Help me justify upgrading my camera

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

03/03/2006 11:43:05 AM · #1

I currently shoot with a Canon Powershot S1 IS. For the $$$, this camera has been great. However, I'm now at the point where I feel hindered by the limitations of the camera.

I do manage to sell a few photos a month, but unless I can increase my income from photography, I find it hard to justify spending the $$$ to upgrade. The camera I have my eye on is the EOS 350D with the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. I figure this will run me about $1500 after I buy a big enough card to go with it.

So, the questions are:

1) Is my ability to do stock photography limited with a 3MP camera?

2) Would I see a dramatic enough improvement in my photos and my ability to sell stock photos with the equipment proposed above?

Regarding the 2nd question, I've checked out the photos on this site that are associated with each camera. The photos taken with the 350D do seem far superior to those taken with the S1 IS. I also noticed that I currently have the 2nd and 9th highest rated photos taken with the S1 IS, so hopefully that's an indication that I have the skill to make use of the better equipment (I point this out only because I know someone will point out that no equipment will improve your photos if you don't have the skills)

Thanks,
Steven

Message edited by author 2006-03-03 11:45:56.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/03/2006 11:51:27 AM · #2

You need a 350D.

Hope this helps.

But seriously, I just finished making the price of my 20d in less than a year selling a few pictures. The stock agency I use (www.photographersdirect.com) will not sell images that are less than 6MP, as they do not give the professional image that they require.

However you decide to progress with selling images, buyers increasingly expect better quality images. Hopefully, you will be able to make your purchase an investment rather than an expense...

Or at least you will have fun with it (and what is life without fun??).

CalliopeKel

Canon EOS-5D

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

03/03/2006 11:53:38 AM · #3

Skip the rebel and go 20D or 5D. ;)

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

03/03/2006 11:54:51 AM · #4

I agree with legalbeagle, you can make a 350D work for you, and it will help take you to the next level. But a bit of advice: don't sell your S1 to finance the 350D. You'll probably regret it later on if you do.

03/03/2006 12:20:32 PM · #5

1) Is my ability to do stock photography limited with a 3MP camera?
Yes. The macro stock sites won't accept your photos at all. Even for Istock you will do better with larger images.

2) Would I see a dramatic enough improvement in my photos and my ability to sell stock photos with the equipment proposed above?
Yes. Your photos will be the same composition and idea wise (duh), but they will also be sharper and have better resolution. You'll also gain better control of DOF and if you shoot action shots it will be easier to get what you want. There are probably 142 other things as well. As for selling, with a 8mp compared to a 3 mp you can sell much larger prints or files which means much larger $$$ for the same effort.

Get the 350D, but stay away from EF-S lens if you are trying to make a career of it because you won't be able to use them on a full frame camera (which if you make a career of it you will probably want to get some day).

03/03/2006 12:22:03 PM · #6

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

I have the S2 as well and still regret selling my S1. That is a fantastic little camera and there is 1 or 2 things it does better then the S2.

ignite

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/03/2006 12:25:59 PM · #7

I say go for it. You will have more MP to play with, better cropping options, better quality. More control over ISO etc. You can print bigger also. Don't go cheap on the lenses though.

Edit : And having a better camera in your hands might be a good motivating factor to take more shots and experiment.

Message edited by author 2006-03-03 12:29:18.

03/03/2006 12:36:41 PM · #8

Thanks for the responses thus far (keep 'em coming). Which lens would people recommend instead of the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (btw, this is not the standard lens that comes with the 350D)

03/03/2006 01:22:22 PM · #9

Buy the camera without the lens as there are better lens out there for the money.

What lens to get depends on what you plan on shooting. People? Events? Action? Macro? Landscape?

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

03/03/2006 01:22:47 PM · #10

I choose to get the Canon 28-135 IS and get the extra reach and I don't regret it. It's been great for me. A lot of people love their Tamron 28-75 2.8 too, so check into that one. But if you like wider shots, the 28mm becomes almost a 45mm with the crop factor and thus not that wide at all.

