Camera or lens ( chicken or egg)!

stu2fly

Suspended / Banned
Messages
271
Name
Stuart
Edit My Images
No
Hi everyone,
Here is a quick question. I have decided to turn my hobby into a business. However I know I need to update my equipment (hence this forum not the business one). Which way round do I do it...camera or lens? I use a Canon 40d at the moment. So do I upgrade the camera (maybe a 5d Mk2) or spend the money on better lenses instead?
Thanks everyone
Stu
 
Hi Stu, couple of 1D MK IV's, standby body of 5D mk2, & a whole load of "L" lenses, & if you get them I'll deny everything to Ingrid, :naughty:
Leaving BCN in next half hour, got loads of good pics, speak to you soon.
Regards Kevin :)
 
It depends on what you intend to shoot. The 40D is a fine semi-pro camera but if you intend to shoot landscapes on a professional basis then a full frame camera would get you higher resolution pictures. Unfortunately, this approach may mean that your current lenses might not be up to full frame, either due to their APS-C design or simply edge fall-off. If you shoot nature with longer lenses there is little to be gained by going full frame since most long range subjects are going to be cropped anyway. You might consider the benefits of the 7D which is apparently good for action shots such as birds in flight. Again, though, you may be going to hit the quality wall as the 7D has an 18MP sensor which will need sharp lenses to realise its full potential. Another thing people forget when considering large MP cameras is the processing power needed to handle the huge raw files. So you may have to factor in a new PC as well.
One thing about better lenses, provided you buy full frame versions then they will stand you in good stead for future. Chances are they will last you a lifetime.
 
KevinH: thanks for the advice Kevin. If i do go for your recommendations I'll pop round for some advice on how to break the news to Ingrid. With the number of 'pressies' you get yourself you must have a whole book of excuses you've used to tell Helen!! ;)

Eccles: Cheers for the advice, I apologise I thought I had mentioned it but I hadn't. I will mainly be doing weddings and portrait. I do landscape for pleasure, but then will try all sorts of photography for fun.
Stu
 
Which lenses do you currently have?

I went down the lens route first, and saw massive gains on my 40D. A new body would be nice, but I think i'm only just getting to a point now where i'd see any benefit after investing in lenses first.
 
Bodies seem to come and go pretty quickly (and lose their value). Lenses seem to hold their value very well. What have you got/looking for? 70-200 f4 is going cheap on Amazon at the moment....

I feel I have so much to learn already, the last thing I want right now is a more complicated body than I already have. If, of course you think the features of your camera are holding you back that's a different story.
 
From the sounds of it lenses primarily then if you can afford it, make the jump to a new body too.
 
Cheers Kanine,
Def worth thinking about. Which would be lest lens to get for portrait/wedding?

If you can olny afford one, then it has to be 24-105mm f/4. If you can spend more, then opt for 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm series with flashes. 5D can wait (or maybe 1Ds :thinking:)
 
Back
Top