Where to Invest $$$

I currently have around $1200 (probably a little less) to spend on camera

equipment, I will probably have another $1200 in the next couple of months to

spend (waiting on economic stimulus payment). And I'm debating where to spend

the money. I currently shoot on a 30D and a Rebel XT, I'm really uncomfortable

using the Rebel as a primary camera. My wife carries the rebel and I carry the

30d. So I have considered purchasing a new camera. (30D, 40D, 5D). I also

feel I am lacking in lenses, so I have considered buying a new lens. I

currently have the 50mm f1.8 (also have f1.4 but is being repaired), the 85mm

f1.8, the 60mm macro, 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS, 70-200 f/2.8 IS, 15mm f/2.8 fisheye,

18-55(kit lenses), sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6, sigma 28-70 f/2.8-4. What I think I

need another zoom lens. I like using the zooms, during a wedding I don't have

time to change lenses a lot. Obviously shooting weddings low light is always a

concern. My 70-200 does a good job covering the long end of photos. But I

would like to get a lens in the 17-150 range with a good f stop for the wider

shots and portraits. Obviously I understand that this can be a difficult

question but any help would really be appreciated. My ideal would be to buy the

5D, with the 24-105 lens, but I don't know if I can afford it.

The 5D is great. I've not used the others so can't comment. I used to use the 24-105 but found f4 too limiting so I'd advise against that (personally speaking) for low light work. The 24-70mm f2.8L and 70-200mm f2.8L are in my bag if I need them but ideally I'm using f1.4 and f1.2 L primes.

 

Investing in glass is something you'll never regret so I'd say that's more important than investing in a body. If investing in glass my preference is speed first, focal length versatility second (you can't always add more light, but you can walk further away or closer).

A full frame 5d would certainly be an awesome choice. Nice IQ and colors. It would eat up your entire budget though. a 40d /17-55 IS would be more suitable to your cashflow.

 

Ultimately, I guess it depends on what you feel your photos are missing, and whether or not new equipment is going to deliver that.

 

If you have two bodies, you're only really going to use 2 lenses, save for a swap to the macro here n there. So keep the 30d with the 70-200, and the 40d/5d with something that covers the shorter range, like a 17-55 IS since its going to do a bulk of the work. I doubt you'll miss the 55-70 range. just take a step back/forward =) Something that you could also consider as an equipment purchase would be picking up some photoshop actions. it can do just as much to change to look of a photo as a new lens would.

Often, new photographers place too much emphasis on equipment and not enough on training, professional development, and networking. I would (still) suggest spending money by joining http://www.ppcolorado.com/ and attending some pro conferences and trade shows.

To dovetail on David's memo, I recommend allocating enough money to attend at least

one in-depth seminar each year. Photography is about light. People photography

includes lighting, posing and composition. If if your style is PJ you can still, after

careful pre-wedding planning, position yourself where the light will flatter your subjects

and anticipate the moments when they are in camera position and in pose that will

make them look beautiful as well as recording the emotions of a happy day.

you've got a pretty solid bag of lenses if you ask me...

 

Maybe you feel you're lacking on the wide end? the 16-35 f2.8 or the EF-S 17-55 IS 2.8 might fill in the gap...

 

Then again, the 5D would probably solve all your problems... your wide lenses would actually be wide, and your wife could use the 30D with the 70-200 f2.8 to cover the long end?

Or... a 40D and a 17-55 IS f2.8... About $2000 and fills in all the gaps. I misread your post and assumed your 28-70 was the canon f2.8 version.

You answered your own question. Get a 17-55mm f2.8 or Tamron 17-50mm if you don't want to spend the bucks on an EFS lens. The 5D would be purely because you want one, which is perfectly fine, but don't confuse wanting one with needing one. I'm betting your clients aren't complaining about the image quality.

The 5D would put you way out of budget. Since you have two crop bodies in the 30D and XT, I would get the 17-55 2.8 lens. Then get a 40D body with the other $1200.

 

By the way, the XT is still a capable camera.

I would not have it as a main camera now, but still very capable as a backup.

 

I would also probably sell the sigma lenses if I were you.

(Canon's DPP does lens correction for the majority of Canon lenses you have, but not the sigmas).

I love the 5D but it is for a time when affording one is easy, and there is a learning curve too. (new thinking about DOF if you have only shot with crop bodies).

 

As things are, why not get a used 40D (about 900) on FM, then use the rest to get some nice glass.

 

I don't recommend the 17-55/is as the IS unit are a known bug and they fail eventually. However, if you don't care about loosing the IS eventually, the lens is great. Sharp and contrasty, fast and accurate focus, esp. on the 40d. You can get it used around 900 too.

 

Lastly, do you really need them or would you rather retire earlier, haha.

You certainly have a wide range of lenses...and really no gap as far as focal length is concerned. I agree with the reply concerning education. After 16 years in the field, I still take advantage of every educational opportunity that is feasible...this is an ever-evolving art and there is always something to be learned. I guarantee your clients will be more impressed with your new range of techniques, editing capabilities, etc. than what you carry around in your bag. Today's brides are sophisticated. They care about styles and trends. They want images that will wow their friends and family. Hone your skills and exceed their expectations...and if you do it well there will be plenty of cash coming in to get the additional gear you want. Happy shooting!

camera gear is NOT an investment, it's an expense! Especially digital cameras!

 

Your personal education and training is an investment, so I would rather try to expand my photographic (and business) horizons and capabilities than sink that money into equipment that is depreciating every time you use it, and which you only want because you feel your current camera doesn't look pro enough...

 

btw look at your lens lineup, you have everything covered twice already, from 15 to 300mm, so why buy another 24-135?! you have 10(!) lenses already... way overkill I would say! Also why is the 30D not good enough anymore?

 

1200$ put into good workshops (not necessarily wedding related, working with other specialists like advertising photogs, or commercial studio photogs can be an inspiration), or a general art education, or even a marketing workshop would be a far better approach IMO (and I still think that photographers should take more marketing and business classes than photography classes!)

 

just a thought, and no offense meant!

Jon,

 

I didn't see anything about flash or lighting equipment. Something you also might want to consider. Your bag of lenses look fine. Although I don't use Canon, I would recommend to get another a 40D, upgrade your flash equipment if needed and take a course or two.

Sell the XT, and go with the 5D. Or wait for the new 5D that is sure to be a 16MP camera at least, rivaling MF. You might be able to get a body with the 2400 and the $300 you can get for you XT. Then you can move into professional landscape photography too, and make really nice sharp quality 11 x 14's.

You didn't mention what type of lighting you have. How about a 580ex, 550ex, Pocket Wizards, or Radio Poppers?

 

Several mention this as well, but education will go A LONG way. I've been shooting for 22+ years and will be attending another seminar here in the next few weeks