I need some financial advice

"03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST" (03mach1)
04/16/2015 at 13:09 • Filed to: None

Camera knowledge isn't needed this post, but some here's some background to better understand. I've been using an older Canon T1i DSLR, which is a good camera and gets the job done. I've been happy with it. I believe I still have a lot more potential with it. But a camera I have always wanted (Canon 60D) is on sale for a really great price.

Some will say I should just focus on getting a new lens instead, since I will see better results. And I agree, I feel I do need new lens, but the camera I have been using is my Mom's. She has no problem with me using it for the most part, but it would be so nice to have one of my own. Not to mention it is a much better camera.

Everything has kind of fallen in to place at the moment. I was about to buy some car parts (Which are not really needed yet) but I found out I was missing some tools to replace my shocks and struts. So I didn't buy the parts and planned to buy the tools, except my dad ended up buying them. After talking about cameras with a friend, I just happened to browse online and find the sale. The sale ends in early May, with free three day shipping I would get the camera before a car show and track day. That timing is kind of perfect. Assuming it is still in stock.

I can buy it, but the problem is that I may not be left with much money for a few days (Maybe a week) and that worries me. The only bill I have to pay is my car payment, which is scheduled for today (The next won't be due until June). My plan has been to spend as little as possible and wait to see where I am at the end of the month. I am seriously conflicted on whether or not this is a good idea or not though. On one side it will be hard to find this camera at this price for a long time (Last I checked used are more expensive then this deal) but as I said, not much money left for about a week. It should be noted that I get paid weekly. I will get this camera eventually, whether it is now or later. But if I get it now I will save money in the long run.

I really appreciate any help, sorry this got a little long but I want to make a good choice. Here are some cars!

DISCUSSION (37)

Tim > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:15

Only you know what the right decision is. I will say that a friend of mine is a photographer that does potraits and wedding photos. For some semi-famous folks too. (b list celebs) and she uses a similar level camera to you. She actually has black tape over the logo name so no one will think she's not professional enough to have a "fancy" camera. (After someone commented that she had a camera just like theirs so why are they paying her)
Bottom line is that she takes amazing photos and people love it. If you want, you could get a nice lens and focus on taking great photos.

Just 1 possible answer.

computiNATEor > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:15

I'm a T3i owner, and for what I do, it's perfectly adequate. However, the viewfinder on the 60D is worth every penny. It's really a sweet product, and feels much more professional than the T#i series. I've only used a 60D briefly, and it's not different enough from my T3i to consider upgrading to, but from a T1i? Might be worth it.

However, as you note, glass is always a great investment. Compare the value and new shooting abilities you'll get from good glass vs those you'll get from a new body.

CB > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:16

If the sale is on until the beginning of May, that gives you two weeks to figure out if it's financially a good idea. I'd say wait for a bit.

computiNATEor > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:18

Another thing: Canon's naming strategy makes more sense overseas, where the T#i line is known as the 600D, 650D, etc. There seem be three tiers: 600, 60, and 6. The fewer digits, the more expensive the camera.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > computiNATEor
04/16/2015 at 13:27

I've used a T3i quite a few times before, even once for a school project with an awesome and scary expensive L lens. And really, one of those is more then enough for what I do. In fact I keep tossing around the 3i and 60D every now and again. They are both great cameras, but the price on the 60D right now is just hard to pass up.

But now that you mention glass again I wonder what I can get for 500ish. I just don't know what kind of lens I need. Now I have to look.

Thanks!

RWS Motorsport > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:28

60d is a brilliant camera, its what I bought to replace the 350d (rebel XT) and was really happy with it.

That being said, you'll notice more improvement with better glass than with better body, but you will certainly notice an improvement with a new body.

phenotyp > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:33

I'd say the best upgrade on a body would be to a full-frame. You're not going to get a whole lot out of a more-featured crop sensor, and money at this point would definitely be better-spent on a lens that can later live on a FF body, too.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Tim
04/16/2015 at 13:33

Now that it keeps being mentioned maybe I should just look in to better lens. But the only reason I was thinking about buying the camera now is because of the sale. A lens might give me so much more potential though...

You make a great point with your friend, I've seen some truly amazing stuff with less powerful cameras of mine and terrible stuff with way more expensive cameras.

