new computer, please advise. - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/25/2005 09:15:34 AM · #1

I'm shopping around for a new computer totally dedicated to photography. In the price range of $1000, what should I look for. Can you please advise me on everything I should look for/consider. Keep in mind it will be dedicated to photography/internet including RAW photos. Isn't it cheaper and better to build one up rather than buying something in a 'package'? Thanks in advance for helping me.

colda

Nikon D800

02/25/2005 09:20:54 AM · #2

Is this budget for both hardware and software, or just the hardware?

krazyivan

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

02/25/2005 09:22:10 AM · #3

Does the $1000 also include a monitor, speakers, etc.? Or are you just pricing the CPU?

BobsterLobster

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/25/2005 09:25:57 AM · #4

Nowdays there's not much price difference between building it yourself and off the shelf. The two most important things I'd look for in a PC for photo editing is size of RAM, and video card (but not 3d performance of video card). Processor speed comes below these considerations (but needs to be reasonably fast). I'd look for a DVD writer, and put as much money as possible into a quality CRT monitor. Possibly a spyder callibration unit as well. Large fast hard drive as well.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

02/25/2005 09:31:41 AM · #5

If you know what you're doing, then building your own is the way to go. You can easily put together a nice system for less money than a ready-made PC. I suggest you check out www.newegg.com.

hdogg4u

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

02/25/2005 09:31:45 AM · #6

Get lots of ram and the fastest cpu you can any photography editor requires a lot of ram and a fastest cpu in order to do the post-processing. I running 3200amd with 256mb nvidia card and 3gbs of ram. Its not dedicated for photography but I have to run my businees stuff on it too so I use it for both really. 21 inch Samsung 955DF monitor. Try and get lots of usb ports and maybe even some firewire ports. I didnt think I would use my 8 ports but with all the new bells and whistles you will use them quickly.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/25/2005 09:45:32 AM · #7

Originally posted by colda:

Is this budget for both hardware and software, or just the hardware?

Hardware, ie a box and a screen. ;-)

cbeller

Nikon D300

02/25/2005 09:51:33 AM · #8

I just order a refurbished IBM Intellistation from these folks.

Ebuy Superstore

02/25/2005 10:01:47 AM · #9

Thanks to everyone, will seriously look at all the things recommended. This is what makes this community special, the speed with which everyone replies to someone in need of something.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/25/2005 10:12:51 AM · #10

Maybe a G4, or G5 mac or PC? Laptop or Desktop? jus curious might help for others to know.

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

02/25/2005 10:19:13 AM · #11

I here the e-machines can work great...and cheap.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/25/2005 10:21:10 AM · #12

If you don't want to build your own then configure your own...these guys are reliable and use good pewter parts...

This is a good starting point for $754 Monarch Computer

(I just noticed they take paypal...maybe time for some new parts for me...yeah)

02/25/2005 10:23:21 AM · #13

Originally posted by LEONJR:

Maybe a G4, or G5 mac or PC? Laptop or Desktop? jus curious might help for others to know.

I have a laptop and a spare computer, both about 24 months old and steadily frustrating the living daylights out of me. I think a desktop with a flatscreen is best, and as many says, it must be fast(what makes it fast?) and must have a good colorcard(?).

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/25/2005 10:24:38 AM · #14

Originally posted by MeThoS:

I here the e-machines can work great...and cheap.

e-machines? Sorry I'm totally BC. Also, pentium or amd?

Message edited by author 2005-02-25 10:26:09.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

02/25/2005 10:26:59 AM · #15

that is a sarcastic comment...

Originally posted by gibun:

Originally posted by MeThoS:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I here the e-machines can work great...and cheap.

e-machines? Sorry I'm totally BC. Also, pentium or amd?

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/25/2005 10:29:16 AM · #16

Fast = lots of RAM gig or better
Decent Processor (I do AMD) AMD Barton or AMD64 2800+ or better (on chip cache 512M or 1G)
No onboard Video Sharing System RAM

Good Video Card nVidia or ATI 128M memory (Intel can't make a vid card to save their lifes)

Message edited by author 2005-02-25 10:30:01.

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

02/25/2005 10:29:34 AM · #17

Originally posted by gibun:

Originally posted by LEONJR:
Maybe a G4, or G5 mac or PC? Laptop or Desktop? jus curious might help for others to know.

I have a laptop and a spare computer, both about 24 months old and steadily frustrating the living daylights out of me. I think a desktop with a flatscreen is best, and as many says, it must be fast(what makes it fast?) and must have a good colorcard(?).

when you say flatscreen what do you mean? CRT or LCD? I have a flat screen lcd (assuming lcd's are the real skinny monitors about a inch or 2 wide) and color calibration is kinda difficult at least with adobe gamma.

nsbca7

02/25/2005 10:35:43 AM · #18

Wanting to do photography then invest in a MAC. Nothing will piss you off more then to be in the middle of an editing or print job and see the blue screen. With MAC you can count on getting the job done without the wasted time of restarting. And don't let the specs fool you. A 2GHz G5 is faster then a 4GHz Pentium while working with any type of graphics.

"Would you like to send an error report to Microsoft?"
"Send" - "Don't Send"

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

02/25/2005 10:38:52 AM · #19

LEONJR, a flatscreen is a flatscreen and they are called LCD's, aren't they? What is a CRT...? I really don't know, making exploitation easy.

awpollard.. that's what I need to know, thanks.

nsbca7

02/25/2005 10:41:33 AM · #20

Originally posted by gibun:

LEONJR, a flatscreen is a flatscreen and they are called LCD's, aren't they? What is a CRT...? I really don't know, making exploitation easy.

awpollard.. that's what I need to know, thanks.

There are CRT flatscreens. I'm working on one right now. CRT looks like a television, but the flatscreen versions have a flat screen as opposed to a curved one.

02/25/2005 10:41:44 AM · #21

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Again, I have no clue what Mac is... It must be another operating system, not as popular as microsoft, not as well supported either.. The question is why not?

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

02/25/2005 10:42:24 AM · #22

Originally posted by gibun:

LEONJR, a flatscreen is a flatscreen and they are called LCD's, aren't they? What is a CRT...? I really don't know, making exploitation easy.

awpollard.. that's what I need to know, thanks.

Once again you'll have to excuse my ignorance maybe someone can shed some light on this both of us but check out this link they "kinda" explain it. //www.touchscreens.com/intro-displaytech.html

nsbca7

02/25/2005 10:47:13 AM · #23

Originally posted by gibun:

not as popular as microsoft, not as well supported either.. The question is why not?

How did you come to these conclusions? In the world of graphics, art, and photography MACs are the most popular and best supported computers in the world, bar none. And there are three reasons for that: Speed, quality and reliability.

02/25/2005 10:50:08 AM · #24

Originally posted by nsbca7:

That I never knew ! wow