How do you justify the expense?

[WooD]

You could always buy the D700. Not as good as a D3, but you'll have FF, and higher ISO capabilities.

Plus a lot of left over cash.

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by kirbinster

Well its really simple. How did you decide to buy the D300 rather than a D40 / D60 or any other camera. Only you can determine if you will get satisfaction out of purchasing the D3. Will you enjoy it? Will it hurt you financially? Only you can make that trade-off.

Best. Advice. Ever.
Adding on to the part "will you enjoy it? will it hurt you financially?", if it's going to be a guilt thing where you're always saying you shouldnt have bought it because now your in the red, then I wouldn't buy it. Buy it if you feel ready for it, and don't mind (too much) of spending 4K or however much the D3 is then go for it.

[aropilot]

How does one "justify" anything you "want"?
I own a 4 passenger airplane. Rarely do I have more than myself and my dog while flying.
I upgraded from a 2 place that traveled 50 mph slower than the one I currently have. I can't justify it, I wanted it and could afford it.
I recently upgraded from a Rebel XTi to a 40D. I couldn't "justify" that purchase either but I wanted it and could afford it. I have no regrets for the purchase either. It does everything I was looking for and more.
If you can afford it and feel it will enhance your photography skills, it brings you joy and you feel better about having it, buy it.
What you can not justify is buying something less than what you really want, then regretting for a great deal of time after wishing you had bought the one you really wanted.

Happy buying!

[digirebelva]

Originally Posted by aropilot

I wanted it and could afford it.

Those are not always mutual friends in a lot of peoples decisions...if the OP could really afford it with out the guilt, then I somehow dont think he would have posted his delima on here but rather simply went out and bought it (and told us about it after the fact ). But since it appears he is looking for us to help justify it for him, I dont think this would be a guilt free purchase. Plus how do you hide a 4k purchase from your SO...?

[FromtheBackofaHorse]

For me, the decision becomes clear when "I want" changes to "I must HAVE it".

I recently purchased a new horse. I didn't need one, I already had two, but a "wanted" another one. While window shopping for a horse I met Mystyc. My want suddenly became, "I must HAVE her". Now, every time I look at her in my paddock, my heart soars.

If it will make your heart soar, you must have it.

[PnwGuy]

When I was single it was easy as I would tell myself I don't have a family to support. Now that I have a wife and three kids it's still easy as I tell myself I have a family to support.

Which means that I need pro gear to do pro work so I can charge and make more money to support my family. We all know that's a crock, but don't tell the wife OK?

Seriously though I'm very lucky to have collected most of what I wanted before getting married. However, I'm eyeballing the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 and Canon has a rebate going on. Let's see, Christmas for the kids or a new awesome lens. Going to have to think about that one for a bit.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by digirebelva

Those are not always mutual friends in a lot of peoples decisions...if the OP could really afford it with out the guilt, then I somehow dont think he would have posted his delima on here but rather simply went out and bought it (and told us about it after the fact ). But since it appears he is looking for us to help justify it for him, I dont think this would be a guilt free purchase. Plus how do you hide a 4k purchase from your SO...?

Nope, not the case. I CAN afford it without issue. However, I tend to be pretty frugal (but not cheap if that makes sense).

My main issue is that I know that the camera will NOT improve my photography. It will NOT do anything my current camera cannot do. It will make some things EASIER, and in rare cases do something a little better, but is that really worth ~4k to me.....I don't know. To put it into some kind of perspective, I bought my new-to-me BMW R1100 for $4.5k......that's an expensive camera.

I'm a realist and I know that wise money only buys gear to solve a problem and I don't currently have any problems this purchase will solve....I already have a kit many would be jealous of. It's purely a "want" and that's what I'm struggling with.

I'll probably buy one if I find a great deal....otherwise I'll wait for something I both want AND need. (or something I want more!)

[JerBear]

I tend to buy only the top of the line, but since the economy kicked some sense into my head, I now look at what it is I really need. I used a D3 for 2 months or so, then tried a D700. Turns out that what I need is more than covered by the D700. The D3 would just have options that I would rarely use...if ever.

So, right tool for the right job?

JM

[BEGM83]

When it comes to big purchases i say to myself "Can i afford it? Are the bills paid? is my daughter happy? and do i deserve a treat?"

If i can answer yes to all of the above then i'll go out and get myself whatever it is (last purchase was my D60)

I think though, that simply by virtue of the fact you have posted this and are in a quandry over it, you should hold off the purchase for now. If you're seeking a justification then the purchase will simply be riddled with guilt.
JMO

[candleman]

Originally Posted by sk66

My main issue is that I know that the camera will NOT improve my photography. !

it will at ISO6400
looooooow noise