Do you REALLY need a new camera?

[cezargalang]

sorry for being off topic here:

Hey all, i'm on this dilemma atm, been shooting for 2 years, amateur. I have a T1i, and in love with landscapes, and with what im getting out of the camera is fine. Many tell me that its a wonder using FF for landscapes, and gave it thought. Is it worth selling my T1i to get a 5D classic? it's all i can afford, but already have a EF lens for landscape.

Please don't rage ;D

 

[briansquibb]

sorry for being off topic here:

Hey all, i'm on this dilemma atm, been shooting for 2 years, amateur. I have a T1i, and in love with landscapes, and with what im getting out of the camera is fine. Many tell me that its a wonder using FF for landscapes, and gave it thought. Is it worth selling my T1i to get a 5D classic? it's all i can afford, but already have a EF lens for landscape.

Please don't rage ;D

I believe you would be very pleased with the IQ improvements - I did when getting one alongside a 50D.

However it is old technology so many of the later improvements are not there

- small, low res screen
- no liveview
- no screen based adjustments

 

[awinphoto]

I upgrade my gear when i feel there is something I need to do that my current gear cannot do and cannot overcome... For instance going from the 30d to 50D, more MP, liveview, MA adjust, more intuitive menu and interface, etc... From 50D to 7d, Flash commander, much better sensor (IMHO, yeah yeah there are a few who will argue with that one), level built in, MUCH BETTER AF... I refused to get rid of my 7d when I got my 5d2... as they are more of a tandem... 7d when i need the build, speed, and precision, and 5d when I want optimum IQ and low light. When the 5d3 comes out, if I see a beautiful love child of the 7D AF and commander and 5d IQ, both my cameras could be on the chopping block to finance that purchase...

 

[distant.star]

What I really need is a Bugatti Veyron.

Sometimes when I go to pick up a pizza, especially in winter, it's not hot enough when I get it home. If I could go 200 mph, that would solve the problem.

And after the Veyron, I'll need a 1Dx to take a picture of it -- and the steaming hot pizza.

My needs may be different than yours. See manufacturer warranty for details.

 

[awinphoto]

What I really need is a Bugatti Veyron.

Sometimes when I go to pick up a pizza, especially in winter, it's not hot enough when I get it home. If I could go 200 mph, that would solve the problem.

And after the Veyron, I'll need a 1Dx to take a picture of it -- and the steaming hot pizza.

My needs may be different than yours. See manufacturer warranty for details.

Hahaha +1 Damn right

 

[Axilrod]

What I really need is a Bugatti Veyron.

Sometimes when I go to pick up a pizza, especially in winter, it's not hot enough when I get it home. If I could go 200 mph, that would solve the problem.

And after the Veyron, I'll need a 1Dx to take a picture of it -- and the steaming hot pizza.

My needs may be different than yours. See manufacturer warranty for details.

A $2,000,000 car and a $1400 camera, seems like a fair comparison to me :

 

[Bluesmachine]

I've been pondering if I need a new camera for the last few days. I'm obviously waiting for the 5DmkIII to be released as I want to upgrade from the 60D, which I only upgraded to as I was unhappy(ish) with the 30D. I've been sitting back and looking at what I actually do currently, and it looks like upgrading would actually mean I'd have to buy at least two lenses to upgrade the focal length. NOT CHEAP! A want of full frame would realistically cost me around £4-5000!

I'm starting to slowly resign myself to sticking with the 60D and just getting a new 24-70 when (if) it's released, and waiting on that lottery win for a body.

 

[aeturnum]

I think you're looking at this the wrong way. You can make do with really terrible equipment and get amazing results. Most of the famous pictures in history were shot using technology that is, in most way, inferior to entry-level DSLRs today. You can produce good results using anything.

When you get nicer equipment, the chance that any given shot will be a "keeper" goes up. The average quality of "keepers" also improves. There are very few (if any) tasks that you must buy an expensive camera to accomplish. That does not mean you don't need better equipment. What percentage of shots can you afford to miss? Imagine you have two (fictional) lenses that are identical in every way, except that one is one stop faster. The faster lens is clearly preferable - it gives slightly more flexibility. There are no guarantees, but you can tip the odds in your favor.

How much a one or two stop improvement (or a one-two fps increase) is worth to you is a question that has to be decided on an individual basis. If you spend all day shooting still figures on sunny days, you probably don't care what camera you're using.

That all being said, equipment capabilities will go to waste without experience. With the two lenses described above, the second lens is only better if you use the lower f-stop (assuming equal sharpness at equal apertures ofc). The better you understand your equipment, the better you'll be able to use it.

So - do you REALLY need a new camera? To me, it's a question that doesn't make a lot of sense. A better question is how much better / easier / more successful will a new camera make your photos and how much are you willing to pay for it?

 

[distant.star]

What I really need is a Bugatti Veyron.

Sometimes when I go to pick up a pizza, especially in winter, it's not hot enough when I get it home. If I could go 200 mph, that would solve the problem.

And after the Veyron, I'll need a 1Dx to take a picture of it -- and the steaming hot pizza.

My needs may be different than yours. See manufacturer warranty for details.

A $2,000,000 car and a $1400 camera, seems like a fair comparison to me :

If you can get me that 1Dx for $1400, I really DO need THAT!!!

 

[Fleetie]

On the plus side, you can keep the pizza warm on the smokin' tyres when the Veyron has been screaming along at its top speed (most recent version, IIRC) at 267 MPH !

Back to the subject : I'm fine to keep using my 7D for a few months yet, while I build up my rainy-day fund to where I want it to be, and then after a bit longer I'll have about enough for the 5D3, if the same ever appears, which I think by that time it will have.

