To really answer this question we need to know what the lenses are..

Chris..

It will use your Canon lenses so the real start price is the same as the D80..

And being the Canon 8MP sensor it will blow away any 10MP camera for low light High ISO performance...I do 13x19 prints off my 6mp... so 8MP is more than enough and the difference in resolution to 10 vs the noise at ISO 1600 is not worht the trade off..

If I had buget for a D80 and owned Canon lenses already It would be simple buy 30D all the way....

Ken - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

And being the Canon 8MP sensor it will blow away any 10MP camerafor low light High ISO performanceKen - KM 5D.

We're talking about the 10MP XTi..

The Canon's slightly better at higher ISO, though maybe not enough to matter to most. The differences in the quality of the photos you get will be down to you, not the cameras. You already have Canon lenses, so the XTi seems the logical choice, but you'll soon get into the Nikon if you decide to switch..

Have you played around with both cameras? That usually makes your mind up best..

Androohttp://Androo.smugmug.com..

Andrew Butterfield wrote:.

And being the Canon 8MP sensor it will blow away any 10MP camerafor low light High ISO performanceKen - KM 5D.

We're talking about the 10MP XTi..

The Canon's slightly better at higher ISO, though maybe not enoughto matter to most. The differences in the quality of the photos youget will be down to you, not the cameras. You already have Canonlenses, so the XTi seems the logical choice, but you'll soon getinto the Nikon if you decide to switch..

Have you played around with both cameras? That usually makes yourmind up best..

I would take the 30D over the XTi any day if I could afford it, and if the OP can afford a D80 and new lenses, he should beable to afford a 30D body..

The 8MP sensor will out perform the 10 MP sensor except in having a bit more resolution that will not show up unless heis doing wall posters..

Ken - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

Chris.crouch wrote:.

To really answer this question we need to know what the lenses are..

I have a Canon 28-80 1:3.5-5.6 II (which I know will crop images more tightly on a digital so I figure I should probably get a kit including lens, whichever camera I purchase) and a Sigma 70-210 1:4-5.6...

Andrew Butterfield wrote:.

Have you played around with both cameras? That usually makes yourmind up best..

I've played with the XTi. I've got relatively small hands so I wanted to check that out first. Even with my hands it felt a little cramped (or maybe that's just because I'm used to the Elan), but I'm going to have to compare it to the other camera(s) I've been looking into to get a good feel for my choices overall...

In 99% of the cases, if you already have more than one lens for a given system, your leading choice for a new body will be to fit the lenses you have. Both leading systems, and even the second-tier of camera systems, are all relatively equivalent. It's usually about the investment you've made..

The 1% hedge would be if the lenses that you have are really not satisfying your requirements at all. Then investment or no, you sell off the lenses and body you have, and then you can pick the camera system afresh, based on very conflicting/subjective/contradictory/esoteric/feely criteria like "the buttons feel nicer" or "the comparison sample images seem to look nicer on this website" or "my uncle would probably let me borrow that monster telephoto lens once in a while.".

[ e d @ h a l l e yc c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/..

Chose the system that suits you best. The 28-80 Canon plastic lens is one of the poorest lenses Canon every made and the Sigma is not a real winner either. Keep the short zoom on your Elan as a user and sell the Sigma on ebay and get the camera that you like best.Dave Lewis..

They are both pretty awful lenses, definitely not up to the resolution capability of the XTi which is very demanding of a lens, more so considerably than a full frame film camera. I think he needs to start fresh.Dave Lewis..

Well then my advice sort of mirrors some of the other advice you're getting. The 28-80 will be made almost completely redundant by a kit lens. The Sigma 70-210 I don't know much about. If telephoto is just an occasionally-sort-of-thing for you, it's probably enough. Even if telephoto is a little more important to you, you could keep it as a stop-gap until you can work out what is important to you - more reach, faster aperture, image stabilization, better quality, compact size, etc..

