at what point can you (did you) justify getting a proper body?

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fontmoss

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Ok proper is in itself a debatable term but really Im meaning the semi-pro bodies like d200/300 upwards from nikon. As the great/knowledgeable/pompous/irritating* ken rockwell says pros dont use pro cameras maybe its a fallacy but plenty folk are using some lovely kit. At what point can you justify it? Is it because its something you enjoy doing and dont mind spending money or that itll make your pictures better or you feel you've done as much as you can with your existing body? Do different bodies change the colours your work produces? ive seen some delicious colour in pictures that used great bodies but would the same photographer have produced the same work with a different body?

[this is not a troll btw and im not interested in folk bashing one another for their choices]



*delete as applicable
 
Well, I first got a 350D when I wanted a camera. Not a compact, an SLR. I never had a compact.

I decided to get the 40d when I realised I could get a brand new body for £390 and sell the 350D for £400.
 
I decided to get a semi-pro body (the D300) when I knackered the D80 by taking it out in the rain :bang:


Normally though when you start thinking "I wish my camera had......." or "I really need ........." then it's time to upgrade, or to go for a coffee and see if the moment passes without spending any money :lol:
 
I justified it when I found a way to hide the receipts from my wife.

Actually, I got the 350D when I wanted a DSLR (which actually cost less than my first compact digital). I got the 30D when I wanted something more robust and I got the 5D when I started making money from photography and wanted better quality.

The only one I wouldn't have got if it was still just a hobby is the 5D as I wouldn't have been able to justify the cost.
 
I brought my Canon 400D on a whim... just before my 40th last year. Six month's later I realised I quite enjoyed this photography lark so sold it and got a second hand 5D.

Could I justify the 5D... No
Did I need the 5D... No
Do I take better pictures with the 5D... Probably not

Do I *think* I take better pictures and enjoy taking them more... Yes!

Plus... I just wanted one! :p
 
When I found myself with a decent (ish) lens, and when I had the money to upgrade from a 400D to a 40D. I'm pretty happy at the moment, the only way I can see me wanting to upgrade in the next couple of years is if I start making money from my photography and need a pro body.
 
I had £1500 to spend and I couldn't find enough drugs and hookers quick enough.
 
not sure mine was justified so much, i wanted to upgrade from at the time my D40X to the D200 and felt it was more of a want than need, i was happy enough with my D40X but always thought and thoughts i wanted more, when i had the D200 i loved it from getting it, using it, getting used to it, then 6/7 months pass and i felt i wanted more from in, higher ISO perforamce being one thing so after a month of hummng and harring i took the plunge at the right time and there i had the D300, not looked back since and dont see myself going full frame, like everything about this camera without the extra expense of FF, time will tell though lol

so all in all for me it was more of a "want" than a "need"
 
I moved from a film body to a digital body... but did not want all the expense of lens replacing so I went for the 5d for the fact it was full frame. It was also the model closest to the EOS3 I had at the time....

My choice of originally moving up to an EOS3 from a pentax MZ5n was purely down to wanting the best I could afford at the time... and just getting my first full time job... still staying with my parents... and having too much disposable income... my how that changed when I moved out!
 
I did it when I discovered the limitations of the kit I was using... namely a proper "pro" AF system...
 
After taking lots of photos with a borrowed camera I realised that I probably needed my own!
 
I started off with a pretty crappy 4mp compact about 5 years ago, I upgraded to a bridge camera about 2 years later and regretted it pretty much imediately and within a few months I purcahsed a used Nikon D70 off ebay and invested in a couple of Sigma lenses. I still have the D70 but as my skills have slowly developed so has my eye for seeing the limitations of the camera. I had my heart set on a D300 from about this time last year and started to look for a bargain price. I finally made the purchase just before Christmas when I saw one in Jessops for £740 brand new. Who could possibly resist? I now have the body I wanted, I've got a Nikon 50mm f1.8 as my first decent lens and my next goal is to get my hands on a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR. The plan is then to keep my credit card in my wallet for a few years and be content with what I have. What photographer ever does that though?
 
I had come to the point where I had outgrown the D50. Lovely little camera without a doubt, but I felt that I had reached it's technical ability limit. For me the D700 was the only choice. It was the jump to FF, and provided me with the situation whereby I was the weaker link in the partnership between user and equipment. This has in turn given me the drive to improve once again and hopefully produce better and better work.

At the same time, and this will sound wierd, it has given me the confidence to try more styles and genres of photography. For some strange reason I now find myself wanting to try portraiture... an area which I completely rejected some time ago. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not blowing my own trumpet here, I'm simply saying that, for me, it was the next logical progression... and has now forced me to think more carefully about my work. If I come home with a load of crap shots, I know that it is totally my fault and not a shortfall in the cameras ability. Therefor I know I need to improve.
 
I guess this is kind of the unanswerable question in photography. The vast majority of us have no need to upgrade, but then the same could be said about car ownership.

Although this is probably a little controversial, I would assume that 95% of all DSLR owners could 'get by' with say, a Nikon D50 perfectly well. Even shooting motorsport I found it pretty easy to work with the limited AF points, whether people want to work within those limitations is another matter though, if you can afford an upgrade - why not?

