money to burn

Well not really, but got your attention, eh?  You guys probably remember me. Kind of all over the place in Indiana

I actually have money towards a christmas present. I'm undecided between a new computer or a new camera. I want a laptop to start/run the business end of things. 2008 is the year the business gets started.

I quit my part time job at the library because it was interferrng with family...and not enough $$ for the  hassle. I'm not greedy...just realistic...it wasn't enough $ for the inconvenience/travel time.

So now I'm serious...I'm going to start.

I have an n80 film camera, and a d70..digital. I'm so tired of the hit/miss with d70, but the film is expensive to buy/develop! I'm going to finally take a class on photoshop so I will have some more formal type training.

Re the computer; we have one computer for a family of 5 that's in pretty constant demand. (well it won't be when they go back to school next week, but it's only got 512 ddr ram and cs3 freezes up on it). It's about 3 yrs old so it's getting tired as well. I could get a laptop for maybe $600 if I really shop...that could handle cs3 that'd work with a calibration device. I'm hesitant to jump camera bodies because if I can't make the d70 work, maybe it's me? I like my 85 1.8, but it's not the end all in low light situations. Maybe a flash and bracket would be the next step camera wise? ...learn how to bounce flash? I'm grrrr...confused.
Probably not ready to take this step, but if I keep postponing...will I ever be?
Thanks in advance for your recommendations.
Paula

Hi Paula
That's a tough situation.  Running my business I have always bought what I needed more at the time... which was usually the camera, or lens, or flash.  However, it sounds like you are in need of both a camera and a computer pretty bad.  
Can you run your business with just film for now?  Does your computer do what it needs to and can it be free enough for you to use it (there are weeks in the summer where I am on it for hours a day)?
And yes, get your business going, there is no reason to wait.  I find myself waiting to do things for reasons that don't make sense.  I am learning to jump in and do things NOW.

What about spending it on marketing and building your business rather than buying equipment to replace what you already have?  I understand the need to have equipment to use, but it sounds like you already have at least a working set of tools. 

For the computer upgrading the RAM would probably help a lot.  I went from 1g to 2g in mine and it made a huge difference.  Starting at 512m you'll probably notice an even bigger jump. 

Pretty much . . . what Bob said.

Don't go out and spend money before you know what you are going to do unless you have it to spare.

Before I started shooting professionally, I had a job that paid very well, I still do actually.  This allowed me to play around with whatever kind of shooting I wanted and buy pretty much anything that I wanted.  My camera gear didn't have to support itself.  Now, even though I still have the job, I make my business support itself and I am much more selective about what I spend my hard earned money on. 

The computer is probably a worthwhile investment in any case, so I you shouldn't need much advice there.  Although I will tell you that my current system is an HP, about 3 years old.  I have added memory to bring it up to 1G and I have several harddrives and external DVD writers hanging off of it now.  It's a little slow running CS3, but it gets me by.  I may spend the money to replace this is 2008. 

You D70 is still a very capable camera and should serve you well as a backup/second body for whatever you decide to shoot.  I have a D80 and, although it is a little different to work with than my D200, I could shoot everything that I want with it.  The D200 is a great camera, but you may not need to spend that kind of money right now.

The question that you need to answer is:  What about my current gear is holding me back?  You need a back up digital body for almost anything that you could want to do.  You might get away with the film backup if you are only going to shoot children, but event then you want to be able to grab another camera and keep going when there is a problem.  Do you need longer glass?  Shorter?  Faster?  Only you can answer these questions.  Then, we can help you with what to buy to resolve the problem.

Ed

I appreciate your responses. My husband takes care of the household expenses. I'm looking to do photography to pay for my kids high school (private school tuition - next sept) so I have a while to make it work. If it doesn't work in the correct amount of time, I can always get a "real job" to help with expenses. This is an opportunity. I can make the d70 work. It's just grrr...you know. I'm not into the biggest camera on the block but have enough of an investment in nikon that I'll probably not switch over.

I second shot some weddings and they were groovy, I'm just NOT ready to do them solo! (don't know if I'll ever be!). I'd prefer to start small with word of mouth...as I said, I don't have to make *that much money*...just the opportunity to make more money in less time if I'm working for myself is attractive. It's more about the marketing and selling and believing in yourself than your photog skills unfortunately. And it's a LOT of work. I'm not trying to underestimate that. But working for myself would be worth it. I've accumulated quite a bit of marketing stuff thru the past couple of years. Now I'm thinking...and you'll probably think I'm insane...of getting something like Autumn Hull's guide to setting up a photography business. Just a step by step guide to do thing correctly and not get in trouble.

I just have this opportunity and I don't want to waste it. I think the computer's the next purchase..Now...if I could just find one with xp instead of vista...lol...

I'd love an apple but yeouch the $$$! And to switch to another operating system would be kind of nuts at this point as well. Maybe in the future when I can better justify it...but not now.
Thanks again!
Paula

Ever considered Maternity/Babies, it's an easier start for you. Plus, once you have done a number, you'll be busy with yearly child shoots which pans into families.
Easier, because women feel more comfortable with women, especially in maternity shoots. YOU just have to be creative, be different to others.
Once you have your first, it's a foot in the door, you can process cards and place them in the doctor's offices etc.

Trust me, you can do lots with that D70, no need to be buying unnecessary equipment. Just have your basics.
Upgrade prints, it's in the selling where you will make money, especially large prints. In America, Moms spend big money on canvas and large prints.

I've managed the IT department for three different companies over the last 23 years. My home PC detects a virus or trojan almost every day. The only virus thats a problem is the one your software does not detect. Until they allow caning, the malware guys are going to continue. (the ones that aren't in China)

As far as updating the bios (Basic Input Output System) in your camera.  ** Here is the link **   If you have a D70 pick it If you have a D70s pick it. REALLY IMPORTANT TO PICK THE RIGHT CAMERA.

The instructions are inside the download. Basically you copy the file to your card, put it in the camera and tell the camera its there.

Oh, I dream of Mac.  I am doing everything I can to be poised to buy one in the summer.  Saving my pennies.  280,000 of them.

Someday...