Please help me! - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Nikon

10/29/2004 06:13:45 AM · #1

OK, this is the deal: I have been wanting to get a Canon 100-400mm L IS lens for a while. I thought I would save money specifically for it but the truth is I haven't. In all actuallity, I can afford the lens and I could buy it right now thanks for other savings. That other money is money I have been saving for a while to take a year off in 2006 and travel around the world. The lens is around $1500 and I could replace the money in the travel saving account, but knowing me, I probably wont. Should I get the lens and sacrifice that travel money or should I forget about the lens and keep that money sacred? I know it is my money and only I can decide, but I'd like to know what YOU would do if you were in my shoes.

June

blemt

Nikon D70

10/29/2004 06:36:01 AM · #2

Originally posted by chiqui74:

Should I get the lens and sacrifice that travel money or should I forget about the lens and keep that money sacred?

Travel. Hands down. :)

Clara

Curious

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/29/2004 06:39:20 AM · #3

The Lens will still be available when you get back.
The trip could offer you so much visual inspiration and there's nothing wrong with making the most of the lenses you have.

Just some thoughts to add to your decision making process.

Kieran.

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

10/29/2004 06:45:43 AM · #4

Trip. I'd try to find a used lens.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

10/29/2004 06:51:08 AM · #5

Originally posted by enigmania:

The Lens will still be available when you get back.
The trip could offer you so much visual inspiration and there's nothing wrong with making the most of the lenses you have.

What Enigmania said.

Spend less, get yourself a medium-quality zoom, like a 70-300 if you don't have one, and whenever you wish you had the 100-400, think you've got $1500 more for your travelling.

Addition:

In 40 years time what will you be saying?

- "I'll never forget that high quality zoom lens I had"
- "I'll never forget that trip I took to ____ where I saw _____"

Message edited by author 2004-10-29 06:53:22.

aznym

Fujifilm X-T3

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR

10/29/2004 06:57:11 AM · #6

Travel with whatever you have. You will not regret it. If you buy the lens, you will want to go places and will end up thinking about funds.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/29/2004 06:57:48 AM · #7

Originally posted by chiqui74:

jadin

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

10/29/2004 06:58:34 AM · #8

I'm the polar opposite. I'd rather have a lens I can use for the rest of my life than spend money on a trip that is over in a few weeks.

/shrug personal prefrences I guess.

Tranquil

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

10/29/2004 07:02:29 AM · #9

Go on the trip with what you have and take beautiful photographs (which you are capable of doing :)) and then come back and sell them to reimburse your funds.

Going to new places and seeing new things will improve your photography tremendously. A new lens will only give you more zoom. Make do with what you have for now, you will not regret it.

Lee

Edit: Early morening spelling

Message edited by author 2004-10-29 07:07:44.

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

10/29/2004 07:05:53 AM · #10

Yeah, they do have credit cards in Italy, but I dont have a credit card (thank God!)

June

Originally posted by deapee:

They don't have credit cards in Italy? Oh, and on a side note, what do you need to travel for, you live in Naples!!! haha sorry, just adding my borring, half-asleep first-thing-in-the-morning non-humor.

Originally posted by chiqui74:
OK, this is the deal: I have been wanting to get a Canon 100-400mm L IS lens for a while. I thought I would save money specifically for it but the truth is I haven't. In all actuallity, I can afford the lens and I could buy it right now thanks for other savings. That other money is money I have been saving for a while to take a year off in 2006 and travel around the world. The lens is around $1500 and I could replace the money in the travel saving account, but knowing me, I probably wont. Should I get the lens and sacrifice that travel money or should I forget about the lens and keep that money sacred? I know it is my money and only I can decide, but I'd like to know what YOU would do if you were in my shoes.

June

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

10/29/2004 07:09:31 AM · #11

Hmm... difficult one... If you've already got a 70-200/300 zoom, it might be a cheaper option just to get a 1.4x/2x tele, which will give you the zoom range you need. Personally, I'd definitely choose to go travelling, and you've got time to save for the lens before you go - if you want the lens enough, you'll find the savings, I'm sure.

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

10/29/2004 07:10:12 AM · #12

Originally posted by chiqui74:

Yeah, they do have credit cards in Italy, but I dont have a credit card (thank God!)

To save some euros it may be worth buying your lens from the US, from somewhere like B&H. Certainly in the UK Canon lenses are much cheaper to buy abroad.

