Another which should I buy thread...

O.k. I know that there are a lot of these threads, but based on the replies that others get, I assume you guys don't mind.

My rebel xt died. Cost is a huge factor, including overall cost (accessories, etc)

My choices... (all are referbs, with their advantages/disadvantag​es as I see them)

40D - uses CF that I have, bigger camera, would not require a grip, 1 year warranty. Would require 1 extra battery. ($699) (no lens)

SXi - would need new grip, battery's, memory cards, 90 day warranty. Newer technology than what I have. ($549) (w/ IS Kit lens)

XTi - would allow reuse of my batteries, my grip, my memory cards. Oldest technology however, not much of an upgrade from what I already have. 90 day warranty. ($349) (No lens)

Here is my thinking, tell me I am wrong. I like the idea of a bigger LCD. I would like to keep the money down, but I think I can swing the 40D. My rebel XT took over 30,000 shots before it died, and with the 40D being the only one of the three rated for 100,000 shots, and the 1 year warranty, I am leaning that way.

I would love the IS kit lens, but can live without it. Unless I get strong opinions telling me why I am wrong... the XTi is just too old, the SXi is o.k, but add a grip and batteries, and memory, and I am at the price of the 40D.

Your feedback is appreciated.

p.s. I also seem to see more issues with the SXi vs the 40d, is that true, or is it just that more people own the SXi.

I prefer the feel of the XX bodies and controls, so I would go with the 40D if it were me.

40D.... I upgraded to the 40D from the rebel x series and my only regret was not doing it sooner.

40D

+1 for 40D.

Seems like the 40d is the clear winner, and the way I was leaning also. Can anyone confirm 2 details...

Is a referb a wise choice. I am leaning towards is since it seems common for board posts to recommend used bodies and a referb would be a used body that has been factory serviced.

Does it really seem likely that the 40d referb has a 1 year warranty? The lower grade referbs are all 90 day warranty's. Is this a statement on its ruggedness?

Of the choices you list the 40D is the only one that is a significant updgrade over the XT. The other two Rebels have slightly better AF systems but that is about it. The 40D has a much better AF system.

When it comes to camera specs I focus on two two things, those that really make for better pictures and those that do not.
In the list of 'really better pictures' standpoint the 40D has several (larger viewfinder, faster and more accurate AF, faster controls, faster response to the shutter button).

The two Rebels have some features that will make no difference to the pictures you take (larger LCD, more pixels) and lessor improvements to the features that will (VF, AF, controls).

So myt advice is to either really upgrade to the 40D or if you would rather save money look at a 30D or the XTi.

For $350 difference between XTi and 40D, I'd settle for the XTi (which is basically a 30D in a weaker body). I'd use that $350 for a nice lens...

Sigma 10-20 - keep or sell
Tokina 80-400 - sell
Canon 28-105 - sell
Canon 18-55 - sell

... buy a 24-105/4L IS and a flash if you can too!

... sell all your lens and get at least the 17-40/4L + flash.

... or get the 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 primes for some awesome low-light or sport shots.

ebann wrote in post #8200367
For $350 difference between XTi and 40D, I'd settle for the XTi (which is basically a 30D in a weaker body). I'd use that $350 for a nice lens...

Sigma 10-20 - keep or sell
Tokina 80-400 - sell
Canon 28-105 - sell
Canon 18-55 - sell

... buy a 24-105/4L IS and a flash if you can too!

... sell all your lens and get at least the 17-40/4L + flash.

... or get the 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 primes for some awesome low-light or sport shots.

Nice set of recommendations, to turn my set up into something completely different. Sure the Tokina Lens sucks, but it is the only way I can get reach. Your setup gets nothing beyond 105mm, the 28-105 is my walk around lens, and the USM makes it good for the kids. The 18-55 never gets used, and I love my wide angle 10 - 20. I have the flash already, just not listed in my sig.

I take a large variety of shots, from small birds to city and landscapes. My current lens setup makes sacrifices, but gives me options. The only reason I am changing bodies, is that the Rebel XT died yesterday. I hear something rattling around inside, and it is not worth fixing.

The number 1 upgrade/feature that I will not compromise on, is that I want a self cleaning sensor. (30D does not have it)

I don't think either the XT or the XSi will seem like a real upgrade, just a newer version of what you have. So i guess look at it that way. If your camera was meeting your needs, then you can save a lot of money by just getting an XTI. It will be about the same as your XT with a little better AF and that is about it. ALl your stuff will work about like it did. The other choice is to decide you need to upgrade. If you want something much better than what you had, then a 40D is your camera.

with your choices, i would go for a 4od.

You'll love the 40D; it's a terrific camera. I bought one a few months ago, after using an XTi for a couple of years, and am having a blast with it. It's not just the fact that it's a bigger camera and has a bigger lcd; the viewfinder is also much better, the AF is more accurate, it can do more frames per second, and there are more custom functions. Budget was a big issue for me, too, when I bought it, and I've never second-guessed my purchase at all. This is a camera I feel I'll enjoy for some time to come.

boufa wrote in post #8200405
Nice set of recommendations, to turn my set up into something completely different. Sure the Tokina Lens sucks, but it is the only way I can get reach. Your setup gets nothing beyond 105mm, the 28-105 is my walk around lens, and the USM makes it good for the kids. The 18-55 never gets used, and I love my wide angle 10 - 20. I have the flash already, just not listed in my sig.

I take a large variety of shots, from small birds to city and landscapes. My current lens setup makes sacrifices, but gives me options. The only reason I am changing bodies, is that the Rebel XT died yesterday. I hear something rattling around inside, and it is not worth fixing.

The number 1 upgrade/feature that I will not compromise on, is that I want a self cleaning sensor. (30D does not have it)

I had a bunch of consumer lens which I always loved and used. They were all variable f-stop zoom lenses, except for my 50/1.8 and 20/1.8 (Sigma) primes. When I decided to upgrade my Canon D30 to a 10D, I decided to upgrade my lenses as well for the best possible optics. As they say, lenses before bodies. I sold my Canon 28-135, 70-300, 50/1.8 and Sigma 20/1.8 for the 24-105/4L IS. I lost reach but I gained superb optical quality which shows in all the images I took.

One more reason I am glad that I did is that the 24-105 is a fixed f/4. This is extremely important when shooting in Manual mode. I can zoom in and out without having to compensate for the variable f-stop. Especially important when using flash.

This said, an alternative to the very versatile 24-105 is the combo of 17-40/4L and 70-200/4L (with a 50/1.8 thrown in). It's the cheapest two L lenses which will serve you well for many years to come. A worthwhile investment which more than justifies the savings from getting an XTi (which IMHO is more than enough for most shooters).

I've used the D30/10D/30D/40D/XTi and I can say that I am not limited in any significant way by using the "slow" and "consumer body" XTi. Granted, I also have the 1Ds dinosaur, which is even slower and noisier than the XTi. My XTi is my all-around body and have never failed to produce the goods I want.

BTW, you can shoot landscapes effectively by using the panoramic stitching software available with a non-wide lens.

O.k.... i pulled the trigger, I sold all my lenses, bought a basic body, and 1 really good L lens. Just kidding.

I was looking for a working body, no way to pass the broken camera as an excuse to the wife (aka the money) to also get lenses.

I pulled the trigger and got the referb 40d. The opinions, on here, as well as the reviews all make is sound like a great body.

One note... I asked Adorama about the 1 year warranty listed on some of their referbs, and 90 days listed on others (and both on some). They said that as of May 3rd, ALL referb cameras have a 1 year warranty covered by them. Some of the older web pages are out of date and have not been changed yet.