upgrade from xsi to 40D or 50D. Necessary?

Help! I have an almost brand new XSI w/ 2 lenses (18-55 and 55-250) and love it (purchased in May of this year). I was going to buy a vertical grip for it as well as the new Canon 18-200mm IS lens or the new Tamron 18-270mm IS lens for convenience.

For the money that I'll spend on these items, is it worth selling my XSI and upgrading instead to the 50D that comes with the 18-200mm IS lens? I'm not a professional but love to use my camera and don't want to get trapped into 'newer is better'. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

If you love what you have now, then don't upgrade. Spend time shooting for a couple months. Look at your images and see what is lacking for you (Do you find yourself missing shots because of lack of flash, not having "fast glass"; meaning something with a wider aperture, etc.) and then decide where to spend your money. Most people on here will always advise you to buy a better lens before a new body.

the XSi is an marvelous camera, but before you upgrade, ask yourself whether or not you would need the extra features that come with the 40D or 50D..
before I got the XSi, I had a tough decision whether to get the 40D or XSi, but I figured i don't need the high FPS that the 40D would give me, and the XSi actually has more megapixels, upgraded focus system, etc.. and i much rather save money from the body and get better lenses!

good luck

I agree on wait..
On may you paid top dollar for your XSI which is a great camera, best selling this year for Canon, on Par image quality with 40D AND 50D
I think: Selling you XSI today would be a mistake money wise as dealers are selling XSIs at 600$, (I paid almost 800 $ for mine when I got it)
Do you need Higher ISO? , get faster lens,, You'll eventually will get a faster lens
Wait and get your newer camera next year, either get a new generation body or get a 50D when the next generation of xxD shows up, (look how cheap the 40Ds are on the market now)
Now, if you shoot sports professionally , well that is another story, but, I don't think you would get a XSI if you where a pro shooting sports.
Learn a lot on photography and buy better , faster glass, you'll use it on your next body
Get your grip for 60$ and you'll have a better grip on your body
Just my 2 cents
best of luck!

I was thinking the same thing too. I got the XSi, and am pretty happy about it. But the other day, I played around with my friend's 40D, and kinda regretted that I didn't get the 40D instead (I tried to set the WB to a specific Kelvin, and XSi wouldn't let me do it). I know, kind of stupid. But it made me thinking. Well, I'm nowhere near the pro level, and have not yet owned any L glass. Which kind of soothed me; that maybe I don't need to upgrade right now.

Thanks for those who shared their thoughts.

creme.brulee wrote in post #6578303
I was thinking the same thing too. I got the XSi, and am pretty happy about it. But the other day, I played around with my friend's 40D, and kinda regretted that I didn't get the 40D instead (I tried to set the WB to a specific Kelvin, and XSi wouldn't let me do it). I know, kind of stupid. But it made me thinking. Well, I'm nowhere near the pro level, and have not yet owned any L glass. Which kind of soothed me; that maybe I don't need to upgrade right now.

Thanks for those who shared their thoughts.

Shoot in RAW and setting temperature is cake in post.

i don't think it's worth an upgrade..stick with what you have

creme.brulee wrote in post #6578303
I was thinking the same thing too. I got the XSi, and am pretty happy about it. But the other day, I played around with my friend's 40D, and kinda regretted that I didn't get the 40D instead (I tried to set the WB to a specific Kelvin, and XSi wouldn't let me do it). I know, kind of stupid. But it made me thinking. Well, I'm nowhere near the pro level, and have not yet owned any L glass. Which kind of soothed me; that maybe I don't need to upgrade right now.

Thanks for those who shared their thoughts.

Yes, DPP will let you set your temperature very easily and will do a great job at it..
Allow me to mention what has made the biggest impact on my skill other than practice every time I can (not that Im good at it)
Three things (a side of my XSI obviously) that have boosted my love and quality for photography..
1 The lenses, In my case the Tamron 28-45f2.8 and the 70-200f4, they really help open a new variety of possibilities on your camera, you pick your poison
2 Photoshop Elements 6 in my case , with Noise Ninja (amazing, best 70 and 40$ I spent) or your pick of software to manipulate your pictures, there are many options
3 My new flash, a whole new world opening in from of my eyes (I just got a 580II)

And all this I'll still have next year when I decide is time for a newer body
use your camera to the maximum possibilities and enjoy!
Just my 2 cents

Stay with the XSI a buy a Grip for it.

The grip makes the camera much easier to handle, extends battery life and gives it much better balance with larger lenses.

Then, spend your money on better glass.

dino8031 wrote in post #6578932
spend your money on better glass.

+1 to that!

I would go from XSi to 50D. XSi to 40D is not worth it

also,remember you are upgrading for camera features, Image quality is hardly distinguishable from the rebels /40d/50d.

For image quality...

+1 for "stay w/ the XSi"
+1 for "buy better glass"
+1 for "shoot in RAW"
+1 for "buy a vertical grip" (not for IQ but nice to have)

For in-camera features...

+1 for "sell XSi and buy the 50D"

yep a grip helps is the camera is too small for you.

Don't waste your money on 18-200, IMHO. According to tests this is so-so lens. Even worse than 17-85 IS USM, which is also way too far from being ideal.