Do I have the best wife, or WHAT?!?

[schrackman]

Today my wife calls me up and informs me that she's getting her annual bonus on her next check, which bonus is going to be around $1200. She then told me that she knew I've been needing a new camera for a while and that she remembered I told her I could get a Canon 30D body for under that price, and if I wanted to I could go ahead and buy the camera! I can't tell you how overwhelming it is to know your wife thinks of you first when a big chunk of change comes her way! What a sweetie!

But now, here's my dilemma. Late last year my wife had me tear apart the hall bathroom for remodeling, but it's been sitting that way because we have not had the funds to finish remodeling it. I would very much like to see the bathroom finished (and the bonus would cover it), but on the same token I am aware of the fact that if I intend to push my photography in the next few weeks like I had planned to, it will be extremely beneficial for me to have a new camera with the DRebel as a backup. Especially after reading CLKunst's nightmare thread.

Anyway, I told my wife to hold off right now about making the decision to buy the camera until she comes home and we can talk about which way to go. Even if we don't decide to get the camera, I think I still have the sweetest wife in the world for thinking of me first.

[mjs1973]

That's great Ray. Maybe you can have your cake, and eat it too.

I too am shooting with the DRebel, and I am wanting to upgrade. After Photo John mentioned the XTi in another post, I decided to look into it a little bit. I downloaded studio sample photos of the 30D and the XTi. The XTi images blew away the 30D images at the higher ISO settings. This is one of the major shortcoming of the DRebel IMHO. I dread bumping it up to even ISO400. If I were you, I wouldn't even consider the 30D if you're hoping for better high ISO performance.

I'm still waiting to see what Canon comes out with to replace the 30D, but if I were in the position of having to upgrade right away, I would choose the XTi over the 30D. Then I would put the money I saved towards the 70-200 f/2.8 IS, or in your case, put it towards finishing the remodeling job.

Just my newest thoughts on upgrading.

[schrackman]

That's great Ray. Maybe you can have your cake, and eat it too.

I too am shooting with the DRebel, and I am want to upgrade. After Photo John mentioned the XTi in another post, I decided to look into it a little bit. I downloaded studio sample photos of the 30D and the XTi. The XTi images blew away the 30D images at the higher ISO settings. This is one of the major shortcoming of the DRebel IMHO. I dread bumping it up to even ISO400. If I were you, I wouldn't even consider the 30D if you're hoping for better high ISO performance.

I'm still waiting to see what Canon comes out with to replace the 30D, but if I were in the position of having to upgrade right away, I would choose the XTi over the 30D. Then I would put the money I saved towards the 70-200 f/2.8 IS, or in your case, put it towards finishing the remodeling job.

Just my newest thoughts on upgrading.

Great, now you got me wobbling between the XTi and the 30D, LOL!

I have to admit, though, going for the XTi would solve my dilemma. It's quite a step up from my DRebel and I would only lose a few features off the 30D, and it would leave us some money to get the bathroom on its way to completion.

Oh the choices we have to make. Just horrible. LOL

[mjs1973]

Great, now you got me wobbling between the XTi and the 30D, LOL!

I have to admit, though, going for the XTi would solve my dilemma. It's quite a step up from my DRebel and I would only lose a few features off the 30D, and it would leave us some money to get the bathroom on its way to completion.

Oh the choices we have to make. Just horrible. LOL

LOL, I think we all go through this type of thing when it comes to upgrading. I have never shot or even held the XTi, or the 30D, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I think both cameras would be huge steps up from the DRebel, but I think the XTi would be a much better choice. I'm looking for Canon to come out with a 30D replacement this fall, so if you weren't planning on upgrading till September anyway, I say finish the house project with the bonus $.

Another option is to take the bonus $ to Vegas, and double it. Then you can finish the house, and get a new camera.

[Frog]

I'm thinking I'm going to copy paste your thread down to the bathroom part and discreetly email it to my wife.
Really, it does sound like you have yourself a heck of woman there.

[schrackman]

I'm thinking I'm going to copy paste your thread down to the bathroom part and discreetly email it to my wife. Really, it does sound like you have yourself a heck of woman there.

Yes, she's a gem, Frog. Not simply because of what she said she's willing to do, but also because she puts up with me, LOL.

[walterick]

Surprise her by spending it all on her ;)

[schrackman]

Surprise her by spending it all on her ;)

Hey Rick, I was insinuating my wife is the selfless one, not me! LOL

Seriously, I've already decided to let her decide between using all the bonus for the bathroom or just part of it. So whatever she decides I'm fine with it. I wasn't planning on getting a new camera till September anyway. So it wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit to keep waiting.