I've since upgraded to a D90, and although it makes certain things easier/quicker due to the extra customization options, it's never really going to help me get 'better' photos than anything I was taking before.
 
Interesting question - I am kindof in the camp that the body isn't really that important and I firmly believe that 80% of the featured on high end "proper" bodies a lot of folks won't need - classic 80-20 rule I suppose

I do have a D700, and I think its ace. But some of my own personal favourite stuff I have - ironically - shot with my D50 or D60. Why? Time, place, moments - the camera really had little to do with it, and I can't honestly say they would have been better with a "proper" body either!
 
foodpoison said:
Well, I first got a 350D when I wanted a camera. Not a compact, an SLR. I never had a compact.

I decided to get the 40d when I realised I could get a brand new body for £390 and sell the 350D for £400.
Click to expand...

Brand new 40D for £390? Tell me where, I'm just about to buy one!! :D
 
Whether you aspire to turn your photography into a career or whether it's your favourite hobby, the first step when trying to assess whether you need anything new is to review your requirements.

Whad'ya need?

What categories does your needs fit into? Are you sports, wildlife, landscape, macro or portrait oriented to begin with?
Do you need to print or produce large images?
Or do you simply want to have a set up to cover as many of the above as possible?

Think clearly about what you want from your equipment and then prioritize and plan a few steps ahead.

For example, with sports you'll probably be looking for reliable AF, a fast FPS, good build quality and of course the fast glass that accompanies the set up, the complete opposite to an aspiring landscaper or studio portraits tog for instance.

Also, when saving your hard earned dough avoid blowing it on subtle upgrades too often, a 20D to a 30D to 40D etc it's a huge waste of cash IMO, if you find yourself doing this skip the subtleties a while, save a bit longer and then swipe something that's going to fill your needs better and longer.
Refrain from buy something if you have the slightest sniff that it will end up being upgraded too soon or if your not convinced of your needs being met.

Everything has it's limitations, the question is whats unacceptable?

In the end you'll stick with whatever is coming up with the gold each time around, it doesn't matter whether your using the gear for work or play or both.

If it does what you need it to, then your not going to try to fix what isn't broke.

:thumbs:

T.
 
some really food replies thanks.

viper you really need to try harder or find better 'services' in your area ;)

im intrigued by woodsy response as this was what triggered my question, i love my d40 and its not getting replaced for a long time (im struggling to afford a fast telephoto for goodness sake!) but if i were then id go right towards something like the d300 or 700. specifically because id want better control over settings, better performance at ISO beyond 800, it would meter my old lens and id hope itd give better colours.* Most of the pics ive taken thus far are in a bar or off the cuff and quicker access to settings would be handy. That and robustness are all im after but it seems like you have to look at pro bodies for that. Although the d90 looks a great ISO performer it wont meter my lens and ive no interest in video or live view-plus weather proofing would be a real bonus. Financially i cant make the leap but even if i could i started wonder if i could justify it, well i can to myself but to my other half? Im not making money from it, am i skilled enough to justify it? I dont feel ive learnt enough about photography to justify it on a skill basis but as said, taking that jump would mean cutting your teeth at a different level. Anyway Im waffling but keep the replies coming please!


*im not sure about this and perhaps someone can enlighten me?
 
Had a D60 for 6 months to get a grip on digital with the plan of getting a semi-pro when funds became avaiable. Bought a D300 a month ago from thid forum and how good it is!
 
well i went from a canon 10d which i loved " my 1st dslr" to a canon 1dmk11n which was one hell of a jump . i am very interested in wildlife photography and some motor sports so this was a great camera for that.

i had the money at the time and wanted the frames ps . the af. the feel. the lot.. now i have settled down and got a 1ds as i mainly do portraits " well try to" and thats where i see myself heading in the future.
so thats how i ended up with a pro camera.


md:thumbs:
 
As and when finances have allowed, mostly. I went from D70s to D300 to D700. I've found that (photographic) needs have required me to upgrade and so have done that. I'm not just upgrading for the sake of. I've been doing quite a lot of low light photography for cash monies, with the opportunity for more to come, and so spending money on a good high ISO camera is money well spent in my opinion. Otherwise, I'd have stuck with my D300. Maybe! :)
 
Woodsy said:
[..] provided me with the situation whereby I was the weaker link in the partnership between user and equipment.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the situation for me. Whilst only borrowing DSLRs in the past I discovered that for what I wanted to do I would soon be finding limitations with equipment - and I would much rather it be me that needs to improve rather than my gear. It provides willingness to learn and it's always good to know that even if I get a fantastic shot, I can still do better with the gear I have.

Aim high, and as long as you are prepared to face the learning curve you will achieve! :thumbs:
 
I bought an EOS 300v about 7 years ago, after using my grandads old Praktica, as I decided I wanted auto focus and a more modern camera. I got to the point 18 months ago where film was costing more and more, and I was getting more disappointed in the quality of my prints from the high street, so I decided I would get a dslr. I had semi decided on getting a 400D, as this was the current equivalent to what I had already (and was happy with), but heard about the 40D, read its specs and figured it would be a camera I wouldn't outgrow, so headed into town to play with one.

