ORIGINAL: CGRetired
Buy what you need, and what performs for you, but consider the future and if you will have to buy another because the one you originally bought wasn't good enough for future uses.
Which often translates to....
Go ahead and pay more now, it may save you MUCH more in the long run!
Newbies often think things are too expensive when they start out.
If you get really hooked into this hobby, you'll be kicking yourself later.
Of course your wallet will be considerably thinner in the future too!