Justifying getting a dSLR - DPChallenge Forums

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

02/23/2006 06:47:57 PM · #1

As much as I love my 4 year old point and shoot to death because it gives me awesome things to work with and lets me put a lot more into processing than I would with a better camera (I realize that lots of people here will probably already munch on my head for throwing in so much gratuitous photoshopping like I do), I've been toying with the idea of getting a dSLR for at least half a year now. Sometimes I just want to capture something clean and clear and, most importantly, at a higher resolution.

I'm just having problems justifying to myself why I should spend a grand on a camera if all I'm going to be doing is messing around with it. I'm a 19 year old CS student with no financial burdens, but no income, either. However, art is the most important thing in my life...the art classes I've taken at college are the only things that keep me sane, to the point that being elbows-deep in a barrel of clay or following my friend in the darkroom makes me so happy that doing anything else pales in comparison. I'd love nothing more than to be able to make a living off of art, but realistically I don't think it will happen, simply because my parents are paying 40 grand a year out of pocket for me to get one of the best CS degrees in the world. But anyway, that's not so much important.

I just feel I need a better reason, other than 'because i really really really want one'...if I could make the money back with the camera within a reasonable amount of time, or if I had a real, honest need for it, I would go for it, but eh. I don't know if I'm that serious, or that committed.

Please give me any input you have...if anyone has found themselves in a similar situation and went one way or the other, or if you just have ideas on how I could make the plunge worthwhile, I'd really appreciate is. I just ask that you don't simply reply and say 'JUST DO IT MAN YOU'LL NEVER REGRET IT I HAVE A D70 AND IT'S AWESOME!!' I doubt I'd regret it, I just don't know if I really need it.

Thanks.

CalliopeKel

Canon EOS-5D

02/23/2006 06:51:23 PM · #2

Logic and reason do not account for all the answers in life.

Sometimes you have to binge, purge or whatever it is you call this craving of yours. Just do it. Buyers regret only lasts a little while. LOL

jdw91479

Olympus E-300 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

02/23/2006 06:51:49 PM · #3

When I was in college, during the summers I worked at a sports camp and one of my jobs was to take digital pictures for the website and the camp's yearbook. If you found a job like that you might be able to justify it to yourself.

Here is a good link for summer camp jobs: Camp Channel

Edit: They usually don't pay much when your starting out, but most pay for travel expenses and you always have your room & board (and usually laundry) covered.

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 18:53:21.

JunieMoon

Sony Alpha a7 II

Sony FE 3.5-5.6/28-70 mm OSS

02/23/2006 06:57:31 PM · #4

I too tried justifying getting a dslr, and it is especially hard because I already have a film slr,which I never use. I wanted one badly, but then I said, "If this is just to try to get better scores on a silly web site, you really need to get your priorities straight." Anyway, I never did get the dslr, but I did get a prosumer, which has some manual capabilities. It is a Sony DSC-H1. My thinking is, I don't have to invest in film any more, I can print my own images, and my point and shoot Olympus no longer can adjust the file size, so the images come out really pixelated. It cost base price of 429, but now you can get one for around 399. It allows you to get special filters and three conversion lenses. I think you might want to first look into a prosumer camera before getting the dslr. It may be all you really need, artistically as well. Unless you plan on making 30 by 40 prints, the larger megapixel doesn't really benefit you.

fotomann_forever

02/23/2006 07:08:47 PM · #5

I own (arguably) one of the best P&S cameras on the market, the Nikon Coolpix 8700. But, I've alawys had 35mm SLR's and have never been able to give up on the idea of having a dSLR.

So, now I have one. It got here yesterday. Still waiting on some lenses to arrive, but holding the 300D in my hand, I feel more like a "photographer" than I do with the 8700. It's a mental thing for me, it just feels RIGHT to be using an SLR camera.

Biggest issue I have now is lens lust ... LOL. I'm mounting a significant "must have" list.

I can't sit here and tell you that you have to have a dSLR to do good photography, because that is not true at all, but you must remember that 90% of photography is the enjoyment of doing it. If that justifies the cost of a dSLR then so be it. If not, don't take the plunge and maybe consider a newer P&S.

Prof_Fate

02/23/2006 07:20:32 PM · #6

i had a hard time justifying getting and dSLR beyond the 'want' factor as well. Best move I ever made for photogaphy or me personally.
My scores have improved, yes, but still no ribbons LOL
I have some lens envy,but not L glass envy.

You can get a used 300D and a canon 50 1.8 and be creative wth that, and maybe the kit lens, add a reversing ring (the 50 on the kit lens) for macro shots - and probably doable for $600 if you are patient. That is not a terrible lot of money but would be a terrible lot of fun!

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

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

02/23/2006 07:21:08 PM · #7

One downside to SLR's is the cost doesn't stop at the camera body..LOL You will want more lenses, more filters, more toys.

There are some really good point & shoot cameras out there with mega mega-pixels and great zooms.

