Help? Should I upgrade? I need advice.

I am sorry that this is another post about upgrading. I want to get a 5D, but I won't be able to afford it for well, a long time. I currently have the Rebel XT, it is a great little camera. It has the ability to produce some really good quality images. Just look at my site. Most people don't believe they were taken with a Rebel. Granted I also have L Glass.

What I am looking at is a used 30D. I have found one local that is about $650. I know the image quality should pretty much be the same. The biggest factor for me is the viewfinder. The Rebel viewfinder is sooo small. I honestly have trouble composing shots because I can't see. I wear glasses and it is already a little difficult for me, but when I compose shot, I can't usually see peoples expressions through the little viewfinder because it is so tiny. So, do you think it is worth the upgrade? I would keep the rebel as a backup. What are your thoughts? Oh yeah the bigger screen on the back would be nice too.

Thank you for your help.

About a year ago I did what you are thinking about doing. I have the XT as a backup. Image quality, as you say, is about the same. ISO 3200 ability on the 30D is nice, I use it all the time. I think noise at higher ISO is slightly better on the 30D (my opinion). The 30D has a more substantial feel. The screen on the back is bigger and so is the viewfinder.

There are "countless" other upgrades on the 30D. Whether they are important to you, only you can say.

I believe, based on what you are looking for, that you will be happy with the 30D. It is a great camera that can be had for nice prices these days.

Checked out your site Bernard,

great portraits.

really like your composition- I thought they were original, but subtley so

David

KidPower- Thanx for your advice, I think I would be happy too. I am having trouble convincing my wife to let me do it though. At this point, I will probably not be allowed to get it, but we'll see.

Ob_Com- Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them.

Only you can really answer the upgrade question, but if it were me, I don’t consider the XT to 30D a large enough upgrade to dish out the cash unless there is some feature that you really need. Save for the 5D.

I'm usually pretty conservative about body upgrades (30D here), but I like your portraits Bernard and I'm sure they deserve a 5D.

Feel free to quote me.

Maybe we can start an email campaign to the wife. Give us her email. I’m sure the POTN community can flood her inbox with:
“Bernie needs a 5D, needs it now” email.
Just say the word.

EOS MAN1 wrote in post #5658817
I want to get a 5D, but I won't be able to afford it for well, a long time.
I currently have the Rebel XT...
...I also have L Glass.
What I am looking at is a used 30D...

I hear what your saying and being the good friend that I am I will suggest the following:

If your going to stay in the 1.6 crop world get the 40D. It is quite possibly the last 1.6 crop body a person could need.

• Bigger viewfinder (yes even better than the 30D)
  
• Better focusing (yes even better than the 30D)
  
• LiveView! Now you can manually focus for tripod use! Perfect!

Thanx for the advice. The 40D is pretty sweet. I got to hold it in bestbuy the feel of it is just amazing.

XT and the 20D/30D should have the same image quality, so if it's worth $650 to get those features you are looking for yes. If not, no.

As someone who just went from and XT to a 30D, I can honestly say it was worth EVERY single penny. While there might not be any difference in IQ, there is a HUGE difference in AF. Yesterday, I went out and chased my 2 year old daughter around a shaded yard with a pool. Over 200 shots and not a single misfocus. That would have never happened on my XT. Also, the FPS difference on the 30D and XT is jaw dropping.

Check out Adorama as they are selling Canon Factory Refurbs for cheaper than what you are planning to pay used. These cameras look and function like new. They come with an Adorama 90 day warranty. If I could afford it I would buy a second one.


Lee

Where did you see those on Adorama?

Here:
http://www.adorama.com …fo=30D%20refurb​&item_no=2

$639 for body with free shipping

$649 for body/kit lens and you gotta pay shipping!

EDIT: Don't let the 7-10 day free shipping throw you off. I have received 2 items from them 2 business days after placing order ( I placed order at 930AM on Tuesday, received on Thursday!). This was to South Carolina though, so if you live on the West Coast YMMV.

EOS MAN1 wrote in post #5659333
KidPower- Thanx for your advice, I think I would be happy too. I am having trouble convincing my wife to let me do it though. At this point, I will probably not be allowed to get it, but we'll see.

Ob_Com- Thanks for your comments, I appreciate them.

Hmmm...here's an of the wall suggestion.

Sell your 17-40 and 24-70 and XT with the grip. Buy the 5D with the 24-105. You won't miss the 17-40 because 24 mm on a Full Frame is like 16 mm on a crop; with IS and the ability to shoot at higher ISO on a 5D, you won't miss the 24-70. Once your wife sees what you can create with a 5D she'll be begging you to buy more lenses!!

Thats a good thought, but she would be pissed if I sold that stuff. She doesn't like it if I don't stick with what I have. Apparently I am never satisfied. I had the Rebel for 2 years, it is time to move up.