Suggestions? What should I buy? - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

08/14/2013 10:25:41 AM · #1

My mother passed away in May and she left me a small inheritance. Most is going to pay bills, but my husband is being wonderful and saying that she would have loved for me to have kept part and used it for photography equipment. (She was into photography, herself, for quite awhile, and was always interested in my photography.)

I keep going back and forth on what I should do with it. And I would really love some input. It's hard to explain -- but I want to do the right thing with this, so I want to make sure I've really thought it through. So I can't think of a better way of thinking it through than getting advice from my friends and experts here!

One thought is it's the one chance that I have for expensive glass, and I'd never have that chance again. I miss a lot of shots, because I don't bother switching lenses between my 24-105 and 100-400, because many times it's a pain to switch for one shot, so I skip it. What about just getting a 28-300 L series? -- I'd almost never have to switch. But it also seems incredibly heavy for carrying around all the time.

But then there's just getting a whole bunch of things that have always been on my wish list: a really nice, carbon fiber tripd, a softbox for my flash, wireless ttl triggers, a solid state hard drive to make life faster. But it almost seems like that's frittering it away since it's the one chance I have of getting something big. But my camera is fine -- I don't want a full frame, because I like the extra reach the crop sensor gives me for nature photography.

This may seem frivolous since question, but it really is important. I want to make sure everything has been thought through. I miss my mom, and I want this to be special.

Thanks for your help!!

Btw, any canon users have input on the 100mm macro vs 100mm macroL IS version? One thought was to sell my 100mm macro and upgrade to the new L version. But I'd probably be spending around 600 or 700 to upgrade. Is the upgrade worth it? Should that be added to the list?

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/14/2013 10:31:26 AM · #2

i say splurge on the glass, since its important to you, you will remember her more whenever you used it and that effect would be lost on small items.

as far as the macro goes, the biggest difference is to to be the IS. the image quality difference is going to be relatively marginal. if you do most of your work with a tripod i think you are better off spending money elsewhere, but if you handhold often , especially closed down, you might appreciate the IS.

Message edited by author 2013-08-14 10:34:25.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/14/2013 11:46:25 AM · #3

Get the Canon 600mm :)

Nadine_Vb

Nikon D2X

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DL Macro for Nikon

08/14/2013 01:06:53 PM · #4

Originally posted by MinsoPhoto:

Get the Canon 600mm :)

She could do some serious damage with that one. Not one squirrel will be able to hide itself.

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

08/14/2013 01:41:05 PM · #5

Just a brief and humble suggestion to go for prime lenses. While zooms are always more convenient, they fall off in acuity at the extremes of the zoom range. Prime lenses are sharper. It is true one has to "move one's feet" to properly compose through the viewfinder, but it's worth the effort.

Otherwise, your 7D is very good, especially the fps rate. The full frame sensor and 61 focusing points of the 5DMIII are worth considering. Also, a great Gitzo carbon fiber tripod will last a decade or more.

All said, though..... It's not the gear, it's the artist in you.

08/14/2013 01:59:53 PM · #6

Originally posted by hahn23:

I concur.

As for the 100L? No way, it's a fine lens, but it's not THAT much better than the regular 100mm (although, admittedly, I do mostly use mine for macro work, and use flash with it). The new L technically isn't any better optically, and I think the bokeh is a little bit less pleasing. The big benefit here is if you really need the IS on this lens for some reason.

Tell me - how do you use the 100-400? Mine is at 100 or 400 95% of the time, and good gosh, you own nearly all zooms, time to move into some sharp prime glass I think.

I would recommend the following lenses without hesitation:
Sigma 35mm f/1.4
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 135mm f/2
Canon 200mm f/2.8
Canon 300mm f/2.8
Canon 400mm f/4
Canon 600mm f/4 (you can find this used at under 4-5K) - this lens is really stupid heavy, and expensive, but a bird/squirrel photographer would like it I'm sure...

..

Just this fellow's opinion though, you may well have good reason to differ. :)

08/14/2013 02:04:55 PM · #7

I am curious which carbon fiber tripod people recommend. The tripod I do have is a really heavy clunker, and it is currently broken, so I'm seriously considering a good carbon fiber tripod. Suggestions would be incredibly useful, since I'm not sure what exactly to look for (I avoid tripods, because I hate mine. I'd like to make friends with one.)

08/14/2013 02:06:01 PM · #8

Here's a 300 f/2.8L IS that's likely to go cheaply.. It's ugly, but the glass looks pristine.

08/14/2013 02:07:14 PM · #9

Originally posted by vawendy:

I've been liking the Gitzo - I've used a few, and they've all been good so far, and tough too.

Although, Schlake recently has convinced me of just how awesome Really Right Stuff is, so I'd probably recommend a RRS ballhead to go on the top.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

08/14/2013 02:13:24 PM · #10

I understand what you mean about the primes, my 100mm is the best lens I have, hands down, but when I go out, my bag is already full with the 100-400, 10-22, and 24-105. Most of the time I don't have room for my 100mm or 85mm and the fixed seem too limiting. It's really tempting, but I can't see myself using a 200 or 300 because it's just not long enough. And the 400 is tempting, but there are definitely times where I need to back off when using my 100-400. You're right, most of the time I'm at 400, but many times I need to back off a bit, and I couldn't do that with a fixed (and with wildlife, you can't always just back up.)

