Six months after the 40D what will be the next model, then what, six month after that the next, 20,30.40.50.60,70 Does it really matter? Either your always waiting or or always behind. Buy now , play now.
While one can always play the waiting game, this is not a every 6 month deal. Canon has not made a significant upgrade to a 20/30D level camera in over 2 years. The 30D was not much improvement over the 20D before it, which was released in oct. of 2004, when/if the 40D (or whatever it's called) comes out it will have been at least 2.5 year since a significant upgrade in sensor, hardware, etc. will have happened to that level canon camera.
That would lead me to believe the next update is going to be a significant improvement over the 30D (if and when it happens). While sales of the 30D are no doubt good, I'm sure canon took a lot of heat for not doing any real improvement to the 20D, and they probably won't make that mistake again.
So you have a camera now that works, is the 30D better? yes it is, significantly...only you can decide if you can live without a new camera for 3 months. So you wait 3 months and potentially have a camera that is much better than the 30D is and a huge improvement at probably a similar price point to the 30D when it came out.
If you wait, and it's not a improvement, the 30D's will still be cheaper than they are now, and right around the corner would be triple rebates which no doubt if replaced the 30D would be part of.
If you need spot metering, or your XT will not work for your needs in the next 3 months and it simply will not take the pictures you need of your kids or special events or to make money in the next 3 months your XT will not capture, by all means by a 30D today get the $100 rebate and be happy. If you are made of money, and don't care, buy a 30D and replace it when the new model comes out and take the loss or keep the 30D as a backup. But looking at the history I still feel that when the 30D replacement comes out, it will be a significant improvement.
But almost no one does need spot metering, especially with histogram displays that give you more info more quickly by just shooting a frame and inspecting the result. I'm sure some people really do need/prefer spot metering, but I'd wager that they are a very small minority of those using DSLRs.
5fps and much better AF with fast glass. IQ pretty much the same with either
but if you need the speed there's only one choice. I've had 2 copies of each so
I'm speaking from the experience of having thrown a dozen or so lenses on 'em.
At issue is the XT vs. 30D as an upgrade. Surely 30D is a much better camera but it is also a steep differential in cost at todays prices. XT vs. 10D is a wash. To me 10D is a no brainer.
A side benefit is you are firmly off of the latest-greatest-upgrade train and you have an awesome camera that you can "focus" (get it?) on mastering.
Other than the Canon marketing guy who's thirsting for his next bonus who really gives a crap what the 40D is/will be anyway? 10mpx & dust removal? My god I'm in heaven! I'm off to e-bay to sell everything in my bag so I can buy one!!!! Yeah, RIGHT!
Does it really matter? Either your always waiting or or always behind. Buy now , play now.