To sell, or not to sell?

[JeffieLove]

So I just decided (thanks to another thread) that I am going to upgrade to a t2i when I get my tax money and student loans. I am second shooting a wedding in April and that is the only reason I can think of that I would need to keep my xsi body is for weddings... I think I am going to stick with family life type portraiture.

So, my question here is...

If I get the T2i, I will have to get a new grip. Total from Adorama, I'll be looking at about $800.

Should I keep the XSi or sell it to recoup about half of what I pay for the T2i?

 

[SpeedTrap]

If this is something you want to peruse to make money, then keep it as a backup. Wedding or a portrait shoot, nothing looks more foolish to a customer as having a camera break and not having a backup.
How would you feel, put yourself in the place of the customer, they may have spent time and money getting ready (Hair Cut, Make-up, Travel Time) and you have to send them away because the tool of your craft broke and you have no backup plan.

 

[Hardrock]

Have you thought about buying a used camera? And for what reason are you getting a grip?

 

[JeffieLove]

Have you thought about buying a used camera? And for what reason are you getting a grip?

I have thought about getting used. I just haven't researched the used prices yet...

I'm getting a grip because I have one now. I like having two batteries to drain before I have to charge... I like having the shutter button more accessible in portrait orientation... I like and want a grip...

 

[Stradawhovious]

Do you *need* the money to help fund the new body?

If not I say keep it. It would suck if even once you said "Jeez, I wish I still had that" when you didn't absolutely need to sell it to begin with. (goes for everything, not just camera bodies)

Ask me how I know...........





ETA I just saw what the XSi bodies are selling for used..... with grip.....

And in the big scheme of things it isn't a lot of money. It may seem like a lot right now, but by this time next year $450 isn't going to matter.

If it isn't going to break the bank, or starve your kids, I say keep it.

FWIW.

 

[bigtwinky]

If you don't need the money, it is always handy to have another camera as a backup.
As said, nothing looks more foolish than starting a shoot and having to cancel because the camera crapped out.

Why the upgrade to the T2i? Why not a 60D or even a 7D?
Is there something that the T2i offers that you don't have or don't like in the XSI? If you are mainly doing portraits and using flashes, then I don't see why you need the upgrade other than keeping up with the Jones. I'd even consider an upgrade to a 40D or 50D before a T2i... But thats me

 

[Robin Usagani]

skip the rebel lines. Not having two control wheels sucks!

 

[Overread36]

I agree with Twinky - I wouldn't really consider moving from rebel series to rebel series much of an upgrade barring moving up for video or say from a 300D or 350D (which are now more dated). Otherwise there are better options - a 40D second hand would be an ideal upgrade provided you can live without video whilst a 60D would be a midrange upgrade from a rebel series body. You've also the 50D to consider and also the used 5D market (since you're into weddings and such - though with the sensor size change you might need to save for longer so that you can upgrade to a working lens setup).

Keep a mind to lighting and lenses as well - rebels might not be the best there is, but get some good flash and lighting control and put a nice good quality lens infront and they can do a very respectable job in the right hands.

 

[Patrice]

Here is my old conservative self coming out: try as hard as you can to never borrow for the purchase of depreciating consumer goods used for personal pleasure or as a luxury. The camera starts dropping in value the moment you take delivery but the interest on the loan does not go away.

ie: It's not a good idea to use student loan funds to buy a camera for personal use when you already have one. Wait until you have a reliable source of income before spending on expensive luxuries. However, if the second camera will generate enough revenue to pay for itself and the accrued interest during the life of the camera then this becomes a different set of circumstances. For a one time shot at a photo gig you are better off renting or borrowing a second camera. The instant gratification made available through credit is very expensive. Besides, do you not feel some moral responsibility to use your probably government subsidised student loan for the purposes of your education?

 

[JeffieLove]

Do you *need* the money to help fund the new body?

If not I say keep it. It would suck if even once you said "Jeez, I wish I still had that" when you didn't absolutely need to sell it to begin with. (goes for everything, not just camera bodies)

Ask me how I know...........





ETA I just saw what the XSi bodies are selling for used..... with grip.....

And in the big scheme of things it isn't a lot of money. It may seem like a lot right now, but by this time next year $450 isn't going to matter.

If it isn't going to break the bank, or starve your kids, I say keep it.

FWIW.

Thank you for your perspective. I don't really NEED to sell the XSi to fund a new body... I just have a hard time with spending lots of hundreds of dollars without being able to immediately recoup some of the cost. It's just this weird thing with me...

