XSi -> 40d - a worthwhile updrade for better ISO + autofocus?

i'm happy with my xsi for everything but shooting bands in dark bars. xsi at 1600 iso is serviceable for me, but would the 40d be comparable to that at 3200? i've learned that my main autofocus problems probably stem from not using my center-point ever, especially in low light--something i will rectify next band i shoot.

but if i were to sell a gripped xsi, aesthetically perfect with <10k shutter, i could probably updgrade to an ungripped 40d for a small amount more, eh?

i should have known better to attempt to start a thread that's not about the 7d.

i dont know about the high-iso performance of the 40D personnally. But i stepped up from a xsi to a used 5D classic and wow. to me it was definitely worth the upgrade. comming from an xsi i think the images of a 5D@3200iso are more usable than the ones of the xsi@1600iso. i know, that this does not exactly answer to your question. but considering that two months ago, when i purchased the used 5D, it was just 300$ more expensive than the 40D they had in the same shop, the higher price was defenitely worth every penny. Since i didn't have any ef-s lenses at that time the move was done w.o. any hesitations.

Note: A lot of poeple consider the high-iso performance of the 40D similar to the one of the 5D classic (which i don't believe yet. i would have to compare it myself). what is sure, comming from a xsi, the high-iso performance of a 40D is certainly a bit of an upgrade. if you are happy with the pictures of the xsi@1600iso, you will certainly be very hapy with the ones of a 40D@1600iso.

i was wondering the same thing... going from xsi to 50D... or 7D. Mainly interested in seeing if 50D has better high ISO performance. Searches provide results that range from awesome high iso to high iso worse than 40D.

I went from a XSI to a D700 and believe me there's some difference in high iso performance .

For the 40D, I don't think you will gain 1 stop advantage, but you will gain some qualtiy.

Your really not going to gain very much in terms of high ISO performance from the 40D, most that upgrade to the xxD line do so for the higher fps and better overall layout of the camera. If you really want good high ISO performance your best bet is a 5D classic...1600 on it is comparable to 400 on the xsi i had previously.

Overall tho, id think you would be happy with upgrading to the 40D

Umm if I could chime in on this one. I upgraded from an Xsi to a 50D and let me just say wow. Better ISO, better AF, better everything really. I felt 1600 ISO was not even usable on the Xsi and it definitely is on the 50D. I can use 3200 just fine as well with a little cleaning up from Noise Ninja.

I went XSI -> 20d -> 30d ->20d ->1ds and I have to say that for the sheer ease of use on the xxd and xd bodies I'd switch. You can change settings on the fly 11ty billion times more quickly on the fly. It's worth it for the weight/build/ergonomic​s and ease of use alone.

Have you reach the limit of your xsi which makes you feel you need an upgrade ? in this case ... higher ISO, faster fps, faster AF, bigger grip, etc. If you do then it's time for an upgrade.

40D does not have better high ISO than an XSI at 1600, but it does have one more (noisier) stop at 3200. You may consider a T1i or 50D - both of which can do native 6400 - but it will be ugly that high.

For the money, perhaps an f1.4 lens would be worthwhile. That gets you 2/3 a stop of noise-penalty-free light. Either a 50mm 1.4 or trade your 35/2 for a Sigma 30mm 1.4.

R.Perez wrote in post #8749164
I felt 1600 ISO was not even usable on the Xsi and it definitely is on the 50D.

While the 50D is better than the XSi at 1600 ISO, I wouldn't go so far as to say that the 1600 is not usable at this ISO...a sample of a shot I took at 1600 ISO (click link for full size), without NR. Sure there is noise and grain, but I wouldn't completely dismiss 1600 on the XSi. Conditions were pretty dark while taking this pic.

http://farm3.static.fl​ickr.com …17519063_95d4b8​ea3e_o.jpg

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i have both, i can tell you that iso wise it wont be any better
but focusing will be faster for sure