On the other hand, I see going to an SLR an investment. With a P&S, if you are sick of the camera or if something breaks, the camera is worthless. With SLR's, if a lens breaks or if you don't like it...you can upgrate without replacing the whole camera. If you outgrow the camera body, you can upgrade and keep your lenses. BUT, that brings me back to my first point of SLR's cosing more money...LOL

I was a casual shooter up until about 2yrs ago. I would only take pics for the family photo album and didn't even consider photography a hobby. After comments from my family and friends, I put some of my shots up on Shutterpoint from my 2 mega pixel camera to see if more than family liked my pictures. Within a couple months I was so into photography that I bought my Canon 300d. I HAVE NOT REGRETTED IT ONE BIT!!! It has become a major passion of mine. In less than 2 years, I have gone from a $200 2mp camera to the 20d and some very nice lenses.

I do not regret the massive amounts of $$$ I have put into photographic equipment because it is the one thing I do for myself. With 2 kids and a husband in the Navy...I need something that makes me happy that is not tied to my family or being a stay at home mom. Photography gives me an identity beyond my family.

If you have the passion.....go for it. You won't regret it.

twm122

Olympus E-3

Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Zuiko Digital

02/23/2006 07:30:21 PM · #8

Originally posted by JRalston:

If you have the passion.....go for it. You won't regret it.

I totally agree.

tryals15

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.7

02/23/2006 07:37:32 PM · #9

I'm not sure how much logic went into the purchase of my camera. I'd been using an old, beat up 2MP camera, and i decided I wanted more... I was no longer satisfied with the images coming out of my little camera... And I even avoid taking pictures of stuff, b/c I knew I wasn't going to be happy with how they came out... So I got a 300D. That lasted about 6 months, when I moved up to the 10D.

I have justified having it by making some money with it. I am a photographer in the summers for a camp, and make good money doing that. And then there's the little freelance stuff I do throughout the year... All stuff that I couldn't do with my old 2MP camera...

But, like I said, the main reason I moved up was that I felt my old camera was holding me back, preventing me from doing something that I really enjoyed...

Just know that it is an expensive, slippery slope... =]

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

02/23/2006 08:04:12 PM · #10

On one hand, I don't feel like I'm being held back by my Olympus, and I do own a really nice film SLR (it was the family's camera for about 15 years, and my dad let me take it with me to college...I just started developing lens envy with it...spent about a hundred on a new lens, and at least that much more on film and processing). I will probably still use it just as much...there's no way I'd be carrying a dSLR to the metal shop with me in my pocket.

Ideally, if I can get a camera that's compatible with my film camera's lenses, then it would save me a lot of money in the long run...

I was talking to one of my friends here...he just got himself a Rebel XT after shooting for the school paper, and he's the assistant photo editor now. He said there's cameras I can borrow to shoot with until if/when I get my own...I'm not so much a fan of the photojournalism but it would at least make me feel a lot better for getting a dSLR.

Anyway, thanks for all your input...even if I do decide to get one it probably won't happen until after the summer when I make some money, so I've still got time to think about it. And play with my friends' cameras in the meanwhile :)

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

02/23/2006 08:06:35 PM · #11

Originally posted by modgethanc:

Anyway, thanks for all your input...even if I do decide to get one it probably won't happen until after the summer when I make some money, so I've still got time to think about it. And play with my friends' cameras in the meanwhile :)

And not having money right now will and waiting will only mean cheaper prices in the summer :)

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/23/2006 08:10:32 PM · #12

Originally posted by JRalston:

Originally posted by modgethanc:

Anyway, thanks for all your input...even if I do decide to get one it probably won't happen until after the summer when I make some money, so I've still got time to think about it. And play with my friends' cameras in the meanwhile :)

And not having money right now will and waiting will only mean cheaper prices in the summer :)

And if I wait another 30 years, the RebelXT will be obsolete and I'll be able to get it dirt cheap!

faidoi

Pentax K10D

02/23/2006 09:54:24 PM · #13

Sensor dust :(

Nikon D200

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

02/23/2006 10:09:13 PM · #14

Hi Modge! Why not do some thinking about the kinds of pictures you like to take, and what qualities a camera would have to have to make those kinds of shots better?

I notice you tend to like darker/high contrast images. For example, a camera that works well in low light might be a starting point for you to consider.

A prosumer level camera with manual functions might be all you need to express your vision. It's more about the photographer, rather than the camera.

Good luck to you!

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

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

02/23/2006 10:14:11 PM · #15

Originally posted by CalliopeKel:

Yup... The anxiety before lasted for what seemed like days...buyers regret lasted about as long as it took to charge the batteries...

My only regret is that I kept fooling myself that I didn't need a dSLR, yet I continued upgrading my peashooters (P&S). On the third peashooter I quit kidding myself and went dSLR.

If I had cut to the chase back when I pondered the though of a dSLR I would have more (and better) glass from money saved by not jumping from P&S to P&S...

Life is good now...