camera or car?

[mknabster]

I am in kind of a predicament here. I'm trying to decide between 2 things to buy, a new camera, or my first car. I'm going to be a senior in high school this upcoming year, and i'm going to college the following year.

I wanted to purchase the 30D during half the school year so i could get familiarized w/ it and test it on my newspaper pictures i have to take. But then again, a car would be nice to get around in. But then about a car, i wouldn't really get anything out of it, i would be putting so much money into, for parts, insurance, and gas. And when i go to college, they don't allow freshman to have one on campus, unless you would be commuting, so i see no point in buying one before then and pay insurance when i wouldn't even have it. For a camera, i hope to be getting some money out of it, because i have a few bazaars i'm going to be selling at, and you don't have to buy more lenses for it, over time yes, but not all at once.

And i have 2 groups that are not really aiding my decision at all. My mother is all for me getting a new camera, even though she says it is a lot of money (i saw a kit on ebay for $1600). Then my father says he doesn't see the worth in getting a new one when my G6 is a good camera, and he's the one who said the exact same thing before i bought the G6, when i had a 2 mp Nikon. And all of my friends are saying they would get a car before anything else.

So i'm not sure what i should do. Can you guys tell me what you think and your insight on this matter?

[saravrose]

if your about to graduate and go to college but won't be able to have a car with you there doesn't seem to be much point in spending all the money on one.. if it were me i'd get the camera... that atleast you can take with you to school and it doesn't depreciate in value quite as quickly as a car... as to your dad saying that you don't really need a new camera... none of us, aside from pros, really need a new camera... but, atleast for your newspaper you have a valid reason for wanting a newer one with more options than a G series camera can give you.... But, since you are new to DSLR's can I atleast suggest that you maybe buy an XT and invest in nicer glass then what comes with the
30D there are lots and lots of threads dedicated to lenses.. Look at it this way... the photo has to go through the glass before it ever gets to your body.. and the lens really is the most important element of having a DSLR..

sari

[Steve Parr]

I was going to vote for the car until I saw the part where they don't allow freshman to have cars on campus. Personally, if it were me, I'd be considering other options for my continuing education! Where is it?

But, again, given that you won't be able to take the car to college, I'd go with the camera. Use it to earn the money for the car that you can have on campus starting your sophomore year...

[JCR]

Neither, leave the cash in the bank for now. See how much mileage your existing camera gives and go from there.

[cfcRebel]

I would get the camera in your case since student car is not allowed when you go to college (soon) but i won't get a 30D. I would try to sell the G6 and see how much $ i can salvage and then look for a good used 20D. I saw one 20D sold on POTN Marketplace for about $850 shipped, low actuation, plus all accessories.
$1600 is alot of money.

[m3incorp]

I was going to say exactly what Steve said; except I would end it with, I would find another place to continue my education. This may not be an option, so revert back to the way Steve ended it.

[Mark_Cohran]

What do YOU want? Are you earning money with your G6 right now? How will getting a new camera add to your earning power? Will it?

I'd lean toward the camera, especially given the circumstances around the college. But, I'd do more research.

What are the public transportation options available to you?
What are the options available to you for earning money with your camera?
Can you get there via public transportation?

In the end, it's more about what is going to give you the most fulfillment, a new camera or a car.

Mark

[mknabster]

For college, i want to major in Graphic Design and Minor in Photography, and i thought having a DSLR would be essential for this minor. That's not really the only reason i want to get the 30D, i also want it for the acclaimed photo output it has. As for money making, i already have a few options awaiting me, for example, for my school, i'm making a DVD filled w/ pictures i have taken of the sports and arts events, and i am planning on selling some of my best shots at a few of the Christmas bazaars my diocese has. I wasn't planning on selling the G6, because i was hoping for the to be a backup. For college, most don't allow freshman to have cars, unless you're going to a state or community college, which i am looking at a private.

[marka123]

Howdy,

Seems like if you're going to need the camera for school and the car's not allowed, then the choice should be easy, eh?

Also, I'll note that any car you get for $1600 is going to need a decent bit of maintenance. Even if you do that yourself, you're still going to need to buy parts. Then there's insurance. And gas money. In short, a $1600 car won't do much and it won't do it for long without additional money following it.

Contrast that to your $1,600 camera... Sure, you may _want_ some stuff for it, but it'll happily take pictures for you all day long and won't cost you much of anything to keep it working like it does when you buy it.

Choice seems simple to me.

Mark

(and my college also had a policy about freshman not having cars... which a few of us ignored and parked a good walk away... :-)

[marka123]

Howdy,

Also... I second the 350D recommendation over the 30D. I think the 30D is a nicer camera, but the 350D can do nearly everything the 30D can for a whole lot less money. Spend that money on lenses or weed or gas money for your buddy's car. :-)

Mark

[-MasterChief-]

Howdy,

Also... I second the 350D recommendation over the 30D. I think the 30D is a nicer camera, but the 350D can do nearly everything the 30D can for a whole lot less money. Spend that money on lenses or weed or gas money for your buddy's car. :-)


dude, i cant believe youre so immature to say WEED! CRACK gives you more bang for the buck!! LOL!! just kidding of course.

id opt for the 350D, the 30D is a great camera but the 350D is not a slouch either.

[mknabster]

What's the differences between the 350D and 30D, i hardly ever hear the 350D circulating in public.

[stupot]

not much difference in IQ, both cameras take fantastic pictures in the right hands. and loads of people have the 350d. 30d has better focusing, bigger screen, spot metering etc etc list goes on. but thats not to say the 350d is a slouch on features, it will do everything you want and more, and will be a big step up from a g6, especially with a good lens or two.

watch out for ebay kits, a lot of them are junk, they sell you crappy accesories. and your friends are telling you to get a car because they want lifts off you:)