Wanna Sell Me A Wide Angle Lens For $230??? ;)

[SrisonS]

.... Just Playing!!!! (I know it's against board policy)

But yesterday at Downtown Disney, I made the mistake of letting my wife go in Tren-D alone. Well... She walked out with her 3rd Dooney & Bourke/Disney goodie. She somewhat tried to justify it by saying that it was her anniversary gift. And now she says my gift is being able to spend that same amount on something for myself (we just received our tax refund too).

I seriously wish I could get a UWA for that price, but I know it's probably impossible. But I'll most likely get a most needed external flash (a cheaper Japanese import). With the rest of the funds, I'll probably just get some random things I've been wanting... **Nerd Alert!!!** ... like a box of Harry Potter/Deathly Hallows trading cards.... don't judge me. Not sure what else though.

But if you had $230, what would you get??? Photography-wise or other. (and I don't mean as suggestions for me..... just trying to spark a little light convo around here.)

 

[Frantasmic]

You seem like a nice individual, one who loves his wife and wants what's best for her, so I think you should get a brand new wide angle and just tell her that she doesn't need to buy you anything for the next 10 anniversaries or so. She won't have to go to the store, no worries about finding the right thing, etc.

It's what a good husband would do for his wife.


Of course, if I tried this approach, there'd be one too many zeroes in the number of anniversaries we'd have left! You may also have too many 1's in that number too.

To answer the question, I liked the new Sigma flashes in last month's Pop Photo mag. I'd go with one of those.

 

[Revan]

Rokinon Fish Eye? $290 at Amazon - a little more than you want to spend - but you have to figure in the portion of the cost to fly to Disney and go to DTD don't you?

 

[JoeDif]

Anything Harry Potter is cool!!

For $230 you can get the Metz 50 AF-1 flash from Adorama. These are fully TTL compatible with Nikon, Canon, Olympus, etc. If I had the $230, that's what I'd go for since it is a more powerful and versatile flash that the Oly FL36-R which is in the same price range.

 

[annnewjerz]

but you have to figure in the portion of the cost to fly to Disney and go to DTD don't you?

Nice try, but he's a local---so no wiggling any extra money out based on that logic!

 

[mom2rtk]

Nice try, but he's a local---so no wiggling any extra money out based on that logic!

But have you seen the price of gas lately?????

And we should probably pro-rate the cost of an annual pass..............

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

If my DW told me I had exactly $230 to spend on photography related items I might decide to go down the software aisle.

Like say the Topaz Labs plug in bundle for $199.

Or if I wanted to go B&W I would think about Nik Software Silver Efex Pro for $199.95.

Then again I've always wanted to try HDR so maybe either HDR Efex Pro for $159.95 or Photomatix for $99.

Ahh. Throwing out too many options, and not picking anything! So I guess if I had a $230 budget......I would pick up the Topaz Labs bundle for $199 and spend the other $30 on something small like some interesting background fabrics for my light tent.

 

[ssanders79]

But yesterday at Downtown Disney, I made the mistake of letting my wife go in Tren-D alone. Well... She walked out with her 3rd Dooney & Bourke/Disney goodie.
......
But if you had $230, what would you get??? Photography-wise or other. (and I don't mean as suggestions for me..... just trying to spark a little light convo around here.)

Scott, If you think Trend-D is bad wait until you go on another cruise. My wife seems to get a DCL D&B bag everytime.

As for the $230.. save it and get the UWA. That's what I decided to do. My wife even said go for it a few weeks ago, but I thought she was joking...

 

[mom2rtk]

Honestly, if you want a wide angle lens, my own philosophy is to be patient and get exactly what you want. That being the case, I'd take the $230 in cash and stash it away somewhere at home. Then I'd ask for cash for birthdays and any other gift-giving occasion until I had enough for exactly what I wanted.

 

[Marlton Mom]

**Nerd Alert!!!** ... like a box of Harry Potter/Deathly Hallows trading cards.... don't judge me.

This board is a veritable "Nerd Herd", so no we are not "Judging". We all have our weaknesses (Dept 56 here). Yes, our spouses roll their eyes at us, but then we just cite chapter and verse about their "affliction"

But if you had $230, what would you get??? Photography-wise or other. (and I don't mean as suggestions for me..... just trying to spark a little light convo around here.)

As for you I would think it wise to invest in another Dooney & Bourke goodie of your wife's liking.

Here is my logic on this one. A) You could carry some of your gear in it when you went to the parks. Hold up a second!.. I know what you are thinking.... that you wouldn't be caught dead lugging all that camera gear around in something like this.... BUT, it would just look like you were "holding" her bag while she was in the ladies room or some such lady place that us wives tend to frequent AND B) She could BORROW IT when you wouldn't be using it, which perhaps might be the case frequently.

Think of how much joy you'll experience when your wife lovingly comes to you and sweetly purrs in your ear "Honey may I borrow YOUR Dooney & Bourke bag?"

I rest my case. (You can thank me later)

As for myself, I am after an 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Autofocus Lens, which would do nicely as a walk around lens. On Friday I had the chance to go up to B and H and fondle the merch, specifically this lens, which was conveniently attached to a D90.

I actually made up my mind on this lens as opposed to the 18-200 Nikon (VRII) based on the technical specs and the reports that it was sharper than the 200. I still have the 18-55 and the 55-200 kit lenses that came with my D60, AND the Tokina 11- 16 AND the 35mm 1.8, but my 12 year old son wants the D60 and he would be crushed if I sold it to support my D90 habit (or worse, the descent into full frame!! ).

