Resisting the Urge to Splurge

jpb1974

Ever have one of those days... weeks... months... where you just have the most incredible urge to splurge a load of cash on something?

Maybe a Canon 85mm F1.2 L... I want it, I crave it... but do I need it?

Maybe a Rolleiflex 2.8... looks lovely... but is it really any different or better than the half dozen other TLRs I own?

Just spotted a Pentax 67, looks nice... but I already have a Mamiya 7... would it honestly be any better?

Just seen a great deal on a Mamiya C330... it's only the lens that I want... I already have 2 bodies... but it's a good price, too good too pass up... I think.

One half of me is saying "you love photography... enjoy it and spend a few sheckles, you worked hard for it" and the other half says "forget the feckin equipment and save a few quid... you could be made redundant in the morning"... then the other half says "you could always sell it on and recoup a fair chunk of the money if things don't work out".

The fact is that I honestly don't need another camera or lens... but common sense is overwhelmed by the whore inside me that lusts something new to trick around with. I've always loved something different to spur me to get off my arse and take a few photos.

Paulw

I'm in a similar situation.

I want to buy the Canon 8-15mm f/4 fisheye lens.

Of course, to part fund it, I would sell my 15mm f/2.8 fisheye.

jpb1974

At least you have the sense to flog something first!

I've scoured eBay all morning trying to find something reasonably cheap that'll satisfy my longings for something new... have come up with squat so far.

Those feckin L lenses are a curse too.. once you have one you'll never settle for a non-L lens after that.

As someone who gets paid once a month I always go through this around pay time.

gloobag

I got an 85mm f1.2 a few months back. It hasn't come off the camera since

I blew my entire bi yearly bonus from work (and a little extra) on it, so it didn't really affect me that badly financially.

jpb1974

I got an 85mm f1.2 a few months back.

See... the thing about this lens is that I only see it as primarily a portrait lens... and I rarely ever shoot portraits on anything other than medium format film.

It would hold a decent re-sale value... it's just that spending €1800 on a lens would be right up there in my top 5 life moments.

Paulw

jpb1974 wrote: »

At least you have the sense to flog something first!

The hard part is finding someone willing to shell out €450 for a 15mm fisheye. Not exactly a must buy lens. :rolleyes:

Ah, who knows. I may eventually decide not to buy.

Gregor Samsa

jpb1974 wrote: »

Ever have one of those days... weeks... months... where you just have the most incredible urge to splurge a load of cash on something?

I been having one of those days for 3 months now. Lens lust for a Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 SSM G - €1,500

I finally caved in the night before last, and it's scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

Every time I've been out shooting (and I'm certainly not a professional or anything near it), I've been thinking "I wonder what the 70-400G could do here?". Tuesday night, I saw some photos on another forum that a member posted up and that was it - it was in my cart before I knew it.

€1,500 is a lot of money, but every single review and user report says this is an incredible lens.

I'm so excited about it arriving tomorrow.

Fionn

your suffering from L.B.A. a lesser known condition associated with G.A.S (gear acquisition syndrome)

L.B.A. (Lens Buying Addiction) first discovered by the Pentax company, this condition is very prevalent among the photographic community.

signs you've got G.A.S.

having more glass or bodies than you can use

own more camera bags than cameras

birthday/christmas wish list contains links to photo related ebay sites

owning two of every camera if possible!!

shooting endless test charts

bouts of envy

sleepless nights doing 'research'

lying to your partner/significant other

lying to yourself



how to avoid!

try not to buy another item until you learn how to use the last one you bought

try not to use credit to buy any camera equipment (save up for it instead)

do not attempt to purchase online while under the infulence of alcohol!!

take photography forums / review sites less seriously

study what you really use and
sell the rest

take this advice with a grain of salt

jpb1974

Too late Fionn... 85mm F1.2 is coming to Daddy... albeit I bought it used so saved myself a few sheckles.

At least I've managed to expel these demons from inside me!

rain on

Goodbye money, hello 60D

DaireQuinlan

jpb1974 wrote: »

At least I've managed to expel these demons from inside me!

For the time being ...

jpb1974

For the time being ...

Aye... too true... but this is the first mega splurge in a while.

I've been slow burning up to this point with smaller purchases... it's probably once every 12-18 months that mega splurges occur.

She'll fit my EOS-5 quite nicely too, maybe with a roll of Ektar or Portra inside... so the best of both worlds.

The Snipe

I did that recently, But I needed upgrades, picked up a 1D MKII (Had a 400D) and a 200mm f2.8L prime and a 24-105 F4L

squareballoon

85m 1.2. I can but dream. I'd love to know what you think of it when you get it. What body are you using? I think I would go for a 70-200 2.8L mark2 over the 85 but it doesn't stop me waking in a sweat in the night thinking about it.

The Snipe

Do what I do and look at this! http://www.connscameras.ie/canon-ef-800mm-f5-6-l-is-usm/4960999575025pd.html

squareballoon

wow, makes the 85mm 1.2 look cheap!

Gregor Samsa

XiledSniper wrote: »

Do what I do and look at this! http://www.connscameras.ie/canon-ef-800mm-f5-6-l-is-usm/4960999575025pd.html

Pah! That's cheapo stuff.

http://www.digitalrev.com/en/sigma-apo-200-500mm-f2-dot-8-ex-dg-w-400-1000mm-f5-dot-6-attachment-3584.html?category_id=0&search_string=Sigma+APO+200-500mm+F2.8+EX+DG+w+400-1000mm+F5.6+attachment&search_category_id=0&match_type=1&time=1%2C2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C7%2C8%2C9

The Snipe

phutyle wrote: »

Pah! That's cheapo stuff.

http://www.digitalrev.com/en/sigma-apo-200-500mm-f2-dot-8-ex-dg-w-400-1000mm-f5-dot-6-attachment-3584.html?category_id=0&search_string=Sigma+APO+200-500mm+F2.8+EX+DG+w+400-1000mm+F5.6+attachment&search_category_id=0&match_type=1&time=1%2C2%2C3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C7%2C8%2C9

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/116642-USA/Canon_2527A001_Super_Telephoto_1200mm_f_5_6L.html

:rolleyes:

jpb1974

I'd love to know what you think of it when you get it. What body are you using?

Give me a week or two and I'll come back and let you know. I've only had a brief fart about with it since collecting on Friday... the first thing that jumps out at you is how terribly slow the AF is... but you'll read that in every review about this lens.

I use a 5D II and I also put her on an EOS-5 ran a roll of Kodak Ektar through it on Saturday. Hope to shoot another roll today/tomorrow and develop them during the week.

magicbastarder

i got a trip 35 recently for 50 quid. cheap thrills.

jpb1974

I paid €25 for my Trip 35 a couple of years back... haven't used it yet.

magicbastarder

well, i paid 50 for mine, so consider it a good investment.

jpb1974

I'll dig it out and give her a go tomorrow. Brace yourself for 36 mundane street photos.