Canon EOS 40D

Well the A200 has in-body IS (or Sony's version of IS) and that alone is a positive to an upgrade, and really depends on the glass, sounds like you'll need a telephoto with a big aperture. As suggested above, 70-200 f/2.8 is an option, you can get sigma's version for cheaper, you can get a teleconverter for the lens to 1.4 considering the 40d has a crop factor of 1.6, you'll have a nice aperture that will get the job done and plenty of zoom.

I've shot both high school and college gymnastics for well over 20 years now. The most important thing is to get in as much light as you can, ie, fast lenses. I started off back then with a very slow 75-300 f/5.6 lens, then upgraded to a constant 70-200 f/4 lens. This was in the late 80s. (Non Canon make). Then went for a 80-200 2.8L lens in the early 90s, 70-200 2.8L lens a year later.

Then threw in the towel on all 2.8 lenses. Just way too slow for the images that I had in mind - mid air leap shots that were ultra tack sharp. But back then I was shooting with Fuji 400 and Fuji 800 press film.

My main lenses now are the 200 1.8L EF and the 85 1.2L EF II with a future upgrade to the 200 2.0L EF IS on the way. The 85 1.2L EF II is a great lens when coupled with a faster focusing Mark 3.

The f/stops make a HUGE difference.

They don't allow a flash for any high school or college gymnastics event. It's against their rules and grounds for you to get kicked out of the event.

At the very least, the 135 f/2.0 will get you some very decent shots. I've seen many 40d rigs coupled with this lens. The 85 1.8 is also good.

Funny story - my buddy and I (I'm shooting a mark 3, he's with a Nikon D3) were both at a college gymnastics event. There's a person in the crowd that fires off a flash and the officials come to us and say "no flash use". I looked at her and pointed to the cameras - "Does it even LOOK like we need a flash?!?!" I'm using the 200 1.8L EF and he's with the Nikon 200 f/2 AFS. Then I pointed to the crowd behind us and said to her "I'd suggest looking there first...we're not equipped with flashes." The official walked away highly embarrassed.

She was one of those ladies that always seems to have a chip on her shoulder. If she was one of the students (and was cute) then I would have educated her, gotten her phone number, set up a date and then send her on her way to find "the flasher".

PM01 wrote in post #5985183
My main lenses now are the 200 1.8L EF and the 85 1.2L EF II with a future upgrade to the 200 2.0L EF IS on the way. The 85 1.2L EF II is a great lens when coupled with a faster focusing Mark 3.

Ha, tell 'em what the 200 f/2 and f/1.8 cost. I'm sure they'll jump for the chance to get one of those since the 70-200 f/2.8 IS was too expensive.

PM01 wrote in post #5985183
My main lenses now are the 200 1.8L EF and the 85 1.2L EF II with a future upgrade to the 200 2.0L EF IS on the way. The 85 1.2L EF II is a great lens when coupled with a faster focusing Mark 3.

AHHH!!!

It sounds like i need a lot more research. I just looked at the the Nikon D200, that one is almost the same as the 40D... anyway. I'm looking for good glass that would be in a pre-college student's budget...

The D200 is a discontinued camera that is almost two and a half years old. It won't have near the low noise in high ISOs that the 40D has, it has no live view either.

Oh wow, really? Hmm. Okay then. I think my mind is just about made up on the 40D. I went into a local store and held it and fired off a few shots. I have to say that the silent mode is REALLY impressive. And the shutter speed, freaking amazing in person. You have to actually hear it to believe it. Anyway, Now that I have in fact held the piece of art. I think I'm ready to buy it(when I have the money). I am looking forward to more pointers... please keep posting.

Perhaps rent some of the lenses for the more important shoot?