Like when I got a new laptop, I had to know that I was going to be able to sell the old one for a decent amount before I bought a new one for $700. Granted, I only sold the old one for $250, but it still helped me justify the cost of the new laptop.

If you don't need the money, it is always handy to have another camera as a backup.
As said, nothing looks more foolish than starting a shoot and having to cancel because the camera crapped out.

Why the upgrade to the T2i? Why not a 60D or even a 7D?
Is there something that the T2i offers that you don't have or don't like in the XSI? If you are mainly doing portraits and using flashes, then I don't see why you need the upgrade other than keeping up with the Jones. I'd even consider an upgrade to a 40D or 50D before a T2i... But thats me

I don't really NEED a new body, I guess it is more or less just a "keeping up with the jones'" thing. As far as the 40d or 50d go, the 40d is about the same price, but I'm a little concerned about the lower MP. What kind of print size different is 2 MP going to make? As of right now I've not had anyone order prints bigger than 8x10, but I don't know what will happen further down the road... There was also something else that was holding me back on the 40d, I just can't remember what it is. I shoot with one in the studio at my college so I know how to use it and I'm comfortable with it... I just tried to google and find a side by side comparison of the xsi vs 40d where it has a chart with all the specs or something and couldn't find anything. If anyone can link me to one, I'd appreciate it

skip the rebel lines. Not having two control wheels sucks!

40D = not Rebel? Stupid question, I know.... :roll:

Here is my old conservative self coming out: try as hard as you can to never borrow for the purchase of depreciating consumer goods used for personal pleasure or as a luxury. The camera starts dropping in value the moment you take delivery but the interest on the loan does not go away.

ie: It's not a good idea to use student loan funds to buy a camera for personal use when you already have one. Wait until you have a reliable source of income before spending on expensive luxuries. However, if the second camera will generate enough revenue to pay for itself and the accrued interest during the life of the camera then this becomes a different set of circumstances. For a one time shot at a photo gig you are better off renting or borrowing a second camera. The instant gratification made available through credit is very expensive. Besides, do you not feel some moral responsibility to use your probably government subsidised student loan for the purposes of your education?

I would actually be upgrading the body with tax refund money, not student loan money. I do actually get paid a little bit for most of my sessions that I do HOWEVER I do NOT claim to be a pro. I'm far from it! I've had moments recently where I have felt like such a failure I've considered giving up on photography. But, I'm not a quitter...

So, easy answer to your question, my camera is a source of income right now. I live mainly off of my student loans to support my kids & I and I get a little extra from doing photo shoots for mostly friends. I put 25% of each photo shoot I get paid for into my kids' savings accounts. It's going to be about 3 more years before I have a reliable source of income and even then, there's no guarantee it will be anything "spectacular". Social Workers don't get paid much more than most teachers....

 

[Hardrock]

Like others have said I think you should look into a used 40 or 50d maybe even the 7d they have more features that the t2i doesn't have (except video) and the batteries last a long long time. And like Patrice said it would be best not to borrow the money, maybe rent first. But that is just my opinion so take it for what its worth!

 

[JeffieLove]

Like others have said I think you should look into a used 40 or 50d maybe even the 7d they have more features that the t2i doesn't have (except video) and the batteries last a long long time. And like Patrice said it would be best not to borrow the money, maybe rent first. But that is just my opinion so take it for what its worth!

I think you were posting while I was typing..

I'll technically be using tax refund money to get a new body, not student loan money.

 

[kundalini]

I likes me some bright, new, shiney toys. But then again, when it comes to gear, I'm a

Having two camera bodies is a nice thing. I don't know the Canon line, but it seems a few have made good recommendations that if you are going to upgrade, well then, upgrade. A lateral move is not really all that wise.

 

[Patrice]

Sarah,

The responses you have given have clarified a few things. Your photography is generating revenue so can be dealt with for tax purposes as a small personally owned business. If you declare the income then you can claim the depreciation as well as the cost of the money. In your case the camera might be a good idea if you foresee the purchase increasing your chances of generating more income. As a small business operator you can also claim a small part of your household expenses if you show that a certain part of your home is dedicated to it (a desk, computer, printer, etc set up in the corner of a separate room). The administrative burden of a small single proprietor private business is not really that high. Set up costs are really very minimal.

 

[bigtwinky]

Getting paid $75 for some images <> small business.

If you dont need, dont buy. Save that money for when you need to upgrade (body or lens) and spend it then.

People today have a need to spend money once they get it.