should i buy the 7d or keep my xti

I only have about $2000 to spend on ether a canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS usm lens or the 7d kit. but i already own a 28-135 lens, a 50mm 1.4 lens and i use a XTi but i want that speed you get with the 7D its more then twice as fast for action shots then my xti is but on the other hand i would like the clarity and sharpness that comes with the 70-200mm 2.8 IS usm lens which is really nice as well ..so please help me with this issue...thanks

photographer > glass > body

^^+1...

I'd say its a good move on the body depending on what you shoot.

You ever consider a 50D or 40D? I have a 40D and it is more than capable at sports and with the money you save you can possibly buy a 70-200 f/4 which is also very capable.

I would buy glases before a new body. The 70-200 2.8 IS is a great lens. If it is sharpnes and great IQ you want, I would recomend you to go for the newest lens or the f4.0 version.

I have a 400D (an old rebel), and there is no doubt what I prefer. I have a 135L, 50mm 1.8, and a 28-90mm. I will buy a Tokina 11-16mm and a 15-85 or a 17-55 before I go for a 7D. Good glases on a rebel makes a bigger difference than a new crop body for rebel glases.

EDit: The advice to buy a 40D or a 50D and a 70-200 f4.0 is a great advice.

If you want both high speed (f.2.0) and the best image quality, buy a 135L and a 40D or 50D. 135L is one of the best lenses. You can always crop the image to get a 200mm picture.

sam_i_am wrote in post #10130406
i use a XTi but i want that speed you get with the 7D its more then twice as fast for action shots...

No problem with getting action shots from this XTi.

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No doubt the xti is a great camera. However, before I invested in a 7D, I would take the advice on the 40D or 50D. These are great cameras. I just upgraded from the 20D to the 50D. I just got the 50D yesterday but what I see so far I am very pleased of the upgrade. As a side note, a friend of mine recently upgraded from the xti to the 7D and she is very disappointed with it. Not sure all the issues but she wishes she had not made that purchase.

DC Fan wrote in post #10130896
No problem with getting action shots from this XTi.

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Positioning and preparation are as important to sports photography as equipment. This XTi has no problems with action.

nice sports/action pic but that's YOU with YOUR Xti/400D. The OP feels inadequate with his XTi. As it's been stated many times
photographer > glass > body
so if the photographer refuses to upgrade his (or her skills) then buying a 70-200 2.8 may be a big improvement or a the very least, upgrading to a 7D could be a big confidence booster.

To me the nicest thing about moving from a Rebel to an xxD or xD is the ergonomics of the body and the way it handles. So the "xxD and have extra money for glass" route might be the way to go here.

get the 7D body only used and a used 70-200 f4 and im sure you'll be very happy with that combo for 2000$ or less.

You've got to figure out your wants / needs and go from there...

I recently went from the T1i to the 7d... my reasons for doing so were improved AF, faster AF, and better high ISO performance. The 7d delivered all of those and I'm very happy with the upgrade. A good side effect is that the bigger camera fits my gorilla hands much better. I'm just an enthusiast... no thought of ever taking it past here, and I really wasn't interested in full frame... for me,it came down to the fact that I knew after a while, I'd be looking to upgrade outside of the Rebel line, and if I went ahead and did it, I knew I'd get more for the T1i... if I had waited another 2 years or so until I actually outgrew the T1i, the resale on it would be depressingly low... by making the change now, it saved me money in the long run.

DC Fan wrote in post #10130896
No problem with getting action shots from this XTi.

Positioning and preparation are as important to sports photography as equipment. This XTi has no problems with action.

I agree.

I went for the lens first, and the body later. If given the chance I would do the same thing again. The XTI and 70-200 f/2.8 IS are going to give you much, MUCH better action shots than a 7D and 28-135mm.

These were all shot with the XTI and 70-200 f/2.8 IS:

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sam_i_am wrote in post #10130406
I only have about $2000 to spend on ether a canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS usm lens or the 7d kit. but i already own a 28-135 lens, a 50mm 1.4 lens and i use a XTi but i want that speed you get with the 7D its more then twice as fast for action shots then my xti is but on the other hand i would like the clarity and sharpness that comes with the 70-200mm 2.8 IS usm lens which is really nice as well ..so please help me with this issue...thanks

I was on the same boat as you. I used to have my XSi and got an opportunity to upgrade. A local camera shop I visit from time to time gave me an opinion that is true when the body you're considering is a lot better than your current one and considering a better lens at the same time.

Most people will say glass first, but getting a 7D is actually a parallel upgrade. Getting glass is generally more worthy of an upgrade because there is no doubt image quality is improved if you decide to go for the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM and it'll be a great investment for years to come.

However, the 7D will also provide you more usable image at higher ISO. Focusing under available light will be a lot better and can shoot faster (~3fps vs. 8fps). Not sure if you like the idea of the video mode, but it's quite handy once you fall in love with it (at least I did).

It seems like your heart is pretty much set on the 7D. I'd say go for it.

My XTi still works great, even though I upgraded to a 40D, and the XTi is my secondary camera.

One question I would consider in making my choice between body & lens is how many snaps do you have on the shutter of that XTi? Is it near it's projected life?

Basically, I agree with the glass first view, but I would also consider the life left in that camera.