, so it shouldn't make much difference if you remove the right hand.
- How do you hold the camera between shots? If you are holding it in the right hand (by the camera grip), then maybe try holding it differently. Between shots I just remove the right hand and continue holding it with the left.

I hope this doesn't come across as patronising, but a little experimentation has to be cheaper than a new camera

well the thing is, with the xti, my fingers are jammed into the body when they wrap around the grip. there simply isnt enough "grip" if you will... the battery grip only provided a vertical extension to the camera, but not a width wise extension if you will...

anyhow, if i went with a 5d, i would most likely keep my xti since selling it right now is futile as its not worth selling at the moment. most 5d packages come with the 24-105 and i think i could be satisfied with that lens for a while.

I just upgraded from the 350D to the 40D. I've never used the 400D, so maybe my comparison isn't totally accurate for your upgrade. But for me it wasn't IQ I was after, it was my "keeper rate." Particularly in low light, the 350D just couldn't focus all that well (with the canon 50mm f/1.4 and 24-105 f/4L). My keeper rate in particularly bad light (forced to shoot ISO 800 or 1600) was maybe 30-40%. So far with the 40D my keeper rate (in terms of focus, anyway) is about 90%. For me that is reason enough to upgrade. There's a huge list of other good reasons, as you know from reading all of those comparison threads.

If the 400D feels cramped, you'll probably really appreciate the 40D. I never felt too bad about the 350D until I spent a day shooting with the 40D. Wow, a world of difference. And the ergonomics of the controls is just head and shoulders above the 350D. i can only imagine how great it will be once I know where all of the buttons are.

Then again, you'll get both of these advantages with the 5D, so it's up to you. But I don't regret my purchase at all. You'll love either one, I'm sure.

Good luck.

question is what do you shoot ?
do you need full frame ?
if crop not a problem then get 40D .

my $0.02.

i went from the XTI to the 5D and have not looked back. At the time the 40D was problem ridden. I would maybe consider semeday picking up a 40D as a backup, but could not use it as my primary. I love the full frame.

thanks for the replies guys.

i shoot mostly automotive right now, but im starting to do a few weddings / portraits, which is why i think a 5d may come in handy.

however if i stay crop, i already have a decent selection of lenses to choose from.
ahh, decisions, decisions.

i think i will wait a month to see what the new 5d offers