Opinions, plz

challengemaster

*stands up*

Hi, I'm Callum, I'm a gear addict...*

Ok. I've the lust for more gear yet again (so soon) - it's like a sniffer dog catching a sniff of a blood trail..However I can't decide what I should get.. It's between a second 'L' or, a second body.

Body is a 20D (Rymus' one) - I'd estimate w/o batt grip/etc it'd be ~500euro (he can clarify, if he likes)

or

Canon EF 70-200mm 70-200 f/4 f4 L USM Lens for ~460euro(inc shipping)

I'd like your opinions on which I should get, and why.. because I'm too indecisive...

Thanks again, great Canonites and lesser Nikon users**
CM




*(cam gear, obviously)
**nah, yer all fine people really

rymus

definately the second body.. no question about it.

City-Exile

What body do you have at the moment?
What do you plan to photograph?

elven

But what do you want it *for*?

Are you feeling limited by what you've got, in a particular way?

BanzaiBk

I'm in the same boat regarding the L glass, so personally I'd go with the lens;) It what I'm currently lacking in my armory so I'm going with that.

challengemaster

rymus wrote: »

definately the second body.. no question about it.

Quiet you! keep outta this

City-Exile wrote: »

What body do you have at the moment?
What do you plan to photograph?

400D atm - anything photograph-able really

elven wrote: »

But what do you want it *for*?

Are you feeling limited by what you've got, in a particular way?

reason for wanting body - when I was shooting the GAA match recently, was doing a lot of lens swapping (took my time too, L glass being handled) and ended up missing some shots (group pics, etc) - not too important really, i guess, but i feel it would be handy on such occasions..

reason for wanting more L glass... the L glass thirst..

Ricky91t

Msn conversation wrote:

Bang and the dirt is gone!!!!! says:
but why do you need a new cam?
UIE»Challengemaster says:
uhm
UIE»Challengemaster says:
dont really NEED it
UIE»Challengemaster says:
just want one

Glass is what you should get
Bang and the dirt is gone being me

Paulw

Offer rymus €200 for the 20D, then buy the lens.

If you're doing sport, a 2nd body is a must.

Thirdfox

Get Rymus' 20D body!*

*the cheque is in the post right Rymus?

rymus

if I'm allowed to sweeten the deal any... I'll throw in 3 free sensor cleanings

What are they worth these days? Like 70 quid each?

Ricky91t

rymus wrote: »

if I'm allowed to sweeten the deal any... I'll throw in 3 free sensor cleanings

What are they worth these days? Like 70 quid each?

Now thats a good offer

City-Exile

The 70-200mm f/4 isn't the best lens for sport.

challengemaster

We don't all have 5k for a 300mm L f/2.8 IS USM

rymus

ahh.... 3,5k at the very most..

City-Exile

challengemaster wrote: »

We don't all have 5k for a 300mm L f/2.8 IS USM

Could you stretch for a 70-200mm f/2.8 though?
The non IS version is less than €1K

challengemaster

it really depends.. I've about 650e here without dipping into bank savings.. and i never like taking from them

Paulw

Ah, it's only money. Go on, you know you want it - Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L

PeakOutput

take the body then i cn buy ryms grip and nifty fifty

rymus

g'wan the Peak.. I was hoping you'd show up

challengemaster

Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 it is. thx boys

Fajitas!

Tbh, do you really need it?

rymus

shame on you.. everyone needs gear!

OnLooker

challengemaster wrote: »

Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 it is. thx boys

You won't regret it, I got mine before xmas.

SOL

Save for a little while longer and then buy something decent. You would be better having one good lens then 3 okay ones that you bought because you hadn't the patience to wait for savings...

rymus

is the 70-200 f2.8L classed as anything other than a fantastic lens nowadays?

Hugh_C

I'd get Rymus's body, he looks like he needs a new one ...

challengemaster

Fajitas! wrote: »

Tbh, do you really need it?

lmao - coming from the guy who recently bought 3 L series...

Calina

He has a point though. You are not really your gear and to be fair to Fajitas his equipment is paying for itself professionally. You appear to want it for the sake of having it.

