What's on Your Christmas List?

[MarkBarbieri]

What is on your Christmas list that is photography related? New camera? New lens? New accessories? Workshops? Trips?

I'm thinking about getting some additional studio lights. I'm still trying to out how much money we have to spend.

 

[Furgus]

Nikon SB-800 and a NIkor 24-120 VR. These of course are for the new baby....I need some time to practice before Feb

 

[Master Mason]

a 77mm circular polorizer...

 

[DueyDooDah]

A trip to Seaworld, Animal Safari in SD, DL and Universal Studios. This, along with my new Canon 50mm 1.4 prime. We're booked to stay in Paradise Pier over the holidays. We are on pins and needles.

 

[orchjoe]

I had really wanted to go to the world (First time with my XTi). My better side's family was planning on going in Feb 2008. I felt left out so I convinced my GF to go down during X-mas break when they had a deal going on.

I booked and it ended up that everyone else changed their trips to Dec to be with us. Now there will be 16 of us down there. So I will be going Dec 18-23




Gear wise:

What I really want for I want a battery grip for my Xti

 

[Groucho]

My wife was originally thinking on getting me a nice camera bag, but I just don't think I'd get any better use out of a fancy new sling bag than my old boxy Tamrac, so... I'm figuring that I'll "let" her kick in to get me the Pentax 31mm F1.8... I'm pretty excited about it. Popular Photography called it one of the greatest primes they'd ever tested and seems to often rank extremely high on any "best" lists. The focal length should be a real nice match for the DSLR's cropped sensor. It'll be nice to have a depth of field scale, too! I miss it from many of my newer lenses. Of course, it'll be more than 2x the cost of any other lens I've got... gulp!

After that, I'm still waiting for the details on their upcoming high-end DSLR, which I hope to pick up before April. There's a lot of speculation going on about it - all we know is that they are very aware of what the 40D/D300/A700 offer and are confident that it'll still be something special, and that it will not have a Sony sensor. Between that and the 31mm, that should wipe out the photo budget for a good long time! Maybe by then, Tamron will finally release their 70-200mm F2.8 and we'll see how it compares to the Sigma.

Non-photo stuff... hmmm... well, I would like a copy of "The Art of Disneyland" some day, but it's still just sitting on my Amazon wish list. Oh well! One of these days. Or maybe one of those Master Replicas version of the DL Monorail or the Nautilus...! C'mon, Santa!

 

[mabas9395]

Since I just got my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, I would feel pretty guilty asking for anything else. But if someone really, really wanted to get me something, I could use a 1.4 extender, a Lowepro Toploader 75 AW, an E1 handstrap, a Wacom tablet, and an extra battery.

 

[AndrewWG]

I may just ask Santa for the battery grip for the 30D although I really don't feel like I need it. I'm getting VERY good battery life with the camera as it is, and I can always pop in a fresh battery whenever I want. Does anyone know how well this camera runs on 6 AA batteries? That would be the only real advantage to me. When travelling, I have run into some pretty tough no electricity areas (camping, etc) where the AA option may be nice to have.

 

[YEKCIM]

This isn't really a "Christmas List" item, but I have a sale pending on one of my D50 bodies and will purchase a D80 body to replace it, when the sale is finalized.

~Ed

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I may just ask Santa for the battery grip for the 30D although I really don't feel like I need it. I'm getting VERY good battery life with the camera as it is, and I can always pop in a fresh battery whenever I want. Does anyone know how well this camera runs on 6 AA batteries? That would be the only real advantage to me. When travelling, I have run into some pretty tough no electricity areas (camping, etc) where the AA option may be nice to have.

I've always used a grip on my cameras and never for the extra battery capacity. I like the feel and handling of the camera much better with the portrait grip. Others prefer the smaller size/lighter weight without one. My wife usually shoots with it off on our 10D.

 

[AndrewWG]

I've always used a grip on my cameras and never for the extra battery capacity. I like the feel and handling of the camera much better with the portrait grip. Others prefer the smaller size/lighter weight without one. My wife usually shoots with it off on our 10D.

Well, originally I didn't buy it because when I moved up from the S2 IS to the 30D, the camera felt HUGE to me. Now it is the opposite. The S2 feels tiny. I think I could handle the battery grip much better now. Again, however, I'm not sure I really NEED it, so that is why it's on my Christmas list instead of me just going out and buying it.

