The Jeff/Gdad's "Terrible" Influence Support Group

[vandort]

Your a student, right? Studying to become an attorney, right? I think that you will have a lot more disposable income in a few years. I remember being in grad school with little money. It definitely gets better when you actually have a job and you get paid for your skills.

And, yes, children are expensive. But, many of have kids and are still buying photo gear.

 

[Daisy14]

Your a student, right? Studying to become an attorney, right? I think that you will have a lot more disposable income in a few years. I remember being in grad school with little money. It definitely gets better when you actually have a job and you get paid for your skills.

And, yes, children are expensive. But, many of have kids and are still buying photo gear.

Good Point, until your better half decides that the children need her to be around more or her mother gets sick and needs her to be at home... you never know when the big fella upstairs decides that your family will be better as a single income...

 

[WDWFigment]

I'd say, much like a tattoo, sleep on it.

Oh, if I do end up getting this, I definitely will get a tattoo of the 14-24. Mike Tyson style. (Okay, probably not, as that definitely wouldn't fly in my occupation.)

I'm still really torn on this. Sarah also reminded me of the point that she would be lens-less (she has my old D40 and uses the Sigma 30 and Nikkor 18-200) if I did it, which is a strike against it. Plus, I don't think I've really hit any ceilings with my current gear. While going full frame might open up some new opportunities, it's not like I need it to continue to push myself. Maybe whatever money could go towards the full frame setup would be better spent going towards more trips to WDW. In all likelihood, that would produce a greater increase in good WDW shots.

 

[Groucho]

First off... having not seen Gdad's shots yet, and having no idea what this lens you all speak of costs... I an very glad that I am into fisheye and not UWA shots.

But seriously - if I were in your shoes and feeling the need, I think what I would do is wait for the D700 replacement that is probably right around the corner... then buy a used D700. IMHO the D300s is about as uninteresting an upgrade as you can get (basically a D300 plus mediocre video capabilities); will the D700s really offer compelling new features? More importantly, will it offer features that you'd really need or want?

I would guess that a D700 will, still photography-speaking, do about 99% (or more) of what a D700s will offer. Even if I'm wrong and they manage to cram in a lot more - the basic D700 is still a pretty compelling camera if you want to go FF and will probably be available for a huge amount less than the new selling price of its replacement.

The D700 is also built sturdy enough that a used one should last for a long time with no worries, and by buying used, you're facing less depreciation when you decide that you do need to upgrade to a newer body!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Okay, so it's not really a support group, but Jeff is to blame for my dilemma. <snip>

However, there is the negative of being restricted to just one lens. I would lose the Sigma 30, Nikon 18-200, and Tokina 11-16.

So, what do you think? Is it worth it to be restricted to just two lenses (I'd also keep the Nikkor 50 1.8)? Any other benefits/restrictions I'm not considering?

WDWFigment, you could still use the Tokina on FF at 16mm. Many on NikonCafe have reported doing so w/ no vignetting issues. Anyway, Gdad has influenced a lot of us, but I have to say that I blame you for influencing me to buy the Tokina. I have been seriously drooling over it for the last few months and keep telling myself I don't need it as I have the Sigma 10-20...But the Sigma is not f/2.8. So just wanted you to know that if I get it, it's your fault!

 

[vandort]

I’m reading one of Scott Kelby’s books (http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/the-digital-photography-book-volume-3.html). There is a quote in that book that reminds me of this thread and is rather funny.

“One of the questions I get asked most is, “Which lens should I buy next?” Of course, I have to ask a question of my own before I can answer that question and that is, “How stable is your marriage?” I ask that because if you have a really stable marriage---one that is based on trust, caring, compassion, and a healthy fear of handguns---it’s entirely possible that it can endure having one of you become a serious photographer. Otherwise, I refuse to answer the lens question, because having a serious photographer in the family is going to seriously test the strength of your marriage. For example, there will come a day when you’ll be faced with the decision of whether to get that super-sharp, fast f/2.8 lens or to stay married. That’s because in most marriages, one spouse controls the funds, and that should never be the spouse that’s into photography, because there will come a day, mark my words, where you’ll be holding your mortgage payment book in one hand and the B&H Photo catalog in the other, and you’re going to be faced with a moral dilemma that will test the very mettle of your commitment to your spouse, family and friends. You’ll start to ask yourself crazy questions like, “How would we do living on the streets” and “Would our friends sneak us food?” and “I wonder if they’ll throw in a free polarizing lens?” These are not the kinds of questions you want to be asking yourself at this stage of your life (by the way, the more expensive the lens, the more free stuff you should try to get thrown in). Anyway, if one day you are faced with one of these really tough decisions, I’ll give you the same advice that I gave my own daughter, “Honey you can always find another husband, but a great sale on some really fast glass only comes along one in a lifetime.”"

 

[ColleenG]

I'll have to have DH read this ^^^^. I'm the shutterbug AND the one who handles the finances. Even just tonight I said to a friend I want to get a 30 mm and a speedlight and I got the look .

 

[Groucho]

I'll have to have DH read this ^^^^. I'm the shutterbug AND the one who handles the finances. Even just tonight I said to a friend I want to get a 30 mm and a speedlight and I got the look .

Same here. I assume it's the same way in Gdad's house.

My wife complains a little less after I sold my Cosina 1.2 for over 4x what I paid for it and bought her a K-x with the profits.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

My wife actually encourages my purchases. She does it for two reasons. First, she loves all the pictures, especially the kids pictures. Second, she gets more and more into photography every year and she likes having access to nice gear and software. She's been shooting pictures for the school all year and loves the compliments that she gets on her work.