Buy the lens from your friend anyway. The 20D lenses fit the XT, and vice versa, which is why it's fine if you upgrade bodies later.

 

I spent some time at SJ Cameras at Hamilton and Winchester (thought it was Wolf Cameras last time I was there) and spent some time with the Rebel XT and the 20D snapping pics and stuff. I am sold on the 20D so will prolly pick one up tomorrow. It's $1299 after a $100 rebate, so not too bad. I will pick up a lense from my friend, and the other items online later (filters, etc). Gonna get one of those waterproof Pelican ballistic cases from Fry's as well.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

Is it with kit lens? imho get one with kit lens since for their money it's quite hard to find good lens with similar zoom(18ish).

 

No, just the body. My friend gave me a Canon EF 24-85 new in the box as well as a somewhat cheesy Tamron telefoto to practice with. Should be good to go. This thing is sooo sweeeet. I grabbed a Pelican 1400 case for it on the way home.

 

When you start looking for other lenses check out the 17-40L, 28-135 IS and the 75-200 f4. Those are great "prosumer" lenses that will give you more flexability with that 1.6x magnification factor. Don't forget about a nice tripod...bogens are great and they make all the difference in low light or telephoto situations.

btw...congrats on the new camera you will love it!

 

Nice - thanks for the tip. I need to get a tripod, my friend loaned me his Bogen and I need one. Mine is sorta flimsy.

OMG this camera is nutty. Been snapping pics of everything. I am impressed.