I did manage to walk out the shop without it, but then about an hour later I went back in and bought one!

Now I have no intention of upgrading - I don't need pro spec cameras or have a burning desire to go FF as I still have the 300v for that. The only thing I want to upgrade are my cheap lenses, whose faults didn't really show up on film quite the same as they do on my laptop screen!
 
Well I started with a D80 but said wasn't going to upgrade until I got some decent glass. When I found a 35-70mm f2.8 and 80-200mm f2.8 on here for a decent price a colleague offered me a D200 & Grip for a reasonable price so I gave in and went for it, I then had 2 bodies. I then did my first pro job when I found the D80 lacking in its ability to copy in a fast pace environment and lost a few photos due to the dial moving. So I bought a 2nd D200 and moved the D80 in to reserve. I then spotted a stunningly great deal on Fuji S5Pro direct from Fuji and as I was moving in to weddings this gave me a great opportunity to get the Wedding camera of choice (at the time). I had to sell the D80 because no man can use 4 cameras (I figured 2 bodies + spare, good pro principles).

I then set myself another rule where I would not get a new body until I had upgraded the lenses to 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 VR (I figured that would take a while). However, a few weeks ago I spotted a 24-70 f2.8 for a good price on here and then at focus last Sunday I found myself getting the 70-200 f2.8 VR (I thought the prices would be going up again so let's buy now). Yep you guessed it when I saw a D700 on here yesterday I couldn't resist.

I suppose there are 3 themes here.

1) Upgrading Lenses before Bodies
2) I'm a sucker for good deals
3) I must stop setting rules that I can't get x before y, because as soon as I get y (and that happens all too soon), x comes very soon after :D
 
i like your clarity simon, glass is really where my money needs to go-ive made a (short) list and when its done, its off to find a body... :D
 
and as luck would have it, the very lens im after is in the classifieds
 
I reckon justification is a moot point. If you want it and can 'reasonably' afford it then thats good enough. Ive seen shots from 'amateur' cameras that are professional and vice versa. Ive had the internal struggle with myself and ive seen it in friends but it all boils down to can you afford it and do you want it? A better piece of kit will definitely improve your chances if you know how to use it but if you dont then it will probably reduce your chances. So, give up on the 'can i justify it' because its more than likely that you really cant, no matter what youll use it for, and decide if you want it and can you work out how to pay for it.

Cheers

Nat
B->
 
I'm no expert, but the way I look at it, if you have good glass and good light; you can probably get away with just about any DSLR body. The difference comes when you start running short of light, when you need a really fast/precise auto focus system or when you simply have to shoot at "X" frames per second :|.

As for "justifying" the purchase, that will obviously vary according to the circumstanes of the buyer, but in my case, I didn't have to justify going straight from the cheapest DSLR (Olympus E420) straight to one of the top Nikons, at all. Quite simply, it's my hobby, my money and my choice - aaahhh, the joys of bachelorhood :D!
 
I don't subscribe to the thought that a "better" camera or lens will yield a better picture. Sure, it makes it easier and probably more fun, but you could just as well use a basic dSLR and a relatively cheap lens to get some amazing shots (with a few exceptions).

That said, I would only upgrade, or down-grade, my body and lens as the circumstance demands!

Example of this, I went from the Nikon 70-200VR to the 70-300VR .. a down-grade by any measure ... but I get better pictures, simply because I can carry it more often (it's lighter) and I can hand-hold it better.

I've also down-graded from the 24-70 AF-S to a mix. of prime lenses. None are nano-crystal, none are considered "exotics"; but again, this allows me to get better shots by simply being able to lug my gear more often than before. Of course, all are faster .. and combined, they are about the same price if not cheaper :)

For my camera body, I went from through various bodies .. D70, D2Xs, D40, D200, D300, and D700

My move from one body to the other was only because the current one malfunctioned for some reason or another. The move to the D700 was purely because of my need for low-light abilities, where the D700 shines.

I always kept one body as "spare" .. but that's it.

I only gave up cropped sensor because I wanted to concentrate on building a kit that would be reasonably good as full-frame. However, I will for certain get the replacement of the D40, or the replacement of the D300 along with a few cropped lenses to match.

So, in a nut-shell, I change bodies and lenses based on a failed pervious one (either equipment failure or my inability to master it); or a feature that is very badly needed.

Of course, financing this comes from allocations that I pre-set after making sure that my household & family are not compromised. Due to this, I have just had let go buying a few exotic primes because of family pressure :'(
 
neil_g said:
i got a 300D when i finally had enough of shutter lag on my fuji S5000. i got my 20D when i realised i could upgrade from the 300D for £100 :D
Click to expand...

LOL - I went from a 300d to a 40D when I'd had enough of the 4 shot buffer and the slight timelag from pressing the button to the shot being taken.

I think the obvious answer is when you need (or think you need :D ) the better features of the upgraded camera.
 
For me, it was when a new credit card landed on the doormat. They're meant to be used, aren't they?
 
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