What should I save up for first?

S

Sarah8914

New member
A new camera (like an SLR) or PSCS3? Or neither? I currently just have a point and shoot and PSE 4.0. Both do what i need them to, but I am finding myself wanting a little more. I'd love a new fancy camera, but I am having a hard time rationalizing spending the money on it when I'd never make a business out of photography so it would just be for fun. But that's what most of us use them for anyway right?? I know I'd love it.

PSCS3... well, that just sounds like fun. I'd love to have more freedom with drop shadows and text paths--that sort of thing.

So really, they would just both be for me and both for fun but they are both more than I want to pay right now... so I'll save up slowly. I imagine most of you will say both, but if you had to pick one, which would you pick???
 
If it were me, I'd pick the SLR because PSP does most of what I want it to. Great pics are worth it more than clipping masks and such. :)
 
I would vote for the camera too. I started trying to do more things with my P&S and it just wasn't capable and that frustrated me. So I got hte camera. Granted I already have CS2, and I'm not upgrading, lol.
 
Yeah, I guess a camera seems kind of obvious... but it would be more expensive--with lenses and all. (I wouldn't get PSCS3 until I could get the upgrade discount).
 
Camera and PSE upgrade? PSE 5.0+ has MUCH better drop shadows than 4.0 and earlier - you can change color, size, distance, opacity - PSE does all I need it to. I have CS2 and rarely use it. I actually use CS2 mostly for fancy photo actions like RAD and Kubota but as soon as I am done editing I save and do all my scrapping and designing in PSE.

You'll LOVE a DSLR - go for that!

R
 
I say the camera - but I've never used PS CS so I can't really say much about that. It was a HARD decision for me get our Rebel. I had just bought a $300 P&S the year before so I didn't really NEED it. But we have not regretted it for a single moment. We both love taking pictures with it and we just THOUGHT we took a lot before. just my 2 cents.

And I agree with Robin - upgrade to PSE5, LOVE it!
 
Sarah8914 said:
Yeah, I guess a camera seems kind of obvious... but it would be more expensive--with lenses and all. (I wouldn't get PSCS3 until I could get the upgrade discount).
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Yes it will be more expensive but keep in mind even the kit lens that comes with an SLR will take great photos. More lenses can be added later. You definitely don't need to go whole hog to get the benefits of an SLR. And of course the fab 50mm 1.8 lens that is only like $75 is a great first add on cause it yields awesome results for the price......just some more thoughts for you!
 
I'd say to for the camera! I had a Sony point and shoot, that was okay, but when i really started to get into taking photos i got my Canon Rebel XT. They have since come out with two new ones since mine, but mine is still good enough for me! I have PSE6 and i LOVE it. though, PSE5 was great too. so go for the camera and a newer photoshop!

Emmy said:
Yes it will be more expensive but keep in mind even the kit lens that comes with an SLR will take great photos. More lenses can be added later. You definitely don't need to go whole hog to get the benefits of an SLR. And of course the fab 50mm 1.8 lens that is only like $75 is a great first add on cause it yields awesome results for the price......just some more thoughts for you!
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Good point! I have a kit lens and i just got the $75 50mm lens and LOVE it!
 
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Definitely go with the DSLR. I wouldn't go back now. I have a Nikon D50 and love it! Even if you don't plan to go into business or be professional, your everyday photos will be so much better, you just won't believe it! I use PSE 6 and am very happy with what I can do on it. I have found that the things I cannot do on my own, I can usually find products (actions, etc.) to take care of it.
 
Robin Carlton said:
Camera and PSE upgrade? PSE 5.0+ has MUCH better drop shadows than 4.0 and earlier - you can change color, size, distance, opacity - PSE does all I need it to. I have CS2 and rarely use it. I actually use CS2 mostly for fancy photo actions like RAD and Kubota but as soon as I am done editing I save and do all my scrapping and designing in PSE.

You'll LOVE a DSLR - go for that!

