Hi everyone! I am really stuck between buying a SLR Camera (T3i) or an iMac. I currently have a Nikon Coolpix L110 but I want to upgrade the camera to an SLR because I am beginning to get into Photography and I used the T3 for a few days and I am really in love with it. On the other hand, I do have a Macbook Pro (2009) and I do want an iMac for the faster specs, etc. What would you all prefer? Thanks for the answers in advance.
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iMac or SLR Camera?
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What a crazy question. I think you should also consider buying a new TV, upgrading your car stereo, or taking a vacation to Mexico 
.
More seriously, I guess it depends on how much you need the computer upgrade. If what you've already got is working fine, you'll probably notice more of a difference in upgrading to an SLR than upgrading your computer if you shoot lots of pictures.
.More seriously, I guess it depends on how much you need the computer upgrade. If what you've already got is working fine, you'll probably notice more of a difference in upgrading to an SLR than upgrading your computer if you shoot lots of pictures.
You have a fairly decent computer for editing.
Need a larger screen, hook up an external to the MBP.
I'd go for the camera as it would offer the biggest ' upgrade ' to you.
Look at the Canon 60D ( if it is within your budget )
Need a larger screen, hook up an external to the MBP.
I'd go for the camera as it would offer the biggest ' upgrade ' to you.
Look at the Canon 60D ( if it is within your budget )
SLR cameras are cheap to begin with - you quickly find out they are a blackhole for your money. You will need upgraded lens(es), carrying case, tripod, batteries, memory cards, lens covers, etc etc etc. My 600 SLR turned into a 1700+ purchase in about 5 months.
Go with the iMac. You'll need the added horsepower to do speedy photo processing.
I made a similar choice a few years ago and chose to go with a notebook instead of a desktop. At first it seemed great being able to take my work with me where ever I went but I realized that in the long-term that I needed a desktop. The notebook eventually wasn't able to efficiently do the processes that I demanded of it.
I made a similar choice a few years ago and chose to go with a notebook instead of a desktop. At first it seemed great being able to take my work with me where ever I went but I realized that in the long-term that I needed a desktop. The notebook eventually wasn't able to efficiently do the processes that I demanded of it.
Difficult situation. It seems like you want the best of both worlds. I´m picking up a refurbished 27" iMac monday, to go with my 450D.
My MBP is good enough for PhotoShop, but needs a little more powere. Hence the iMac.
Suggest yuo start with the dSLR, and then figure out wheter you can live with you current MBP. If note, buy a iMac later, or a good screen to go with the MBP.
My MBP is good enough for PhotoShop, but needs a little more powere. Hence the iMac.
Suggest yuo start with the dSLR, and then figure out wheter you can live with you current MBP. If note, buy a iMac later, or a good screen to go with the MBP.
You need photographs to edit.
You need the camera to create those photographs.
Sure he will need a computer to edit, but he already has one that is capable .... albeit not the fastest, but it will do the job.
Go with a DSLR. Make sure you budget for lenses, bag, tripod, memory cards, etc. etc.
Your MBP should be just fine for photo editing, if that's what you want to do with your pics. Personally I like to get the shot I want in camera and then only do very minimal retouching. My iMac (early 2008) is okay for this, even with 22MP RAW files from a Canon 5DMk2.
Of course I'd prefer a faster computer, but what's the new iMac going to do that your MBP doesn't if you DON'T have the DSLR files in the equation?
Your MBP should be just fine for photo editing, if that's what you want to do with your pics. Personally I like to get the shot I want in camera and then only do very minimal retouching. My iMac (early 2008) is okay for this, even with 22MP RAW files from a Canon 5DMk2.
Of course I'd prefer a faster computer, but what's the new iMac going to do that your MBP doesn't if you DON'T have the DSLR files in the equation?
camera leaves you good memories....give you the sauce of creation...
if you make a living by photographing... you need both... photo editing is some sort of equivalent important as shooting these days
if you like photographing, it's your hobby, i think a DSLR can bring you much joy than a powerful mac...
if you think your maniac for DSLR won't last for a long time, then just buy an imac
for me ,i think DSLR brings me much suprise and joy than mac. a plein DSLR with some not bad lens, your picture will never loose their value, because taking a picture requires more likely the brain thant the machines. at least a DSLR can help you capture the precious moments in your life...an imac , compared gives you only the facility while working...
if you make a living by photographing... you need both... photo editing is some sort of equivalent important as shooting these days
if you like photographing, it's your hobby, i think a DSLR can bring you much joy than a powerful mac...
if you think your maniac for DSLR won't last for a long time, then just buy an imac
for me ,i think DSLR brings me much suprise and joy than mac. a plein DSLR with some not bad lens, your picture will never loose their value, because taking a picture requires more likely the brain thant the machines. at least a DSLR can help you capture the precious moments in your life...an imac , compared gives you only the facility while working...
