iMac or SLR Camera?

[Moccasin]

Another vote for the camera . I never regretted buying my DSLR.

Just do some research before you do get one though. Think what lens you will need. The basic kit lenses that usually come in the body+lens packs can sometimes be limiting. Plenty of website forums around for you to while away your time researching!

I think photography and Mac ownership are possibly one of the worst mixes for your bank balance...

 

[walnuts]

Camera!

Just think- in five years, you could have photography skills and a boatload of beautiful pictures, or a computer you are going to want to replace again.

I do my editing (though admittedly not extensive) on a five year old iMac, so IMHO you'll get by just fine with the MBP.

Finally, regarding camera obsolescence, nowadays, digital cameras really have reached an excellent point. In five years, cameras may do fancier things like improve low light performance, auto-focus better, or take better video (if you even want that). But, those things really aren't important in the end. You'll still have a tool to make great images and if you practice, I think you'll find your skill more useful than the bells and whistles. I don't think you'd ever find the best photographers try to say that they couldn't take a good picture because they didn't have the latest and greatest.

 

[harcosparky]

On the other hand, I do have a Macbook Pro (2009) and I do want an iMac for the faster specs, etc.

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.

This is like saying that we need cars but it's fine not to have the roads to drive them on.

On the other hand you are proposing the OP build a Super Highway, when he already owns an Interstate, but does not have a car to drive down the highway he already owns.

Let's look at the facts ......

The OP owns a 2009 Macbook Pro. A very capable photo editing computer.

The OP owns a " Point & Shoot " digital camera. Not quite the vehicle for producing creatively edited images.


I still say, get the camera.

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.

You're both wrong .....

The OP owns a broken down, rusty old bicycle ( Point & Shoot Camera )

The OP owns an Interstate Highway ( 2009 Macbook Pro )

You and iMikeT want him to buy a Super Highway for his broken down rusty old bicycle.

I'm guessing neither one of you are seriously into photography!



LOL



.

 

[Bear]

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.

If you have to ask others this question, I'm not sure you're ready to buy either.

As for your camera selection, I don't know that much about the T3i, but I do suggest you try a few different cameras out before you buy. Once you buy a camera, the additional lenses tend to lock you in to a brand unless you have a lot of disposable income.

Eventually you will need a better computer if you get really serious about photography. Also, you'll need a decent printer among other things.

Which to get first? That's up to you. What do you want?

 

[HBOC]

Why not sell your MBP and buy an iMac AND an SLR?

As for the camera, and this is just me, BUT I NEVER BUY NEW! Eventually you will want to upgrade and if you spend $1000 on a new body, a year from now it will be worth $600, as Canon puts out new Rebels every year.

 

[Bear]

As for the camera, and this is just me, BUT I NEVER BUY NEW! Eventually you will want to upgrade and if you spend $1000 on a new body, a year from now it will be worth $600, as Canon puts out new Rebels every year.

Buying new vs used does have issues around warranty repairs and such. Like is the unit still in warranty?

Also, if you buy used, that is going to go down in value as well. Also, at this point, upgrading the camera every year is not something most people except some professionals do.

A good D-SLR can take decent pictures for several years. The megapixel race has gotten somewhat out of hand in my opinion. Also, do I really need my SLR to take movies as well? Movie cameras tend to have a form factor that is better for taking movies.

I have what is at this point a D-SLR that is over 5 years old that I got brand new. It still works rather well. I'd rather spend the money for lenses that I want at this point. When the camera needs replacement, I'll look at what is available and will still likely buy a new camera since they seem to last for several years. I haven't seen a new camera that adds any features that I would find useful.

The various brands put out new cameras all the time to keep sales going. Mostly by people who must have the latest thing. (Even if the change is so minor you'll never notice it.)

Also, buying stuff based on its resale value in a year is meaningless if you're going to keep the item for a few years. You should buy based on the value of the item to you. That value is only partially in money terms. The rest of it is does it do what you want, what is the upkeep cost, can you add to it instead of replacing it, etc.

