Invest in 40D upgrade or lenses?

I've posted a bit on the lens forum, but today my father told me that he is going to buy an XTi after using mine for some sports shots last weekend.

I have $1400 saved up for lens purchases, and am a serious hobby photographer with hopes of one day going semi pro-doing kids portraits and some sports on a small local scale.

I can sell my Xti (body only) to my dad for what a new one would cost him-mine is about 10 months old. Would I be better off buying a 40D with the difference + some savings and starting with less of a lens collection and moving up later (I'd be starting with the 18-55kit that I already have, and probably a Sigma 17-70 & 85/1.8)

OR I can keep my XTi and use all my cash now for just lenses. For someone who wants to get more serious, WWYD?

just as ive learned.. the XTi is a very capable camera for shooting both, I say go with better Glass

Normally I'd say glass, but what are you going to be out in the body upgrade? If it's only about $400 or so, I'd go with the 40D. It's a significantly better camera than the XTi, and something you can grow into for quite a while at the cost of only one moderately priced lens. You'd still have $1000 or so for lenses, which would get you the 17-70 and 85 1.8 easily.

prime80 wrote in post #5279814
Normally I'd say glass, but what are you going to be out in the body upgrade? If it's only about $400 or so, I'd go with the 40D. It's a significantly better camera than the XTi, and something you can grow into for quite a while at the cost of only one moderately priced lens. You'd still have $1000 or so for lenses, which would get you the 17-70 and 85 1.8 easily.

where the heck do you find a 40D body for $400? everyplace I look, there are Still $900-$1100

Ben, my dad is willing to buy my Xti for whatever a new one would cost him. So say he gives me $500 for it, then a 40D would only cost me another $400 or so out of pocket.

That or I keep my Xti and have the $400 towards another lens. I'm thinking the upgrade seems to be a better choice, especially with what I've been reading about Xti's giving trouble at 25,000-50,000 clicks. I've probably got about 5000 on mine already. My dad won't be using it for anything other than their (very limited) personal use, so that doesn't matter to him.

I'd upgrade. The difference if you're selling the XTi is pretty small.. and once the Xsi is available everywhere, the price of the XTi will drop significantly. After that, you won't be able to get nearly as much for your used body. I just did the same and I'm confident that now is the best time to upgrade.

I think he was going to sell the XTi, so $400 is the difference (approximately).

I say go with the camera - simply because you get to pass on the XTi and introduce someone else in this expensive world.

i just switched my xti to a 40d. i was convinced after reading so many posts about people being so happy with their 40d. my 40d will be coming in tomorrow. so excited =]

got it...math is my worst subject

Do you find yourself missing shots now due to lack of lenses? If so Id fill any gaps before upgrading. For the money though that wouldn't be a bad upgrade and its likely you would be very happy with the upgrade. With $1000 in pocket after getting the new camera its not like you would be broke if you still decided on another lens later.

Another choice would be a 30D. Amazon has new 30Ds for $760 and used ones are going for around $650.

The 30D and 40D have a much nicer user interface than the Rebels, and (having large hands) I much prefer the size too.

-js

go for lens since body price seem to drop much faster compare to glass.

I say go for the glass. A body is a body. There's not much tech difference between the XTi and a 30/40D...

Looked at another way:

a 40D with a kit lens won't look much better than an XTI with a kit lens...
but...
Put a nice piece of sharp L glass on your XTi... well, you get the idea.

Sounds like it could be an ideal time to upgrade the body. As mentioned, you could also go for a 30D which doesn't have quite so many bells & whistles, but does have comparable IQ.

Hmmm, let's see, you have $1400, and can get another $500. The choice is clear, get both the 40D and some glass.