How Long?

[MarkBarbieri]

When you decide that you want a particular lens, how long does it usually take before you buy the lens?

I'm getting ribbed because I've decided to buy the Canon 100-400 but I'm waiting until the Feb or March to get it. Thinking back, there is usually a multi-month delay between when I decide that I want a lens and before I get around to buying it. I'm curious. Is that the norm or is that the exception?

 

[webshark3]

Typically, my delays have been as long as the annoucemnt date > launch date.

If it's an older product (like a lens) it varies. Once I determine I want a lens, I shop for price, or hold out til something pops up used at my price.

Still waiting for a Digital Rangefinder under $400. It'll happen 1 day after pigs fly.

 

[wenrob]

I think it just depends on your personality. You have the "I want it and am going to buy it now crowd," the "I want it but I'm going to bide my time crowd" and those that are in between. Every lens, flash, camera etc, I've waited weeks before I've actually purchased them. But when I do finally purchase them, I don't want to wait for shipping, I want it yesterday, lol!

 

[WDWFigment]

Between 2 weeks and 6 months. It's always on account of price, and never on account of release date (I rarely, if ever, buy products when they are first released because there is usually a fair drop off in price from the release price to a couple months later when the resale market starts getting the items). When I find something I want, I create an eBay search, leave that open at all times in as a tab in Firefox, sort by most recently listed, and wait for someone to list with a low buy-it-now price. I periodically (sometimes compulsively) check it, and buy when I find something that is at least 20% below market. I've gotten lucky so far with that strategy.

 

[annnewjerz]

I'd put myself in the "I want it and I'm going to buy it now" category ---but only when I have the cash to do so. Once I have my mind made up that I want something, it's usually no more than a month-ish until I find a way to scrape together the extra cash for it.

This, obviously, would differ if it were a lens that was on the pricey side. No matter how hard I try, there is no way for me to scrape together the extra cash for a 70-200mm f/2.8 in a month so that would be one of those rare times when I'd actually wait................maybe

 

[VVFF]

I'd put myself in the "I want it and I'm going to buy it now" category ---but only when I have the cash to do so. Once I have my mind made up that I want something, it's usually no more than a month-ish until I find a way to scrape together the extra cash for it.

This, obviously, would differ if it were a lens that was on the pricey side. No matter how hard I try, there is no way for me to scrape together the extra cash for a 70-200mm f/2.8 in a month so that would be one of those rare times when I'd actually wait................maybe

Same here. Right now I have a Tokina 11-16 on order...for the past month...sigh. Also very tempted by the new 100mm L macro coming out...The Tokina is getting priority but I sure would like both .

 

[Code]

I've known what my next lens is for over a year (Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM), but I spent so much when I switched systems and bought all 6 of my lenses up front that I haven't yet been able to release the tight grip I always have on my wallet, no matter how irritating the lens it will replace (Minolta 70-210/4) can be sometimes.

 

[YesDear]

It usually depends on the 0000 factor. The more 0's in the price the longer it takes me to make up my mind. $2-500 dollars and that decision is pretty easy. over $1500 and the brain kicks in. Does not mean I do not decide, just means my process is slower.

I will also admit to something I see a lot of us here suffer from. Once I decide I want it, I WANT IT!!! Why is it not here and why do they not have it in stock and how did Ann get one before me!!!! OOPs Did not really mean you Ann! Remember, I only pick on the ones I like!

 

[saturndb]

Mine comes down to the dollar amount. the more it costs the longer I think about it and make sure it something I need.

Dave

 

[handicap18]

For me its the dollar amount. I've finally decided I'm going to get the Tamron 17-55mm f/2.8. I have some gift certificates from amazon, but I'm waiting on one more which I should be getting next week. Soon as I get it I will be ordering the lens. I decided in the last 2-3 weeks that this is the lens I will be getting, but needed just a bit more money to make the final purchase.

For me, generally its probably 3-6 weeks depending on the cost.

 

[wenrob]

For me its the dollar amount. I've finally decided I'm going to get the Tamron 17-55mm f/2.8. I have some gift certificates from amazon, but I'm waiting on one more which I should be getting next week. Soon as I get it I will be ordering the lens. I decided in the last 2-3 weeks that this is the lens I will be getting, but needed just a bit more money to make the final purchase.

For me, generally its probably 3-6 weeks depending on the cost.

This is next on my list but probably not until after the beginning of the year. Eldest DD's birthday kicks off "birthday season" here which rolls right into the holidays and we just found out she needs oral surgery. So *sigh* it's going to be awhile.

 

[WVDisGeek]

The accountant in me pretty much kills all impulse buying and makes me wait. Usually, my bigger problem is deciding on which lens I want. I know I want a wider lense before our December trip, but I have been "debating" for a couple of months now. I will need to decide soon. I watch prices and this has usually worked pretty well for me, but have been burned once by waitiing too long and a price increase did me in!

 

[kaffinito]

When I find something I want, I create an eBay search, leave that open at all times in as a tab in Firefox, sort by most recently listed, and wait for someone to list with a low buy-it-now price. I periodically (sometimes compulsively) check it, and buy when I find something that is at least 20% below market. I've gotten lucky so far with that strategy.

That's a really smart way to do it! I never thought about doing it that way.

I will also admit to something I see a lot of us here suffer from. Once I decide I want it, I WANT IT!!! Why is it not here and why do they not have it in stock and how did Ann get one before me!!!! OOPs Did not really mean you Ann! Remember, I only pick on the ones I like!

Too funny! My process and time table for buying a lens is:

1) Gdad posts a photo of his latest.
2) I spend hours and days looking photos taken with said item and reading spec sheets.
3) Then Ann posts and asks questions/ gives feed back on the item.
4) more time spent looking online and saying to myself "I really shouldn't"

Then I buy it and use express shipping. It usually takes about two weeks between a thread and my latest "can't live without" item.

 

[annnewjerz]

Why is it not here and why do they not have it in stock and how did Ann get one before me!!!! OOPs Did not really mean you Ann! Remember, I only pick on the ones I like!

Har har har. That was a real knee slapper, John!!

I don't believe for a second I've ever had something on this board sooner than someone else gets it. Other than Nikon Cafe, this board is my main source of lens lust, can't lust over something that no one has yet!! More quickly purchased than someone else, maybe---but sooner? I think not.

 

[annnewjerz]

That's a really smart way to do it! I never thought about doing it that way.





Too funny! My process and time table for buying a lens is:

1) Gdad posts a photo of his latest.
2) I spend hours and days looking photos taken with said item and reading spec sheets.
3) Then Ann posts and asks questions/ gives feed back on the item.
4) more time spent looking online and saying to myself "I really shouldn't"

Then I buy it and use express shipping. It usually takes about two weeks between a thread and my latest "can't live without" item.

Hey now, no need to add fuel to the fire. The last thing John needs is someone egging him on. He's good enough at the razzing without anyone else backing him up.