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Well, I am finally in a financial position to buy my 500L, Lens Coat, Wimberly head, CP filter, 1.4 extender etc: total package= $7700. This is something I have been drooling over and planning since I bought my first dslr 3 years ago. I love bird and wildlife photography and am confident this setup would keep me happy for a very long time.
But now comes the guilt: I don
Rick
Use the logic I use. Know yourself Bob. Your going to buy the thing at some point, you just as well have the use now. [B]
Enjoy your new lens.
Side Note: I ordered the 1D Mark IV Friday. The wife did not say she would divorce me, but she said if I buy anything else I have to start making money with it.
Rick
(your looking to the wrong group for help here Bob, asking this group is like going to the Bar and asking your drinking buddies to help you stop drinking. Unless they need a designated driver your out of luck)
I'm sorry Bob, can you kindly explain your problem again, because I don't see one. [;)]
You certainly don't have to make money on a purchase in order to justify it. You're happiness should be reward enough!
We're all on this Planet for a very short time, why not get the most out of it?
I say if it brings you happiness and you can afford it, and you can still pay your mortgage and bills without going into huge debt, then "Go For It."
Besides, it's much safer than a Motorcycle.
I do the same thing too, as I have a boat in my Living Room, called my Stereo System!
Rich
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lane
Rich
Great advice, its a fun hobby but its not worth putting the credit card monkey on your back.
I certainly understand the sentiment. I have spent close to $5k this year getting my kit and that doesn
Haha [:D]
Nah Bob, don't feel guilty. Show everyone around you how beautiful the world is. That would give you a lot of satisfaction which cannot be replaced by money.
For me making a trip and taking photos is the best way to relax and enjoy. Sometimes it's not bad t think about yourself [A] Somebody else enjoys putting money into old cars, expensive holidays....you name it. Your initial costs might be high, but summing up costs of other hobbies might be just as expensive in the end [8-|]
Better yet, I don't even like to get paid for photography, since I feel that working for something/someone makes it harder to express your own creativity and in the end you'll lose some of the passion. I like it when there are no strings attached, so I can do what I want.
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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
Well, of course, this is why a came here for advice, and ignored my investment banker (what's his name again?)
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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
The credit card monkey doesn't get any heavier, but doesn't get any lighter either. All bills paid comfortably and even have some change left over for a trip to use the 500.----
Great advice--especially the last line.
Bob
Bob,
I am of the mind set that if you can afford it without incurring debt and it will not adversely affect your family life, go for it.
I recently had a similar decision regarding the 1D IV. I went for it and carefully selected some glass taking advantage of the double rebates. Given the looming price increases, I fell pretty good about the purchase now. Most of my pictures are of family and school activities, and I find it very rewarding sharing them with the school family. My point is that life cannot always be listed as income and expense on a balance sheet. To paraphrase the MasterCard people, self-fulfillment is priceless.
It sounds like you have given it thoughtful consideration and just need a little reassuring. If you are going to use the gear, you are making the correct decision.
Chris
Bob,
Not that I really have any wisdom, but here
Bob
Now that we have been no help talking you out of it.
Just suggestions: I was looking at the latest test results of the new 1.4X Bryan posted. On the 300mm to me it showed more improvement than it did on the initial 200mm samples. I would hold out for the III version.
Second suggestion: You have to order the plate separately to go with the Wimberley head. Which you probably know. The plate is a pain taking off and putting back on, at least IMO so I leave mine on. This isn
Your Wife gave you the green light, you have enough money for it, why wait? You deserve it Bob, I say you go for it!
I look at it this way for both of us ...we
I just made my wife read this post. It
It
RIck, Great suggestions, I had thought about an aftermarked foot for the tripod ring, RRS has a pretty good one, and I think wimberly does as well.
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Originally Posted by erno james
Great resolution Erno
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Originally Posted by thekingb
Its never too early to plant that seed, i think my wife gave the ok, just so I would stop talking about it.
Sorry, Bob ,I almost missed this thread.
