XSI+17-50 Non VC or T2i+18-55 IS

Which one would you rather have if both combos where the same price. I don't do video.

IMO if video isn't a factor I'd go with the XSi and better glass! You can buy my essentially new XSi cheap and then pair it with better glass...I personally think you'd get better results with better lens and cheaper camera v.s. cheap lens and better camera!

Video or not - the T2i is an Excellent entry body with Very Good high ISO

http://www.dpreview.co​m …s/canoneos550d/​page29.asp

the XSi is no slouch - it was my first - due to an excellent dpreview.com review

http://www.dpreview.co​m …s/canoneos450d/​page34.asp

take your pick on the lens - the Tamron likely has better build quality and anything less than 55mm does not crucially require IS, IMO

I had the 18-55mm IS and the light weight was nice and the IQ is very good for the price

www.dpreview.com/lensr​eviews/canon_18-55_3p5-5p6_is_c16/page5.asp

Why not get the t2i with the 18-55 later get some funds to get the tamron? Getting a Tamron 2nd hand wouldnt be to expensive. Sure it will be best, to get better glass with a cheap camera. But going with the later camera right now would you will take advantages of resale value (when you want to sell it) or be in pair with newer technology (if you plan to keep it). The XSi is a nice camera but IMO not in pair with the t2i.

Neither. Since you mentioned you don't do video, I would go with a 40D, 18-55IS and a 430ex.

Jardiniboy wrote in post #11314208
Neither. Since you mentioned you don't do video, I would go with a 40D, 18-55IS and a 430ex.

550D is superior to the 40D in terms of IQ, high ISO performance and Dynamic Range. Why would you recommend the 40D over it?

Riveredger wrote in post #11314296
550D is superior to the 40D in terms of IQ, high ISO performance and Dynamic Range. Why would you recommend the 40D over it?

right, newer models have better image quality, ISO performance, megapixels, LCD, HD video, etc. But the old 40D has a higher FPS rate and weighs more - if you can find one that works!

- pick the newer T2i/550D !

Riveredger wrote in post #11314296
550D is superior to the 40D in terms of IQ, high ISO performance and Dynamic Range. Why would you recommend the 40D over it?

IQ you would really see a difference in prints unless you're pixel peeping. And with a higher MP camera, IQ is not going to matter if your glass isn't top notch.

Hmmm the 40D has a much better build, larger body, scroll wheel, top screen. 40D has much superior AF system (All focus points are cross types T2i only has center), higher flash-sync, higher FPS, larger buffer, uses CF cards, and price. The 40D is cheaper than the T2i right now in the used market. With the same amount of money, I would get a 40D and a 430ex.

I don't know about you but I rather shoot with low iso and a flash over high ISO any day. And with high ISO you tend to lose detail.

Jardiniboy wrote in post #11314604
IQ you would really see a difference in prints unless you're pixel peeping. And with a higher MP camera, IQ is not going to matter if your glass isn't top notch.

Hmmm the 40D has a much better build, larger body, scroll wheel, top screen. 40D has much superior AF system (All focus points are cross types T2i only has center), higher flash-sync, higher FPS, larger buffer, uses CF cards, and price. The 40D is cheaper than the T2i right now in the used market. With the same amount of money, I would get a 40D and a 430ex.

I don't know about you but I rather shoot with low iso and a flash over high ISO any day. And with high ISO you tend to lose detail.

But not always is convenient/allowed to shoot with flash and here is where a high iso handling capable camera come handy.