Yes, it is sometimes good to keep in mind the resale value of somethings, but in general when it's the first thing someone mentions, it tells me they're more interested in money and possibly status than the item they are buying. Now if buying used has been good for you, it's can be a good suggestion that a used camera will cost less. However, what if the person wants the features of the current camera? That means if he buys used, he's almost guaranteed to need to buy an upgrade sooner than later, thus costing more money than if he bought new.

This Rant brought to you by being reminded of people who tried to save money and wound up spending a lot more in the long run. Especially when they had the money to buy correctly in the first place. And then they complained about it.

 

[karthi]

May be camera first, but soon the iMac

I bought the new m4/3 camera and bunch of lenses few months ago. With you new camera, you will likely take lot of pictures and to get the best from the sensor, most likely it will be RAW. But loading and editing the lot RAW files is really painful if you don't have right horsepower in Aperture.

I just ordered the new i7 imac mainly to edit the pictures from the camera.

 

[I AM THE MAN]

Why not sell your MBP and buy an iMac AND an SLR?

As for the camera, and this is just me, BUT I NEVER BUY NEW! Eventually you will want to upgrade and if you spend $1000 on a new body, a year from now it will be worth $600, as Canon puts out new Rebels every year.

I honestly do not want to sell my MBP because for 2 REASONS. One-Its portable. 2-I really don't justify in losing about $1500-I'd rather save up for a SLR if I'll only make about $1000 off a $2500 product.

 

[Steamrunner]

You and iMikeT want him to buy a Super Highway for his broken down rusty old bicycle.

I'm guessing neither one of you are seriously into photography!

either you're quoting the wrong person, or you didn't read my post- I'm saying to buy the camera! I am into photography (Canon and Nikon DSLRs FTW) which is why I'm saying the lappie is fine!

As for Karthi, the iMac won't be necessary for quite some time- the OP's MBP is more than capable of running Aperture perfectly well, especially if he's upgraded the RAM, and will be for a few years yet.

 

[HBOC]

Buying new vs used does have issues around warranty repairs and such. Like is the unit still in warranty?

Also, if you buy used, that is going to go down in value as well. Also, at this point, upgrading the camera every year is not something most people except some professionals do.

A good D-SLR can take decent pictures for several years. The megapixel race has gotten somewhat out of hand in my opinion. Also, do I really need my SLR to take movies as well? Movie cameras tend to have a form factor that is better for taking movies.

I have what is at this point a D-SLR that is over 5 years old that I got brand new. It still works rather well. I'd rather spend the money for lenses that I want at this point. When the camera needs replacement, I'll look at what is available and will still likely buy a new camera since they seem to last for several years. I haven't seen a new camera that adds any features that I would find useful.

The various brands put out new cameras all the time to keep sales going. Mostly by people who must have the latest thing. (Even if the change is so minor you'll never notice it.)

Also, buying stuff based on its resale value in a year is meaningless if you're going to keep the item for a few years. You should buy based on the value of the item to you. That value is only partially in money terms. The rest of it is does it do what you want, what is the upkeep cost, can you add to it instead of replacing it, etc.

Yes, it is sometimes good to keep in mind the resale value of somethings, but in general when it's the first thing someone mentions, it tells me they're more interested in money and possibly status than the item they are buying. Now if buying used has been good for you, it's can be a good suggestion that a used camera will cost less. However, what if the person wants the features of the current camera? That means if he buys used, he's almost guaranteed to need to buy an upgrade sooner than later, thus costing more money than if he bought new.

This Rant brought to you by being reminded of people who tried to save money and wound up spending a lot more in the long run. Especially when they had the money to buy correctly in the first place. And then they complained about it.

