Need help with new camera purchase

MichiganFarts · Jan 28, 2011

I know everyone loves to help with new camera purchases, and I've narrowed it down.

I currently own the D70, which for the last 3 years has been a great digital camera for me, considering I had some crappy Kodak p&s before that.

Here's my dilemma, I was set on buying a used D90, because I know it's going to be the best upgrade for my budget. Which is actually $0 when I'm discussing it with my wife, but it goes up a little more when I'm online shopping by myself.

However, recently one of my co-workers walked in with the D7000 and was showing it around, and taking pictures with it.

Now I suddenly feel the need for the D7000, even though my personal research concluded the D90 would suffice.

Here's what I shoot - whatever is in front of my camera when I click the button thingie.

Here's how much money I've made with my camera equipment purchases to date: (apprx) -$6500.

I'd have to pay off my Best Buy card, and then put it on the card on an 18mo. 0 interest promotion in order to afford it. That's my thoughts.

Did seeing that camera clue me in to a legitimate need for the D7000, or is it something else? Please help.

Abby Rose · Jan 28, 2011

Well, you should make two lists, with all the information about each camera. Then lay them out side by side and see what more you get for the larger price, and then think if you really need (want) it.

Seriously, it works every time. Not just for cameras, or even purchases, but for anything.

Sorry I can't tell you any specific info on the two.

tirediron · Jan 28, 2011

Just to clarify, you have made $6500 in revenue from photographic work, or does the fact that it's written in red mean that you are in the hole for $6500?

Either way, it doesn't sound to me like your bduget is in the shape to afford a D7000, UNLESS you are planning on using it to make money (in which case I would NOT by a D7000). By all accounts it's a great camera, BUT the D90 is plenty capable on it's own, and will be a significant upgrade over your D70.

Offhand, I can't think of anything that the D7000 does that the D90 doesn't do. There are lots of things that the D7000 may do better, but do you need that at the sake of going further into debt? My guess would be no.

MichiganFarts · Jan 28, 2011

The negative sign and red do mean I've never made a dime off of photography.

Unfortunately, back when I bought my Nikon N90s kit and my sigma zoom lens, they weren't going for $40 a piece on Ebay :x.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Jan 28, 2011

Compare the Nikon D7000 vs Nikon D90

I agree with Tired Iron. If wanting to try to make money, go for the d7000. More room to grow, and if you shoot everything, you would want to be prepared for everything ( faster fps, and shutter speed, 2card slots and a longer battery life ) Both are very nice cameras though. You could also get the D90 and a really nice used lens to add to your arsenal.

flatflip · Jan 28, 2011

You will not want to hear this but it needs to be said. Don't purchase a camera on credit. (of course that does't apply to people that make money with their equipment) 1. Pay off all your cards. 2. Save some cash. With some cash in a shoebox, you will really know what to spend it on because you will hate to see it disappear. (and I'm not talking about love of money, just priorities)

That being said; I think the D90 is an awesome upgrade but I think the D7000 is better. Not necessarily better for the money but more features for more money.

mjhoward · Jan 28, 2011

Based on your budget of $0, I think you should keep what you've got. If you're not making any money off of your photography, then either you're leaving it as a hobby, or you've not realized the potential of the gear you already have. If it is just a hobby, you dont need the latest and greatest to have fun with it and you certainly don't need to put yourself in debt over it. If you havn't realized the full potential of your gear... then there's no need for an upgrade anyway. Sounds more like a want than a need and sometimes we can't always have what we want. I would never finance/borrow for anything other than a house.

MichiganFarts · Jan 28, 2011

flatflip said:
You will not want to hear this but it needs to be said. Don't purchase a camera on credit. (of course that does't apply to people that make money with their equipment) 1. Pay off all your cards. 2. Save some cash. With some cash in a shoebox, you will really know what to spend it on because you will hate to see it disappear. (and I'm not talking about love of money, just priorities)

That being said; I think the D90 is an awesome upgrade but I think the D7000 is better. Not necessarily better for the money but more features for more money.

I buy my shoes from goodwill, they don't come in boxes.

MichiganFarts · Jan 28, 2011

The card is used to hide the price of the purchase from my wife FYI. My budget is much more than $0 right now 'cause my wife's not here.

Isn't anyone else here married lol? Charge to the card on 18mo. 0% financing, and pay it off when your refund check hits.

Where do people get the idea just 'cause I'd have to pay off my BB card to purchase the D7000, that I'm not responsible with credit?

BTW, I got a baby coming in May, and I want the camera before then. So there's the added reason of using financing. Key word, is interest free.

Overread · Jan 28, 2011

Set yourself up a little savings bank account - nothing fancy, just an account which you don't draw from (put the debit card in the freezer - in a block of ice to help avoid impulse purchases and of course dont' get a credit card with the account).

Then whenever you've a little cash to spare slip it into the bank account and let it sit in there. You can also use a camera box if you prefer to keep it all in cash and not in the bank.

I know very much how you feel (I make 0 and spend lots on my photography too) and I've often dabbled with the idea of monthly payments and other ways to get what I want now when I can't afford it - but often I get a cold reminded that monthly repayments and such only work if you're getting disposable income greater than that amount each month. It only takes an extra bill in one month and a few light extras (esp if you've got a family) to quickly drain a month of some savings - and its then that the credit groups get their claws into you.

Ps - not married but - darn it lies don't make a happy bed esp if you have added stress/financial concerns soon to appear. I know often we over-exaggerate things and use a bit of bravado when chatting with mates about things, but do play it safe when it comes to "hiding" purchases from teh other half. A chocolate bar here and there is nothing ,but when its more serious cash it can cause problems (esp if something crops up that causes you to miss a payment)

MichiganFarts · Jan 28, 2011

I guess my "in order to afford it" line sorta threw everyone off.

I don't say that because I'm broke and am living paycheck to paycheck. I say that, because right now I'm not willing to take the money from other places of my budget.

I'm currently working on paying off my van, which is on a 5 year loan, in 3 years. This is year number 3. So naturally, my refund check is going to get eaten up with that.

If I want to use 18mo. interest free financing to get a camera before my new baby comes, I'm gonna do it.

Notice I mentioned paying off my Best Buy card before I made the purchase. I could walk in there right now and charge it if I wanted to. But I don't care for stacking promotions like that, easy to get ahead of yourself.

I do not have credit issues, I never have. If you do, that's fine, but your advice is going to fall on the ears of people who should be giving you advice.

I am not hiding the purchase from my wife, I'm hiding the cost of the purchase from my wife. Trust me, she doesn't want to know.

I hope all your assumptions are all cleared up now.

jcrob33 · Jan 28, 2011

Ya don't buy anything...

Juice · Jan 28, 2011

Get your balls out of her purse and buy it.

However, I would balance my budget so that I could get a nice lens as well. The lens I shoot with mostly was almost twice as much as my camera, and boy does it make a world of difference! No point in having a nice camera with a crap lens attached to it.

MichiganFarts · Jan 28, 2011

Juice said:
Get your balls out of her purse and buy it.

However, I would balance my budget so that I could get a nice lens as well. The lens I shoot with mostly was almost twice as much as my camera, and boy does it make a world of difference! No point in having a nice camera with a crap lens attached to it.

And this is what sucks. If it wasn't for this, I'd buy the D7000 in a heartbeat.

I can justify buying another lens if I bought a D90.

Right now the only decent lens I have is the 85mm 1.8. I want a wider zoom lens.

I just can't talk myself into buying the D7000, and I guess nobody else here can either :lol: