Big Dilemma!!!! What Would You Do?

Okay, I am faced with a huge dilemma. I could really use a macbook pro, but I could also use some more lenses, a 24-70, 16-35, 4GB CF card, and a circular polarizer.

But the mac would definitely help by taking it to school, having my photos with me all the time. etc etc.

I realize this may be a bit biased since its a photo forum, but I am just curious of what you would do. I can rent lenses from my school and they never specify which lens we HAVE to use. And I could just get the 24-70 for Christmas and be good.

But I reall really like the mac... Ahhh it's so hard making decisions.

I have a motto, "If you can afford it, and you can't live without it, get it! If you can't afford it, and you can live without it, save it!" So, if you think the MAC will make that big a difference for your life, then you answered your own question. Get the 24-70 for Christmas, get 2 things and get the double rebate.

well. idk how your lens rental is at your school. but here at UM it is a horrible pain, even if you are in the comm school. The lenses they have are also very poorly cared for, and not worth using. But thats just my opinon :P i would much rather have a lens to use when i need it. If you already have a good enough computer at home to deal with editing, i would put lenses before a new laptop. after all, before too long the next gen of apples should be out, along with photoshop CS3. i would go for lenses and put the computer off.

Yeah I have taken that into consideration Billy. I think I am just going to get the awesome rebates and go for the lenses. I will be spending just under $2100 before rebates... I am actually going for the 17-40 instead of 16-35 because I cannot justify that extra $700 for one stop. I dont see myself needing the extra stop either. And that way, I can put away more money. I have a decent size check coming monday. And of course, I just gotta burn in lol! I will be saving just under $1800 of it, so that makes me happy.

SoaringUSAEagle wrote in post #2117115
I will be saving just under $1800 of it, so ...

..I'll be getting that macbook pro and the lenses.

I also am in need of a new laptop, but I'm waiting for the new Macs myself and CS3.

Get the mac, trust me you wont look back.

Lenses, more useful and hold their value much better

Get the macbook. I love mine. Every time I contemplate getting the lens I'm dying for, the 300 f2.8, I think of other ways I can spend that money. Last time, I got the Panasonic 58PX600U, 58 inch plasma TV. I'm enjoying that. I figure, I got 9 lenses already. How many more do I really need?

Now, when Canon comes out with the new 200 f1.4, that baby just might tempt me.

SoaringUSAEagle wrote in post #2116915
But the mac would definitely help by taking it to school, having my photos with me all the time. etc etc.

You don't necessary need a Mac to do all that. Get a PC laptop, save some money (you won't even need to compensate the lower price in performance) and get your lenses.

Unless you've used a mac all your life... in which case, that should be a totally different thread altogether.

I would leave the money in the bank. You can always get a lesser value lens but use a smaller aperture and a tripod to get excellent photos.

How are you handling your images now? Obviously you're coping well enough.

Don't rush into buying anything. Wait and wait and wait again. Eventually you will be able to afford both.

[QUOTE=alpha]Unless you've used a mac all your life... in which case, that should be a totally different thread altogether.{/quote]

Not true. I've been a windoze guy (and still am for business) for the past 20 years. Just got my first Mac, after much contemplation, and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.

mark

Booo. Don't listen to people who tell you to keep it in the bank. How do you get any fun out of that? I know plenty of people who got gobs of dough in the bank. They drive ****ty cars, watch old, lousy TV's. Still can't figure out what the heck they're saving for.
Life's short. Live it with gusto. You only get one chance to do it. I believe in having fun.

If you want it. get it.

mark

If you are really going to make a decision on what you read here, you've got some problems.

MDJAK wrote in post #2120425
Booo. Don't listen to people who tell you to keep it in the bank. How do you get any fun out of that? I know plenty of people who got gobs of dough in the bank. They drive ****ty cars, watch old, lousy TV's. Still can't figure out what the heck they're saving for.
Life's short. Live it with gusto. You only get one chance to do it. I believe in having fun.

If you want it. get it.

mark

I agree. When I got my barmitzvah money people were telling me to put it in the bank and this and that. If I would have done that I would have never found myself a new life hobby -- photography.