Some time before I take a trip to the World in June I shall pull the trigger and this piece of glass shall join the menagerie that lives in my camera bag.

Times a-wastin! Better order that next Sweet Dooney & Bourke bag before she gets mad at you again!


Marlton Mom

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We all have our weaknesses (Dept 56 here). Yes, our spouses roll their eyes at us, but then we just cite chapter and verse about their "affliction"

Now you've got MY attention!

 

[SrisonS]

Yeah, it sucks being local.

Scott, If you think Trend-D is bad wait until you go on another cruise. My wife seems to get a DCL D&B bag everytime.

As for the $230.. save it and get the UWA. That's what I decided to do. My wife even said go for it a few weeks ago, but I thought she was joking...

I don't even want to think about this. It's bad enough with just regular cruise merchandise. So her... Stuck on a ship.. With Dooney & Bourke bags there?!?! I usually like to wander the ship and take pictures while she's napping. But I guess in the future, she'll be "napping".

And Marlton Mom, we'll just agree to disagree on that one.

 

[Marlton Mom]

And Marlton Mom, we'll just agree to disagree on that one.

You know, with all the compliments that you'll be getting from the other guys at the park, that bag will just about pay for itself!

Think of being the stylish trend setter! One day, wives all over Disney Parks and cruise ships will say your name with the reverence that is reserved for Walt!

"Doesn't my husband look STUNNING with his Dooney & Bourke Bag? I picked it out myself for him!"

~ MM

 

[oogieboogieman]

Wait a minute!!!! It's time to " ADD ALL 3 TOGETHER " and then see what nice toy/toys you can get yourself.

After 18 plus years of marriage I've learned not to say a word when something new shows up at the house. I was just in the closet looking around the other day and I found bags of clothing that still had receipts and tags on them from November. I can't even tell you how many pairs of shoes that ALL LOOK THE SAME in that closet. But I won't say a word because she handles the the bills. I can say that it's adding up in my mind.

I see some a new lens in my future!!! I have my eye set on a Nikon 85 f/1.8, but if she keeps buying things i will upgrade that to a f/1.4.


BTW, my wife has 2 of those DB purses!


Good Luck

 

[Groucho]

Heheh, Mrs Groucho occasionally tries to pull the same trick, though more often in reverse. "Well, then, I should be able to spend that much on something for me!" If you're worried about money, I fail to see how spending twice as much is going to help!

I am fortunate, though, in that Mrs Groucho is not into fancy handbags. She is huge into bags in general though (think TimBuk2 and that kind of thing), and often comes back from our trips with at least one (and often more) new Disney bags. If I told you how many bags she has socked away in the closet, she would probably be ex Mrs Groucho! So I better stop before I say any more.

As for spending it - you're already got a fisheye, right? If not, a Samyang or clone would be the obvious choice, and use one of the fisheye lens correction profiles in Lightroom/PS to give you the UWA when you really want it. (Though I can't understand wanting UWA when you have that beautiful fishiness at your fingertips! )

 

[SrisonS]

You know, with all the compliments that you'll be getting from the other guys at the park, that bag will just about pay for itself!

Think of being the stylish trend setter! One day, wives all over Disney Parks and cruise ships will say your name with the reverence that is reserved for Walt!

"Doesn't my husband look STUNNING with his Dooney & Bourke Bag? I picked it out myself for him!"

~ MM

I think I can live with just being the unstylish loser, if that's the case.


A year ago around this time, I definitely would've considered putting that money toward a UWA. I would've have let the $230 limit hold me back either; that would just be the opening I needed to make myself feel better.

But since our daughter was born a few months back, I haven't had as many solo photo outings. And I've found myself taking a lot more indoor shots; even just quick snapshots with the built-in flash. And the more I use that flash, the more I've been disappointed with it.

 

[JoeDif]

But since our daughter was born a few months back, I haven't had as many solo photo outings. And I've found myself taking a lot more indoor shots; even just quick snapshots with the built-in flash. And the more I use that flash, the more I've been disappointed with it.

The built in flash is ok (and just barely) for outdoor fill flash. For indoors, an external flash either off camera or bounced is the way to go.

 

[Jeniferdwn]

hmm.....well I just talked dh into buying me the VR 18-200 (i think) lens for my Nikon D3000 that HE bought me for Chrsitmas with the argument that our dd starts softball next week (something her and DH enjoy) and that with my lens that came with it, I woulnd't be able to take good outdoor shots of her. SO......I'd have some fun with that $230! I might buy a $150 GC to save for our Disney trip next year and play around with the other $80. Get some photos developed, or maybe buy those two winter Lego sets that I've seen online! how fun would $230 be!!!!! i can only wish!!!!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Don't let the wife know but....

Ian Ray, Creative Director from Dooney & Bourke will make a special appearance at Magic Kingdom this weekend ***************/dLWuPx

 

[SrisonS]

Scott, If you think Trend-D is bad wait until you go on another cruise. My wife seems to get a DCL D&B bag everytime.

As for the $230.. save it and get the UWA. That's what I decided to do. My wife even said go for it a few weeks ago, but I thought she was joking...

Don't let the wife know but....

Ian Ray, Creative Director from Dooney & Bourke will make a special appearance at Magic Kingdom this weekend ***************/dLWuPx

I'd kinda be interested in attending that myself (no idea why). But then again, I don't wanna know what my future nightmare will be.