How to convince your wife you need a new camera body?

[10dedfish]

So,

I tried to convince the wife I needed to spend 900$ on a new T2i/T3i camera body and was shut down quite quickly. Does anyone have any proven arguments for me to use?

matt

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't think you are going to succeed in convincing unless your family has extra money to spend and she has already asked on various occasions why certain pictures (taken with your existing camera) did not come out well.

Do you really need a new camera?

 

[klmall]

First of all, what do you have now?

When I am 'negotiating' for items such a new camera or another trip to WDW I play fair. In other words, DH and I look at our finances and see what he has bought recently for himself or would like to buy and what I would like to purchase. I do get a little preference (I think ) since he is retired and I went back to work after retirement and am earning the extra cash for the house remodeling, travel and splurges in the last three years!

My best advice is to play fair and set up some kind of plan. When I moved from one nice point 'n shoot camera to another (several $400 Canon bridge cameras) I saved and earned the money on my own. And when I moved to a dSLR it was partially out of necessity, since my $400 Canon G9 broke out of warranty and we were going on a once in a lifetime 2 week trip to Washington state. And when I recently added another point 'n shoot camera (Canon G12) for flexibilty to my camera entourage I saved up extra cash for it this past summer.

Ever watch the Canadian TV show "Till Debt Do Us Part?" Not saying you are in debt or anything but one thing those couples are always counseled to do is increase their incomes at least a little. Almost everyone can find something, whether it's a yard sale or cash in your change jars!

Good luck!

 

[Frantasmic]

The best way lies in your signature:

DD (12) DD (5)

Do they perform, play sports, dress up, etc?

 

[boBQuincy]

When I want a new camera I casually mention to DW that I am looking at buying some parts to increase the power of my Camaro, which is already frighteningly fast. Her response is usually "why don't you buy a new camera instead?". It would probably work as well with a subject of motorcycle, airplane, street luge, etc.

 

[wenrob]

I convince him there's something he needs first then I "mention" something I'd like to have.

Bonus time and tax time come on top of each other. Any gifts we may have given each other for holidays/birthdays etc. are passed up in favor of each of us getting something we really want. I spent an entire year skipping even little extras for myself just to show him how badly I wanted the D700. He didn't require that of course I just wanted him to see what I was I was willing to give up for it. (things like the latest hard back, a new purse etc.)

 

[alloyd1170]

I would ask for something bigger and more $$$ first. Then I would say ok, I'll settle for the lesser body. Do some research too-check Ebay and KEH for used bodies. I picked up a lens for almost half the retail price and it was hardly used.

 

[cosine4]

Assuming that you truly can afford the camera with cutting other discretionary spending (if photography is your work, that is different negotiation) a couple of things that may work are:

1. Start high!!! Whenever I negotiate for a new lens or something, I always start with a $2000 version, then settle for something cheaper

2. Wheel and Deal. Give up something else, or agree to something that she wants that you don't want to do. For example sometimes I will work Saturdays and Sundays so that I can trade in for 'vacation' days later in the year. I don't like doing this, but its something that my wife likes and is free (aside from the extra cruise we end up taking).

 

[10dedfish]

WOW alot of great responses.

I have a XSi now, and it was the display model that they had on sale at Circuit City before they went out of business. I got the body and lens for a little over 400, but none of the cables or software.

I have the money in my travel fund, but we are going to WDW in late June. I was hoping to upgrade the body, so I can try to capture some of the dark ride shots.

I started out negotiating with the 900$ body, and tried to bring in the 700$ body in later, but without any luck.

I plan on trying again before we had to WDW.

matt

 

[ukcatfan]

I'll offer a different approach. Do as much of the dishes, laundry, homework help, etc. leading up to when you plan to talk about it again. If anything, you will have a happier wife!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

WOW alot of great responses.

I have a XSi now, and it was the display model that they had on sale at Circuit City before they went out of business. I got the body and lens for a little over 400, but none of the cables or software.

I have the money in my travel fund, but we are going to WDW in late June. I was hoping to upgrade the body, so I can try to capture some of the dark ride shots.

I started out negotiating with the 900$ body, and tried to bring in the 700$ body in later, but without any luck.

I plan on trying again before we had to WDW.

matt

Having owned the model you have, and both you are anticipating buying, I can tell you first hand that low light shooting is not going to be improved by the TXi enough to justify the difference in value/price.

