Buying a Digital Camera - Canon EOS 20D
As I get back into my photography hobby, I'm looking to catch up technology-wise. So, my next camera is going to be digital. I've been spoiled by the creative control of an SLR camera, so consumer point-and-shoots are out. I'm hooked on Canon's superior electronics and ergonomics, so that narrows down my choices to Canon digital EOS cameras. My dream camera is the EOS 1Ds Mark II, but at $8,000, that would take a serious bite out of my next major purchase (house, car, etc.). I really like the full-frame digital sensor of the 1Ds M2 because of the depth-of-field offered by a full frame. On the other hand, 45 oz. is a bit on the heavy side. At the low end are the digital Rebel models, but I want a little more control than that.
That leaves me with the EOS 20D at a reasonable 20-something oz. in weight and all of the creative controls I want, not to mention a top-notch digital sensor with high sensitivity and sharpness and low noise. The only serious shortcoming of the 20D is the 1.6x smaller (than 35mm) digital sensor, which means I lose a little over one stop of depth-of-field control (if I understand the optical equations correctly). The price is modestly high ($1,939 with 17-85mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM lens) but justifiable for the features and quality offered by the 20D.
I've been trying to justify purchasing an EOS 20D on financial terms. I figure the cost of purchasing and processing a roll of film is $5. If I avoid using 400 rolls of film, I've paid for a $2,000 camera. At the peak of my photography hobby, I was easily using 5 rolls per week, but now I'm down to 1 roll per month. I figure with a new camera, I'll get back up to 1 roll per week, which would take 8 years to justify the cost of the $2,000 camera. Then there's the $100 compact flash card, the $400 580EX flash, and the $500 75-300 mm IS USM lens. All of which will add another 4 years to break even. That's 12 years to pay off $3,000 worth of camera by avoiding the use of film.
I have more interesting plans, though. I'd like to sell my photographs. I understand you can get $100-$500 for each photo that's published by a magazine. If I can get $250 worth of photos published per month, I'd pay off the $3,000 in equipment in 14 months. Then I can go on to buy the 35 mm f/1.4L lens!
I recently ordered "The Photographer's Market" through Amazon.com. This book lists all the magazines that accept freelance photography submissions. I think $250 of photos sold per month is doable. That will also spur me to get out more.
That leaves me with the EOS 20D at a reasonable 20-something oz. in weight and all of the creative controls I want, not to mention a top-notch digital sensor with high sensitivity and sharpness and low noise. The only serious shortcoming of the 20D is the 1.6x smaller (than 35mm) digital sensor, which means I lose a little over one stop of depth-of-field control (if I understand the optical equations correctly). The price is modestly high ($1,939 with 17-85mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM lens) but justifiable for the features and quality offered by the 20D.
I've been trying to justify purchasing an EOS 20D on financial terms. I figure the cost of purchasing and processing a roll of film is $5. If I avoid using 400 rolls of film, I've paid for a $2,000 camera. At the peak of my photography hobby, I was easily using 5 rolls per week, but now I'm down to 1 roll per month. I figure with a new camera, I'll get back up to 1 roll per week, which would take 8 years to justify the cost of the $2,000 camera. Then there's the $100 compact flash card, the $400 580EX flash, and the $500 75-300 mm IS USM lens. All of which will add another 4 years to break even. That's 12 years to pay off $3,000 worth of camera by avoiding the use of film.
I have more interesting plans, though. I'd like to sell my photographs. I understand you can get $100-$500 for each photo that's published by a magazine. If I can get $250 worth of photos published per month, I'd pay off the $3,000 in equipment in 14 months. Then I can go on to buy the 35 mm f/1.4L lens!
I recently ordered "The Photographer's Market" through Amazon.com. This book lists all the magazines that accept freelance photography submissions. I think $250 of photos sold per month is doable. That will also spur me to get out more.
posted by Bernie at 6:52 AM
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