I never found that to be a particularly good reason. Every single lens I have fills a specific photographic need and was bought only on the consideration of what I needed it for and what I expect to get out of it.

but that's just my two cents worth. I don't have a 70-200 2.8L. It's a nice lens but I don't want it more than other things that are on my list.

Fajitas!

Calina wrote: »

He has a point though. You are not really your gear and to be fair to Fajitas his equipment is paying for itself professionally. You appear to want it for the sake of having it.

Exactly.

Wanting camera gear is great and all, but I have a valid need for it. Do you really need the lens, or are you trying to keep up with the others? I mean, even have a look at the non L lenses, which could be more than suitable for your needs, without costing as much.

Without being condescending, you've only gotten into photography quite recently, I'd be taking a bit more time between purchases.

Paulw

I'm a bad example for this place.

My first camera - 20D. My first lens - 24-70mm f/2.8 L. My 2nd lens - 70-200mm f/4 L. My 3rd - 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L. All of these were within the first 6 months.

Since then, I learned a hell of a lot. I learned what each lens was really for, and how to get the most from the body. Hell, I'm still learning, and still have a long long way to go.

My main problem - I have the money, so it's seldom an issue. I make good money in my job, and have very little else to spend it on - not married, no kids, don't drink much, no car (use the girlfriend's), so I end up spending on camera gear. I never consider the cost. I buy something because I want it. I've a few lenses in my bag that are seldom if ever used. But, every now and then I do find a need/use for something.

I know there's a lot of people here who couldn't nearly afford all the gear I buy. They have to make do with what they can afford, and they get brilliant results with that gear. I would certainly never put anyone down for their photography nor their choice of gear. To each their own, I say.

Anyway, in my book - wanting something is a good enough reason to buy it.

rymus

Paulw wrote: »

wanting something is a good enough reason to buy it.

I also subscribe to that philosophy... All the better if the purchase can be semi-justified beforehand though

Fajitas!

Aye, but there's a difference between the two of you in full time jobs, and a 16 year old in transition year...

Paulw

Exactly. I can afford to buy, just because I want it.

Very different if I couldn't, and had to save.

rymus

Fajitas! wrote: »

Aye, but there's a difference between the two of you in full time jobs, and a 16 year old in transition year...

You may be onto something there... Although don't get me wrong.. I'm not saying anything along the lines of "if you don't have X or Y gear with X or Y label you're a loser" More that if you can afford the best, something that will allow you to produce work of the highest quality (especially when it's paid work) then I'm 100% in favour of gearporn. There are people out there with cameras made out of cornflake boxes that can take better photos than I could with 10k's worth of camera & lenses.

When money is the sole determining factor though, you have to put a little extra thought into the whole buying process.

Calina

rymus wrote: »

... There are people out there with cameras made out of cornflake boxes that can take better photos than I could with 10k's worth of camera & lenses...

Or alternatively, if you put your mind to it, you could probably take a great photograph with a home made pinhole camera.

I have to say that it's CM's money and he is of course free to spend it as he wishes, and evidentally, he wants another lens for whatever reason. But I'd still question why. In two month's time he might regret not buying a fisheye instead.

Thirdfox

rymus wrote: »

When money is the sole determining factor though, you have to put a little extra thought into the whole buying process.

That would be me Only cheap lenses for me (or when I want to treat myself - maybe a 300 euro lens once a year).

Anywhere else I can save money (tripod, reflectors, infra-red remote) I make my own or buy something that is cheap and cheerful.

Tripod: 5 euro
Business card flash diffuser
Universal remote control: 6 euro etc etc.

missingtime

Paulw wrote: »

My main problem - I have the money, so it's seldom an issue. I make good money in my job, and have very little else to spend it on - not married, no kids, don't drink much, no car (use the girlfriend's), so I end up spending on camera gear. I never consider the cost. I buy something because I want it.

You are making me cry. Why do you want to make me cry?

challengemaster

Fajitas! wrote: »

Aye, but there's a difference between the two of you in full time jobs, and a 16 year old in transition year...

Fifth year, kthx.