R
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Hmm, that's a good idea! I didn't realize drop shadows were better in 5.0. I even know were I can get it pretty cheap (and 4.0 stopped working on my vista laptop anyway... so I kind of want something on there!).



Thanks for all your opinions and advice. It took nothing to convince DH to let me get a cheap laptop--so I don't know why I feel more guilty about the camera... :)
 
I was going through this same debate with myself and I ended up going with PS CS3, which I LOVE now but it did take me a little time to get used to it.

The reason I went with CS3 is impatience I guess. I couldn't pass up the $300 upgrade (I went from PSE6). Plus I still haven't figured out all the features of my p&s so I thought I would try to do that before upgrading to a dSLR.

Plus I'm still intimidated by the thought of a dSLR camera so I figured I wasn't ready for it yet. But someday . . .
 
Ok, this is a timely thread for me... we just to a new basic point & shoot camera but it is NOT cutting it and dh wants a DSLR... he was throwing out numbers like $1000+ for a base and lenses her saw at Costco! :blink: We'd be saving a long time for that!

If you had to recommend a basic "starter kit" on a DSLR camera, what would you recommend? Less than $1000 please? Is that possible?
 
Well, I would suggest CS3. I don't regret one minute buying that. Although, if you really need a camera, then I'd get a new one. I know, I am NO help. LOL
 
Bonus: You will get much more praise and accolades with a new camera! Nobody outside this world knows anything abt drop shadows, etc etc. but they understand the difference between a 'regular' picture and a picture taken with an DSLR... even if you leave all the settings on Automatic!

That baby picture I posted in that baby thread the other day? Nothing fancy, just used my 50mm lens and had the aperture open to 1.8 which is the default setting for AV. Basically, I changed my lens and clicked over on my dial mode and then took some pics. Easy.

You should have seen that baby's daddy's reaction when he saw them previewed (so, SOOC) on his computer. You would have thought I was freakin' Ansel Adams! 'These are great! Wow!'

My family knows me as THE photographer after a couple years of owning this DSLR and now come to expect good photos from me and wait on the ones I take (as opposed to the ones they take themselves) to scrapbook or frame.

*lol* But hey, I like to get an ego stroke anywhere and anytime I can!
 
Emmy said:
Yes it will be more expensive but keep in mind even the kit lens that comes with an SLR will take great photos. More lenses can be added later. You definitely don't need to go whole hog to get the benefits of an SLR. And of course the fab 50mm 1.8 lens that is only like $75 is a great first add on cause it yields awesome results for the price......just some more thoughts for you!
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OH - I think I need that lens - can you link me?
 
Sarah.... even if you don't become a pro photographer, the money you can sve on portraits of your kids is A LOT! I will never get pro pics taken again when I'm happy with what I can take on my own. Plus, after owning and using my Canon Rebel, I don't like the old portrait studio pics that I have from Sears or Picture People!
 
New camera. It won't take as long to learn and you'd be amazed how easy it is to get a good picture. When we got tax returns I bought the NikonD40 with two lenses (one the 200mm VF reduction) and a bunch of extra goodies for 800 with tax. I thought I'd have a heartattack that I actually spent that much money but this is something I will hopefully have for life. I love every inch of it and don't regret it.

So go for the DSLR!
 
DogwoodMama said:
Ok, this is a timely thread for me... we just to a new basic point & shoot camera but it is NOT cutting it and dh wants a DSLR... he was throwing out numbers like $1000+ for a base and lenses her saw at Costco! :blink: We'd be saving a long time for that!

If you had to recommend a basic "starter kit" on a DSLR camera, what would you recommend? Less than $1000 please? Is that possible?
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That's just your husband being a man, and wanting the biggest baddest bestest thing there possibly is, and it's completely unnecessary.

Ken Rockwell has an awesome comparison site. I bought a Nikon D80 2 weeks ago and LOVE it, but I know lots of ppl who went with the D40 (which is what he recommends) and love it too.

