DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> What should I buy?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
AuthorThread
01/19/2009 01:13:50 PM · #1
Okay, so I've concluded with my budget, I can afford to purchase ONE moderately priced item within the next couple of months. The problem is which to buy...

My considerations:

-Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
$629.88

-Canon Speedlite 580EX II
$370

-Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
$444.88

-MSI N9800GT 512OC GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
$129.99

-ASUS Eee PC 1002HA Netbook
$479.99

So, the thing is, the desktop that I usually do most of my editing on is seriously outdated (I've still got a single-core processor in this baby). It works fine with CS2 and I can run most of the latest games on it, but I have a defective XFX video card that most people had replaced over a year ago. I was out of the country, so I missed out on that boat. I can live with the card (it just artifacts randomly sometimes) but I have been seriously considering getting it replaced.

The netbook is sort of something I've always wanted. I have two laptops, but they are enormous 17" monsters that weigh well over 10 lbs each. So a small portable computer would be perfect for me to take to class and take notes on.

On the other hand, I REALLY want some new lenses. I have two Tamron lenses (70-300 f/4.0-5.6 and 28-80 f/3.5-5.6) and the Canon 50mm f/1.8. So all in all, I don't really have any particularly nice lenses. I really want to invest in the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, but I definitely can't afford that right now. So rather than replace my cheapie lenses, I was considering filling in the focal lengths that I'm missing. Namely, the wider angle. The macro is sort of the lowest priority on this list, but still a consideration.

The flash is the other serious contender. I do a lot of indoor shooting, and I only have the built-in flash to work with. So, needless to say, a the Speedlite 580EXII would be a spectacular upgrade that I would love to have in my arsenal.

The less money I spend the better. But I'm not sure which to go for.... hmmmmmm

Any thoughts?
01/19/2009 01:21:08 PM · #2
I've heard some bad reviews of using the netbooks if your main purpose for using them is NOT email and just browsing the web. That it lacks for photography viewing/editing.
01/19/2009 01:22:12 PM · #3
the canon 17-40 f4 L fits your budget
01/19/2009 01:34:25 PM · #4
In my opinion, get the speedlight, since it could add the most to your photography. Light - specifically capturing light - is what photography is all about. A controllable, portable source of light is invaluable.
Speedlights add a huge amount of options to your photography. You could even spend a few more dollars and pick up some remote triggers to use the speedlight off camera. Even with only one flash it will still dramatically increase the number of lighting options you have for any given shot.

Then maybe later you can get another lens. And judging from the type of work you've got in your portfolio (landscapes, city scenes), you'd probably want to get that 10-22 first. You'll love the new perspective that wide angle brings and probably spend the first couple of weeks shooting with nothing but that lens.

If your graphics card is currently working (albeit haphazardly), maybe it can wait a bit. Besides, there will always be new cards coming out and the older ones getting cheaper all the time (though the graphics card + speedlight still comes in at less than that 10-22 lens).

Those EEE notebooks scare me a little. They seem cool and portable, but they also seem rather limited (though I guess you get what you pay for). Maybe I need to look into them a bit more...
01/19/2009 01:35:54 PM · #5
Both the macro lens and the Speedlight could change your photography forever. (Or, you know, for as long as those items last.)
01/19/2009 02:28:34 PM · #6
Get the speedlight first, the bigger the better meaning the 580ex II. The speed light is extremely important, then u can prob. get the 10-22. Will better compliment the speedlight than a macro lens.
01/19/2009 02:33:45 PM · #7
Down payment on this.
01/19/2009 02:37:35 PM · #8
I have both the 10-22 and the 100mm Macro (got them at the same time)

I'd go for the 100mm - it's the BOMB!

Check out what others are doing with it!

I was in the similar position to you, had two Tamrons and the 50 1.8 - the 100mm BLEW ME AWAY!

It is ultra sharp & fast. Makes a great portrait lens AND Macro - which is more fun than I imagined.
01/19/2009 02:43:04 PM · #9
If you're gonna get a netbook, I'd steer clear of the Linux ones.

If you wanna get a new graphics card, buy my 8800GT (Basically the same thing as that 9800GT you posted, no joke) for $80!
01/19/2009 03:09:20 PM · #10
I'm going to second what others have said and recommend an off-camera flash. It's one of those items that makes your photo quality take a huge spike upwards (if you know how to use it, that is). Creative lighting is one of the most fun and rewarding things you can do in photography in my opinion, and you won't regret getting it (except every time you get a new flash, you start thinking about how cool your pics could be if you got just one more...)

Also, may I suggest that, since the flash is cheaper than some of the other things on that list, you get a lightstand, an umbrella bracket, an umbrella, and some way of firing it (do Canons do the same thing where you can trigger using the on-camera flash at -- intensity?).
01/19/2009 04:18:08 PM · #11
Originally posted by TheStick:

I've heard some bad reviews of using the netbooks if your main purpose for using them is NOT email and just browsing the web. That it lacks for photography viewing/editing.


As I said, I would mostly be using the netbook for typing and web browsing.

Originally posted by soup:

the canon 17-40 f4 L fits your budget


I've considered the 17-40 f/4L, but I decided that I really wanted a faster lens.

Originally posted by Tygerr:

In my opinion, get the speedlight, since it could add the most to your photography. Light - specifically capturing light - is what photography is all about. A controllable, portable source of light is invaluable.


My thoughts exactly.

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Down payment on this.


I figured I should work on shooting subjects closer to me before I invest in a lens to take pictures of things miles away, lol.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 04:46:56 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 04:46:56 AM EDT.