So my advice is: if you've tried both the XTi & the D80 and you prefer the D80, your lenses aren't enough to swing it back the other way. On the other hand, if the value-for-money equation of the two is fairly even in your mind, stick with Canon..

Hope this helps,Chris..

Dave Lewis wrote:.

I think he needs to start fresh..

Hey Dave Never assume. I'm female, so you might want to refer to me as a "she". At least, that's what I'd prefer. .

And thanks for your input, regardless of what gender you thought I was..

JSilverstein (also known as Janna)..

JSilverstein wrote:.

Andrew Butterfield wrote:.

Have you played around with both cameras? That usually makes yourmind up best..

I've played with the XTi. I've got relatively small hands so Iwanted to check that out first. Even with my hands it felt a littlecramped (or maybe that's just because I'm used to the Elan), butI'm going to have to compare it to the other camera(s) I've beenlooking into to get a good feel for my choices overall..

Don't worry too much about your initial impressions holding the camera. Before getting my Rebel XT, I was using a Canon 10D and 20D. When I first tried out the XT in the store, initially I concluded that the camera was too small for my hands. But I bought on for a friend of mine who wanted to get her first DSLR. Before delivering it too her, I took it out for a "test drive". To my surprise, after about an hour of use, I acclimated to the smaller size, smaller weight, and smaller grip of the XT.

I liked it so much, I bought one for myself, and sold off my 10D...

I'm sorry you were offended. In a camera forum with predominantly male participation if you want to be recognized as a female then choose a female name. If you look at my name here you will quickly see that I have a male name..

I find your retort rather defensive and ridiculous. Change your handle here to your given name and prevent the silly misunderstanding that you will continue to be a victim of.Dave Lewis..

My response of an hour ago, in looking back, was too strong, sounded harsh and was probably inappropriate. I should have read back over it and restated it. You are totally welcome here whether you identify your gender or not. Please accept my apologies for the tone of that last post.Dave Lewis..

Thanks for checking back and for the apology. I appreciate it. If I came across as defensive, it wasn't my intention, really, so I apologize for that. I actually intended to gently tease you for the assumption. I wasn't offended at all, honestly, just kind of amused..

I know these forums tend to be predominantly male. It's that way in camera stores, too, and I'm often ignored by salesmen in favor of male patrons, or condescended to, which can be tough when you have some knowledge and want to learn more. I find it's easier for me to use a gender-neutral online name in forums like this. In other online groups, where there isn't quite so clearly a predominant culture, I use either my own name or a handle that's clearly female..

On the other hand, perhaps I shouldn't have assumed I'd get the same treatment here that I have elsewhere. I should have given credit before making my own assumptions. That was a mistake I won't make again. Once more, my apologies..

Janna..

T3 wrote:.

Don't worry too much about your initial impressions holding the.

Camera...To my surprise, after about an hour of use, I acclimated to the smallersize, smaller weight, and smaller grip of the XT. And I found thatI actually appreciated it's small, compact size. I liked it somuch, I bought one for myself, and sold off my 10D..

Now that's interesting. I went to a camera store on Friday to check out the 30D, the Nikon D80, and the XTi, and I had a little bit of a Goldilocks experience: the 30D felt a little too big, the XTi felt a little too small, and the D80 felt just right. But because of the extreme conditions I'm going to be using the camera in (dawn and dusk, with my subjects at some distance) I'm concerned that I won't get the image quality I want with the D80. Either Canon with fast glass would mean that shouldn't be a problem..

On the other hand, maybe it's just a question of refining my technique. That's the reason I'm shopping now for a September trip: I want the summer to nail down how the new camera feels and what works best...

I am a craftsman, a fly rod builder. Many of my customers are women in a predominantly male avocation. I have always prided myself in having good rapport with women fly fishers. It has paid me dividends. Obviously photography is totally cross gender and should always be considered so. I'm sorry I skated an incorrect assumption.

Thanks for clearing the air.Dave Lewis..