Upgrading from 300D questions

Hi All,

I have been using my 300D for a few years now, and I feel like I know how to operate the camera fairly well, yet I will always be squarely in the amateur / hobbyist category (which is fine with me). My camera is still in excellent condition, yet I am starting to feel the urge to upgrade to something a little better. Before I drop the money however I would like to know if it makes sense in regards to a few points.

(1) My main subjects are my four year old daughter and our pets. I am thinking that the better / faster AF on a newer model would benefit me these days as my subjects seem to be getting faster. My Rebel at times seems to have problems keeping the focus locked and I know that most newer models have AI servo or at least faster AF systems.

(2) I shoot a fair amount indoors, but I do no have the fastest glass around. It would be nice to bump up the ISO at times, but anything over ISO 400 (and even that level) seems to put me at the point that noise becomes a serious issue. I am guessing that the ISO performance on newer bodies is much better that what I have now.

(3) The 300D has limited metering modes and is only ETTL when it comes to flash metering. I am hoping that a newer body will give me better metering in tricky lighting conditions and having ETTL2 will help with flash photography.

I really don't care about the megapixel count as my DR picture size is just fine for my purposes. I always shoot RAW as it is. I would like to have a larger LCD screen on the back however as the one on my Rebel is almost too small to get an accurate idea of how the last picture turned out.

I am thinking about looking for a used 30D or 40D, or perhaps just going with a newer Rebel model. I can't afford a new 50D so that is probably out of the question, and chances are I wouldn't know how to use the new features anyhow. My main desire is to have better AF, ISO performance and metering. Any thoughts or suggestions into what I should be looking for body-wise would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Your glass really isn't all that bad and although a capable camera, the original dReb is quite dated compared to the current offerings. It's been a while since I've handled a Rebel but if I recall it fell somewhere between the current Rebel offerings and the xxD series as far as size was concerned. Any current body would be a major upgrade for you. I prefer the handling a control set of the xxD bodies over the Rebels so perhaps a used 40D would be a good choice. Moving from a 300d to even a 30D would be a huge improvement.

I upgraded from the 300D to a 30D almost two years ago. A big improvement.

All your observations are good ones: AF is much better (and AI Servo is available in creative modes), noise performance at higher ISOs is much better, the 30D has spot metering (which I don't use, but it's there), and you can use the * button for focusing.

The ergonomics are also better - the rear wheel is very handy.

30Ds are pretty cheap these days, too...

-js

I went from the 300D to a 40D. Wow. What a difference in equipment. If I were to switch bodies again right now it would be for a 5DMII for the full sensor.

Jon.

Went from 300 to 30 to 50, and still wish I had kept my 300 for the OH to learn on.
(took some lovely pics with that camera).

Just as an update:

I purchased a used 30D body here in the "For Sale" section and received it today. I haven't had enough time to really appreciate all of the differences in regards to my 300D, but I can certainly tell that the 30D is a nice step up. The controls and responsiveness alone make it seem like a good upgrade. I look forward to gifting my 300D to another family member as it was gifted to me and opening the hobby to someone else. Thanks for the replies.

-Dave

Have fun with your new toy!!!