mr._b

I'd feel robbed if I was holding the L glass on that deal.

Photography is just a hobby for me so when my motivation for upgrading has to do with my camera infringing on my enjoyment of taking pictures. I bought a Canon 10D last year to break into dSLR photography. I was satisfied for a good while but after a year the the general slow nature of the camera became somewhat annoying. I have a 30D now and am quite satisfied with it... 'cept for the crap vertical grip.

You obviously don't own any EF-S lenses so incompatibility isn't an issue. You need only be mindful of the 1.6 crop factor. It's an "advantage" for your telephoto lenses but your wide angle glass will be considerably "less wide."

Have you considered the 1.4x extender?

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=118

Considering the minimal discount buying used will get you, I think you'd be better off buying new so you have the added ability to return the item to the retailer in the event of a failure.

My vote is for the 70-200mm F/4 L. The 200mm prime is a bit sharper but this being only your second lens, you'll probably want the versatility of another zoom.

I'm not sure what the reasoning is there, but DPreview notes both indicated and equivalent ISO in their tests.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/page20.asp

Unless you really need the 300mm reach, get the 70-200mm. You won't be sorry.

Considering what you already have I also think the 70-200mm F/4 is the best choice. I own this lens and really enjoy it, although I would like to own the F/2.8 IS version someday... alas, I'm in college too.

I have the 50mm f/1.8 MKI (with metal mount, proper focus wheel and distance scale). It's a decent lens and works well in low light but on my crop camera (30D) its usefulness is limited to me. In retrospect I wish I'd bought a wider prime instead. I have yet to replicate the 50mm 'experience' I had with my old Olympus film camera.

You should consider buying a (used) 30D instead. Aside from the additional features and better build quality, the extra cost might be justified simply by having a camera that doesn't feel like a cheap toy.

@ Mark

 

What, if anything, does Canon charge for estimates?

Until recently I had a 10D. The few times I cleaned it I just used scotch tape (the wide kind fits the sensor exactly) and a pencil w/ eraser to get it down in place... worked great.

...one of the only things I miss about my 10D was how quiet it was compared to Canon's newer cameras. My 30D sounds like a firearm by comparison.

My experience is limited to the Sandisk Extreme III cards. I have the 2GB and 4GB cards, both of which work very well, although the 2GB card is a bit faster.

Lithium ion batteries last longer with partial discharges and recharges. Unlike NiMH batteries, draining then completely dead and recharging them more rapidly decreases their useful life.

 

Even under good circumstances, LiIon batteries lose half their capacity at about 200 charge cycles.

Lithium-Ion batteries should be "refreshed" (completely discharged/recharged) every 30 cycles.

 

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

In my casual usage I find the quality vs. ISO is pretty linear.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos30d/page20.asp

Give more light? The laws of physics would get in the way.

Keep saving and get a 30D.

"If you want to fondle the thing, sure magnesium alloy feels nice, but if you want to take photos the drebels are equally up to the task."

 

As a matter of fact, I do like fondling my camera. :)

In my opinion, any x0D camera would be better than the flimsy feeling digital rebels. I recently upgraded from a 10D to a 30D and I couldn't be happier. Get the 30D (which has spot metering)

I just thought I'd chime and say I used a 4 GB card (Sandisk Extreme III) on my 10D without incident, it was slow though.

I hear the 50D will have a little windshield wiper to keep the screen clean.

 

Even with the eyepiece entending, you're nose will probably still touch the screen, albeit less so.

I have one of these. It works fine with two slight issues. Eventually, the ring will start to scratch the paint on the lens itself along the outside edges of the inside of the ring. Also, the felt on the interior of the ring may drift a bit over time depending on how tight it is when you are rotating the camera.