[readingr]

Ray,

I have been struggling with the same issue of which DSLR to buy. Which items of the 30D would you really miss.

My only bug bear is that the 400D uses a different battery to the Pro1 which has the same battery as the 30D. But then batteries are cheap, right!

Personally I would finish the bathroom first, your wife will always choose the camera for you by the sound of it. I just made the decision last month to buy my wife covers for the boat which she's wanted for a long time, instead of going and getting the camera I want.

Roger

[poker]

Hi Ray,

I go through the same decisions several times a year. My wife gets "bonuses" and is always having me decide what to do with it. I have a house that's a constant fixer and I have a pricey hobby. I'm always trying to manage funds for the house and our more enjoyable interests.

I've always enjoyed your work and I think you do wonders with the DRebel. The XTI would be great for you. I think the larger MP sensor in the XTI will serve you better in the long run versus the 30D 8MP.

Also, finishing that home project will be appreciated by the both of you and will make the house nicer for sure (will help keep up the value).

Have a good one!

[Speed]

Ah man....

I thought you were going to tell us she bought you a NIKON!!!!!

;-)

It is great that she thought of you first.

You are a blessed man.

[another view]

That's great! One thing with digital cameras, it usually seems that the newest models always have a lot of advantages. Even though the XTI might not have all the capability of the 30D, there will be some improvements along the way. With Nikon it makes the less expensive and newer D80 very attractive next to the D200.

[schrackman]

Ah man....

I thought you were going to tell us she bought you a NIKON!!!!!

haha, you a funny man, Robert! Nikon...sheesh!

[AmberC]

That is pretty awesome We were in a similar situation here ourselves. My husband was planning on using half of our tax return on upgrades for his car. (He races) But I thought that the money would better be used paying off the credit card and putting up a new privacy fence for the back yard and electricity to his shed (which I dont think we need, but ok.. since he didn't get a garage )

I told him I was going to leave the decision up to him. I told him where I felt the money should go and let him make the decision himself. He really really wants this stuff for his car, but he made the decision to put the money towards our house (which we just bought in Nov.) and bills. I think he made the right decision and I know you will too.

(BTW.. I wouldn't mind a new lens and a flash with our tax return!! Guess I have to wait tho. )

[schrackman]

Well here's what "we" decided to do...

We're gonna buy the rest of the necessary materials this weekend to finish the bathroom, which we figure will probably run us no more than $800. Whatever is left over will go toward the camera. So it looks like we'll both get to have our cake and eat it too.

My wife didn't even think about the bathroom until I said something to her. But she's glad I brought it up. And so am I. I'm tired of looking at it the way it is. It'll be nice to have it functional once again. I'll have to take some before and after pictures to show you all what I mean (althgough some of you can probably already picture it in your heads).

Roger, after I did some comparisons I realized that whatever extra features the 30D has I can do without. Heck, I've been using the DRebel all this time and it has performed well. The XTi will be a very nice upgrade for the money. I'm looking forward to the bigger viewfinder too!

[Speed]

Sounds great!

It was kind (and oh, so smart) of you to suggest finishing the bathroom. An upgraded camera is still an upgraded camera. Even if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles you want.

Congratulations buddy! Let us know when you get your new toy.

[Alison]

My hubby is exactly the same with me.
He had a refund on his car insurance because they advised him wrongly.
A refund of over £1,200 (roughly $2,400)
He wanted to either buy the children a new computer to replace the very old, very slow one they had OR buy me a 5D.
My head was saying "have the 5D!"
My heart was saying "You have a camera that takes beautiful pictures and you are not earning money from your photography, get the computer."
So, the computer is what he bought

[readingr]

Word of advise - budget the bathroom carefully otherwise it will take the bonus and more

Well I got permission from the boss to go for the camera, and all the lenses I wanted plus she pointed out that I need a bag to carry it all in as my old one has a tear which doesn't exactly keep the water out.

Now I have to make the decision and the boss has now put the 5D in the frame. Help!

I just looked at the specs and the 5D is heavy at 810g with all the lenses that's some weight to carry around on walks. The 400D is looking more interesting by the minute at 510g. Do I really need a full frame sensor?

Roger

[MonkeyWrench]

I have had my share of experiences remodeling bathrooms and other projects. They have a very bad habit of absorbing all available cash. Good Luck - Hope to see a picture posted of your new bathroom taken with your new camera.

[jorgemonkey]

Well of course you could get the new camera and use it to make another $1200 to spend on remodeling, that would work well