New Camera or New Lenses?

[drifter136]

I'm trying to decide whether to get a 10D/20D or new lenses. Currently I have an Elan 7 35mm with a Canon 28-90 USM and Tamron 75-300 lens. Since I can't afford a DSLR and new lenses right now, I'm trying to decide which would be the more practicle choice.

I really like digital photography. I like being able to have my pictures on a computer where I can print what I need rather than having tons of prints laying around. Digital allows for cheap practicing and I like getting instant feedback to see what I'm doing right or wrong....however...

I would really like to start upgrading to canon "L" glass and/or Sigma "EX" glass. I kind of feel that the longer I stay with 35mm, the more money I'm going to be spending in the long run. I know that with my little A75, I don't hesitate one bit to snap away, but with film I don't take nearly as many pictures because of film and processing costs.

Any advice?

[PerPlunk]

I'm mostly biased towards film for its superior ability to capture more detail, but then I prefer to work in MF and LF, so as far as digital goes there isn't anything yet that can really compete with it. Just wanted to mention that so you know where I'm coming from... In terms of new lenses or a new camera, I'd look at it this way... Camera bodies come and go, a good lens is always a good lens. If you want to eventually change your system over to digital but also want to "upgrade" your lenses, I'd first get better lenses. The digital world is changing at near light speed, if you spend your money on good lenses now they will still be good lenses for a long long time. If you buy a digital camera body right now, it may be a decent camera right now, but I guarantee you that in a year it will be a lot cheaper, and there will be a better digital camera on the market to take its place...

That being said, I'd like to state my thoughts on photography... Though by far not original, I do believe that being a good photographer has nothing to do with your equipment. If you think that a digital camera will help you refine your craft, then by all means you should get the digital body first. Your equipment should always be something that is a means to an end. I can certainly see where the freedom of taking as many shots as you please could really help the learning process. I know I have been tempted on many occasions to get a digital body, especially when every negative on the the 4"x5" is about $4, the only thing that has really kept me from "taking the plunge" is the high price and short life-span of these cameras...

Hopefully all that has helped a bit... Good luck...

[Michael Fanelli]

I'm trying to decide whether to get a 10D/20D or new lenses. Currently I have an Elan 7 35mm with a Canon 28-90 USM and Tamron 75-300 lens. Since I can't afford a DSLR and new lenses right now, I'm trying to decide which would be the more practicle choice.

I really like digital photography. I like being able to have my pictures on a computer where I can print what I need rather than having tons of prints laying around. Digital allows for cheap practicing and I like getting instant feedback to see what I'm doing right or wrong....however...

I would really like to start upgrading to canon "L" glass and/or Sigma "EX" glass. I kind of feel that the longer I stay with 35mm, the more money I'm going to be spending in the long run. I know that with my little A75, I don't hesitate one bit to snap away, but with film I don't take nearly as many pictures because of film and processing costs.

I am heavily pro-digital but there are two courses of action here.

Lenses make the photograph. Is your desire for new lens based on actual fact, observable problems, with your existing lenses? Lots of people assume that composition, lighting, and talent is changed if the lenses are changed. That isn't true, you'll get the same shots with L glass as with Wal-Mart specials. You should be able to list what you see that is wrong. If there are observable defects, then new lenses will help. If not, you haven't found a need to upgrade.

Film is extremely expensive to use. It doesn't take long for film and processing costs (even leaving out scanning costs) before you've spent enough to buy new lenses. Digital is not only substantially cheaper it also gives you vastly more control over your images. The learning potential with digital is tremendous.

For me, I'd buy the digital camera and improve my photography using the lenses I have. By the time I've gotten good use out of them, I'd be in a better position, creatively and financially, to upgrade the lenses. But only you can determine the best course of action for you!