The D-SLR Money Pit

[dave]

Just fair warning to anyone considering upgrading from their Point & Shoot (P&S) camera to a D-SLR: if you're in for a penny, you're in for a pound.

I'm sure there are others who could comment on this further, but I'll start with the short list.

The D-SLR is just the start. Then you start having thoughts of:

- Larger (1 GB+) and Faster (40X+) memory cards
- Additional lenses (my current object of lust is a Nikon 80-200 F/2.8)
- Software: Nikon Capture, Photoshop CS, or some other software to edit RAW
- Speedlights
- Filters
- Tripod(s) - both a full size and a table top version
- Camera bag


Before you know it your $1000-$1300 camera has turned into a $3000+ addiction.


All is not lost though. You'll love every moment with your new camera. Your knowledge of photography will grow considerably.

By all means make the jump, but just be prepared you're entering the deep end of the pool.

[yasodic]

wow hit the nail on the head, i just picked up a laptop/camera backpack, in addition to the 1gig card, extra lens another soon, two tripods, filters, etc etc etc, but besides ordering my mini its the most fun ive had in a long time !!! oh not to mention an extra hard drive for the exponential increase in photos ive been taking. Thank god for iphoto!!!

[blacknblue]

. . . let us not forget the value of an external hard drive

[snid]

Then, before you know it, you wind up doing something like this...

[snid]

The Leica was a gift from my dad. I took it out for a test drive yesterday, and everything is in working order. yay! So many more steps than point and shoot.

[MG-BGT]

True, but consider that many may have bought a digital point and shoot, but still have their old film SLR in the closet, with all the accessories you mention. Then it's more the price of the camera, and maybe memory cards.

I use both, a Pentax Optio 555 point and shoot, and the now somewhat older Nikon D1H SLR. I like both of them a lot, for different purposes. The biggest problem for me is the fact that they both use different memory card formats, the D1 uses compact flash, and the Pentax SD cards. Even though they are bigger, I actually prefer the CF format! The D1H is of a much lower resolution than the Pentax, but still takes outstanding pictures, and nothing comes close to it in terms of speed, 5fps and up to 40 pics in sequence. I still don't like the lag between pressing the button and getting the pic, with the 555. On the downside, the D1 is huge, bulky an dheavy, that's where the 555 comes handy. BTW, both were purchases for my lab, for personal use I would probably get different cameras.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by MG-BGT

True, but consider that many may have bought a digital point and shoot, but still have their old film SLR in the closet, with all the accessories you mention. Then it's more the price of the camera, and maybe memory cards.

That's true, but unless its a fairly new Nikon or Canon chances are the 35mm lenses and accessories won't work. The chances of filters being usable on 2 different lenses is pretty low, and you'll still have to get a new bag and big CF card no matter how much 35mm stuff you've got.

I know because I've got 2 Canon AE1 bodies with 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 28mm-80mm, and 80mm-200mm lenses, a nice flash, motor drive, 2 filter sets, the whole deal... and none of it is the least bit compatible with any of the new Canon stuff, so I've got to start all over. I've also got a digital PnS that I'll keep around for daily duty. Oh well, I enjoy having a lot of photo equipment... and ladies love a guy who can decorate his whole house with his own artwork.

[Donna/Mike]

:smile: Being married to a professional photographer, I can agree with everything that has been said so far...:smile:

Not to bore anybody with details, but I can say that we spend between $3K - $5K - 7K a year - sometimes more (yikes) on having to have the "latest, greatest, & fastest" - LOL!!

Mike is a Nikon guy all the way - he currently has 4 camera bodies (2 of which are the latest digital) and of course, all the tripods, lenses, camera bags, etc. etc. etc. But, that's how he makes a living so I guess I can't complain (at least not too loud - LOL!!)

Chow!

Donna

[dave]

Nice! I didn't know Mike was a photographer. What equipment does he use? Is he shooting sports? news?

Part of me would like to make some money off of photography. Then there is the side of me that remembers how working in a bike shop one summer sucked all the fun out of cycling for me.

[Kyle]

Next time I'm out in California (thats where I'm from originally, been in Atlanta 2 years now), I'll have to get to a meet with all you guys out there and we'll have a MINI Photo shootout.

Originally Posted by DiD

Part of me would like to make some money off of photography. Then there is the side of me that remembers how working in a bike shop one summer sucked all the fun out of cycling for me.

