Thinking of trading in my XSi for a 50D at Adorama...your thoughts?

Jubu, i was thinking of a move to the 40D, considering the prices are dropping, but I really had to think hard about what I will gain and what I would loose in the process.

The XSIs sensor is one of, if not the best crop sensor than Canon currently makes - the dynamic range, highlight recovery , noise performance, etc are superb.

The camera settings display screen is probably one of the best features I have seen on a camera in a long time. IMHO after using pro bodies for years, this blows everything out of the water and should be a requirement on pro bodies. I can operate the XSI faster than I could even my old D200 because this provides a one stop shop for settings view and change.

Size/Weight. The XSI can hang around my neck all day long and it's like it's not even there - of course a pro lens can change things, but still the lack of weight is a big plus. Smaller bags, portability, more candid/stealth - these things are big pluses.

KISS - the XSI doesn't have a ton of buried menus, overwhelming buttons or dials (which are simply one more thing that one can accidentally press/change). As a long time shooter it has exactly what one needs, nothing more, nothing less.

The 40D/50D are 'cool' cameras and offer more appeal because of their status as pro bodies, more than their features. At one time, the differences between consumer and prosumer was wider, however the margin has narrowed significantly over the last few years. I have read dpreview's review of the 40D/XSI more times than I can count, and every time my conclusions are the same, there just isn't anything significant to gain. That doesn't mean I wouldn't consider the 40D if a good deal came along, cause like you I sometimes am bitten by body lust. I think your decision is fine either way, this is just food for thought....

Be careful with Adoroma, I sent them a few lenses in a while back. Those fast talking New Yorkers quoted me one price over the phone and after receiving my goods told me another price and even had some attitude when I asked why the price changed. Their trade-in prices are higher than others.

iamatrix wrote in post #8697848
Jubu, i was thinking of a move to the 40D, considering the prices are dropping, but I really had to think hard about what I will gain and what I would loose in the process.

The XSIs sensor is one of, if not the best crop sensor than Canon currently makes - the dynamic range, highlight recovery , noise performance, etc are superb.

The camera settings display screen is probably one of the best features I have seen on a camera in a long time. IMHO after using pro bodies for years, this blows everything out of the water and should be a requirement on pro bodies. I can operate the XSI faster than I could even my old D200 because this provides a one stop shop for settings view and change.

Size/Weight. The XSI can hang around my neck all day long and it's like it's not even there - of course a pro lens can change things, but still the lack of weight is a big plus. Smaller bags, portability, more candid/stealth - these things are big pluses.

KISS - the XSI doesn't have a ton of buried menus, overwhelming buttons or dials (which are simply one more thing that one can accidentally press/change). As a long time shooter it has exactly what one needs, nothing more, nothing less.

The 40D/50D are 'cool' cameras and offer more appeal because of their status as pro bodies, more than their features. At one time, the differences between consumer and prosumer was wider, however the margin has narrowed significantly over the last few years. I have read dpreview's review of the 40D/XSI more times than I can count, and every time my conclusions are the same, there just isn't anything significant to gain. That doesn't mean I wouldn't consider the 40D if a good deal came along, cause like you I sometimes am bitten by body lust. I think your decision is fine either way, this is just food for thought....

Be careful with Adoroma, I sent them a few lenses in a while back. Those fast talking New Yorkers quoted me one price over the phone and after receiving my goods told me another price and even had some attitude when I asked why the price changed. Their trade-in prices are higher than others.

Appreciate this insight--really do. While some may think this is 100% body lust (some *is* I admit), it's more of an issue of me being comfy with a camera body I plan to hold on to for a loooong time. I just feel a bit cramped with the XSi many times (regrettably my fault for not considering ergonomics when purchasing it) and know that I'll always be wanting to upgrade. I COMPLETELY agree with you and think that this camera is quite possibly the best bang for the buck, and produces quality images. I love this camera and recommend it highly to anyone looking to get into DSLRs.

I plan on doing my trade-in in person should everything fall into place, so if they try to pull anything funny, they'll have to attempt to do it in front of me.

Give it a shot on craigslist before you do anything.

jubu wrote in post #8697960
Appreciate this insight--really do. While some may think this is 100% body lust (some *is* I admit), it's more of an issue of me being comfy with a camera body I plan to hold on to for a loooong time. I just feel a bit cramped with the XSi many times (regrettably my fault for not considering ergonomics when purchasing it) and know that I'll always be wanting to upgrade. I COMPLETELY agree with you and think that this camera is quite possibly the best bang for the buck, and produces quality images. I love this camera and recommend it highly to anyone looking to get into DSLRs.

I plan on doing my trade-in in person should everything fall into place, so if they try to pull anything funny, they'll have to attempt to do it in front of me.

If the Rebel doesn't feel good in hand, I would definitely make a change. The feel of a camera is a very important factor IMHO. I have big hands I am used to using bodies like the D200/D2X and yet somehow the Rebel feels pretty good in hand (probably due to the fact it feels so light after using heavy bodies for years)- not the best grip and not the best material, but somehow manages to feel reasonably comfortable (it won't win any awards . My one hand under the lens style of shooting may be a factor as well I suppose.

Try getting a grip for it, as others have suggested. If you really don't want to do that, sell it on this forum and buy your replacement on this forum. The reason I say this is that you are going to be going through this procedure several times more before you are either (a) finally satisfied or (b) completely broke, so you might as well get used to the process. (This is only slightly tongue-in-cheek. )

ozziepuppy wrote in post #8698447
Try getting a grip for it, as others have suggested. If you really don't want to do that, sell it on this forum and buy your replacement on this forum. The reason I say this is that you are going to be going through this procedure several times more before you are either (a) finally satisfied or (b) completely broke, so you might as well get used to the process. (This is only slightly tongue-in-cheek. )

Ha! I hope you're not right! At least my wallet hopes you're not right...

I already have a grip on mine and I enjoy the feel of it when holding the camera vertically...it's the horizontal orientation that makes me feel like my fingers have nowhere to go that feels naturally *right.*