BTW, both of the forementioned lenses are cheaper than the 17-85 IS.

Message edited by author 2006-03-03 13:24:23.

03/03/2006 01:33:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by LoudDog:

What lens to get depends on what you plan on shooting. People? Events? Action? Macro? Landscape?

At this point, I'm looking for a walk-around lens.

Prof_Fate

03/03/2006 01:37:37 PM · #12

Get teh 350, and sell the one you have now - you won't use it after you get teh rebel.

Now then, a budget of $1500 -
rebel (no lens) and a Sandisk 2Gb Ultra 2 cards are now $89. Will hold upwards of 580 big jpgs and 240 or so RAW files. One is plenty for now, and you can get 512 cards dirt cheap at staples/bestbuy/etc with rebates so just keep an eye out.
- at b&h for $804 (black or silver)

spare battery - sterlingtek has the best, but even a generaic ebay one will work (I got 2 for $12 a year ago off ebay. they work)

Lens - depends on what you shoot. For telephoto on a budget get eth Sigma 70-300 APO super macro 2 0 MUST be the APO. $199 at b&h New for $180ish on ebay. A bargain.

You have just hit $1000.

Now, for the walkaround lens...

Tamron 24-135 SP is a fantastic lens, does macro, super sharp and pro quality with rebate for $369.

This lens is a tamron 28-75 2.8. A great lens, but less range on both ends and the 28 is not nearly wide enough. As for fast...see my next suggestion (BTW< this is $349 after rebate)

Canon 50 1.8 for $75 for th egray market lens. GREAT lens for the money.

Sooo...$804, $199, $399, $75, optech pro strap for $20 and the grand total is $1498 - plus shipping, but tamron will have tht $30 rebate back to you in 10 days or less, and you can then get some batteries.

DO IT, you won't regret it.

Beside, next week i order a 30D (1399) and soem lights ($638 in shopping cart) and still need some backdrops...i don't want to be the only one broke LOL

Prof_Fate

03/03/2006 01:40:01 PM · #13

Originally posted by getnoutside:

At this point, I'm looking for a walk-around lens.

check out the tamron 24-135 SP - perfect walkaround lens. Great range, sharpness, macro, build, under a pound, pro build. Hard to beat that combo for the price, and there's a rebate now too.

DPC sample images

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

03/03/2006 01:54:20 PM · #14

I like the Canon 28-135 IS for walk around. Very versital. It gets some bad reviews, but it's not a bad lens. When I can only bring one lens, this is it. I haven't used the Sigma or Tamron 24-70 F2.8 but they would be worth a look as well if you don't need the extra reach.

Also, the Sigma 70-300 APO DG and the Canon 50mm F1.8 are two of the the bests lens you can get for the money (I'm sure there are more). Nether are perfect, but they both take great photos and are really cheap compared to the alternatives.

MudHut

Canon EOS-40D

03/03/2006 02:08:30 PM · #15

You have your the artistic ability (which by looking at your portfolio have bucket loads of) to justify the upgrade :-) go for it

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/03/2006 02:22:36 PM · #16

The trick is to get convinced that you need a Mark II/D2X with some good Pro level glass.

Then it's easy to justify whatever mid-range camera just by comparing the price and thinking it's cheap for the "lesser" cameras. Just don't touch a Mark II/D2X cause then you will want the pro camera.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/03/2006 02:52:38 PM · #17

Don't be shy about ordering an EF-S lens. The 17-85 is a fine lens with good range, and you can always sell it with the camera (or separately) later on. If you're comfortable with the Powershot S1, you might also bear in mind that the Powershot S3 IS is due out in May with 6 megapixels, a larger LCD, ISO800 and MUCH less noise.

Message edited by author 2006-03-03 14:53:39.