3 new (and well overdue) purchases

[btaylor]

Hi Guys,


I've been a bit scarce on here lately - I started a new mid-level management role at work so it's been amazingly hectic.


My better half has been telling me for a while that I'm not allowed to buy any more camera gear unless she gets a ring on her finger. She always pretended she was joking but the hints were coming through thick and fast. []SO..... a couple of weeks back Lauren and I got engaged and she finally got that ring (after 8 years [:O]) which is really exciting.


Almost as exciting though is the fact that I can finally buy some new stuff!!!


I'm still really undecided on lens purchases at the moment. Tossing up between the Canon 14mm f/2.8L (holy $$$ batman!), the Sigma 12-24mm or the Sigma 85mm f/1.4. I always loved my Canon 10-22mm for landscapes but I really need a good telephoto fast prime in my kit. So I've left lenses alone for now.


So I went ahead and thought about what frustrates me the most about my kit. Instantly I thought of that horrible bit of play between my camera body plate and the quick release clamp on my cheapo tripod I picked up while travelling through Vietnam. Every time I set the frame with the tripod I have to adjust to allow for the droop and it just annoys the hell out of me. It's been good to me for a while, but it's not handling the weight of my setup these days.


I read a really interesting article that somebody linked to here about buying the right tripod the first time instead of going through multiple iterations and in the end spending twice as much. With that article in mind I went ahead and ordered a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead with lever release clamp, RRS camera body plate and RRS lens plate for the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II. I'm a big fan of really well machined equipment. If anybody's into archery here and knows about Sure-Loc sights - that's where my obsession with very well made gear started.








Anyway, I thought I'd give it a go for a while on the existing tripod legs but that didn't last long.


Today I ordered the Induro CT 414 carbon fibre tripod. I looked at Gitzo's but I can't justify that cost. - which does kind of contradict my previous statement about going all out but for me to get a Gitzo 3541 LS over here would cost me over $2000, no thanks.














I haven't read a bad review of the Induro 8x carbon fibre tripods yet so I took the plunge. I did consider the 3 section tripod but as I'll be travelling with it I wanted something slightly more compact. The induro really looks rock solid, I think it's going to be a much more enjoyable experience dragging the tripod out. I know it's probably overkill for my current gear but I'd rather be certain I've got long lasting, rock solid equipment to put it on.


I haven't found a lot of reviews on this particular induro model yet so I'll be sure to review and get plenty of comparison pics once it all arrives. I'll even throw in a photo of the ring for good measure (come to think of it I might need that Canon 14mm to fit the bloody enormous rock in the frame!!!)


Cheers,


Ben

[Pieter]

Congratulations on your new job, your new gear and your engagement! (in random order)

[ddt0725]

Congrats on all 3 counts!!


I have the Induro CT213 and have been very pleased with it! Of course for a lens, my vote is for the Sigma 85mm!!!


Denise

[Rocco]

AH! Jealous! I have been eyeballing that RRS head for quite some time now.

[Daniel Browning]

Awesome! I love my RRS gear. I use it for photo and video

[Steve U]

Congrats Ben, another astute investment. Ahh congrats on both investments, I am sure this will bring stability to your relationships.


I

[neuroanatomist]

Congrats, Ben!! []

[bob williams]

Ben, Congrats on the engagement and the new gear. I also own the BH 55 and love it--it is rock solid and holds with minimal tightening--I am confident that you will love it as well. That tripod also looks like a good one--I am not familiar with the Induro's, but as you pointed out, I haven't heard anything negative about your model. I was the one that posted the article you spoke about and that is what encouraged me to spend the big bucs on support---I have never regretted it. One thing you might also think about with tha big lens is a gimble head. I chose to go with the Wimberley sidekick because I didn't want to continuously change heads on my one solid tripod. The BH 55/Sidkick combo work flawlessly together and really makes it a joy to use the large lenses on--The sidekick is half the price of a full siz gimbal and easily mounts and dismounts.


Congrats again,


Bob


Edit: Oops, I guess I should have read all of the comments---I thought that was you with the 500---but.....My suggestion about the sidekick still applies when the time comes.

[Kayaker72]

Ben....a promotion, an engagement and new gear! What a hat trick....Congrats on all three.

[btaylor]

Hehe indeed, thanks!