Until then I'll keep using my 7D as first camera; I feel I should have it as such for at least 2 years, which period will expire on 30th April 2012. So it's all fine, for me. I'll wait a bit. I tend to shoot long anyway, so the crop of the 7D doesn't hurt a bit.

If the 5D3 is high-MP and poor-ISO-noise, I'll save for longer and have to get the oversized (for ME) 1DX. I'll do it if I have to.


Martin

 

[te4o]

All is relative, no doubt I don't need a camera at all to survive, but it is a source of personal expression, and intriguing beauty with technical aspects attached. If I feel more need for expression I look for a new model: I am like thousands of other shooters waiting to get onto the full frame train.
So, how is a new camera justifiable ? : I have my 40D maxed out with off-camera RC 580II, fast CZ primes, fast 70-200, postprocessing the maximum out of its RAWs, stitching, stacking, NRing ... - often I feel limited in IQ, ISO range, DR, colour range etc... I organically started feeling the need for a good FF with video so that I can increase my personal expression.
I am lucky I can borrow a 5d2 from a friend for special occasions and travel (he doesn't need it really). That's why I haven't bought one yet. "I am not that rich to afford cheap cameras..." But I am very curious what amount of IQ real life improvements will the next generation semi-pro FF bring - hopefully their release is before June - I am expecting my second filius then...

 

[bigblue1ca]

When the 5d3 comes out, if I see a beautiful love child of the 7D AF and commander and 5d IQ, both my cameras could be on the chopping block to finance that purchase...

Yes, that would be a great blend and I'd snap one up in a instant. But, I question if we'll see this from Canon? I can't help but think if they did release such a camera it would undercut their 1DX sales; or would they cripple it like they did with the 5D2. 7D AF, 5D IQ, and 3 FPS. :

 

[Hillsilly]

Need? No. Want? Yes Please!

It's a lot of fun to play with new toys! Sure, I agree with most of the previous sentiments. Don't automatically expect a new camera to make you a better photographer blah blah blah. But, it's a lot of fun to think about buying new gear, checking out Canon Rumors to see what's coming out, and picking up the occasional new lens or body to see what they can add. I'm sure most people who visit this site would have a dream list of things to buy. I can't see anything wrong with that.

 

[briansquibb]

Need? No. Want? Yes Please!

It's a lot of fun to play with new toys! Sure, I agree with most of the previous sentiments. Don't automatically expect a new camera to make you a better photographer blah blah blah. But, it's a lot of fun to think about buying new gear, checking out Canon Rumors to see what's coming out, and picking up the occasional new lens or body to see what they can add. I'm sure most people who visit this site would have a dream list of things to buy. I can't see anything wrong with that.

As with every rule there are exceptions. Moving to a 1d4 gave me full Manual with Auto ISO and good pictures at high ISO. Suddenly I was getting the pictures that my eye saw - so the content improved

The same with the move to the 5D and 5DII for weddings etc - suddenly the IQ significantly improved (yes I already had gone the L route )

My move to Digital from film improved things as I was suddenly able to experiment in a reactive environment - the shoot, view, change loop - so the pictures pushed the boundries and improved again.

So I would say that new kit can improve your photos - but only if it provides function/IQ that was holding you back.

Obvious if you need that function then you need the kit.

PS Am thinking of getting 16-35f/2.8 and 24-70f/2.8 to cover a week long Dickens festival for which I will be the offical tog.

The 16-35 will go on the 1d4 (suspect this will be the most used)
The 24-70 will go on a 7D
My 70-200 f/2.8II on the 5DII

Does this sound about right for what will be essentially a flash free intimate set of events?

I dont expect to change lens in an event, I might slip the 135f/2 on the 7D for some events (makes a good short f2 tele)

 

[ereka]

Well, I'm currently using a roughly six year old 1DMkII and it's OK but looking decidedly 'old technology' compared to current models, especially the 1Dx. I'm pretty sure upgrading to a 1Dx wouldn't improve my basic photography technique but it sure would open up new possibilities.

 

[alipaulphotography]

I don't need a 'new' camera. That is why I am happily living with the 6 year old 5D.

I do need a 2nd body for work, and there are times when I need better ISO performance.

I'll probably get the 5D MKII to fill these purposes. I know the 5D MKIII hasn't even been released yet, but I already know I don't need it as the MKII fits the bill.

Do I want a 1DX? - Hell yes.

Do I need it - No.

 

[Richard8971]

I mainly posted the question just to get everyone talking. I drool over the rumors and camera's I do not have and want (I.E. 5D mkII). Just about ANY Canon, or camera for that matter (film or digital) will take a great photo.

You know??? It is amazing what we can do with what we have and can live without until they come out with something new. THEN all of a sudden, our lives change and we wonder how we lived without it all this time! (Think about this one guys... I mean really.)

To me? Buy what you can afford, go out take photos and learn your equipment, no matter what it is and have FUN! Even if you are a pro and this is how you make your money I have only one thing to say to everyone...

"Find something you love to do, and you'll never work a day in your life" (Author questionable, given to Harvey MacKay) I believe this 110% in everything I do.

D

 

[distant.star]

There's a rumor going around that Oprah is going to buy everyone who participated in this post a 1Dx.

 

[D_Rochat]

There's a rumor going around that Oprah is going to buy everyone who participated in this post a 1Dx.

CR3

 

[akiskev]

From the hobbyist point of view I totally agree with Richard8971 (topic starter).
I find entry level bodies fine for my type of shooting, which includes landscapes, people, wildlife and motorsports.
I am tempted to buy a 7D but I think I can wait for the mkii version. I hope I will have the money to get one when it comes out

If I were a pro, I'd surely go for a 1D-5D combo or something like that..