Sports shooters - I need some advice please

Currently I am shooting with the XTi and 70-200mm F/4L. I also just bought the 1.4x extender but it's been terrible weather and I can't get a nice sunny day to check it out. I mainly shoot youth baseball and football. I'm no professional at all so this combo should suit my needs, but, like many others I feel the need for more .
Here are my choices that I need help with.
I currently have a new in the box 40D sitting here haunting me. I need to decide if I am keeping it or returning it.
Should I upgrade from the XTi to the 40D or should I take it back and upgrade my lens? Which lens would you recommend?
I was considering the sigma 70-200mm F/2.8. Is this better then the canon F/4? I like the price better then the canon 70-200mm f/2.8 but I don't want junk either. Then I also considered the 100-400mm but I didn't like the 5.6.
What do you suggest?

Keep the 40D and the 70-200 f4.0 Thats what this was taken with.

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The 40D will have a big advantage of less noise at high ISO settings and more frames per second. As far as good light photography the XTI will do just fine for IQ.

Depending on your budget a camera body will not dramatically change the IQ by ten folds. Selecting a lens with different focal lengths or faster glass will increase the versatility in your shooting abilities. When the 40D gets discontinued it'll be "alot" of camera for a reduced price. Just like how 5D's are getting dirt cheap since theres anticipation for significant features for the 5D replacement.

I only have the XTI but I'll more than likely go full frame before I get another crop body (40D). Who knows when a larger sensor will be used for mid level dslr bodies. I dumped more money on a new 70-200 2.8IS knowing that would be more versatile in the long run vs. me buying a 40D. I too was in a camera shop with the 40D in my hand but looked to the next shelf where the EF 70-200 2.8IS and xtra 580EXII....... I still own the XTI.

I'll buy more lenses before I go with a new body. This is just my journey into this sickening expensive hobby. But to be truthful I cannot bare the noise I get with the xti at ISO 1600. I will deal with it for a while.

Keep the 40D. Shot with 10D - 70-200L f4 + 1.4xII.

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I'd try and keep the 40D and keep the XTi for a backup.Use the 70-200mm with the converter, until you need more speed . Then take it off.

I have thought about selling my 100-300mm f/4 , for the 120-300mm f/2.8. Maybe next year

My first Canon was a 40D. I just picked up a used 30D as a backup body. The 30D has really (really!) made me appreciate the 40D's focus ability. It is faster and more sure, especially with the non-centered sensors.

I expect that if you'd upgrade from the XTi to the 40D, you'd see some very positive performance improvements for sports photography.

I shoot school sports with the 70-200 f/4 IS and 1.4 TC. The results, even wide open at full tele on the lens are just great and the f/4 lens is much lighter than the f/2.8.

Bosscat wrote in post #5549333
Keep the 40D and the 70-200 f4.0 Thats what this was taken with.

WOW! that is some crisp colorful action shot!!!

Everyone's been very helpful, thank you. Wonderful pictures posted!

n1as wrote in post #5550636
My first Canon was a 40D. I just picked up a used 30D as a backup body. The 30D has really (really!) made me appreciate the 40D's focus ability. It is faster and more sure, especially with the non-centered sensors.

I shoot school sports with the 70-200 f/4 IS and 1.4 TC. The results, even wide open at full tele on the lens are just great and the f/4 lens is much lighter than the f/2.8.

Well if you see that much improvement from the 30D then I am sure to see it from the XTi, huh?

I have gotten some wonderful shots (still learning) but I have been disappointed lately because it seems to be really cloudy here lately and I can't get my shutter speed up without bumping the ISO and once I hit 400 on the XTi it is visable to me and I have to run noiseware. This is one of the things I really look forward to with the 40D , the low noise!!! Am I correct in saying that the 40D is much better then the XTi at a higher ISO... which means I can bump the ISO to get a faster shutter speed ... which means I may start liking my lens more and I should get better results on a cloudy day?

I think you all helped me make up my mind, I think I'm keepin it!

Bosscat wrote in post #5549333
Keep the 40D and the 70-200 f4.0 Thats what this was taken with.

Love the color here, it's fabulous!

n1as wrote in post #5550636
the f/4 lens is much lighter than the f/2.8.

This is another thing I had worried about, I have enough trouble handholding the F/4... I worry I can't handle the 2.8

40d and 70-200 f4 non IS

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caroleigh wrote in post #5550716
Am I correct in saying that the 40D is much better then the XTi at a higher ISO... which means I can bump the ISO to get a faster shutter speed ... which means I may start liking my lens more and I should get better results on a cloudy day?

It may be alot better then the XTi, but it isn't as great as alot of people claim it is IMO. The one series is better, but then at triple the price it should be.

Maybe I am just pickier then most, but I cannot stand the noise over ISO 500

Keep the 40D. While the XTi is a really good camera I find the 40D to have much better focussing characteristics and it just has a nicer feel (i have big hands so that plays a large factor). For sports shooting you can't go wrong with the 6fps of the 40D either.

As for the Sigma 70-200 2.8.. it's a superb lens but make sure like any other lens that you test it first to make sure you got a good copy.

I shot this image this weekend with the 40D + Sigma 70-200 combo hand-held and was swapping the 1.4x extender on as I needed. I've got no qualms about the IQ of the Sigma for the price.

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