If you're considering shooting video with your new camera, that obviously throws the XSi completely off the table.

Negotioate down to a better lens. That's what you really need, though arguably a really nice walk-around lens COULD cost the same or more than you've allocated for your upgrade in bodies. The good news is that the new lens could always be used with a new body later on should you decide to upgrade at a later date. Tamron and Sigma make some really nice walk-around and affordable lenses that are highly endorsed by members here.

Wanna change your outlook on your current camera? Get yourself a Canon "nifty-fifty" for around $125 and learn to use it. You will be AMAZED.

There are lots of great walk-around lenses out there, especially in the used market, for under $600. Spend the money on a new lens and you'll have a new camera.

 

[GrillMouster]

The next time she wants to make an extravagant purchase for herself, do not object; let her go ahead and buy it. If it's an article of clothing or accessory, wait until the day that she wears it for the first time. On that day find a website selling the camera you want, but priced way too high. Let you wife know, "Hey, Honey, this place is selling the camera I want for $1300, but I can get it at this other place for just $900...that's a STEAL! If I wait, the price may go up again". If she gives you guff, look like a sad puppy with its tail between its legs and, go do some chores around the house, like washing dishes, vacuuming the house, etc., without being asked to do so. When she walks past compliment her on how nice her (whatever she purchased for herself) looks on her. Throughout the day let her catch you on the web looking at the camera you want. Give it a moment for her to see what's on the screen, then act surprised and quickly close the browser. Do this a couple of times. At some point the guilt will get to her. Rather than coming right out and saying that it's okay for you to buy the camera, she may start by asking questions, like "Do you know when the sale will end? Have you checked out any reviews about the camera? What's so great about this camera?" That's your opening. Be prepared with answers, but don't look too eager. Come up with a few points about why you should get the camera that will appeal to her. Be patient and you'll get permission to buy the camera. When permission is given, don't waste time; buy before she changes her mind.

I've never done this before.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'd say "I'm buying this unnecessary thing because I feel like it" and she'd happily accept and all would be well.

Right?

Can you tell I'm not married? That's my advice to getting what you want...do it before you're married.

Or maybe you could just start tucking away a little side cash from your paychecks, go out and secretly buy it, then stick the old camera's badge on the new one and act like it's the same old camera.

 

[mom2rtk]

Honestly, the jump from the Xsi to the T2i is not remarkable. I did it, but mostly because I had been longing for the higher ISO's for a long time. That higher ISO, combined with the noise reduction of the Lightroom 3 program I got last year has been an awesome combo. So for me, it's been a good upgrade. I love using that higher ISO for lowlight action photography, like the night parades and for my son's track meets after dark.

That said, I do wish I had the greater burst rate available in the bodies a step or 2 higher. I think some here have gotten some deals on the 60D recently. I probably should have been more patient, but knew I wouldn't be able to swing one of the $1500 bodies any time soon. And I didn't know there would be comparable deals on even better bodies.

If I were you, I'd find some ways to earn a little extra cash. Sell some stuff on Ebay. As others mentioned, bypass all giftgiving occasions to "bank" the extra toward the camera you want.

Because if you want it today, odds are you'll still want it a month or a year down the road. Even if you can't get there today, there's no sense at least not moving in that direction.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

So,

I tried to convince the wife I needed to spend 900$ on a new T2i/T3i camera body and was shut down quite quickly. Does anyone have any proven arguments for me to use?

matt

Step 1. Don't let DW know that you have posted a question like this on a message board.

 

[mom2rtk]

Step 1. Don't let DW know that you have posted a question like this on a message board.

Unless you then post that you want to buy her that $2000 gizmo or bauble SHE'S been wanting!

 

[YesDear]

Unfortunately for me I usually take the ask for forgiveness approach rather than ask for permission first. And no it does not work well most of the time!

 

[judy21049]

Every woman loves a good deal. I, too, have been looking to buy the T2i and right now,the body only, at Sears.com is $629.10 Much better than $900.00

 

[Frantasmic]

Ask if you can rent a 7D or a D60 and purchase the Sigma 30mm f1.4 (or Canon 28mm f1.8) ((I hope I got the names correct))

 

[PrincessInOz]

It's early in the morning in Oz and I can be a bit dyslexic sometimes.....for a minute I thought I had read the heading to be:

How to convince your camera that you need a new wife body.


Why don't you tell her that is what you want for your birthday and Christmas present this year?