Thanks!

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > CB
04/16/2015 at 13:35

That's the plan right now. I've already made my car payment for May as well so I know where I truly stand.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > computiNATEor
04/16/2015 at 13:38

This is true. The T1i is known as the 500D. And speaking of which, there's also a 7D for sale at 785 right now. I so wish I had more money! To bad that sale won't hold up for a few more months.

alexotics > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 13:43

That 458 Speciale's Italian flag stripe is ridiculous. It just looks like a lopsided Green and white stripe. Should of specced a white base colour. Fuji White, I believe it's called.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > RWS Motorsport
04/16/2015 at 13:48

Funny, my friend upgraded to a 60D from his XT. He loved his 60D.

I agree with better glass I'll see better results. And now that others keep mentioning it I'm looking in to it. For less then the new camera I could get a 17-85 (Friend is recommending it) and a nifty fifty. The fifty I've heard takes some great photos. But having my own camera would be so nice. I've got to think about this for the next two weeks!

Thanks.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > phenotyp
04/16/2015 at 13:51

Full frames are just so expensive though. I would love to have one, they're great but I don't think I could justify spending that much on a camera right now!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 14:01

Not interested in Nikon?

\hates Canon UIs

\loves the ruggedness of Nikons

Don't you love all the proprietary stuff that goes along with trying to shoot in RAW on a Canon?

phenotyp > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 14:03

Which is why I'd recommend a good lens. I bought Sigma's 50mm1.4 when I was using an XSi/450d, and loved it even more when I moved up to a 5DII. Lenses like that are a great way to improve your pictures, regardless the body (and all the better if/when you do move up to FF).

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 14:08

I had a 60D for a while. Loved it when I used it, but I rarely used it so I sold it. It's definitely a more professional camera. While I understand the idea of getting the lenses now, my inclination would be to go for the body now for the savings, use the lenses you have access to currently, and keep an eye on the lenses you want as I'm sure they'll be on sale here and there as well. Truly though, you can't go wrong either way, just depends what you'd rather get sooner vs later.

As far as money for the time being, you can eat cheaply and maybe not do some things you would normally for a week.

RWS Motorsport > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 14:17

Ha two weeks of pondering, I admire your self control if you dont just splurge money and buy something ha :)

the 50mm f1.8 is a very nice lens indeed. Ive used the f1.4 (my friend had it) and was mighty impressed.

There is something to be said for having your own camera, very nice to own your own bit of kit. Might be worth looking at a 50d and a lens. the 50d is a mighty capable camera.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
04/16/2015 at 14:25

I already have a lot of Canon products and I'm used to them, so I'm sticking with them.

I don't have many problems shooting in RAW, except when I forget to put the camera in to RAW. That's always a problem. Which is another reason having my own camera would be great, I don't have to put the settings on normal for my parents.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > phenotyp
04/16/2015 at 14:32

My friend has been pushing me to get a Nifty Fifty. Since they're so cheap I might just get the 60D and wait a month or two to pick one up. I hear they're great lenses for the price. I really want a lens that takes sharp pictures. My friend with a MKIII 5D takes some amazing pictures and the sharpness of them is always what amazes me.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 14:38

Can't you load a config onto a sd card and reset the device to standard settings for your folks?

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)
04/16/2015 at 14:44

Which is what I'm thinking now. It also allows time for lenses to go on sale or drop in price. I think I'll have to get the camera now. Well, in two weeks. But this is just good of an offer to pass up.

phenotyp > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 14:52

The 50mm 1.8 is OK, and definitely great for the price. Really good for indoor portraits, nice bokeh, fast focus. Great lens on a crop sensor.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > RWS Motorsport
04/16/2015 at 14:53

It's hard, I've had this in my head all week! It's exciting but I need to make sure I won't be completely broke. It's really nice being paid weekly. I just figured I would make my car payment now so when I'm ready to buy it I can do it.

I'm not sure about the 50d, though it would be nice to have a lens come with it. I've never tried one either. I think right now I'll just get the 60D and build up from there.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
04/16/2015 at 14:56

I just switch RAW to JPEG and turn it from manual shooting to normal.

