Rebel XT/XTi Focusing vs. 30D/40D

I own both an XTi and an XT. The XTi I bought new and is my main camera. The XT I bought used as a backup. I read a post on another forum where a person said that the XT auto focusing is inadequate for using for a wedding and that you should use a 30D at minimum.

Now, I know the focusing systems get better as cameras get updated and the more expensive cameras have better focusing systems but this made me wonder. Although my XT and XTi mis-focus a little from time to time, I feel like I've learned enough about both bodies to really increase the percentage of accurately focused images I get. I have photographed 10 bar/bat mitzvahs in the last 18 months and have been satisfied with my results.

I understand that the XTi is supposed to have a better focusing system than the XT but I haven't noticed a significant difference in the accuracy I've been getting. So, for those of you that have used either the XT or the XTi and then moved up to a 30D or 40D, how much difference have you found? Is it really that significant?

I have never shot with any dSLR other than my two Rebels so I have no way to know how much difference moving up would make.

Thanks, in advance, for your input.

Michael

shot with xt, xti, 40d. xt to xti was a big jump. if you shoot a 2.8 or faster, I find the xt focusing inadaquate. the tolerance for what the camera calls correct focus is too lose. Of course you can always sharpen, an in a smaller print get away with it.
40 D has faster focusing, locking better. I also love the joystick for using focusing point. In ai servo it does better tracking. with single shots, I did not find it any more accurate than xti.
hope that helps.

Thanks for your input. I probably haven't noticed the difference in the XT vs. the XTi because I rarely shoot at f/2.8, even though I have three lenses that are f/2.8 or faster. I'll keep that in mind as it will likely be a while before I buy a 40D or better.

Thanks, again.

My first personal camera was the XT, then I upgraded to the XTi and now 40D. I did notice a bit of a performance gain between the XT and XTi especially in AI-Servo but much less of a performance bump between the XTi and the 40D. I think that the trick is to learn the behavior of the camera and work within it’s parameters which sounds like what you have done.