And if your husband starts going on and on about how he needs to have 12 megpixels instead of 10, tell him he's a moron. You can't tell the difference between the 2 unless you're making 3' x6' poster prints, and possibly not even then. Get it into his head that it's the LENS that makes the photo, NOT the Megapixels!!

I spent $1,200 on my camera body and 3 lenses because I got one for free when I bought from Ritz. The D40 would be cheaper than that.
 
Dogwood moma- Howdy from NC :thumbup:

I have the Nikon D40 with two lenses and I love it. I couldn't ask for better. After many weaks of being wishy wash and researching everywhere, I finally went to Ritz camera and bought it. I was surprised, but they were cheaper than Costco, best buy, and all the "big" name stores and had excellent customer service. If you're near Triangle Town Center in Raleigh, I highly recommend Ritz/Wolf camera. There's also one in Northgate in Durham, Crabtree in Raleigh, and they have them in Chapel Hill and Rocky Mount too I think.

It was the best deal for me. I always read that if you want to spend money on your camera, spend it on the lens. So this is what I bought- which I see is now one hundred dollars cheaper than it was 3 months ago:cursing:
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1160.htm

They'll give you tons of coupons for free prints, a photo book, free camera classes, etc.... go talk to the folks at Ritz.

Get it into his head that it's the LENS that makes the photo, NOT the Megapixels!!
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Yep, and that took forever for my brain to process because it's opposite of what you always hear-but man is it true.
 
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Dogwood mama, here's what the D40 can do. I am no way a professional and still haven't figured all of it out yet.

The only processing I did to this photo is upped the saturation via lightroom. It looked great before, but I just wanted to play with it a little. I shot this outside in my mom's front yard with a low aperture- something like F4 I think? My camera is only 6mp. I can't tell the difference between this and many 10+ mp cameras I've seen.

https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/inspiration/showphoto.php?photo=34794&ppuser=2267
 
Wow Amy that photo is amazing!!!

We are super close to Triangle Town Center... I forsee a shopping trip there in a few weeks. :) As dh puts it, "we have been stimulated" :blink: just not in total agreement about how to spend it...

Thanks for the info ladies!!!
 
Another vote for a new camera! I have the Canon XTi with the 18-55mm kit lens (which I never use), the 50mm 1.8 and my new 28-105mm lens should be here tomorrow! Since the XSi just came out the XT and Xti have really dropped in price so you can actually get them for much cheaper now than what I paid (just over $800 for the camera body and the first two lenses last August). Also I'm using PSE6 and I like it much better than PSE3 which I was using before.
 
I'm taking notes about cameras:rolleyes: ,lol. I SOOO want one, but have to wait. DH says our incentive check has to go to paying off bills :( .
 
I would go with the SLR My husband has one and we just love it. We stick with photoshop cs2 and we feel its as much as we need. I feel like you said we need great pictures for what we do! ;)
 
DogwoodMama said:
Ok, this is a timely thread for me... we just to a new basic point & shoot camera but it is NOT cutting it and dh wants a DSLR... he was throwing out numbers like $1000+ for a base and lenses her saw at Costco! :blink: We'd be saving a long time for that!

If you had to recommend a basic "starter kit" on a DSLR camera, what would you recommend? Less than $1000 please? Is that possible?
Click to expand...

They have the Nikon D40 at Costco with 2 lenses for $549 right now.
I'm trying to add the link but it's not working....

DH bought my D80 at Ritz and I LOVE IT!!!
 
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Definitely the CAMERA!!! I got the Canon Rebel last September and I used the kit lens up until just a few weeks ago when I bought the 50mm with my tax rebate and I can honestly say that those two lenses will probably be all I need until my kids get into high school and then I might need a zoom lens for sporting events!!

I paid $599 for my camera plus and extra $100 bucks (I think) for the extended warranty and then $90 bucks on my new lens. As much as I want to upgrade my PSE3, it really do still work for me and as long as I have great photos to scrap I can work around all the other stuff that I can't do in PSE!!! :thumbup:

Good Luck on your decision!!!
 
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