RWS Motorsport > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 15:34

absolutely fair enough :) the 60d is a mighty camera. Everything on my flickr page was taken on a 60d up to wales rally GB. https://www.flickr.com/photos/rwsmoto…

+20 internet points for sensible and intelligent financial planning ha.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > RWS Motorsport
04/16/2015 at 21:31

Awesome pictures! I wish I had more time to scroll through them all. I noticed you're using a 7D Mark II, which is also on sale. If I had that kind of money I would so buy one.

Stephen the Canuck > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 22:09

KEH has the 60D used for $459 in like new condition. Adorama has one for $449 in E- rating, and one for $499 in E rating.

You can probably find the 60D for a really good price if you go with it used. Could maybe even swing a 7D mark 1.

Do you have a link to the sale you're looking at?

You can probably find the nifty fifty for under $100 used too. I like mine. It works pretty well.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Stephen the Canuck
04/16/2015 at 22:23

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7320…

For the price difference I would rather just it get new, I would feel better about it. But if I find the nifty fifty for a good price used maybe I'll do that.

And I never thought about a used 7D Mark 1, I'm going to look in to that now. The Mark II is also on sale for 785, and if I had the money I would be buying that right now! Seems like a good price on it.

Stephen the Canuck > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/16/2015 at 23:06

For that price new would be the way to go. I'm surprised it's that low actually.

The nifty fifty is such a cheap lens that there's not a whole lot of point in spending the extra to buy it new.

Where have to found the 7D2 for $785? I find that hard to believe given that most places are selling it for around $1800 body only given its been for 2 months.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Stephen the Canuck
04/17/2015 at 00:09

Woops, I meant the Mark 1 for 785 brand new.

I'm surprised it's this low as well. It's why I want to get it now. That and there's a large car show and track day coming up.

I can see what you mean with the nifty fifty, that I might just get used and save some money.

RWS Motorsport > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/17/2015 at 05:31

Yeah the 7D Mark II was the camera I had been waiting for for about a year, kept checking the rumors and gossip about its specs, and was so pleased when it launched. I went to my local camera shop who were supposed to have them in stock, but when I rang they didnt have any. Went in anyway to grab my new lens, and then accept that itd be a couple of weeks before I could get the camera, and sort of made a throwaway comment at the till about how i was really after a 7D. the sales guy was like 'well, do you want one, we have some in stock?' turns out they could only sell them as pre orders until the monday. So i pre-ordered one whilst sorting out the lens, and then had it delivered to the till about 2 minuites later ha.

Oh Mah JEEZ its a brilliant camera. the little joystick on the back I have set up to move the focus point around, the speed, oh the speed is something else. Takes some self control to keep the number of pictures down on a weekend.

Dont get me wrong, the 60d was an absolutely fantastic camera, and I learnt a tonne of stuff with it, but 7D is something else :)

Stephen the Canuck > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/17/2015 at 05:57

Okay, that makes more sense. I've seen the Mark 1 as low as $525 used.

It's a great price. I know a guy that used a 60D for years and had lots of photos published in newspapers and tv news. It worked really well for him. It's a pretty nice camera.

Yeah, between new after taxes and used you should be able to save nearly $100.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > RWS Motorsport
04/17/2015 at 08:19

It seems like an awesome camera. I tried the MKII a few weeks ago. I had to put it down because I knew if I used it more I would need to have it and I can't spend that kind of money yet!

Thanks again for all your help.

RWS Motorsport > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
04/17/2015 at 11:20

Ha, very sensible decision there. If you know you cant afford it, just dont even let yourself play with it too much :)

60d is a mighty camera though, so you wont be disappointed. I remember the first time i went out with it after using the 350d, so happy. This was taken with it, and a 75-300 (the cheapest canon 300mm)

Kinja'd!!!

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > RWS Motorsport
04/17/2015 at 13:30

That's the same lens I'm using on the upcoming track day funny enough. Two weeks can't come soon enough!

marc33 > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
10/31/2015 at 00:17

I strongly recommend primes. They are affordable and will make you a better shooter. get a 50mm 1.8 for under $100 on ebay and go to town.

it’s great in low light, does nice portraits, and has nice shallow depth of field when wide open.

it will also help with composition. you’ll have to move to shoot instead of zoom. always a good thing

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > marc33
10/31/2015 at 00:32

I’ve been looking into those. I just can’t get myself to pull the trigger right now. Thanks!