I don't understand why you feel guilty? you don't really "buy" this lens, you just put some money on it and someday you will get the money back when you sell it especially when the interest rate is so low and the $ is so weak these days.
but you should find a good deal IMO, money is money, paying less money makes me feel happier![:D]
good luck!
update, since I got very good result with the 500mm+1.4XTC combo for shooting closer small birds, I thought I can get pretty good result for shooting distant birds or BIF, but I 'm kind of disappointed so far with the results. I don't know what other people who has had the 500mm for longer time think about it, I feel it's so hard to do BIF on a tripod, hand holding the 400mm 5.6 was so much easier IMO, but then I may need more practice. anyway, just think you may want to know this before you buy and no doubt this 500mm is a great lens.
Do it Bob, this is an investment.
My wife invests in shoes and outfits all the time and she is a good investor. Good glass is a wise investment, we all know that. I sat for half an hour in front of the camera store trying to justify if I should spend a couple of grand on a lens. I even drove away and said, "no." But I went back.
I am sooo glad I did, if you can afford it a good lens will pay you back a lot more than what it cost.
Just do it.
You only live once, and if you can afford it and your wife approves of it... what more could you ask for, go for it!
I
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJphoto
The Wimberley head Bob is buying is great for tracking birds in flight. The longer the focal length the harder it is though. When I bought my 500mm I thought about getting the 800mm instead. Now I am glad I didn't because of the extra size and it would be harder to track BIF. If a bird is already moving I find it hard to locate him with the 500mm, but if I can get on him its not so bad.
@JJ. I guess the guilt comes from looking around the house an realizing I need to fix the crack in the fron porch, Landscape the back yard, etc---The only comfort is knowing that these sorts of things are small financial burdens and can usually be delt with from the normal household income, where as the lens is a pretty good chunk of money and requires some long term planning to avoid significant debt. But.....you can do a lot of home improvement with the moeny this lens costs.
@Steve: Investment yes, The fact that these lenses hold thier value so well is very reassuring--thanks for the reminder..
@Trowski: "You only live once" You are correct, and that is probably the deciding factor. I fear if I don't take advantage of this opportunity it will be a very long time before I could do it again.
@HD: BIF is definately a challenge and one that i really enjoy, But really not my primary purpose for the lens.Wildlife is really my passion and this spring I have a couple of trips planned with a friend who is an avid hunter, in search of mountain lion, bobcat, bear, elk etc---with these animals, a lens with reach is definitely an advantage, especially with the cats--they are very elusive and very dangerous if you are lucky enough to find one close enough to photograph---Even with a 500. Iplan on using the wimberly head for these situations as well. Even though I have a very good RRS ball head, It can be a challlenge with my 100-400, I am sure this would also be the case with the 500, so the wimberly is my solution, at least in part.The other part would be practice.
Bob
Bob,
Two weeks ago the 500 f/4L IS was $6140, it went up to $6399 last week, another reason for you to get it NOW before it goes up more.
I
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Originally Posted by Sinh Nhut Nguyen
Thanks Nate, I noticed that, and the fear of another price increase in February is looming. Hopefully I'll be able to place my order by weeks end[:D]
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Originally Posted by JJphoto
Thanks, JJ, Thats a good tip, but I had a bad experience trying to go cheap one time, so now I stick with B&H or Adorama---at least i know that if there is a problem, they are accessible and willing to work with me.
Thanks again,
Bob
Bob
Haven't we cheered you enough....where is that tracking number?
The weekend will be here in just four days.....
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Originally Posted by Bob Williams
sorry to hear that Bob, but Adorama will match the price if I remember right......., anyway, no pressure on you and goo luck!
You only live once mate, might as well enjoy it. Sounds like you
Well, I have been away for a couple of weeks but wanted to get back to all of you and thank you for your very convincing arguments, wizdom and support. After weighing all the variables, I chose not to purchase the 500. And yes, it was a tough decision but as it ends up, it was the right one. This weekend I did my taxes and it seems, Uncle Sam wants my money more than Canon---or Canon has slightley less influance than Uncle Sam does. Regardless, The 500 will have to wait.
Thank you all for your input and encouragement----Now to catch up on all of the reading I have missed.
Bob
Happy to see you back, Bob but sorry to hear about the news! I think good ol
Bob
Sorry to hear that. Makes me wonder where our stimulus check is so we can get some new lenses. Shoot, I know people here in the home state that got enough tax breaks last year to get a free electric car.
Here is a suggestion you might think about in the future. If I couldn