Upgrade to XSI from XTi

I am trying to decide if it's worth it to upgrade to the XSI. I bought one, but now I am having second thoughts. I can sell the XTi + grip + CF and spend a little, or I can sell the XSI and put money towards lenses or a 40D instead.

I've read all about the new features:
-Live View - this matters most, but still I can live without it
-Bigger screen (nice)
-Custom self timer (nice)
-Spot Metering - who cares?
-Extra 2mp - again, who cares?


I'd lose the ability to use the battery grip and 3 batteries that fit my XTi. I'd also have to switch to SDHC, and switch back to CF if I ever get a XXD or 1-series.

I wouldn't be getting the kit (only body) since I have a nice collection of lenses.

What do you guys think?

sell both and put the money towards a 40d? i just got my 40D and i am loving it thus far

I was thinking about that too...

Do you think selling a XTi + Grip + 3 batteries AND a XSi BNIB can be enough for a used 40D?

It'll definitely be enough.

I certainly wouldn't go from the XTi to the XSi.

Get a 40D and I'd keep the XTi as your backup.

If it were me I'd keep the XSi. It's a fantastic little camera. I like the images from it better than from the 40D. The 40D may be more of a shooter's camera but the XSi is just shockingly good for a Rebel. It's a very worthy upgrade from the XTi. Just try it for a week and if you don't agree, do what another poster said: sell both and buy a 40D.

SOK wrote in post #6149548
I certainly wouldn't go from the XTi to the XSi.

Get a 40D and I'd keep the XTi as your backup.

Yep. Going from the XTI to the XSI is like going from an 07 Escort to an 08 Escort. How about an 09 Mustang?

Sorry, I love cars too

Keeping 2 cameras is out of the question, not in the budget right now. I got the XSI with the intention on only keeping one camera. To make it work, I would have to sell both rebels, buy the 40D and have $500-$600 left over.

I upgraded from the XT to the 40d and it was so worth the upgrade, not just in technology, but in build quality and size as well.

Best thing to do is to go and try out both the XSI and 40d to see which one you 'feel' suits you better.

2112 wrote in post #6149808
Yep. Going from the XTI to the XSI is like going from an 07 Escort to an 08 Escort.

It's comments like these that kept me from contributing to this forum for a long time. No offense to you personally, 2112, I'm sure you meant it as a joke, but there is definitely a certain amount of elitism in regards to cameras, especially DSLRs. I felt this more-so when I had my S3, but I thought for sure once I bought my first DSLR (the XSi/450D) that I would officially be part of the "club", but apparently I didn't spend enough money.

Bottom line? I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm happy with my purchase. If I were made of money I might have bought a more expensive body, but I chose the less expensive model with the intention of spending more on a few lenses (nifty fifty, telephoto, etc), in the not too distant future.

I don't think any offense was meant. I think if it were only a matter of which camera to choose as a beginner, the XSi has to be high in the running. But as an upgrade, the difference doesn't seem that great between the XTi and XSi.

I struggled with a decision on which to get as a D-SLR beginner, and chose the 40D because I found a fantastic deal on it ($640 new, with the 25% Microsoft cashback offer in place).

gregrocco wrote in post #6151378
It's comments like these that kept me from contributing to this forum for a long time. No offense to you personally, 2112, I'm sure you meant it as a joke, but there is definitely a certain amount of elitism in regards to cameras, especially DSLRs. I felt this more-so when I had my S3, but I thought for sure once I bought my first DSLR (the XSi/450D) that I would officially be part of the "club", but apparently I didn't spend enough money.

Bottom line? I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm happy with my purchase. If I were made of money I might have bought a more expensive body, but I chose the less expensive model with the intention of spending more on a few lenses (nifty fifty, telephoto, etc), in the not too distant future.

idnas71 wrote in post #6151581
I struggled with a decision on which to get as a D-SLR beginner, and chose the 40D because I found a fantastic deal on it ($640 new, with the 25% Microsoft cashback offer in place).

That is a great deal, and I probably would have bought a 40D too, if I could have found one for that price. As it was, when I bought my 450D, most retailers were selling it for $899, but thanks to someone here who reccomeded www.buydig.com, I was able to get it for $699, with free shipping, so I don't feel too bad.

Sell the Xsi & wait a while since you already have all this stuff for the Xti. Personally, I think its a bit late in the life cycle for the 40D, unless your 30D just broke and you have to have camera that is more rugged than the Xsi.

Actually if you don't find the upgrade from XTi to XSi significant, I don't imagine you'll find the upgrade to a 40D to be all that great either. The biggest gains you'll notice (ergo, the things that will be usable) in a 40D over the XSi are faster burst mode, longer lasting batteries, slightly lower noise at higher ISOs, and that spinning dial on the bottom. Most of the other stuff, you won't use more than 1 percent of the time. You'll also be sacrificing 2 megapixels and contrast-detect AF.

I think the faster burst mode would be most useful. I often shoot several frames to make sure I get the "best" shot, and the XTi leaves me wishing.