What else am I _really_ going to use the money for? I don't drink, don't smoke, don't really go out at all.. Seriously?

Calina

Well you could just - and I know this is a revolutionary theory - not spend it right now.

Thirdfox

Invest in stocks...savings accounts, buy a car, donate to charity, go travelling (with your camera) etc. etc.

There's lots of ways of spending money - you'll really start missing it when you start college

Calina

Thirdfox wrote: »

...go travelling (with your camera) ...

There's lots of ways of spending money - you'll really start missing it when you start college

qft.

I recommend choosing a country and considering how you might finance a trip around it. For years now I've been loosely planning a coastal trip from the northern tip of France to the Spanish border.

Paulw

How about we have a boards Lent - 40 days of not buying any new gear? (restricted to camera body and/or lens)

Anyone agree??

Paulw

Thirdfox wrote: »

Invest in stocks.

With the markets right now, I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to invest in stocks. LOL.

But, a holiday is always good (mine is booked for March).

Thirdfox

Actually it wouldn't be a terrible idea to buy low and sell high (at this point though the market still seems like it's going down for a while - but Northern Rock may be a surprisingly good buy, the Bank of England is hardly going to let it die).

challengemaster

school year prevents travel atm..

cant drive (yet)

already have a savings a/c


anyway, later guys - off to see macbeth

Calina

Paulw wrote: »

How about we have a boards Lent - 40 days of not buying any new gear? (restricted to camera body and/or lens)

Anyone agree??

Why? I've flagged a camera purchase in February this year for at least six months now. And my last gear purchase was sometime in June. It's not like this whole gear acquisition issue is a problem for everyone.

Fajitas!

The point is still the same, 4th or 5th year - There's not that much of a difference.

I just think you're trying to keep up with the gear people have from full time jobs, rather than anything else. Besides that, you're constantly saying you have nothing to take pictures of in Moate, will having the 70-200 help that?

Whatever I'm going to say regarding it, I know you'll disagree with me - You did when I told you that the 17-55 2.8 IS might be a better decision than the 24-70 2.8L because you'll have a lighter lens, and have WA capabilities which you won't have on the 24-70. You replid that I was only saying that because I was scared you were catching up with me. That's way off the mark. It's not a race for the L's.

Whatever happens, it's your money. I'm just trying to give an experienced view.

Thirdfox

Remember "he who dies with the most prizes wins"

At least you don't get this problem with Nikons...all our lenses are L lenses

Calina

challengemaster wrote: »

school year prevents travel atm..

oh to be young again and to want everything now now now now now now now.

You go on holidays in six months. Add to that little pile of money and if your parents are in agreement, there's quite a lot you could do in terms of travelling for a couple of months in the summer. You wouldn't be bring the 70-200L with you anyway because it weighs a tonne and can't really be handheld so it's not like you'll need it. One of the best places to start planning some travel is actually on the flickr site although trekearth is worth a look too. They're inspirational.

Paulw

Fajitas! wrote: »

You replid that I was only saying that because I was scared you were catching up with me. That's way off the mark. It's not a race for the L's.

Whatever happens, it's your money. I'm just trying to give an experienced view.

I do think that most of us would have to say that the comments we post are from our experience. While we will differ in views on many things, the vast majority of people are trying to offer positive advice and help people.

Some of us have more money than sense, but yet there are a good few people here actually making money from photography, and funding their gear. Some save and save to afford their next goal (body or lens).

There's no competition for gear, as such, although there is a lot of gear porn here, and comparisons. I buy what I buy because of what I like to photograph. That has caused me to spend a lot lately, but I feel I am getting a good return on it (in photographic terms).

If I really felt the need to compete for gear on here, I'd need to remortgage my place, to buy 2x 1D MkIII and a 400mm f/2.8 lens (or even a 600mm lens).

Sometimes, it really is better to work back - what do you want to photography and what do you need to photograph it? Otherwise, you really better get saving to compete with the gear I buy. LOL. Now, will I buy a 1Ds MkIII ?? :eek:

Calina

Paulw wrote: »

Sometimes, it really is better to work back - what do you want to photography and what do you need to photograph it?

Al and I both made this point earlier.