Looking to upgrade my original 6MP rebel

[calemjess]

I have been looking to upgrade my old rebel and wow, the more I think I decided on a model, the more confused I get.

I'm debating on the Rebel t3i versus the 60 D
I have only two lenses (my kit lens with the rebel) and a 50mm 1.8 lens)

I'm thinking of purchasing on the camera body and obtain a decent lens with further reach as my daughter will be in drill team/band this year. I want a camera and lens that will enable me to take better photos in lower lighting while they are on the field.

Any suggestions? I really, really want a 2.8 lens, but am not sure if I can stretch my budget that far. Plus, I still have so much to learn.

I've also purchased the Understanding Exposure book by Bryan Peterson a while back ago and I intend to go through it and really study it this summer. Any other good books that you would recommend. I'm such a hands on learner. I need a book that says.....put your camera on this setting etc..............I wish we had a local camera shop with classes, but they closed down several years ago!

Thanks for any advice or input.

[veritasimagery]

If you have the money for the 60D then get it. I bought the T3i because I didn't have the money for the 60D.

As far as lenses go you didn't say which "kit lens" you have. I know with the T3i there are two options with it, the 18-55 and the 18-135 (both f3.5-5.6). If you have the 18-55, and the 50mm, and want something longer but on a budget you can always look at the Canon EF-S 55-250 (f4-5.6) that runs around $200 US. That would give you the range from 18-250 and the nice 50mm.

[calemjess]

Thank you for your reply. I think my current lens reaches to 135 (I don't have it right here with me) but I definitely want more reach so I was looking at some 250-300 range.

My sister-n-law (who knows a lot more about cameras than I do) is going to go with me to best buy so I can "hold" each camera and make my final decision. Then I'll probably purchase online.

[inkista]

This is just me, but as long as you don't want to do video, and your dRebel is still working fine, I'd actually say ditch the idea of upgrading the body, and put your money into a good telephoto zoom lens, or fast telephoto lens.

Ideally, you'd probably want the EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM II, but it's astronomically priced (about $2000). For the marching band outdoors (daytime) stuff, an EF 70-300 IS USM might be more what you want. And for indoors stage performances, an EF100mm f/2 USM or EF 135mm f/2.8 soft focus and/or a flash might work better.

I'd also recommend reading this basic guide to lenses: How to Choose the Best Digital SLR Lens

The issues of reach or low-light capability are more readily answered with a lens than with a body upgrade (aside from high ISO). Your lenses are the permanent part of your camera system. The bodies are (weirdly) disposable digital electronics that come and go. Which would you rather sink the larger amount of money into?

[calemjess]

inkista, Believe me, I have thought of doing just that, but honestly, one of the main reasons I want a new body is for the larger LCD screen! (maybe it's old age........but I need that bigger screen to see what I'm doing!)