The Dreaded Situation - Forced to Sell

Hello, all!
Well, as a starving college photo student, I must say that my best option right now (as work is saving the long shifts for the full-timers, giving us part-timers 4 hour shifts.. 12-16 hours a week) would be to sell some of my equipment. I'd appreciate hearing peoples' thoughts on what the best idea would be.

I'm going to begin building a portfolio and offering my services for engagement shoots, portraits, senior portraits, etc, and I'm also hoping to be able to shoot weddings in the next couple years or so, but I'm in no hurry to cross that bridge quite yet.

My equipment right now:
1 x Canon 40D (new, love it)
1 x Canon Digital Rebel XT
1 x Canon 17-40L
1 x Canon 50mm f/1.4
1 x Canon 70-200 F/4L
1 x Canon Speedlite 430EX

Right now, even though I know it's always good to have a backup, I'm thinking of selling off my Digital Rebel XT (including 2 batteries, charger, strap... no CF or lens). I'm not looking to getting into weddings for quite a while (until experience and finances plateau), and even then, my best option would be to pick up a used 30D or something, but again, that won't be necessary for a while. Thoughts?

If you're serious about earning your money with your photography in other than freelance work I think you'd be unwise to get rid of your backup. Imagine contracting to do some senior portraits and the right in the middle of things your 40D starts with the err99 or whatever. You need a backup.

That being said, what on your list should you sell? Nothing -- sell a kidney!

Oh well...it was a thought...but if you could get a good price on your L lenses and pick up some used "non-L" glass and maybe the 85 f/1.8...but I don't think you'd end up that much ahead. I don't know, you have a quandry because you want to earn money with your photography. How about selling the XT and don't contract to shoot anything important until you can buy one back?

You can make do without the 50 1.4.

I've never looked at prices for used D Reb, but it can't be much. The 17-40 + 70-200 together would fetch about $1000, but I'm guessing you don't want to part with them. The 50 is about $275.

Maybe better to get a different job.

blueM... that's exactly what I'm researching right now. heh heh heh!

Alternatively, you could make do with nothing but the 50mm f/1.4 as well lens-wise, based on what you say your target is.

Sell the 17-40 and 70-200 for about $1000 then buy the Tamron 17-35 and Canon 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 and get roughly the same image quality for half the price. It's exactly what I did and I don't regret it at all.

madhatter04
I like your avatar. I recall seeing the same thing in the mirror back in my college days

Hmm...of the items you listed, the 40D is the most expensive single item you have. So obviously you should sell it!

Seriously, though, there's one thing that people here are overlooking when they tell you not to sell your XT: you have an EOS 3! So I suppose you could use that as your backup, in the event you really need one. All your lenses are compatible with it so there's no problem there.

If you have to sell a lens, it probably makes sense to sell the one you use the least. But honestly, your current kit gives you excellent overall coverage with relatively little overlap, so it's not something I'd want to screw around with.

I sure hope you find a better source of income. Having to sell gear you really use and like is painful.

How much would you sell me your 17-40L?


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Thanks, blueM. Haha! That's what I see in the mirror every day now that finals are a couple weeks away.
So, upon thinking more and more about the issue, I'm thinking I should just tough it out. I've submitted my resume to several different places that would pay me much more than I am making now, with more flexible hours. Hopefully, SOMEONE responds. LoL. And, AperturePriority, the 17-40 is a wonderful lens and mine will never be yours. heheheh!

I am in no way joking when I say this...

Selling sperm, plasma and doing drug trials got me through college. I didn't want to sell my guns or cameras and I needed to eat and buy gas. Sometimes a man has to do what ever it takes to keep your toys and eat

I'd say ditch the 40D and get an XT or XTi, they're VERY cheap now and still offer great IQ.

OR keep your stuff, get some student loans (i.e. Sallie Mae, etc) and pay them back when you are more financially capable of doing so (i.e. post college career).

And thats the story of how Matt (me) bought his first motorcycle.

madhatter04 wrote in post #4331275
And, AperturePriority, the 17-40 is a wonderful lens and mine will never be yours. heheheh!

Darn! Well, I tried.