Then maybe you can have both? :)

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/29/2004 07:17:10 AM · #13

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

Originally posted by chiqui74:
Yeah, they do have credit cards in Italy, but I dont have a credit card (thank God!)

To save some euros it may be worth buying your lens from the US, from somewhere like B&H. Certainly in the UK Canon lenses are much cheaper to buy abroad.

Then maybe you can have both? :)

Hey, I live in Italy only cause I'm stationed here! I buy all my stuff from US retailers. Prices here are incredibly high for everything.

June

siggi

Canon EOS-10D

10/29/2004 07:47:29 AM · #14

Travel with out the lens you will miss out on some pictures that you would have capured with it...

Skip traveling and miss out on all the picture you could capture with your current lenses.

Get extra work, Save more, Work more and buy lens and travel.
Can't just travel for 1 less month and afford both?

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

10/29/2004 08:16:57 AM · #15

Memories of travel will last you your whole life. A lens will only last a limited amount of time, and it is only a material posession. Shure there are loads of things I would love to buy, but I normally stand back & look at the cost & say "Is it realy worth that money". You can still take great photos with out a 100-400 L (Unless of course you are planning to travel to Africa on a wildlife safari).

Hey, I'm off to Italy in a few hours to Lake Garda. I'll be in Camping Europa in Torbole.
Pop up, and we can talk about it ;-)

Peter

colda

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/29/2004 08:28:27 AM · #16

Originally posted by aKiwi:

If you want to stop by for a beer in Switzerland on the way back let me know :)

Message edited by author 2004-10-29 08:28:58.

jadin

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

10/29/2004 08:32:30 AM · #17

I'm a good readerer. I change my vote... didn't see you were taking a year off. Yeah, that'd be more advantageous. Was thinking it'd be a much shorter vacation.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

10/29/2004 08:39:15 AM · #18

i'm positive i'd buy the lens ... but i also agree that when i'm 60 i might regret it

don't care ... you'll be bored after a month anyway ... taking a year off is overrated :)

10/29/2004 11:38:56 AM · #19

Thanks for all your replies! I think I have found a solution. I will get the lens with that money AND to make sure I replace it, I'll send my checkbook to my mom in the States so she can deposit $100 every every 1st and 15th until all the money is replaced. It's sorta like buying on credit except the the loaner is myself! Now I cant wait to get the lens!

June

Edit: Now my only dilema is wether to get the Canon or the Sigma.

Message edited by author 2004-10-29 11:40:15.

10/29/2004 11:42:40 AM · #20

Originally posted by blemt:

Originally posted by chiqui74:
Should I get the lens and sacrifice that travel money or should I forget about the lens and keep that money sacred?

Travel. Hands down. :)

Clara

What she said.

But then you know what I'm like about travel! I've spent 14+ weeks on holiday in 2004 already and have another 3+ left to go!

I enjoy photography too, especially on those very travels, but if it's a choice of camera equipment or travel (duration or comfort) the travel wins every time. Even though I'm often drooling over more equipment there's nothing wrong with what I've got and I remind myself that more equipment won't make me a better photographer...

10/29/2004 11:43:33 AM · #21

Crossposted - I was writing my reply while you posted yours I think.

I have sigma lenses on my film SLR and I'm very happy with them. They are from sigma's regular not posh range of glass.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/29/2004 11:45:46 AM · #22

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

In 40 years time what will you be saying?

- "I'll never forget that high quality zoom lens I had"
- "I'll never forget that trip I took to ____ where I saw _____"

I use a similar argument when my mum despairs of my ever keeping a tidy home and so forth. I ask her whether she thinks, when I'm on my deathbed, I'll reminisce about how wonderful it was to have a tidy, dust-free home or whether I'll be thinking about all the time I spent either travelling or enjoying being with my friends and family.

It's a no brainer isn't it?

Canon EOS-20D

10/29/2004 11:46:44 AM · #23

Just make $1500 worth of print sales with your new lens. :)

10/29/2004 12:00:06 PM · #24

Does it help if I share the dilemma I had about buying a telephoto zoom with image stabilisation/ vibration reduction before the upcoming Antarctica trip.

I realised that the price just wasn't worth the small number of cases where the technology would help me get a shot I wouldn't have otherwise got since I'd still experience the same sights for myself regardless.

And since I'm hardly likely to create any masterpieces that would sell for enough to pay for the lens, I decided not to buy and to go with what I already have!