Jardiniboy wrote in post #11314604
IQ you would really see a difference in prints unless you're pixel peeping. And with a higher MP camera, IQ is not going to matter if your glass isn't top notch.

hmmm. ...

the newer 550D /T2i has better low light performance at all ISO levels, better image resolution, the newer T2i has a superior 63 area zone metering system and center point AF!
5 to +5 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps exposure,
High definition video 1920 x 1080 (HD 30/25/24 fps), 1280 x 720 (HD 60/50 fps), 640 x 480 (60/50 fps) higher LCS resolution,
ISO rating to 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
18.0 million megapixels
http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/sidebyside.a​sp
www.dpreview.com/revie​ws/compare_post.asp

and you can get the 550D new - not 4 years old!

watt100 wrote in post #11314658
hmmm. ...

the newer 550D /T2i has better low light performance at all ISO levels, better image resolution, the newer T2i has a superior 63 area zone metering system and center point AF!
5 to +5 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps exposure,
High definition video 1920 x 1080 (HD 30/25/24 fps), 1280 x 720 (HD 60/50 fps), 640 x 480 (60/50 fps) higher LCS resolution,
ISO rating to 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
18.0 million megapixels
http://www.dpreview.co​m/reviews/sidebyside.a​sp
www.dpreview.com/revie​ws/compare_post.asp

and you can get the 550D new - not 4 years old!

Hmmm the OP doesn't want video so that's irrelevant. Better metering doesn't help with IQ it's exposure. And honestly do you think more MP will increase your IQ. Better glass will help much more than MP. IQ will be as great as your lens is. Don't tell me you're in to the MP wars too. More MP is not going to improve if you're using an "Okay". You're just going to get a high resolution "okay" picture. MP does help alot with cropping and printing large prints. How often do you print 20x30 prints? Honestly you can still create prints that big with 10MP.

From a 4 year old body I can get
Better AF, better build, bigger buffer, more FPS, higher flash sync speed, better ergonomics and it's cheaper. With that extra money I could pick up a flash that will help with lighting or a better lens that will increase IQ.

T2i's sensor is better than 40D's, period. You can't argue it, more MP while better ISO performance. You don't even need to print it in order to tell.

"Better AF, better build, bigger buffer, more FPS, higher flash sync speed, better ergonomics" and that's really about it. Pretty much everything else is inferior by comparsion, and some by quite a distance.

It depends on what OP needs/wants, really. Without telling what he's planning to shoot it's hard to say what's better. Maybe he wants sports? (40D). Maybe indoor casual shots? (IS lens). Maybe mostly outdoor? (fast lens)

Thank you for all of your input...I shoot almost all landscape so FPS is of no relevance to me, I don't use a flash. I print 11x14's 95% of the time and occasionally 16x20's and a few 20x30's. I have had a 300D and 18-55IS combo and an XSI 18-55IS combo. I have been shooting for a while and sell probably 10 or so prints a month. I really don't care about MP too much as to tell you the truth, some of the images that I sell the most came from my 300D not my XSI. I have blown images from my 300D to 16x20 with no image IQ loss whatsoever. The owner of the photoshop where I had it printed off could not believe that it came from a 6 MP camera. I did think of the 40D as well but I think I would be paying for features of the camera that I do not use, FPS, buffer, etc. The only thing I did like about he 40D vs the rebel series is the size. I prefer the bigger size, but to get over that I put a grip on my XSI and that solved the problem for me. I guess I asked the question with the belief that the the 17-50 lens is superior to the 18-55IS lens and that I keep hearing over and over that better glass quality will trump better body for IQ....I guess the two lenses that I choose are maybe too close in IQ to compare in that manner. Maybe if I was to say - XSI+17-55IS or T2i+18-55IS it would have been a more easy decision.

I'd go T2i only if I have a slightest concern about the possibilities of needing better ISO performance.

I believe the Tamron give you sharper images than the kit 18-55mm, it's just a better piece of glass.

XSI is cheap you don't lose much even if you sell it later, can't say the same about T2i.

Thank you Hyper...from my previous shooting habits I have really not needed the ability to go to super high ISO's...while shooting with my previous XSI, its ISO capabilities were sufficient. Like you say I think that the XSI is pretty good price wise. I purchased my last one for 380 and sold it for pretty much the same. That will not be the same with the t2i even with the good deals (amazon, etc.) that are out there now.