Seeking opinion as to upgrade

Okay, just one post and then Randy had better get back to studying or else make a career as a photographer!

I have recently come into a small sum of money-- payment for a Reserve duty period I had written off almost a year ago. It's like a great Christmas bonus for a student!

I am either going to use it to purchase a new camera or my first L lens, and I would really like some opinions as to my best course of action. I am currently using an XT, which I have had for eighteen months or so but only been shooting in earnest for a little under a year. I don't necessarily feel I have "outgrown" this camera, as the potential for growth as a photographer is vast, even with this now-outdated model. Not to mention that growing in skill at PP is almost completely independent of camera.

Still, as an American and as a consumer by nature, I'm drooling at the prospect of new gear and new glass.

So in your collective opinion, would I be better served by upgrading from the XT to a 40D or 50D or by sticking with the XT and buying some serious L glass, such as the 17-40mm f/4 L, or (as sav-one recommended to me) the 16-35mm f/2.8 L, or... something else?

Since I don't have a gear list posted, and that might influence opinion, I currently have the following:

Digital Rebel XT, 18-55mm kit lens, 28-135mm IS, 50mm f/1.8, Quantaray 50mm f/2.5 macro, and Peleng 8mm f/3.5 fisheye. I'll be picking up the Sigma 10-20mm tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

Sorry, I didn't realize there was an extremely similar thread just a few lines down. I'll take my advice there!

Cheers

If it were me, I would buy a new camera over glass, simply for the following reasons;

Better controls, better camera, better iso control, better IQ, bigger cam (40D/50D) makes you feel more pro lol.

Glass is nice, but Id start your new gear off with a great new camera and if it were me, Id get the 50D simply because it has higher iso, way better LCD, some new cool features and its pretty much at the moment at about $1100 for the body.

Well, I hope you check back in this thread. It's time for you to upgrade your camera. If you are doing a lot of shooting, the XT is approaching a real deadline. Better glass is nice, but being able to record images is better. Then the XT can be a backup. Used 40D or 5D, even a new one at current discounted prices.

And I am an old Infantryman, myself.

If it were me, and you didnt need the XT as a backup, Id sell it and use the $ towards your new cam, maybe get a nice $300 lens like a 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 or something.

Hi its not an easy question to answer it depends what you want to shoot for sports for example the 40D will be better
I,ve got a 350D (XT) and a 40D
I still use the 350D as well and honestly believe at lower ISO s you wont be able to tell the difference in image quality
If you fancy a new camera by all means get it thats what I did
Pete

Hi guys, and thanks for all of the responses!

I think it's 40D time for me! I think I will keep the XT and use it as a backup and secondary cam. I like the 40D over the 50D because I really don't need the extra megapixels and I know without a doubt it is a good camera from using a friend's. The 50D would be a splurge, and I'm just not sure the benefits over the 40D are enough for me, given the price differential.

randy.wick wrote in post #6863936
Hi guys, and thanks for all of the responses!

I think it's 40D time for me! I think I will keep the XT and use it as a backup and secondary cam. I like the 40D over the 50D because I really don't need the extra megapixels and I know without a doubt it is a good camera from using a friend's. The 50D would be a splurge, and I'm just not sure the benefits over the 40D are enough for me, given the price differential.

The LCD and ISO would be enough for me, but thats me. The LCD alone is enough for me really lol. The 3" 220k LCD is a turd imo.