Back up body for my new 50D, 10D or rebel?

Hi all. Only been here a couple weeks but love POTN so far and now it's time to ask a question to the experts.....

My first digital SLR was, and is a 10D. I just ordered a 50D which will be here next week. I do tend to like the crop body lenses because much of what I do is bird and/or wildlife photography. I shoot a variety of decent glass, 28-70 L f2.8, 70-200 L f4, and a newly purchased 400 L 5.6. Excited about getting the 50D, and especially because we are headed to Africa for 3 weeks in May.

My question is this. I plan to carry a second camera in Africa. In fact my 16 yer old daughter is really excited about shooting back up. However, given that this is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity (heck, every photo op has the potential for being a once in a lifetime event), I am second guessing the idea of keeping the 10D as the backup. Based on what the trip is costing us, as well as the new 400 L and 50Dthis month, I really don't want to spend a lot more right now, but what is my best "economical" option? Selling the 10D and buying a XSi or XTi? (Never owned, shot or even held any of the rebels.)

The back up camera will likely mainly be using the 70-200 L f4.

Thanks

20D/30D IMO

best economical answer is keep the 10D and use it as back up.

It will surely still get the job done. and best of all no more spending for a "new camera".

johnj2803 wrote in post #9432996
best economical answer is keep the 10D and use it as back up.

It will surely still get the job done. and best of all no more spending for a "new camera".

Yeah but how often will the OP be traveling to Africa? That's the main question. I would try to bring the best equipment possible; the 10D may not cut it.

I ran an XTi as a backup to my 30D before the 7D came out. It is a very capable camera .. also lighter and smaller. The 10D won't cut it IMHO .. I moved up from this when I bought the 30D

Yep, there's the rub. Zero additional spend to keep the 10D, or sell for wahtever I can get out of it and buy something else.

If I buy something else, what are my best options? A used rebel? Used 30D?? As a backup, and as a body that won't be attached to a big 600MM lens or something similar, how much do I worry about the heavy duty body on the D series. If I go with the rebel, then I assume that my cards and batteries won't be interchangable with the 50D....

Nobody said this hobby was cheap

XTi cards are the same .. batteries not.
To be honest, having the same cards and batteries was never an issue .. both are cheap enough.
My 30D and 7D (and my old XTi Rebel) use the same CF cards .. but I don't share them.
Batteries are different, as are the chargers.

Since all your lenses are EF, keeping your 10D is a good idea. It also help you not to waste time in selling the old camera and buying a new one.

Find any decent camera that you can used. A 30D, 40D, etc. When you come back, you can sell it for the same amount you paid for it. It shouldn't devalue more than $30 at most, if you find one for a good deal used.

I would not sell the 10D. Keep it for your backup when you come back so you can give it to your daughter. Its only valued about $150 now a days.

The XSi is a VERY capable camera. I use mine in addition to my 50D and I have a hard time giving it up. For wild life, in africa, it might be limited by its slower burst speed compared to the XXD body line cameras.

10D may not be compatible with the same lenses as you use for the 50D (i.e. no Canon EF-S lenses work on the 10D without the use of a hacksaw)

I.d go 20D or 30D if you want the same control layout, or XT/XTi if you want to travel light. The newer XS/XSi/T1i use SD cards and different batteries, so you would have to carry different accessories if you used those as a backup.

Personaly i have a 40D as a back-up for my 50D. I bought it used with just about 6500kliks on it from someone who turned Nikon.

Why? the 40D and 50D are very much the same in use. So learn to work with the 50D and you will automaticly work great with a 40D.

Good feedback, thank you. I'm not overly concerned about the EF-S lenses as I'm only shooting EF glass at this time.

Still, might consider buying used and reselling as suggeted. My only concern with going with a 20D or 30D, when I think the Rebels are higher mp's. Maybe I'm looking at that all wrong....

I would definitely not let the difference between 8 and 10MP worry you. Maybe 6 vs 12, but then only if you crop a lot and print BIG.

richierich1212 wrote in post #9432994
20D/30D IMO

Yep.. Both the 20D and 30D use the same accessories like batteries, grips, shutter remotes etc as the 50D..

Probably missing something obvious here. So if I'm not to worry about the file size difference between, say a 20D and an XSi, why would I worry about the file size delta between my current, in hand 10D and a 20D?? Must be more here at play that the file size. Forgive me, I've just been using the 10D for years, and am trying to make sure that I don't "upgrade" for very little additional beneift. So I guess my question now is will I see a significant difference between mt 10D and a 20D or 30D?

Looks like I could sell my 10D for little to nothing, and throw in another $200 or so and move to a 30D. Just want to understand what I will be paying for.

Thank You.

tkbslc wrote in post #9434047
10D may not be compatible with the same lenses as you use for the 50D (i.e. no Canon EF-S lenses work on the 10D without the use of a hacksaw)

I.d go 20D or 30D if you want the same control layout, or XT/XTi if you want to travel light. The newer XS/XSi/T1i use SD cards and different batteries, so you would have to carry different accessories if you used those as a backup.

tkbslc wrote in post #9434841
I would definitely not let the difference between 8 and 10MP worry you. Maybe 6 vs 12, but then only if you crop a lot and print BIG.

yogestee wrote in post #9440396
Yep.. Both the 20D and 30D use the same accessories like batteries, grips, shutter remotes etc as the 50D..