Making a big purchase

Joshua Krause , Jul 31, 2008; 04:36 p.m.

I'm sure this question has come up before, I'm sorry for repeating, but I was really hoping for a personalized answer from you guys for my dilemma. I've been following photo.net for years, silently of course. I read the forums and look at the photos and such, but this is my first contribution.

I've been a "prosumer" for quite a few years now, and have reached the point where I would like to really push my photography into a business where I can generate a real income. I've been doing side projects, such as weddings and engagements and portraits, etc for a few years but it's now time.

I'm selling a property and am going to have some real money to spend, but I'm torn as to what body to buy. I have always followed the Rebel line, from the original to now I have a Rebel XSI with a 70-200 F4L and the stock 18-55 IS that comes with the Rebel, as well as the 50 1.8 and the 28 2.8, both cheap lenses. I've also got the 580 EX and a 430 EX.

So far I've picked out my glass, 16-35L 2.8, the 24-70L 2.8, and the 70-200L 2.8 IS with Hoya UV filters and Circular Polarizers for each (are B+W filters really worth the extra?).

Anyway, where I'm torn is between the 1D Mark 3 or the 1DS Mark 3. I could afford 2 1D Mark 3's, one for a backup but most likely I would have the 70-200 on 1 and the 24-70 on the other, but I cannot afford both a 1DS and a 1D. I had thought about the 1DS and a 5D, but I really like the 10 FPS of the 1D. Plus I love the wireless file transmitter for the 1D.

I live in Canada so my prices are quite a bit higher than the US, I'm trying to stay under 20K for all of it, including batteries, cases, and if the budget allows maybe some Alien Bees and accessories.

So basically I have 3 questions now that you know my situation. First, would you do the 1DS and a 5D backup or two 1D bodies. Second, I know those lenses are excellent choices but would you think they are right for my focus. Third, are the B+W filters really worth double the cost of the Hoya?

Thanks again for any answers, I never had issues deciding until it came to the big money!

Responses

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Leo C , Jul 31, 2008; 04:46 p.m.

It's best to have your backup, be the same camera. That's why I would suggest the 1D III X 2 route. But, instead of getting the 16-35mm I would get the 24-70mm f/2.8L, 85mm f/1.2L and the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS combination. It's sounds like you want to get into event photography so how could you live without the magic of the 85L? It's the best for portrait work! King of Bokeh! King of low light/fast glass!

Steve Torelli , Jul 31, 2008; 04:53 p.m.

I like Len's lens lineup as well. Get the 85 1.2, in the right hands, magic is not too strong a word. As an event or portrait photographer, the 16-35, nice as it is, would be much less valuable to you. Good luck.

David Amberson , Jul 31, 2008; 05:19 p.m.

I totally agree with both Steve and Len 100%.

I have a 1D3 and love absolutley everything about it. Unbelievable at high ISO! You can literally shoot anything with this camera. I have done some very large prints with it. Very sharp 18x24. I'm sure your work wont require this very often. Probably 11x14 at the most. I wish I could afford another one. I would like to run my 24-70 f2.8L on one and 70- 200 f2.8L IS on the other. I know if I squeeze something with the 40D I have I will always wonder how the shot would have been with the 1D. If you've never used a 1D, get ready. Its a beast, but man its worth it. If you are coming from a Rebel, you are gonna be shocked at the results. Provided you shoot it right to begin with.

The view finder is big and beautifull. That probably will shock you the most. Its like not using a view finder at all after looking through a Rebel view finder. Focus speed, accuracy, feel, speed speed speed. The files are so clear and smooth, but very sharp. I like shooting grandparents with it. There is something about the way the files look. Maybe its the contrast in the skin, but it looks so real, smooth, sharp. I guess you can tell I like my 1D3. I gotta get off here and go shoot now. See Ya. Good luck with your decision, best of luck with your business.

Gil Pruitt , Jul 31, 2008; 05:36 p.m.

I'm a big fan of buying things incrementally. If it was me I'd get one 1 DIII and the 24-70mm, use the XSi as backup and when it paid for itself and if I had reached for some other piece of equipment several times then I'd just get whatever I felt the need for. You don't have to buy it all at once, specially if you aren't sure what you need or want. You're in business to make money not spend money. Good luck!

Stephen Elliott , Jul 31, 2008; 05:48 p.m.

The 1D3 is a very special camera - 2 is even better!

Joshua Krause , Jul 31, 2008; 05:50 p.m.

Wow, quick responses.

Gil, I agree and I've been piecing things together for 7 years now, which I know is short term compared to many people on this site. Part of the fun and the excitement is buying it all at once. Besides, even if the business doesn't go I wouldn't regret the purchases. Photography is my life. Hopefully 20 years down the road I will still feel the same!

As for the 85 1.2, I have read many great reviews about it and originally it was in my list of to buy. I originally had a bunch of primes cause I like fast apertures, but ended up switching over to the zooms because 3 lenses is far easier to lug around than 6 or 7.

However, I am definately not opposed to switching the 16-35 for the 85. It's a couple hundred dollars more expensive, but extremely fast. I have used the 3 zooms but I've never used the 85 1.2. Does anyone have any images taken at F1.2 that I could see, besides the examples on the canon site. I'd love to see a real world example.

Michael Liczbanski , Jul 31, 2008; 05:53 p.m.

My advice: get some used full frame stuff and see if your business has legs. 1Ds2 or 5D, a small backup camera, a lens or two, some serious lights, and you are set. That's all you need for the declared business purpose. As opposed to hobby, you must do cost analysis on all your purchases if you wish to run a successful business. Besides, in my book, starting from $20K - Canadian or US - in the hole is a bad business practice. YMMV of course. As an aside, have you ever tried shooting a wedding with a 1Ds3 and 1D3 body, plus 2 lenses and lights on you? If not, try it - it is a very quick way to developing a very serious hatred for photography: this stuff is veeeeery heavy and after an hour or so one tends to question one's sanity and starts looking for a 5D with a smallish zoom :-)))

Stephen Elliott , Jul 31, 2008; 06:15 p.m.

The question is, is the 24-70 (30-90 with crop) wide enough? I love the extra reach, but do you also require a wide angle as well? The 24-70 f2.8 is a superb general purpose lens btw. While not a pro lens, the 85 f1.8 is a very good yet cheap lens that could help with the budget if you wanted to keep the 16-35.

Gabriel Mojay , Jul 31, 2008; 06:19 p.m.

It's surely more important to buy the best possible camera rather than be side-tracked from doing so because of immediately wanting a back-up. (A 1Ds and 5D sounds like a perfect combo to me, unless you intend to shoot sports.)

Regarding whether or not you should pay extra for B&W filters, I personally am convinced by the following, which you may have already come across - http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/B+W-UV-Filter.aspx

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