XSi vs 40D

[texastech94]

I know you are all tired of this subject, but I have to go here.  I have money to buy a 40D with the kit lens or the XSi with kit lens and ONE other lens.  So, 40D with ONE lens or XSI with TWO lenses.  It seems to me that the 28-135 is better than the 18-55, but then it nullifies the 70-200 because of the overlap in length.

I currently photograph:

waterfalls, wildlife (squirrels, prairie dogs, etc), portraits, and flowers.

I am struggling between 10-22, 50mm Macro, 70-200L (non-IS), and the 70-300IS

I rarely do sports photography.  Weight is a consideration.

You can see some of what I do on Myspace.  www.myspace.com/willterrellphotography.  I want to expand what I can do.   

My thinking:  10-22 will let me get the Texas landscapes I love.  50mm Macro will let me get flowers and portraits.  70-200 and 70-300 will let me get closer to wildlife.

Thanks!!!!!

PS.   I am currently using a Canon S500 from 2004, so anything is a huge upgrade.

[MikeBinOK]

I assume you've seen this handy chart which Bob so thoughtfully provided?

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/canon_eos_xsi_vs_xti_vs_40D.html

Which of the differences are important to you?  If the better points of the 40D are big ones for you, then the 40D is worth it.  Otherwise, probably not.

For me, the biggest disadvantage of the XSi is that it only has a single control wheel (near the shutter button) instead of two separate control wheels (one near the shutter button, and one on the rear of the body).  For me, this is a much less convenient arrangement to begin with.  I have a Rebel XTi for a backup camera, and hate this arrangement every time I pull the camera out.  Plus, I am left-eye dominant, so must position my nose where it pokes the buttons on the back of the XTi and changes settings, mostly the ISO at random.  This doesn't happen with the 40D.

Other than that, biggest advantage of the 40D is the higher rate of frames per second.  You say you don't do sports, if you don't do birds or active wildlife, or something similar, you may not need it.

Now that the megapixel race is over, you may be using the camera body for a long time, and you'll have money to buy additional lenses in the future, so I wouldn't let one vs. two lenses at this time sway you too much.