Investing In Equipment.

I've been debating buying a new digital camera.  The first one I bought, a 3 mega pixel kodak, has served me rather well up to this point.  I got it back in 2001.  At the time I was unsure if it was a wise purchase, but I have to say I've put it to very good use.  It worked great for my small scale work.  With the macro function I had more than enough detail for documenting.

Now that I'm moving to larger work the camera is not quite good enough.  It's fine for posting things here on the net, but it's lacking really fine detail.  Luckily, for the moment, I can put the purchase off for a few more months.  I've got my eye on one of these.

For me, this is a huge expense and it's causing me a lot of hand ringing.  I'm having a hard time with it even though I know it's an investment.  Well, before I can even think about it  I have to get my existing debts down.  My finances are looking better over the next few months so I'll know by June whether or not I can go ahead with the purchase.

Comments

[Lyndon Bell]

Before buying a new camera, play around with lighting...For better modeling in the photos of your work, try using an off camera light source positioned slightly to the side of the painting...this will give you something of a Rembrandt effect which will make the scultptural qualities of your work more evident in photographs...if the resulting shadowing is too heavy, reposition the light to minimize it &/or place a reflector opposite the light source to reduce but not obliterate the shadows...I think you'll get pleasing, almost 3D results...

[Howard]

Thanks for the tips Lyndon! I'll give them a try.

[Elise]

Hi Howard, you may recall that last year I was in the market for a new digital camera, I did *extensive* reviews, interviews with photographers I know, etc. This site it excellent:http://www.dpreview.com/ They will show you side by side comparison shots of similar cameras going through various shooting challenges.

I ended up buying the Panasonic Lumix Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 (a 5 mega pixle) but they're out with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 now, which is their 8 megapixle camera...I'm not sure if it's important to you, but what I love about the camera is the 12x *optical* zoom! Also, they have leica lenses which are the best from what I've heard, and are cheaper than the cannons.

However, I do know someone with the digital rebel who absolutely loves it so maybe you just love what you know? Also, when you decide on a make a model you could let me know before you buy, sometimes I can root out cheaper deals (the librarian in me!)

Good luck!

[Elise]

btw, remember, you can probably deduct the expense of the camera from your taxes as a business expense!

[Howard]

Thanks Elise, I'm not going to really start to look for one for a few months yet. I'll let you know when I do.

That camera you pionted out looks very nice. I need to do some more research I think.