I think most camera warranties are like 1 year in any case. I bought an 8 year old Canon 1Ds for $1000 and it is superb. The warranty thing really doesn't keep ME from buying anything, and I have never had a problem in the 6 years I have bought used stuff. Of course, it is like russian roulette. You can get lucky 100 times, but that 101st time.. Never had any bad luck with lenses either, but lenses do not loose value if you buy used.

 

[Smoothness]

Grab a t2i, and use that extra money on a lens off eBay. I bought some great lenses on the cheap!

 

[iMikeT]

You're both wrong .....

The OP owns a broken down, rusty old bicycle ( Point & Shoot Camera )

The OP owns an Interstate Highway ( 2009 Macbook Pro )

You and iMikeT want him to buy a Super Highway for his broken down rusty old bicycle.

I'm guessing neither one of you are seriously into photography!



LOL



.

You including smiley faces and "LOL's" into your reply only further discredits anything you have to say to me.

As far as guessing how seriously I am into photography, I guess making money as a professional freelance photographer does not count as being serious does it?

I've been down a similar road that the OP is on. Years ago, I had the option to purchase a desktop or a portable Mac, I choose the latter as my primary computing machine. At first, I thought it was great to have a portable and relatively powerful machine (at the time) where I also had the ability to take my work where ever I went. After about a year or so, I realized something, I wasn't as portable as I thought I would be, I still did all of my computing at home and my portable really didn't move from where it normally sits. After around 18-24 months of ownership, that same portable really started to show its age in relation to the software that was running on it. Up-to-date software ran a lot slower and processor intensive tasks went at a snail's pace. It was at this point that I realized that I made the wrong decision in buying a portable when I really needed the horsepower in a desktop.

I honestly do not want to sell my MBP because for 2 REASONS. One-Its portable. 2-I really don't justify in losing about $1500-I'd rather save up for a SLR if I'll only make about $1000 off a $2500 product.

What you really need is the money for both and selling the MBP might just help give you those funds.

If you have to ask others this question, I'm not sure you're ready to buy either.

As for your camera selection, I don't know that much about the T3i, but I do suggest you try a few different cameras out before you buy. Once you buy a camera, the additional lenses tend to lock you in to a brand unless you have a lot of disposable income.

Eventually you will need a better computer if you get really serious about photography. Also, you'll need a decent printer among other things.

Which to get first? That's up to you. What do you want?

You said it best. I think we can end the thread here.

 

[harcosparky]

OK I digress ..... The experts have convinced me!

OP ... you should sell your worthless MBP, and your camera to buy a Mac Pro.

I mean you really need all that computing power.

You can save up for the camera!




Guy wants to get serious about photography and they tell him to buy a computer!



.

 

[Newbe]

iMac or SLR Camera

It is up to you, but I think a used DSLR is the way to go. Check out some used digital camera bodies for Canons and Nikons. And don't forget to take a good look at Olympus. The camera is merely the tool. Go to some places B&H Photo, Adorama Camera and Keh.com Good luck.

 

[mtfbwy]

Get the camera

I shoot a ton with my Nikon D300, D3100 and Olympus E-P1. My editing machine is still my early 2008 White MacBook with 6gb of RAM, 128GB SSD, 20" external display and a Drobo for long term storage. It's plenty fast for Lightroom and CS5 and I have lots of years shooting and over 40k images in my library.

I'm just starting to think about upgrading my computer since I'm doing more video editing. Especially if you are only shooing JPEG to start off, your computer is more than adequate.

 

[mtfbwy]

I shoot a ton with my Nikon D300, D3100 and Olympus E-P1. My editing machine is still my early 2008 White MacBook with 6gb of RAM, 128GB SSD, 20" external display and a Drobo for long term storage. It's plenty fast for Lightroom and CS5 and I have lots of years shooting and over 40k images in my library.

I'm just starting to think about upgrading my computer since I'm doing more video editing. Especially if you are only shooing JPEG to start off, your computer is more than adequate.

Let me say that it's plenty fast for light use of CS5 which is mostly what I do.