I can't believe I bought a $2000 prime.

[zim]

"My wife was more like, go for it."

what the hell....... seriously? 

does she have a sister 

[Axilrod]

So I just purchased the 85L ii a couple days ago from BH and it came out to a total of $1860.  And while I'm anticipating it's arrival, I'm like... "man, that's really expensive."  Could have bought a Philip Bloom Pocket Dolly, 85 1.8 and a 135L w/ that money.  Theses stupid mind games big companies use against you.... I have an L addiction.

It's an awesome lens, but you mentioning what you could have had instead is making me question my owning one haha.  I haven't actually paid $2k for a prime, although the 14L II and 85L II both retail for around that.

 I don't' think I could ever have brought myself to pay $2000+ for the 14L II, but for $1100 I was all over it.

[Axilrod]

It is a big chunk of cash for a glass. But it really does perform. I think dollies and sliders are way too overpriced, but thats just me. Just think of it this way. You can get years of good great photos with this lens and then if you want, you can sell it without much loss. These lenses hold their value quite well.

I agree, I try to look at lens purchases as me "renting" them with a full price deposit on them.  I know that if I ever need to "return" them, it's only a few clicks on Craigslist away.

[mreco99]

"My wife was more like, go for it."

what the hell....... seriously? 

does she have a sister 

lol she does, a twin, and couldnt be more different.

[Jim K]

$2K isn't TOO bad, you could be into wildlife & birds. My 500 f/4L IS cost $6400 + the Gitzo & Wimberley. Thought about that for a LONG time but didn't like the idea of standing in 3ft deep water with the 'gators to get the nesting Anhingas and GBH down at Viera.

Enjoy it, I love my purchase.

[photophreek]

The quickest way to get over that "what the hell did I just do" feeling regarding the purchase of the 85L II is to attach it to your camera and just stare at it.

[Kernuak]

The quickest way to get over that "what the hell did I just do" feeling regarding the purchase of the 85L II is to attach it to your camera and just stare at it.

Nah, there is a quicker way...stare through it instead.
I spent quite a long time debating on paying £3300 for the 300 f/2.8, then it went up by £500. Luckily, I found a used (barely, apparently it had been taken out of the case twice) mint copy for £2800 (about $4500). Needless to say, I didn't think very long that time.

[RobertG.]

Hi, I know the feeling very well. In November I bought the TS-E 24L II, my most expensive lens so far. For months I wanted this lens but a new one costs about 1900€ (~$2500). To get a used one is almost impossible. Then I found an ebay auction one night and did not think twice. I got it used for 1640€ (~ $2000). It came from a small camera shop which opened the box maybe once or twice. The lense arrived in a perfect condition and I couldn't tell it from a new one. After the first shots I'm really in love with the lense and never gonna sell it again. The lens is worth every cent and will probably last a lifetime. And I can sell it for them price like I bought it...

When I bought my first DSLR in a kit (450D + EF-S 18-55 + EF-S 55-250) I was much more sure to spend the 800€, although with an income of a student it was a lot of money for me. I never did regret more a purchase than this one. The 450D is great but both lenses were a totally waste of money... Since this purchase I bought all new lenses and even my 5D Mark II as used. It saved me a lot of money (20-40% depending how lucky I was) and the loss is not that great if I regret a purchase once again.

[EYEONE]

Dang. Man, I took the plunge about a year ago and bought a 24-70mm and 70-200mm f2.8 IS II. Looking back I wish I'd gotten two primes. Probably the 85mm f1.2. That thing is beautiful.

One day I'll be a prime shooter except for the 70-200mm. I'd love to have 24mm f1.4, 50mm f1.2, 85mm f1.2 and 135mm f2.

I understand regret but what a great lens man. Congrats.

[Axilrod]

Hi, I know the feeling very well. In November I bought the TS-E 24L II, my most expensive lens so far. For months I wanted this lens but a new one costs about 1900€ (~$2500). To get a used one is almost impossible. Then I found an ebay auction one night and did not think twice. I got it used for 1640€ (~ $2000). It came from a small camera shop which opened the box maybe once or twice. The lense arrived in a perfect condition and I couldn't tell it from a new one. After the first shots I'm really in love with the lense and never gonna sell it again. The lens is worth every cent and will probably last a lifetime. And I can sell it for them price like I bought it...

When I bought my first DSLR in a kit (450D + EF-S 18-55 + EF-S 55-250) I was much more sure to spend the 800€, although with an income of a student it was a lot of money for me. I never did regret more a purchase than this one. The 450D is great but both lenses were a totally waste of money... Since this purchase I bought all new lenses and even my 5D Mark II as used. It saved me a lot of money (20-40% depending how lucky I was) and the loss is not that great if I regret a purchase once again.

For anyone else looking for a good used deal on the TS-E 24mm, Lensrentals sells them quite often, they actually have one now : http://www.lensrentals.com/buy/canon-ts-e-24mm-f3.5l-ii-serial-number-12996

[Canon-F1]

it´s cheap compared to my sound system...

you get what you pay for. 

[AprilForever]

So I just purchased the 85L ii a couple days ago from BH and it came out to a total of $1860.  And while I'm anticipating it's arrival, I'm like... "man, that's really expensive."  Could have bought a Philip Bloom Pocket Dolly, 85 1.8 and a 135L w/ that money.  Theses stupid mind games big companies use against you.... I have an L addiction.

I spent over 5,000 on a prime last summer...

[BornNearDaBayou]

I nearly freaked out when I dropped $1,300 for my 35L. Ha. It is so worth it, though. What an amazing piece of glass.

I probably would have found the 85/1.2 Mk 1, or the Sigma 85 1.4. That's just me, though. Also, the 135/2.0 is supposed to be every bit as good as the 85/1.2. I think you will greatly enjoy this lens and knowing how it holds such great value, you didn't really lose a dime. Well, maybe a dime but you catch my drift.

Enjoy and post some pics when you can. I wanna see that Excellent Color Rendition of the 85L. I know my 35L produces some amazing shots. I love the colors and contrasts

[BlueMixWhite]

In Asia country, for let's say 2k our local currency, we only get to buy 10-22mm type of lens or the 17-40L f4. To buy something like the 85mm f1.2 is like 7.5k. More that an average salary of 3k.

[BlueMixWhite]

http://shashinki.com/shop/-c-82_24.html?filter_id=6&sort=2a

Here's the link to lens prices in my country. The conversion is around USD1 = RM3.15