5D is it a want or a need?

I guess I'm going to wait. I can have the cash by sping and waiting a few more months won't kill me, plus maybe once I see the higher ISO of the markII I'll want to save a bit more and buy that instead.

Thanks everyone. I guess it's just a want for now, and maybe won't be a need until next year.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #6685480
I guess I'm going to wait. I can have the cash by sping and waiting a few more months won't kill me, plus maybe once I see the higher ISO of the markII I'll want to save a bit more and buy that instead.

Thanks everyone. I guess it's just a want for now, and maybe won't be a need until next year.

you might regeret=D like "why did i wait longer?". teasing you.=D

I am probably older than most people here but personally, other than taking advantage of a 0% offer, I wouldn't go into debt to support a hobby.

Isn't this post kinda of like asking a drug dealer if you want or need to get high?

I personally am waiting until next year (so all the teething issue will hopefully be resolved) and I will get to use my tax return money (that is if the government doesn't bail out more failures with my money).

probe1957 wrote in post #6685494
I am probably older than most people here but personally, other than taking advantage of a 0% offer, I wouldn't go into debt to support a hobby.

Yeah it's the 0% for 6 months offer from B&H I'd easily be able to pay it off before the 6 months.

And yeah I used to feel that way, but with two good jobs, no kids, no expesive house, no expensive car, retirement building (and 30 years until retirement)and nothing else to spend money on, why not?

Hi Garden - I love my 5D, having moved from 3+ decades of MF film. I do mostly weddings, events and landscape, and the FF gives me the "large negative" I enjoy playing with. This gear was expensive when I bought it, but the business finances it and I don't buy what I can't afford. Most of my purchases are "needs" as opposed to wants.

Now, no disrespect to you and not trying to start a fight, but I think it would financially irresponsible of you to buy one based upon what you've stated about your circumstances. Your earning situation - husband included - sounds VERY unstable, and $2K on your credit card at 16%+ is ridiculous.

Paying only double the minimum - which tends to be quite small (they do that intentionally to suck people in) - is NOT controlling your debt or paying your bills on time. This is why so many people are in trouble today. And if you are living paycheck to paycheck, I would never make that kind of high purchase... I'd sock it away for something like healthcare or other unforeseen problems.

But I'm just a grumpy old man with my own opinions that aren't worth a cup of coffee. Do what you wish; it's a wonderful camera. The high ISO ability is great, and I like using my WA & UWA on the FF. I realize it's a bit clunky, but have you tried using a tripod or monopod for the low light stuff? They are far cheaper.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #6685229
OK, so I'm trying to convince myself that I don't need the 5D I only want it. (yes I'd have to use credit to get it that's why I'm trying to convince myself of this.) I shoot mostly landscape, but not really wide, band gigs in some very low light areas, macro, and gardens. We've been hiking a bit lately and I like to shoot the forest scenes now too.

I'm not looking to sell photos, this is a serious hobby only.
I'm not rich, but I pay double the minimum on my credit card and can easily pay my bills on time, but I do worry about money a bit and due to paying more then the minimum we live pay check to paycheck, but our debt is going away.
I want to enhance my work if possible, I want good stuff to an extent, but as long as it works the way I want it it's fine. ......

sapearl wrote in post #6685813
....
Now, no disrespect to you and not trying to start a fight, but I think it would financially irresponsible of you to buy one based upon what you've stated about your circumstances. Your earning situation - husband included - sounds VERY unstable, and $2K on your credit card at 16%+ is ridiculous.

Paying only double the minimum - which tends to be quite small (they do that intentionally to suck people in) - is NOT controlling your debt or paying your bills on time. This is why so many people are in trouble today. And if you are living paycheck to paycheck, I would never make that kind of high purchase... I'd sock it away for something like healthcare or other unforeseen problems.
...

Ditto on all of this.

When I finished my Masters degree I drove an old Honda Civic instead of buying a new car, rented a crappy room in someone's house instead of a fancy apartment and ate lots frozen tortellini and rice instead of eating out.

But, I paid off my 20 year student loans in about 6 years and it was one of the best financial decisions I ever made. Now I'm debt free and I can buy what I want without worry.

My point is, get your financial situation on stable ground first; that should take priority.

In terms of the 5D, don't worry about it. I have a 40D and a 5D and I've done numerous head to head tests between the two. The IQ is so much closer than many would lead you to believe.

I have some side by side landscapes taken with each (that I've been meaning to post here) that are incredibly close, even comparing 100% crops (using upsized 40D files).

Its true that you'll get less DOF/subject isolation at large aperatures and less noise at high ISO with FF, but 1.6X crop cams can do 90-95% of what FF can do.

FF is nice, but good photography is about good techniqe, lighting and PP. Keep your current camera and keep practicing. You can probably pick up a used 5D next year for $800.

