New body or new lens. Help, I have no idea what to do.

[sarad]

I feel so behind other photographer's equipment wise. I have a canon rebel T3 which I adore. I own a few lens, 50 mm f1.8, 70-200mm f4.6, and 18-55mm (kit lens).

My question is, is it time to upgrade the body since I'm shooting professionally for people or just invest in better lens? I've heard so many mixed things. I've heard that a rebel T3 can shoot just as good of a photo as any camera with the perfect lens and the photographer knowing how to work the camera effectively.

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[Designer]

Are you experiencing limitations with the current body or is it merely new gear lust? If the former, sit down and write out the pros and cons of the current vs a new body. Make another column for the qualities of a body that you would be willing to wait for. Total them up, and see where you stand.

Do the same for your lenses.

 

[KmH]

If you are accomplishing what you want to with what you have now, you don't need to upgrade anything.

Apparently you have no backup camera.

"Hi Ms. Smith, this is sarad. I have to cancel your session because my camera quit working. I'll call you back to reschedule the session as soon as I can get another camera."

The T3 is Canon's most basic, entry-level, consumer grade, DSLR camera.
The T3 lacks a feature very often used to make professional quality images - Spot metering mode. The T3 does have Partial, Center-Weighted, and Evaluative metering
Spot metering mode, or a hand held light meter, is needed in many on location and creative light shooting situations to accurately expose peoples faces.

No doubt, few if any of your clients will know that.

It's like having a hammer, wrench, and pliers in your tool box, but no screwdriver.

Being professional is about more than being paid.
Being professional is also about business and having some level of photography equipment technical expertise that allows you to make equipment purchase decisions based on technical need as it relates to business financial considerations.

 

[ronlane]

From hanging around here for the last year +, I think most are going to say that good glass will trump a new body, considering the body you have. But I do agree with Designer about the limitations of the body or lenses. In my experience at the moment, I am looking at upgrading body and wanting new glass too. It is probably 60-40 gear lust vs. limitations of my setup.

 

[sarad]

I want this to be my back up camera. The only problem is that if I get a new body I'll need new lens since the ones I have now prob won't work with the new body since I'd be going to a full frame. Or do I have that all wrong? Lol

 

[Juga]

It you go full frame then your EF-S lenses won't work on the full frame body. Why do you feel the need to go full frame? The 50mm will work on a full frame BTW

 

[EIngerson]

I agree with KMH. If you are getting the results you want with what you have, why worry about it.


On the flip side of that, if you're a professional, you're prepared for equipment failure. a dropped lens or a failed shutter will shut things down in a heartbeat if you're not prepared. If you're running a business, invest in your business and get the professional gear you need.You owe that to your clients.

 

[sarad]

I agree, but I'm just starting out doing this for money. I kind of need to make money to buy more. We all start somewhere, right?

I get what you are saying, though. I do need backup but damn these things are expensive! Lol

 

[Juga]

The 60D is a good camera and you should be able to get it for a real bargain right now because the 70d was released. It would give you slightly more MP, 9 cross type focus points which would help with your focus issues that you mentioned in another thread, and your EFS lenses would work. Just a thought

Other advantages to like spot metering etc.

 

[EIngerson]

I agree, but I'm just starting out doing this for money. I kind of need to make money to buy more. We all start somewhere, right?

I get what you are saying, though. I do need backup but damn these things are expensive! Lol

True, but if you're going to call it a "business" invest in the tools to provide professional results. I suggest studying up on "business" if you have photography down. If you are smart about the investment, the dividends will more than pay for it.


Good luck.

 

[sarad]

True. So do I buy a cheap backup body or get a pricey body and use the t3 as a back up? I know this all depends on my pocket book, but what would you do??

 

[Designer]

I do need backup but damn these things are expensive! Lol

Yes, and it's not just the cameras, but as you know, lenses as well. And then there are lights, light modifiers, stands, backdrops, computer, software, marketing, travel, license, insurance, taxes, and of course, your own time. And I am probably leaving something out.

 

[Braineack]

Are you experiencing limitations with the current body or is it merely new gear lust? If the former, sit down and write out the pros and cons of the current vs a new body. Make another column for the qualities of a body that you would be willing to wait for. Total them up, and see where you stand.

Do the same for your lenses.

I like this.

When I owned my D3100 I had two main compaints (as well as various little things): the low-light performance and the LCD screen.

So when a used, affordable, D5100 came up for sale here I jumped on it and sold my D3100 to make up most of the cost to upgrade. So for around $100 total invesment, I was able to jump to a body that addressed my two big complaints as well as numerous minor ones.

It's still not perfect, but I don't feel as limited my my body now and will continue to use it until I reach another point where I really feel like I might need better body to handle the low-light stuff I want to do. I'm also finding that maybe I want a body that has a higher flash sync speed. I'd love to be able to shoot outdoors with my sb-700 at 1/1000, not 1/250sec.

Same for my lenses.

I had a 10-24mm that I barely shot with. I liked it, but I wasn't using it. I kept hearing about how great the 85mm 1.8G is and I wanted to try to take more portraits so I was able to sell the one and buy the other used for under $50 in total investment.

I also had a 55-300mm that took great shots, but I would have trouble with the slow focus of it. Everyone talks here about how great the 70-300mm is and how fast it focuses, so i decided to sell the 55-300mm for the 70-300mm. They were right. It's a significant improvement in the speed the lens can focus which is good for when I'm out trying to shoot moving objects, something the previous struggled with.

Sure it's no 70-200mm 2.8, but right now it's working for what I need (and my pocketbook), so who cares what others use so long as what you have works for you.

 

[EIngerson]

True. So do I buy a cheap backup body or get a pricey body and use the t3 as a back up? I know this all depends on my pocket book, but what would you do??

I don't know your finances or anything about your situation, but I can say this. As a business owner, if you run into a situation where you can't provide the services you promised, it never ends well. I wish you luck.

 

[ronlane]

True. So do I buy a cheap backup body or get a pricey body and use the t3 as a back up? I know this all depends on my pocket book, but what would you do??

Like it was mentioned above. Consider the 60D as a new main with the T3 as the backup and put money away to upgrade from there.