And yeah, I've thought of the same thing. I was thinking of perhaps taking pictures at a bunch of meets and autocrosses and such and setting up a website charging just a small fee for hi-res versions of the pictures. Any thoughts on that?

[Donna/Mike]

Originally Posted by DiD

Nice! I didn't know Mike was a photographer. What equipment does he use? Is he shooting sports? news?

Part of me would like to make some money off of photography. Then there is the side of me that remembers how working in a bike shop one summer sucked all the fun out of cycling for me.

Dave - to be honest - I don't know the names of the cameras - LOL!! D something or another - whatever the newest digital ones are...:smile: (expensive whatever they are). Since moving here, he has not yet landed a full time position, but he's doing a ton of freelance - mostly for the 2 big papers down here - North County Times and Union Tribune. Sports has always been his favorite......but he's doing a bit of everything at the moment. In between, he's getting some other freelance stuff with people he has contacted, so he keeps pretty busy most of the time...

And of course since he doesn't post on the boards (he leaves that to me - LOL) I give him the big pats on the back....he really is an awesome photographer - won MANY awards yearly when we lived in Virginia and he has some work being published in 2 upcoming books - I'm very proud of him....

You've done some great photos yourself! You should be proud of yourself from what I've seen you post....:smile:

Chow!

Donna

[Donna/Mike]

[quote=Kyle]Next time I'm out in California (thats where I'm from originally, been in Atlanta 2 years now), I'll have to get to a meet with all you guys out there and we'll have a MINI Photo shootout.

Come on out!!!

Chow!

Donna :smile:

[dandp]

velVet.....that is truly a gift to be enjoyed. You can learn things about light with a camera like that...things that will make your understanding of photography that much deeper.

Dave - I know the money pit all too well...but in my case (like Mikes) I can justify purcahses as tools of the trade....although there are some wee extravagances.....

[Technomage]

Saw this thread and started laughing, I have a new lens on the way to me now...

Current Collection:
Canon 300D (Digital Rebel)
Canon f1.8 50mm Prime
Canon 35-80mm (girlfriends' from Her film Rebel)
Sigma 28-80mm
Sigma 70-300mm
New Mystery Lens, it's a secret
Fast CF card + Backup Microdrive
2 Tripods (Mini + Full)
Filter Collection

Worth it? Hell yea, I missed working with an SLR.

[asaulo1]

wanted to ask the digicam philes here.... I just got a canon powershot pro1 and just wanted to know how to simulate the "sports" mode on my other digicam (canon s40)... what f stop / aperture etc. Thanks for the help..... or maybe I should trade up to a digital slr nikon d70 or digital rebel? ;)

[Technomage]

When my Powershot G3 died I decided to make the jump to DSLR.
I checked out the Nikon D70, Canon 10D, Canon Digital Rebel, and Canon Pro 1.
I tested all 4 at Sammy's Camera here in LA with my own memory cards. Each had it's pros and cons. This was a few months ago. If it was today I would get the new Canon 20D as it has all the stuff I loved about the D70 and the stuff I loved about the 10D/Digital Rebel. Super Fast with Killer Images.

The question you asked will open a huge can of worms, so these are my personal experiences, everyone has there own opinion.
I would tell you first go to DPreview and read there VERY detailed reviews.
Both Canon and Nikon make a wide range of VERY good lenses. So I am not going into that here, If you own a number of Nikon or Cannon Lenses it makes sence to stay with that brand. I didn't have either so I was starting from scratch.

My findings:

Pro1: Not a real SRL, took to long to focus and zoom
10D: Nice feature set, lacked EF-S mount, heavier and more expensive than Drebel
D70: FAST! instant on, good weight, fast shutter, good features. Has a problem with moiré, that was the killing point for me, the moiré issue can't be ignored
Drebel: faster than may P&S but not as fast as D70, very nice weight, fast shutter, very good features. Great Image sensor without the Nikon moiré issue.

That is what sold me on the Digital Rebel, perfect Cost vs. Quality for me.
For more on the moiré issue click that link. I was able to make it happen shooting inside the store. I took the same shots with all 4 cameras. the 10D and Digital Rebel have the exact same sensor and looked Identical. Image quality was better than the Pro1 or D70.

These findings are subjective and are just the results of my personal experience. I am a Visual FX artist in Los Angeles and deal with light, color, texture, and film on a daily basis.