Photoshop vs New Lens

[RAPhotography]

So my birthday is coming up in the next few months and my wife is planning on getting me some photography equipment. I'm trying to decide what should be my priority. I am running PS Elements 4 at this point and really need to upgrade to CS3. On the otherhand, I have the XTi kit lens and another cheap 75-300 lens that I bought at the same time.

So my question is this. which would you buy first . . . CS3 or a better, sharper lens? Or, put another way, which do you think would improve my photos the most?

I keep going back and forth. Elements may suffice for awhile if the starting product is of higher quality. Then again, CS3 is so much more powerful, that it may have a much more signifcant impact on photo quality.

Any advice is appreciated.

Ryan

[eddarr]

That's easy. Get the lens.

Are you really sure you need CS3? An upgrade to PSE6 will only cost you $79.

[TheHoff]

Yea, lens all the way.

[samnz]

I'm still using PS6 and it does pretty much everything I need it to do from wedding albums to billboards.

I'm not that up to play with computas - my brain runs old software! I'd much rather take a better photo using better glass, rather than stuff around with a machine running xp 98 hooozamewatzit version 65448132125. But that's me :)

So - the better the glass, the less pp.

[PhotosGuy]

Are you really sure you need CS3? An upgrade to PSE6 will only cost you $79. I agree. I'm still using PS7 & with RAW processing, it does everything I need. If you already aren't doing it, learn to use "M" & Layer Masks, & I think you'll be surprised at what you can do.

First set the f-stop & shutter speed you need. Then adjust the ISO. Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)
More on how the subject affects the exposure in Post # 47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

Using a selection & a Layer mask. See post #9; PS Elements in Post # 14
A question about sky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=338140)

Then again, CS3 is so much more powerful, that it may have a much more signifcant impact on photo quality. If you start with a better image, you should end up with a better image. ;)

[Molnies]

Lens(es) without a doubt. The cost of CS3 (the upgrade from Elements is $550) is not worth it equal to the lens you could get for that price.
Maybe make a deal with her to get both a lens and Adobe Lightroom for the same price maybe, if you feel that you really need more editing tools? (That would be LR + $250 for lens)

[bsaber]

Another vote for the lens!

[Perry Ge]

Normally I would say CS3, but you have elements already and your current lens lineup is poor. So go for the lens.

[NOsquid]

What do you like to shoot?

[RAPhotography]

What do you like to shoot?

mostly landscapes.



Thanks for all the responses. I'm a bit suprised to see that's it's so one sided. This helps alot.

ryan

[TheHoff]

If you like landscapes and your widest is 70mm, definitely... lens. I think the 17-40 is calling your name (if you ever plan on going FF).. I'm sure there are less expensive digital-only lenses instead if you plan on staying cropped.

[Karl C]

mostly landscapes.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm a bit suprised to see that's it's so one sided. This helps alot.

ryan

Another vote for the 17-40L. However, if you're using a crop camera, you also might want to check out the 10-22 or Tokina 12-24.

Software, much like camera bodies, comes and goes. Good glass lasts a lifetime.

[RAPhotography]

If you like landscapes and your widest is 70mm, definitely... lens. I think the 17-40 is calling your name (if you ever plan on going FF).. I'm sure there are less expensive digital-only lenses instead if you plan on staying cropped.


I have the 18-55 kit lens too.

thanks for the recommendations.

ryan

[TheHoff]

Oh sorry I missed that kit lens bit in the original post. Maybe one of the 10- or 12- wide angle crop lenses would suit you well as Karl C mentioned.

[_aravena]

Lens and you can get PS easy, maybe not the CS versions but like 7 which does fine. ;)

[Microcosm]

Definitely the lens! I find myself having to use photoshop less with my better lenses.. very nice. You can pick up an older but better version of photoshop, or find some other way of getting it.

[Bill Roberts]

On balance I think the new lens would be the best choice. CS3 is excellent but you could make do with perhaps photoshop 7 or CS or CS2 for now and probably be able to pick those up for very little. In your case I'd say definitely go for the lens.

Of course, just which lens is a whole new question... :lol:

I'd go or a fast prime, but I do admit to being somewhat biased on that issue!

cheers

[NOsquid]

mostly landscapes.


This is a really boring answer, but why not throw the money at a trip to someplace pretty to shoot those landscapes? The best lens isn't worth much without a subject. The kit lens really isn't *that* bad stopped down to f/11 or so. A polarizing filter and tripod wouldn't hurt if you don't have them. If you were shooting sports, wildlife, indoors you'd have much more reason to throw money at a lens.

Otherwise, an ultra wide lens could be fun. Ask yourself how your version of Photoshop is limiting you, you can answer that better than anyone here. If you can't think of anything by looking at the specs on Adobe's website, chances are it won't magically come to you when you install CS3, most people who have it don't have a clue how to use it.

[sharkii]

LENSSSSS!