purchase

[jerhan]

would I be better off to buy a canon 50d  with  a  28-135  or a  T1i with a 18-55  Thanks

[KeithB]

Depends what you mean by "better off."  These days spending more money will almost certainly get you the "better" camera, but that may be more than your needs.  Just what do you want in a camera?  A camera that will be used to take snaps of the grandkids?  A camera to shoot sports?  A camera that shoots video?

[Bob Atkins]

Depends on you and what you want to do with it.

If you want to shoot videos you need the Canon Digital Rebel T1i of course.

Otherwise the Canon EOS 50D has more features such as microfocus adjustment, a 1/8000s shutter speed, a better AF system with 9 cross sensors, two LCDs, a rear QCD (Quick Control Dial), a faster continuous shooting rate with a larger image buffer and a larger viewfinder with a true pentaprism. If you get the 50D, the deal with the EOS 50D body plus 28-135IS lens is pretty good since the lens then only costs you around $200.

The 28-135 obviously isn't as wide as the 18-55, so that may factor into your lens choice too.

The T1i is maller and lighter, but the 50D is more sturdily built and for me the slightly larger 50D is easier to hold.

So it really comes down to what you want (especially the video feature) and what you can afford.

[whizkid]

Go for the 50d but get the kit with Canon's  EFs 18-200 lens instead of the EF 28-135. Good price right now for that combo.

[Bob Atkins]

Right now there are rebates on several 50D kits:

EOS 50D + EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - $150 rebate
 
EOS 50D + EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS + EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - $300 rebate
 
EOS 50D Digital + Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - $300 rebate

EOS 50D + EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - $150 rebate