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Upgrade or new system: Thinking outside the box...
MooseKiller
Registered Users Posts: 29 Big grins
OK, so, I am cross posting this here as well as in Action! as I am hoping to get more replies...
What I am interested in is the "unknown unknowns" regarding a system/kit upgrade. Since I am new to video, I know there are things I don't know, what to look for, nor what to ask... And this is where you and your opinions/suggestions come in.
Think outside the box, the most bang for the buck, looking toward future upgrades, etc...
I am primarily a still landscape/wildlife photographer, though recently my interests are pointing me toward video. I am looking for a balance between the two, though I am guessing a system that can handle video will easily do stills. My interest in video would be landscape/wildlife, as well as sports/motorsports, and the occasional vacation/family events type thing.
This is my current system and kit:
Computer:
Mac PowerPC G5 Dual 2 gig processor (pre Intel)
OS 10.5.6 (Leopard)
3 gig RAM (2 x 512m, 2 x 1g, 4 slots open)
3 open PCI-X slots
ATI Radeon 9600 XT video card (AGP 128m)
160 gig primary HD (original to system, SMART verified)
500 gig secondary HD (about 1.5 years old, SMART verified)
- No available drive bays
2 x 19" CRT monitors
Wacom 4x6 tablet
iSight Firewire camera
Software:
Final Cut Express 4.0.1 (learning to use, relatively proficient)
PhotoShop CS 8.0 (not proficient at all, thinking Aperture :scratch )
Miscellaneous apps like Elements, PhotoStitch, etc...
SmugMug Power user
Kit:
Canon Digital Rebel (Original)
- Various EF & EF-S glass & accessories
Panasonic SDR-H40P videocamera & extra battery
Sooooo... Where would you spend your money to upgrade? (I'd like to keep Mac and Canon product based... :deal ). Is the system good enough to last long enough to make any new upgrades worth their cost? Is a better system the prefered route and keep dreaming about a T1i or 5DmkII? What about long term archiving of video/photos? What important questions am I not asking and should be? Why are you suggesting this specific thing? Again, think outside the box... I purposely left budget out just to see what would come up. Both tight, meager budget suggestions right along side wild dreamer lottery winner budgets are good!
Thank you, I look forward to your opinions and input! :ear
What I am interested in is the "unknown unknowns" regarding a system/kit upgrade. Since I am new to video, I know there are things I don't know, what to look for, nor what to ask... And this is where you and your opinions/suggestions come in.
Think outside the box, the most bang for the buck, looking toward future upgrades, etc...I am primarily a still landscape/wildlife photographer, though recently my interests are pointing me toward video. I am looking for a balance between the two, though I am guessing a system that can handle video will easily do stills. My interest in video would be landscape/wildlife, as well as sports/motorsports, and the occasional vacation/family events type thing.
This is my current system and kit:
Computer:
Mac PowerPC G5 Dual 2 gig processor (pre Intel)
OS 10.5.6 (Leopard)
3 gig RAM (2 x 512m, 2 x 1g, 4 slots open)
3 open PCI-X slots
ATI Radeon 9600 XT video card (AGP 128m)
160 gig primary HD (original to system, SMART verified)
500 gig secondary HD (about 1.5 years old, SMART verified)
- No available drive bays
2 x 19" CRT monitors
Wacom 4x6 tablet
iSight Firewire camera
Software:
Final Cut Express 4.0.1 (learning to use, relatively proficient)
PhotoShop CS 8.0 (not proficient at all, thinking Aperture :scratch )
Miscellaneous apps like Elements, PhotoStitch, etc...
SmugMug Power user
Kit:
Canon Digital Rebel (Original)
- Various EF & EF-S glass & accessories
Panasonic SDR-H40P videocamera & extra battery
Sooooo... Where would you spend your money to upgrade? (I'd like to keep Mac and Canon product based... :deal ). Is the system good enough to last long enough to make any new upgrades worth their cost? Is a better system the prefered route and keep dreaming about a T1i or 5DmkII? What about long term archiving of video/photos? What important questions am I not asking and should be? Why are you suggesting this specific thing? Again, think outside the box... I purposely left budget out just to see what would come up. Both tight, meager budget suggestions right along side wild dreamer lottery winner budgets are good!
Thank you, I look forward to your opinions and input! :ear
0
Comments
Why don't you just try editing video on your current system? You can download FullHD material to play with in many places. Otherwise buy a current iMac or if you have the cash a MacPro. Both will be alot faster than your G5 with their multiple cores and faster (disc, memory) interfaces.
Photostorage:
Avoid dvd's and such, better have multiple external harddisks (500GB - 1TB) in your home and an offsite location.
Camera:
I'm sure you knew that he XTi does only 20fps in fullhd not 24 or 30.
― Edward Weston
I was aware that the T1i only does 20fps HD, so IMHO it isn't 'true' HD. But I do like the SD options and the creative options the T1i allows.
From some of the responses I have received, it seems like upgrading my current system is still a viable option (though I do like the portability a MacBook Pro offers). I will also look into a class to tr and grasp PhotoShop as well.
Thanks again for the ideas!
Other deals include iMacs from $1199 to $1849 for the current generation top of the line. I've bought many refurbs from Apple with nary a problem. Only difference is it comes in a brown box.