Upgraded! Rebel XT to 30D

[Jeffbx]

Yeah, I'm a few generations behind, but MAN this thing is fast!

I'm amazed at how quickly the prices are falling for dSLRs on the secondary market. With the 50D out now & the 60D about 6 months away, people are upgrading like mad. I'm sure as heck not going to drop $1200 for a 50D or $800 for a 40D, but $400 for a 30D seemed like a pretty reasonable deal for a camera with 90% of the same features.

I had been taking pics of my daughter's sporting events (softball & diving) and found that the XT just couldn't keep up. So I peeked on ebay just for kicks & couldn't believe that the 30D was so cheap. 5 frames per second, baby! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSCaZeDIYps)

If only the price of the faster lenses fell as quickly...

[johnnymk]

So is the main advantage of this camera the ability to capture things moving at a fast rate without blur?

[Jeffbx]

For me, it was the burst rate that initially got me looking, but it also has a faster shutter speed, faster autofocus, longer battery life, bigger LCD, more rugged constuction, etc. Overall a MUCH nicer camera, and once I ebay my old one, the upgrade will cost be maybe $100 or less.

[zippyjuan]

Congratulations! For what you want it should do a great job! Lenses are where they kill you. Especially on the name brand ones. I have added three lense (well the third is on the way!) so far this year- but I use my camera more than you do. Lens lust is a terrible disease with no known cure. And that "little bit better" quality costs exponentially more in terms of money.

[ray]

Lens lust is a terrible disease with no known cure. And that "little bit better" quality costs exponentially more in terms of money.

so true, so true

[Jeffbx]

I know... that's the hardest part about this stupid hobby. It's so frikkin expensive!

But the one really good thing I've discovered is the fact that the lenses hold their value so well can be a great advantage. On several occasions I've bought lenses for slightly below market rate, used them for a few months, and then sold them again for the same (or in one case more) than I paid originally. It still ties up my money for a while, but it's nice to try out different lenses esssentially for free.