The Dilemma...

[brian.austin]

I wish I could say I hate problems like this...but I don't.

I'm getting a nice bonus this week for a good job last year. Nothing out of this world, by any means, but much appreciated and more than I probably deserve. Thinking that it was just going toward tuition or the savings account, I pretty much wrote it off as gone until my wife asked me on the way home (we work at the same company):

"So which camera are you going to get?"

Let's just say it was a good thing I wasn't driving today.

Now the dilemma:

Canon will probably be making a product announcement at this years PMA in Las Vegas (March 11th-ish). Canon double rebates end on Feb. 19th.

I'm currently shooting a 20D. The only EF-S lens I have is the 10-22, which could be replaced with either the 16-35/2.8L or the 17-40/4L (is the 16-35 really worth twice the price?) for the same coverage. In the meantime, I plan on keeping the 20D as both a spare and sports camera...depending on the decision.

So the options, as I see them:

1. Buy the Canon 5D and a 50/1.4 (or the 17-40/4L) and take advantage of the double rebates now.
2. Wait until the March announcements and buy the newer model...assuming it's in my price range (5D-ish).
3. Wait until the March announcements and buy the 5D...assuming the 5D gets a price drop due to a newer model.
4. Wait until the March announcements and buy a USED 5D...assuming I can find a reputable seller.
5. Wait until the March announcements and buy the 30D upgrade (which BETTER be in at least the 10Mp range to get my attention).

I'm really curious to see what improvements Digic III does in the FF and prosumer bodies...but I'm not sure if I'm willing to gamble on the price changes.

Any thoughts or ideas here? Any experiences to share with similar dilemmas?

[Rumpole]

With a capable camera like yours and with no particular reason to upgrade (apart from finding a way to spend your bonus), I would probably wait and see.

Just my 2p.


Cheers
KH

[dc2]

Agree March 11th ish is not a long way off.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

(is the 16-35 really worth twice the price?)

IMHO only if you truly need F2.8 in the wide end. On the 5D the 17-40 is reported sharper, and with better corner-to-corner sharpness, at the same F stops.

...but if speed is what you need in that zoomrange, nothing beats the F2.8...

...so a question to ask yourself: how many shots did you 'miss' with the EF-S10-22 because it 'lacked speed' ??

Originally Posted by brian.austin

So the options, as I see them:

1. Buy the Canon 5D and a 50/1.4 (or the 17-40/4L) and take advantage of the double rebates now.
2. Wait until the March announcements and buy the newer model...assuming it's in my price range (5D-ish).
3. Wait until the March announcements and buy the 5D...assuming the 5D gets a price drop due to a newer model.
4. Wait until the March announcements and buy a USED 5D...assuming I can find a reputable seller.
5. Wait until the March announcements and buy the 30D upgrade (which BETTER be in at least the 10Mp range to get my attention).

Any thoughts or ideas here?

...4 out of 5 options say 'wait', so *I* would wait.

As dc2 said, March 11th isn't far away, and you are burning 'found' money , so you are not really in a hurry...

Keeping the 20D (and the EF-S10-22 ??) as backup is sound thinking if you *need* a backup because your bread and butter depends on it, but is also a 'luxury' decision if you don't... 8-)

...and you could also 'skip' the 'amateur' level completely and go for a (used ?) 1D Mk2N... options, options...

...as requested, some thoughts and ideas , *my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[cyclohexane]

If you're making income with your gear day-to-day or are making significant income with your gear, I always say don't wait and buy whatever you feel you need to shoot now. I'm guessing, however- based on your post- that this isn't the case, so I see nothing wrong with waiting to see if anything nicer comes out in a few months.

Based on your options, I'd (1) buy the newer model if it's in your price range, (2) buy a new-in-box 5D, (3) buy the 30D replacement. I'd stay away from used (I could just be saying this due to hit-and-miss experiences with used gear); you deserve a new camera. =)

[Jose]

Wait...one never knows what Canon will bring out...in my opinion they are overdue for a significant upgrade in both lenses and cameras. The 20D is a fine camera and any improvement in a new model will not be spectacular(other than dust cleaning technology). As to lenses, the 10-22 mm is a fine lens but the 16-35 mm is better performing lens particularly if you plan to buy a camera with a full frame sensor.

[brian.austin]

Part of the reason for this is the desire to move to a FF sensor. That rules out the 1D series.

I'm waiting, I guess. I'll tuck it away in the bank account and see what happens in the market. I might miss the rebates but I can never predict this market so I'll just see what happens.

And you're right: it's not like I NEED the camera or am lacking much in the 20D right now.

[jfrancho]

I have the same full frame desires in my mind, and have the same camera, a 20D. I already have the 17-40L, and and do not own any EF-S lenses. I do shoot for money quite a bit, but by no means do I consider it income (although my tax returns say otherwise....), but there is no urgency for a full frame - I have what I need to continue working. However, I don't have a chunk of change set aside to spend, so the decision is easier for me . Along with considering what Canon may offer in the near future, I have also considered a used 1Ds or a new or used 5D. Waiting these few short weeks out seems to be the best plan, since new camera offerings will undoubtedly affect the prices of all options. In some respects I envy your situation, but in others I don't. It was exactly the same situation I was in a year ago. I ended up with a 20D .

[Kevin Barrett]

Save your money and purchase towards the end of this year. Saving is a rare activity these days.

Rumor, and more Rumors abound around this time of year.

