Ok, I have been shooting for a long time but on and off. I've recently started getting back into it. I used to shoot a lot of film and b&w and had my own dark room setup. I love digital though. Right now I a rebel D and a Tamron 28-300 lense. I'm looking to upgrade and move on now.I'll give some more background and what I intend to shoot most often to help with this.
-Automotive, I attend lots of car meets and track events. Lots of full shot and close ups of cars, need wider than the 28mm. For on track shots I need a minimum of a 200mm lense on the 1.6 crop. I tend to use the 300 at its max right now. A higher MP camera might allow me to just crop more though and get away with less. a good continuous auto focus is important as well. MY setup right now does not do this well and I'm not sure if its the body or the lense, probably the later.
-Concert, I quit my band in March but would like to start shooting at some of their shows, the venues are almost always dark with lots of different lighting and smoke. Thinking about a wide angle large aperature rpime lense most likely for the shows?
-Architecture, I'm a sucker for cool buildings and architecture, I figure for the most part lenses that fit here also work as all around general shooting.
-Budget, I'm not trying to be a cheapskate but also not going to the high end, I jsut can't justify that cost.
-Filters, I figure a cir pol. filter would be nice. I was curious if anyone uses them outdoors with a flash as well because I think that would give some nice contrast and color when shooting cars while cutting down the reflections.
Ideas:
1. I was thinking of keeping with Canon and doing a gradual upgrade process. My thought was that first I would pick up a canon 17--40 f/4L at a nice all around and automotive shooting lense, I figure that could be used at concerts as well most likely with flash. NExt I was thinking of getting a nice flash, 430ex maybe? and third a new body, I would really like more AF points and more megapixels never hurts. I'm indecisive between the XTi and the 30D, could use some help deciding between them if I go this route. Then I would add more lenses to the collection, not sure which yet. I figure I'll suck it up and go with some good quality glass. I was thinking a wide angle large aperature lense for shooting concerts without flash and getting some cool shots? all ideas welcome.
2. I was thinking of possible switching over to the Sony Alpha A100. That camera really intrigues me and I like the built in IS. The bad grain at higher ISO doesn't make me happy but shouldn't be a problem anyway. I don't know if I'm not going to like my lense options as much or exactly how it compares to the Canons. It does have lots of nice features for the price and the reviews I've read are all seemingly very good. I don't mind making a switch now while I only have the one canon body and lense because I would be selling both of them anyway when I get new equipment. I figure if I'm going to make a change now is the time to do it. I havn't thought too much about the lenses yet if I went this route.
OK Thats plenty for now. I appreciate any advice, thanks much!!
edit: I'll upload some pics to my gallery just to give an idea of what I tend to shoot.