Time To Upgrade?

[creative_one]

Hi Everyone,
How do u know when its time to upgrade to a more advanced DSLR?
How long should a person wait intill they buy a new DSLR (upgrade)?
Any good advice?

Thanks in advance!

[shiraq]

after first 50.000 photos
I`m kidding. depends on what u need to change. If your camera and lense are not suitable fo what you work, it is a sign.

[dakwegmo]

My policy for gear purchases is to only buy new gear when it is the best way to solve a problem I have identified with my current equipment. For cameras, it usually means there's some limitation with the body that simply cannot be overcome any other way. With my last upgrade I found two problems, one was High ISO noise, I was shooting a lot in very low light situations and needed usable images at ISO 1600 (or higher) and my current camera wasn't cutting it. Even with a faster lens I wasn't able to get what I needed, so I eventually broke down and upgraded.

[Seltzer]

As stated above, it depends on what issues you have with your current camera. If it's something that is a limitation of the camera that you cannot work around then by all means upgrade. If it's an issue with clarity and speed of the lenses and such, a good lens is a better long term investment than a new camera as they hold their value and quality much longer than technology in a camera.

[bobby62914]

I consider three things when I decide to upgrade:

1. Will it help me make better photographs?
2. Can I afford it?
3. Does my wife say it is okay?

[pmarkstone]

Originally Posted by bobby62914

I consider three things when I decide to upgrade:

1. Will it help me make better photographs?
2. Can I afford it?
3. Does my wife say it is okay?

Is this in the right order? My wife always told me that "Does my wife say it is okay" always comes FIRST!!!

[dcclark]

Personally, I would say that it's time to upgrade when you can name specific things that an upgrade would give you, which you can't do, and which you want to do.

If you can't name what you want to upgrade for -- it's not time.

[radityopradipto]

Upgrading a DSLR body, for me, is not really important though. As long as it has reasonably good performance for your photograph right now, I'd say I'll spend more to add/upgrade my glasses. More expensive DSLR usually only gave your more High-ISO and speed performance with sometimes, unnecessary features for general photographers.

Add one more question to your consideration above:
4. Do you have used the most of your current gears?

[amymnc]

Might be different for everyone but I've heard the general rule is when you just can't take your current equipment any further. I think I'm at that point now. Don't get me wrong, I love my D40 but we're having some issues.
-Doesn't have commander mode for off camera flash (am i saying that right?)
-must buy the pricier AF-S lenses for autofocus
-tired of having only 3 focus brackets
-lowest ISO is 200
-no DOF preview button

Otherwise, you can't beat it for the price. It's been great the last year and a half but these things are starting to limit what I'd like to do.....especially the flash problem.

[FrankLamont]

For me, it's if:

a) the original is limiting me
b) I have the resources
c) if it's currently practical; are there any things that should be bought first?

Or if it's tearing apart.