The latest is that the 30D replacement and a "1" series for this PMA with a 5D replacement towards
the end of this year. Whether this is correct or not, time is on your side. If you absolutely can't wait,
you won't go too far wrong with a 5D.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Kevin Barrett

Save your money and purchase towards the end of this year. Saving is a rare activity these days.

Saving is our priority. About 50% of our income goes into retirement savings (and I'm paid considerably more than I deserve). Bonuses are for toys.

LOWELL?? Good grief, talk about old times. I spent a LOT of time in Lowell in the late 80's/early 90's. Lived out there for a while, worked there, and played there. Last time I was through there, it looked like it was gettin' snazzy. Trying to move up into Ada's income bracket?

Is White's Bridge still standing?

[Darryl_Lessere]

deleted. writes " I will not post replies before I've had my morning coffee" ....500 times....

[Equuleus]

My goodness, so many practical folk about!* And FIFTY percent of your pay going into retirement savings?* Wow, that is admirable.*

On the off chance that (heaven forbid) you aren't around to reap the benefit of your commendably-budgeted retirment fund, I say buy whatever camera you WANT and pay no mind to whether it is the "appropriate" purchase or not.* I didn't get the impression that you were making money by photography, and many of us aren't, but still like to have the best photographic equipment we can afford, whether we are capable enough to use it to its fullest practical limits or not.* Life is uncertain!* Eat dessert first, and buy the camera you really WANT.* It sounds like you are more than practical in your everyday work life, and that is more than lots of folks can say.* Live a little NOW, get the camera you want even if it is more than you really need.* Who really makes purchases solely on those criteria?* Are you driving around in a 5-year-old Suzuki 4-banger?* I mean, it's all you NEED, right?* Likely, you are not.* Likely, most of us buy much more car than we "need."* Why people require that others only use equipment that has already been upgraded once is something I never understood.* WHO CARES if it is "still a great camera," if you want to upgrade, that should be your only real criterion.* You work hard, you earned your money, buy what you like.* Since you have admitted (dangerously, I might add) that it is going to be a toy, get a GREAT toy!* And use it well.* The 20D is a fine camera, no question there.* But if a 5D replacement comes out at PMA, the old 5D will likely drop in price.* I say get the 5D when the price goes down.* Reap the rewards of your hard work, and enjoy life (which is short).

[Kevin Barrett]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Saving is our priority. About 50% of our income goes into retirement savings (and I'm paid considerably more than I deserve). Bonuses are for toys.

LOWELL?? Good grief, talk about old times. I spent a LOT of time in Lowell in the late 80's/early 90's. Lived out there for a while, worked there, and played there. Last time I was through there, it looked like it was gettin' snazzy. Trying to move up into Ada's income bracket?

Is White's Bridge still standing?

LOL! Small world... Yep, Lowell is getting a little 'snazzy' these days: Running water, electricity, we've got it all! Seriously, ADA and Lowell are sort of fusing together. Lowell is pretty active in the "Arts" these days...

I'm participating with three other photographers in an upcoming show this April: "The Four Views of Lowell" I may post my series here when it's complete.

Cheers,

BTW: If you see a business in Phoenix on Camelback rd., called Alpha-Barrett's, that's my Uncles' business.

[jkurkjia]

Hi Brian:

First off the 17-40 is REALLY worth the money - a great lens on either a 1.6 or 1.26 sized sensor. I personally would not like to carry around the 16-35. An FYI - a lot of folks in another forum I frequent have been very happy with the performance of their 17-40 on a 5D (a relatively few have not been too happy).

Second, your 20D is a pretty good camera. I went for a long time using a 10D and the 17-40 worked on 90 percent of my southwest scenes (scenes that required greater WA were simply shot as panos). I personally see no reason for you to upgrade unless you absolutely need a 5D (which is an excellent camera). FWIW I use a 1DmkII with the 17-40 for landscapes and this setup nets me about 99 percent of my southwest scenes without resorting to panos. The reason I know your 20D is a good camera is I still use the 10D and get great 8x10 prints from my camera. I also use a 30D and have compared the three bodies; they all work great (good enough is good enough).

Third, you might consider applying your bonus towards a nice photography trip (maybe a week or two in Moab with your wife) rather spending money on a camera body that (1) may or may not be an absolutely necessity and (2) will be worth 1/3 of what you paid in a few years.

Fourth, I live near Phoenix. Maybe we should get some local forum members together and go hunting for some in-season photo opportunities.

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by jkurkjia

The reason I know your 20D is a good camera is I still use the 10D and get great 8x10 prints from my camera. I also use a 30D and have compared the three bodies; they all work great (good enough is good enough).

I'm more interested in increased dynamic range and colors than the increase in resolution. It just seems to be that better sensors tend to be "bigger" sensors, too.

Third, you might consider applying your bonus towards a nice photography trip (maybe a week or two in Moab with your wife) rather spending money on a camera body that (1) may or may not be an absolutely necessity and (2) will be worth 1/3 of what you paid in a few years.

Good suggestion but that requires time...which I don't have a lot of right now. Between the job and school, I get about one "free" day a week and one "free" evening. Everything else is booked in some way.

School break is in late June/early July. We'll be heading to Oregon to visit the in-laws on the Pacific Ocean.

Fourth, I live near Phoenix. Maybe we should get some local forum members together and go hunting for some in-season photo opportunities.

I'd be interested in doing something like that sometime!