Check out what this guy does with a 350D and the 18-55 kit lens....
http://robertmekis.dev​iantart.com/gallery/

I understand, but debt is debt. Several more months at those high CC rates is throwing more money down the sewer. And then you will add $2K to it. Is this a REALLY good planning?

Sure the 5D will give better high ISO, but I would concentrate more on technique at this time, especially since the gear won't generate any income.

[QUOTE=gardengirl13;66​85470][...........

suyenfung wrote in post #6685375
if you are this hesitant, don't do it. it won't change your life. focus on your technique, seeing the light, etc.

+1, agreed, i'm waiting till i can find one for $1000

Lazuka wrote in post #6686288
+1, agreed, i'm waiting till i can find one for $1000

i got mine for $1100 w/ cashback under 10k shutter excluding freebie. if you want it, get it and you should be patient to look for the rigt deal.=D deal wont come to you.=D

Check your budget and check it again. Realize the holidays are right around the corner. You don't want to keep building that credit card bill. 5Dii will be out soon, prices will drop a bit. You're trying to convince yourself it's a want thing and probably is. Don't listen to anyone here about buying it. Buy it when you need it or when your wallet allows. You don't want to get a 5D then realize "oh you know what would go great with this? A 85mm f/1.2L." sapearl is right, debt is debt.

[QUOTE=sapearl;6686034​]I understand, but debt is debt. Several more months at those high CC rates is throwing more money down the sewer. And then you will add $2K to it. Is this a REALLY good planning?

Sure the 5D will give better high ISO, but I would concentrate more on technique at this time, especially since the gear won't generate any income.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #6685470
[...........

If only the rest of the country was listening to you, we would be in much better shape. I havent carried a balance on a credit card since 1983

Ok not to get too personal but since the "attack" is on money why should you care? We'll have our student loans (both grad and undergrad paid off in 3 years instead of the 15 they gave us for them. Our car was paid off in 2 years instead of the 5 they gave us. Our credit card if we pay only the minimum on our student loans (which we do not) can be paid off by christmas. And since our credit ratings are so good the interest on it is "only" 8%, the lowest the bank could give us, and the credit cards were used to fund school books and other expenses. What I spend $2000 will not kill our budget. It'll take 1.14 months to pay it off in full. We have more in our retirement accts then any of our parents have. We don't have any debt that we can't dump in a matter of weeks by selling something. Our holiday shopping was done by halloween, so there is no more money to be worrying about spending by then. Everything we buy we pay from our bank accounts not on the credit card. The only reason I'd do the financing on this is because of the 0%.

So for those of you worried about MY money don't. I'm more concerned with quality over my own camera equipment and how to get the best images I can for what I want them for. If that means keeping my 30D and using primes only to get the best I can right now then fine. But I'm having some issues with the noise at high ISO and want to fix it if possible. If that means going into debt for a MONTH then so be it. It's only money.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #6685351
I currently have the 30D. The images I can get from it are great, but I tend to shoot at high ISOs quite often and wonder how much better the images will be with the 5D over the 30D.

I grew up with no money and now seeing so many losing jobs and hurting I almost feel guilty for wanting to spend $2000 on a hobby. My husband spent a bunch on his hobby this year (we're doing all this for our 10th anniversary) but he makes money when he plays. Not much but at least it helps a bit.

I'm a total hack too, but I take pictures for me and I buy camera stuff that I like for fun.

I went from a 30D to a 5D (I also tried out a 40D) and I like the 5D a lot more and I can see a difference. I see less noise at higher ISO, but I see more detail in all shots. It is there and it is real.

If you can afford it and will enjoy it then get one. I have to admit that while the gear I own is expensive enough that I would not call it a minor expense, it also wasn't something I have had to scrimp and save for. Only you can judge your situation. I wouldn't move from a 30D to a 5D if I had to eat Ramen noodles for months or if it would affect my financial security.

gardengirl13 wrote in post #6691664
So for those of you worried about MY money don't... But I'm having some issues with the noise at high ISO and want to fix it if possible. If that means going into debt for a MONTH then so be it. It's only money.

I think you yourself let the "money" cat out of the bag when you originally brought up the fact that you will use credit to buy the 5D. If this wasn't an issue to begin with, I would assume it didn't need to be brought up in the first place. People here are just trying to be mindful/helpful because of our current economic times.

If possible, you can do yourself a favor and go back to your original post and edit out that statement and it'll go a long way in reducing/eliminating newcomers from commenting about wise/unwise spending.

For the record, I don't charge what I can't pay off every month. And IMO, for your situation, the 5D is a want as opposed to a need. Yes, I believe there's a slight improvement with ISO, and the ability to get wider shots. But then you'd have to contend with more narrow DOF and greater chance of vignetting.

But it's your money and it's your hobby. If getting the 5D for the holidays will put a smile on your face, and your other financial ducks are all lined up, then by all means, go for it.