Birding On a tight budget - should I buy less now or wait to buy right?

[kneale]

Hi all. I love nature and am tired of using only my iphone. I've had cameras in the past but it has been years. So long in fact, when I tried to hook my old Pentax DSLR up to my Macbook, it was incompatible, so no way to download my photos. So, now I am looking at Canon Rebels including the SL2, T7i and also the D77.

My goal, other than being able to take photos of my kids, is to shoot nature. I love to garden and we have many birds, bees and butterflies that come into the garden on a regular basis. I also have lots of flowers and want to capture them as well. My husband would like to use the camera for video capture of his Tankganyikan Cichlids (fish). 

My dilemma is I've watched so many Youtube videos and it seems I "need" at least the Canon T7i or D77 to be able to even get a mediocre shot (according to all of the "experts"), and I honestly can't afford the price point of either of these with all the lenses. I can afford the D77 body only, which obviously does me no good. The T7i is slightly better but only with the 18-55 lens. I can just afford the SL2 with the kit 18-55 and the 55-250. 

I'm at a loss. To hear most of the Youtubers anything less than at least one of these is a waste of money. No camera means no pictures but I am wondering if I should just hold off and save up for the better camera, the D77 or maybe even the D80. What are your thoughts and experiences?

Thank you!

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"They aren't getting a penny from me any longer."

I am sure they aren't concerned.  And, there lies the problem.

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But whose problem is it, Adobe's or their customers'? The plain truth is that there's a lot less difference than there once was between the capability of Adobe's products and that of their competitors. Maybe they're foolish not to be concerned.

[John_SD]

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"They aren't getting a penny from me any longer."

I am sure they aren't concerned.  And, there lies the problem.

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But whose problem is it, Adobe's or their customers'? The plain truth is that there's a lot less difference than there once was between the capability of Adobe's products and that of their competitors. Maybe they're foolish not to be concerned.

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I believe you hit the naiil on the head, Robert. While Adobe products may still be superior to those of its competitors, the gap is closing, and closing fast. For most of us, there is simply no reason to send a monthly gift to Adobe for the rest of our lives. There are too many other products that do a fantastic job. For the majority of them, you buy it once and the product is yours. Upgrades are not always must-haves and even if you do want to upgrade now and again, you aren't forced into it. And it is affordable, not a lifelong tribute you must send in.

For pros like Ernie, and others who may have hundreds of thousands or millions of images to consider, it is likely not worth the hassle or headache to make a move to another product. I suspect that they know they are being ripped off and jerked around, but they have no reasonable alternative, and so they asquiesce to the situation. For the rest of us, there is simply no reason to get into an unacceptable financial arrangement that Adobe forces down your throat. There are too many alternatives now, and I for one expect that Adobe will feel it in their bottom line at some point. And speaking of other products I am taking another look at ON1. 

[ebiggs1]

Now don't get me wrong guys.  I am not on Adobe's side on this.  I was one of the loudest protesters when they announced this nonsense.  But the facts are, Adobe is making more money that ever.  Just check their stock price.

The bottom line, Photoshop and Lightroom are the "standards" of the industry. Until that changes, not in any foreseeable future, no software that is 'just as good' has a chance.  The also-runs will be left to the amateurs.

At this point if you want the best, the most compatible with the industry you go rental only.  As to upgrades, I have not upgraded since Adobe stopped upgrading CS6 and LR6 woth ACR9.  Has not been a problem.  If you are just starting out like our OP and waht the best $9.99 isn't all that bad.

[kneale]

Thanks all!  This is all really valuable information. I don't have any of these suggested programs yet. 

Karen