I suppose if I were smart, I would put one of those Gary Fong thingy's on my list too. They seem like a nice addition to my flash accessories, and something that I would get more practical use out of in the end.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

[RANT]
I think what I want most of Christmas is a good, cheap, trustworthy financial advisor. I don't know what it's like in other countries, but being a middle class guy trying to effeciently manage your finances requires an insane amount of knowledge and effort. I'm trying to work out my plans for next year and these are just some of the things I have to understand and decide on.

Which health insurance plan should I choose (my company offers me six options)? Should I pay for Dental insurance? Vision insurance? Supplemental disability insurance? Supplemental life insurance? Should I invest in an IRA(traditional, non-deductible, or Roth)? What about a 401K (traditional or Roth)? Should I put money in a Flex Spending Account for child care? How about one for health care? Or should I set up a Health Savings Account instead? Should I contrinbute to a Coverdell Education Savings Account? A 529 plan (pre-paid tuition or savings)? Which state's plan should I use? If I get some restricted stock grants, should I pay the taxes when I get them to lock in my cost basis, or should I wait until they vest to defer the taxes as long as possible? Should I pay down my mortgage or keep it high for the tax deduction? Should I refinance it? If so, should I get a fixed (30 or 15 year?), an ARM (10/1, 7/1, 5/1, 3/1, or 1/1?), an interest only, or a balloon payment loan? Which credit cards should I carry? Which should I use? Should I use a debit card instead of a credit card? Aside from the type of account, where should I invest my money - stocks? bonds? mutual funds? money market? international stocks? commodities? TIPS? Treasuries? How much life insurnace (term or whole life?) is enough? Should I get an annuity? How much auto insurnace, disability insurance, and home owners insurance do I need? Should I have a long term care policy? How much do I need to save for retirement? How much do I need to save for the kid's college? How often should I check my credit report? Do I need to check all three? Should I lock my credit files? Should I help the Nigerian guy that has inhereted a lot of money and keeps e-mailing me or is that a scam? Should I give PayPal my bank account information so that I'm verified, or is that a scam? Can I write my own will or do I need a lawyer? Do I even need a will? Do I need a trust? Who should raise my kids if my wife and I both die? Who should get my camera equipment? Which bank, brokerage, and insurance companies should I use? Who can advice me on these things that doesn't have a direct financial interest biasing their advice? Will their advice cost more than it saves me? It's enough to drive a person insane.
[/RANT]

 

[Piglet's Momma]

I've been getting into lo-fi photography, so I'm thinking about asking for a Polaroid; probably an Ultra for the "closeup" feature. I'm also doing my research and trying to decide between a Lubitel or a Seagull TLR. It also depends on whether we can find a used one that actually works- I don't know that I want to shell out over a hundred dollars for a new one.

And some film. That would help.

 

[AndrewWG]

[RANT]
I think what I want most of Christmas is a good, cheap, trustworthy financial advisor. I don't know what it's like in other countries, but being a middle class guy trying to effeciently manage your finances requires an insane amount of knowledge and effort. I'm trying to work out my plans for next year and these are just some of the things I have to understand and decide on.

Which health insurance plan should I choose (my company offers me six options)? Should I pay for Dental insurance? Vision insurance? Supplemental disability insurance? Supplemental life insurance? Should I invest in an IRA(traditional, non-deductible, or Roth)? What about a 401K (traditional or Roth)? Should I put money in a Flex Spending Account for child care? How about one for health care? Or should I set up a Health Savings Account instead? Should I contrinbute to a Coverdell Education Savings Account? A 529 plan (pre-paid tuition or savings)? Which state's plan should I use? If I get some restricted stock grants, should I pay the taxes when I get them to lock in my cost basis, or should I wait until they vest to defer the taxes as long as possible? Should I pay down my mortgage or keep it high for the tax deduction? Should I refinance it? If so, should I get a fixed (30 or 15 year?), an ARM (10/1, 7/1, 5/1, 3/1, or 1/1?), an interest only, or a balloon payment loan? Which credit cards should I carry? Which should I use? Should I use a debit card instead of a credit card? Aside from the type of account, where should I invest my money - stocks? bonds? mutual funds? money market? international stocks? commodities? TIPS? Treasuries? How much life insurnace (term or whole life?) is enough? Should I get an annuity? How much auto insurnace, disability insurance, and home owners insurance do I need? Should I have a long term care policy? How much do I need to save for retirement? How much do I need to save for the kid's college? How often should I check my credit report? Do I need to check all three? Should I lock my credit files? Should I help the Nigerian guy that has inhereted a lot of money and keeps e-mailing me or is that a scam? Should I give PayPal my bank account information so that I'm verified, or is that a scam? Can I write my own will or do I need a lawyer? Do I even need a will? Do I need a trust? Who should raise my kids if my wife and I both die? Who should get my camera equipment? Which bank, brokerage, and insurance companies should I use? Who can advice me on these things that doesn't have a direct financial interest biasing their advice? Will their advice cost more than it saves me? It's enough to drive a person insane.
[/RANT]