Too soon to upgrade the Macbook Pro. You should get at least three years out of a computer like that. And this is especially the case if you have to balance sub-$2,000 purchases as an either/or. Unless you are talking about a work computer that is actually pushed in its tech specs, you shouldn't be swapping out Macs every two years.
Get the camera. It will last you five years at least. Then get the 2012 iMac which will be a real upgrade for you.
Get the camera. It will last you five years at least. Then get the 2012 iMac which will be a real upgrade for you.
I say get the camera. It will last longer than a computer and there is ample room to grow as a photographer. Your MBP will be sufficient for photo editing. Also, as others have pointed out: one requires the camera before one can process photos.
1700.... Thats just one "L" lens.
To the OP, if you want to get into photography, a better computer is not going to help.
I'm pushing for the camera and here is why ......
If you buy the computer, and save up for the camera....... by the time you have enough money for the camera the computer will be " old ".
If you buy the camera, and save up for the computer ...... by the time you have money for the computer the camera will still be more capable at taking pictures then you may be.
Cameras tend to enjoy longer life cycles than do computers.
I still have my first Canon DSLR, the Canon 10D. Bought it the week it was released .... now my children are using it.
If you buy the computer, and save up for the camera....... by the time you have enough money for the camera the computer will be " old ".
If you buy the camera, and save up for the computer ...... by the time you have money for the computer the camera will still be more capable at taking pictures then you may be.
Cameras tend to enjoy longer life cycles than do computers.
I still have my first Canon DSLR, the Canon 10D. Bought it the week it was released .... now my children are using it.
If you want to sit around and think about photography, get the computer.
If you want to take photographs, get the camera.
If you want to take photographs, get the camera.
Another vote for the camera.
The current MBP is already plenty capable of taking care of your photo needs. If you buy the iMac you'll be stuck trying to work with photos from the Coolpix, which won't be nearly as rewarding. I'm using a 2008 MBP (2.4Ghz, 4Gb) and it's perfectly happy running Aperture, Photoshop or whatever.
Don't forget that if you're thinking of buying Aperture, it's cheaper to buy it off the App store than buying a boxed copy from an Apple store. And there's a downloadable 30-day trial to see if you like it or not.
If you're not already running 4Gb in your MBP then you should definitely do that; more if your laptop can handle it (I think 2008 ones onwards can handle at least 6Gb). A larger HDD might also be useful.
Don't forget to buy additional memory cards (multiple small ones rather than one large one), once you start shooting RAW you'll fill up pretty quickly. And if you don't already have at least one backup drive then you should also invest some money there. Make sure you have a robust backup regime - no point taking decent photos if you're just going to lose them when your harddrive fails.
The current MBP is already plenty capable of taking care of your photo needs. If you buy the iMac you'll be stuck trying to work with photos from the Coolpix, which won't be nearly as rewarding. I'm using a 2008 MBP (2.4Ghz, 4Gb) and it's perfectly happy running Aperture, Photoshop or whatever.
Don't forget that if you're thinking of buying Aperture, it's cheaper to buy it off the App store than buying a boxed copy from an Apple store. And there's a downloadable 30-day trial to see if you like it or not.
If you're not already running 4Gb in your MBP then you should definitely do that; more if your laptop can handle it (I think 2008 ones onwards can handle at least 6Gb). A larger HDD might also be useful.
Don't forget to buy additional memory cards (multiple small ones rather than one large one), once you start shooting RAW you'll fill up pretty quickly. And if you don't already have at least one backup drive then you should also invest some money there. Make sure you have a robust backup regime - no point taking decent photos if you're just going to lose them when your harddrive fails.
I'll disagree. Get the iMac.
Just kidding. Get the SLR. The jump from a P&S to an SLR is amazing.
Don't worry, at some point the OP may ask " which camera should I buy? "
Now I know that question should be asked on a photography web site, but I also know that friends have been known to go to 'cyber war' over that very same question!
LOL
Time to give this guy mote answers.
This is like saying that we need cars but it's fine not to have the roads to drive them on.
This is like saying that we need cars but it's fine not to have the roads to drive them on.
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Exactly. In this case it's like the OP has a tiny little 20-year-old three-door hatchback with a 900cc engine (his point'nshoot camera), and a dirt track (his current computer). He can usually get to his destination; it's not going to be a fun journey, but he'll get there eventually. You could re-lay all the dirt tracks with smooth new tarmac and the journey would be a bit smoother, but you'd still be driving the same knackered old car and the journey still wouldn't be very pleasant (assuming you ever made it all the way).
However, if you had the dirt tracks and a decent car - say, a Range Rover Autobiography - then you'd not only get where you need to go every time, but you'd get there faster, and it would be a much more pleasant experience and you'd arrive refreshed, happy and in top shape.
So, iMikeT, although you were trying to be a smart alec, you have actually made a very apt analogy.