My fear would be that I'd spend the money, and it would end up sitting in its case. I think I'm starting to lean towards the lots of smaller things instead of one big thing, since I think the smaller things might actually be used more.

Now the 600mm would be used. But that's definitely out of the price range. :)

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

08/14/2013 02:19:27 PM · #11

Originally posted by vawendy:

Carbon fiber is lighter and warmer (in frigid weather) than other materials. I like the infinite angle adjustment of the legs. My Gitzo has been an important part of my photography. 99% of my photos are tripod mounted. Pick one heavy duty enough to support your camera and lens. Consider your height... your tripod should be tall enough to use your camera at eye level. And, if you travel with gear a lot, consider how compact the legs will be. It's an issue of three sections or four sections.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

08/14/2013 04:22:09 PM · #12

Is gitzo better than manfrotto?

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

08/14/2013 04:44:10 PM · #13

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is gitzo better than manfrotto?

I don't know. I just love my Gitzo because it is excellent and durable. Manfrotto is a sister company of Gitzo... competing on the high end. Gitzo's leg-locking system is the best and fastest I've seen, but I haven't looked for the last seven years. Like I mentioned earlier, it's the infinite angle adjustment of the legs which allows me to establish a solid, level working platform in any terrain which makes me love my Gitzo. I have replaced parts on my Gitzo, but it's easy.

08/14/2013 04:50:22 PM · #14

Originally posted by vawendy:

Is gitzo better than manfrotto?

I can't say for sure, but I do know that I've preferred the Gitzo's over the Manfrotto's I've laid my hands on.

Of course, now I own a Majestic, so all those silly carbon fiber things are just toys. ;)

08/14/2013 07:03:02 PM · #15

what the heck is a majestic?

08/14/2013 07:13:08 PM · #16

Originally posted by vawendy:

what the heck is a majestic?

Heavy and old. Bear recommended it to me when I was complaining that I needed something able to handle 50lbs or so of gear on the head.

08/14/2013 09:45:31 PM · #17

I already have heavy and old.

mcaldo

Samsung GX-10

Pentax SMC-F 50mm f/1.7

08/15/2013 05:47:11 AM · #18

I know and understand pretty much nothing, about canon lenses and more generally.
But, if you really feel you are losing shots, perhaps the 28-400 is the right choice, provided you are ok with using it all the time despite of the weight.
Or a second camera body if you are ok with carrying two cameras, so you don't need switching lenses anyway.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/15/2013 06:22:32 AM · #19

piggy backing off the last suggestion what about a used full frame camera to use your 24-105 on? That way you would essentially have 24-105 and 160-640mm range covered while out?

08/15/2013 09:12:28 AM · #20

Originally posted by mcaldo:

I went back and looked, and the weight is huge. I don't know that it's a good trade off when all is said and done. Maybe I just need a better setup for switching lenses. One of those pouch systems for easier access instead of having to get it from the sling sack.

The full frame is an interesting idea, but I don't think it would be used enough to justify it. I could be carrying two bodies right now so I wouldn't have to switch lenses, but I don't like the extra weight and bulkiness, which now that I'm talking through things, makes me think I really wouldn't enjoy the canon lens.

Tamron has a 18-270 for $449. I assume that I'd be losing a lot of quality over my 24-105L, but maybe I should get one for walk arounds or vacations when I don't want to slow down the family.

(by the way, I appreciate the conversations -- it helps to talk things out!)

Neat

Canon Canon 1d x Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/15/2013 09:34:03 AM · #21

Originally posted by vawendy:

My mother passed away in May and she left me a small inheritance. Most is going to pay bills,

this is the bit that worries me ;P0)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

08/15/2013 11:23:47 AM · #22

Ok.

I'm going a different direction on this one.

Wendy, I notice that you have mentioned a couple of times a desire to not bother your family while still getting pictures, and a desire for more portable gear.

Any guesses where I'm headed with this?

:)

.. That's right! I think you need a new small-format camera. Some really good options out there right now as well, and I think it's starting to sound very much like you need a smaller, more portable, and FUN camera.

Kroburg

Nikon Z6II

08/15/2013 11:46:38 AM · #23

Wendy I can't help you decide which stuff to buy. That is so personal, I can't judge the urgency for the different equipment you mentioned. But what I know is this: when my father died, he left me a small inheritance as well. And my wife advised me to use a great deal of it for personal use. My problem was, I had so many (expensive) hobbies, I didn't know what to do, which hobby should benefit from it. I really wanted to buy something special, not just buying for buying because the money was there. Therefore I waited quite some time and in that period I more and more felt I should go for photography and that's what I did at last. Most of the stuff I use now is bought with that money and I'm very happy I made that choice.

What I try to say, if you're not sure what to do now, just wait a bit longer. Make sure you have the money saved somewhere and meanwhile try to find out what you really want to do with your photography and what you need for it. Good luck!

08/15/2013 07:01:17 PM · #24

Originally posted by Kroburg:

That's very good advice, and kind of what's helping me make up my mind. There hasn't been anything big for which I've been saving, and the smaller things have been on my wish list for quite awhile, and haven't really moved off. I haven't done anything about them, because I wasn't sure which I was going to do first. But maybe it's time for some of the toys and the rest gets put aside for a memorable trip -- thousands of sandhill cranes in nebraska in february.