With all of life's questions looming, this has to be the most important point. You don't want someone mis-using your equipment! As for financial advice? Yeah, I'm not the one to talk to.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I've been getting into lo-fi photography, so I'm thinking about asking for a Polaroid; probably an Ultra for the "closeup" feature. I'm also doing my research and trying to decide between a Lubitel or a Seagull TLR. It also depends on whether we can find a used one that actually works- I don't know that I want to shell out over a hundred dollars for a new one.

And some film. That would help.

Welcome to the forum, PM. I have to confess that I'm completely ignorant about Polaroids and don't even know what a Lubitel or Seagull TLR is.

I'm thinking about doing some home-brew projects with old digital camera parts. I'd like to try to make a 3D point and shoot. I'd also like to play around with sensor parts just for fun. Anyone know of any sites with digital camera projects similar to the old pin-hole file cameras or other home-brew cameras?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

With all of life's questions looming, this has to be the most important point. You don't want someone mis-using your equipment! As for financial advice? Yeah, I'm not the one to talk to.

I think I'm going to take it with me. I can do that, can't I?

 

[AndrewWG]

I think I'm going to take it with me. I can do that, can't I?

I think so. That is only if it fits under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. You'd hate to have to check that bag at the counter.

 

[Gdad]

A new kitchen for the DW. If there is anything left after that I am seriously thinking about a 300mm/f2.8

 

[campinggal]

[RANT]
I think what I want most of Christmas is a good, cheap, trustworthy financial advisor. I don't know what it's like in other countries, but being a middle class guy trying to effeciently manage your finances requires an insane amount of knowledge and effort. I'm trying to work out my plans for next year and these are just some of the things I have to understand and decide on.

Which health insurance plan should I choose (my company offers me six options)? Should I pay for Dental insurance? Vision insurance? Supplemental disability insurance? Supplemental life insurance? Should I invest in an IRA(traditional, non-deductible, or Roth)? What about a 401K (traditional or Roth)? Should I put money in a Flex Spending Account for child care? How about one for health care? Or should I set up a Health Savings Account instead? Should I contrinbute to a Coverdell Education Savings Account? A 529 plan (pre-paid tuition or savings)? Which state's plan should I use? If I get some restricted stock grants, should I pay the taxes when I get them to lock in my cost basis, or should I wait until they vest to defer the taxes as long as possible? Should I pay down my mortgage or keep it high for the tax deduction? Should I refinance it? If so, should I get a fixed (30 or 15 year?), an ARM (10/1, 7/1, 5/1, 3/1, or 1/1?), an interest only, or a balloon payment loan? Which credit cards should I carry? Which should I use? Should I use a debit card instead of a credit card? Aside from the type of account, where should I invest my money - stocks? bonds? mutual funds? money market? international stocks? commodities? TIPS? Treasuries? How much life insurnace (term or whole life?) is enough? Should I get an annuity? How much auto insurnace, disability insurance, and home owners insurance do I need? Should I have a long term care policy? How much do I need to save for retirement? How much do I need to save for the kid's college? How often should I check my credit report? Do I need to check all three? Should I lock my credit files? Should I help the Nigerian guy that has inhereted a lot of money and keeps e-mailing me or is that a scam? Should I give PayPal my bank account information so that I'm verified, or is that a scam? Can I write my own will or do I need a lawyer? Do I even need a will? Do I need a trust? Who should raise my kids if my wife and I both die? Who should get my camera equipment? Which bank, brokerage, and insurance companies should I use? Who can advice me on these things that doesn't have a direct financial interest biasing their advice? Will their advice cost more than it saves me? It's enough to drive a person insane.
[/RANT]

You crack me up.

So...I guess you didn't get much sleep last night!

Thanks for the chuckle and no thank you to the mild anxiety attack I felt brewing as I read your list!!!

 

[Anewman]

Since I am starting to dabble in portrait photography...

I think Guitar hero III would make a great prop for photos