Before you buy your next prime...

[Badger]

Folks,

Before you buy you next prime lens, take a deep breath and watch this video. I've been lurking on this site for a while now and I must confess, I've been sucked into the lens acquiring vortex. I don't have a lot of lenses now, and I am not a pro, but I am at a point in my life where I can actually start to afford these toys. The discussion around here is generally geared towards and around specific lenses and their attributes but somehow or the other, I have managed to miss or avoid posts about a lens acquisition strategy. I stumbled across this video this morning and got some clarity. Please forgive me if it has been previously posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjhdL3ggjYU

 

[Ruined]

I agree, this is good advice.

A lot of people buy lenses as a "collection," "trinity" etc.

The reality is, if you "collect" every lens you will have spent way too much money on lenses that are too similar.

So, it is important to evaluate what you like, and how a lens will enhance your creative ability in a way your current lenses do not. That is not to say that you have to buy just a 50mm f/1.8 ii and call it a day, but buying lenses just for the sake of buying them is going to be a very expensive hobby.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

When building your kit, you have to consider the type of photography you do (not what other's do) and what exactly you can't do with the lenses you have and need an additonal lens to fill the gap.

If you already have a 35mm and an 85mm, there is an obvious gap where the 50mm goes.... but do you really need a 50? Well depends on the type of photography you do. Do you find yourself in positions where neither the 35 nor the 85 can get the shot you want? If yes, you need a 50. If no, you don't.

I agree with the previous poster. Lens manufacturers make way too many lenses for someone to get one of each. But just like there is no best camera, no best lens; there is no best lens kit for everyone. It all depends on what you shoot and your shooting style.

 

[wickidwombat]

i couldn't watch past about 3 minutes as i almost died of boredom

 

[Menace]

Easy to get sucked into gear fetish - I only buy a lens if or when i start to miss shots that I could have captured if I had that lens (doesn't happen very often though!).

If one has enough spare money to build a lens collection regardless of actual need then they are in a very fortunate position.

Unfortunately I'm not one of those people. I only have half dozen lenses but they all get a lot of use and make me very happy!

 

[Zv]

I have always just bought lenses as I needed them. No strategy, just common frickin sense!

Even with just 6 FF lenses that I have now it feels like I have too much choice and redundancy. I'm always looking for ways to combine and reduce my gear and I could probably survive with just 2 zooms but then again ..... where's the fun in that? Gotta have a couple of fun lenses in the bag I reckon!

 

[J.R.]

Different lenses have different uses. Get what suits your requirements and also your wallet.

I use 16-35 II, 24-70 II, 70-200 II and the 100-400 zooms for a large part of my shooting.

The primes 50L, 85L II and 135L are used for extreme wide aperture shooting that is not possible with the zooms - extremely shallow DOF photography / low available light shooting.

The 40mm pancake is used for panoramas and for party shooting where I can hand over the camera to someone else.

The 17mm TS-E is a recent purchase and I'm still learning how to use the TS functions - I plan to use this for indoor architecture and landscape use where I want large DOF without getting hit by diffraction.

Most would say the amount of gear I have as a hobbyist is an overkill - probably so, but hey, it works for me.

 

[mackguyver]

I can't see the video where I am now, but the three biggest mistakes you can make with lenses are:

1. Buying primes that overlap with your zooms and don't offer anything unique - i.e. a f/2.8 lens and a f/2.8 zoom. It's better to buy a f/1.2 or 1.4 prime that will give you a completely different look.
2. Spending too much on lenses to the point of risking your credit, marriage, or ability to pay real bills.
3. Spending too much on lenses to the point of risking your credit, marriage, or ability to pay real bills.

 

[Eldar]

I can't see the video where I am now, but the three biggest mistakes you can make with lenses are:

1. Buying primes that overlap with your zooms and don't offer anything unique - i.e. a f/2.8 lens and a f/2.8 zoom. It's better to buy a f/1.2 or 1.4 prime that will give you a completely different look.
2. Spending too much on lenses to the point of risking your credit, marriage, or ability to pay real bills.
3. Spending too much on lenses to the point of risking your credit, marriage, or ability to pay real bills.

+1
(not sure I see the difference between 2 and 3 though :)

 

[Badger]

You guys are hilarious. For some of us non pros, having a strategy is not something we think about. I just ordered the Canon 35mm f/2IS. I think that is a good move for me. Prior to that, I recently purchased the Canon 85mm f1.8 which I think is a great lens (compared to my nifty 50 which keeps missing focus) but I really want and plan on getting the 100mm macro which will probably negate the use of the 85mm. I am now, thankfully able to avoid the hype over the new Sigma 50mm...for now.

Sounds obvious, look before you leap.

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

 

[mackguyver]

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

That's what I'll be doing today - sneaking, not writing a thread, that is 8).

 

[Dylan777]

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

That's what I'll be doing today - sneaking, not writing a thread, that is 8).

My wife already giving up tracking my lenses

Last weekend, she saw me setting up the flashes and umbrella at home office. She looked at me with a smile and said "have you seen my new Fendi bag?"

It was a HAPPY ENDING for both ;D

 

[mackguyver]

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

That's what I'll be doing today - sneaking, not writing a thread, that is 8).

My wife already giving up tracking my lenses

Last weekend, she saw me setting up the flashes and umbrella at home office. She looked at me and asked "have you seen my new Fendi bag?"

It was a HAPPY ENDING for both ;D

I'm just glad your story wasn't set in a massage parlor . And I bought my wife a new laptop this week, so if she catches me, I'm okay. I'm guessing she tracked your big whites, though, I know my wife sure did!

 

[wsheldon]

... And I bought my wife a new laptop this week, so if she catches me, I'm okay. I'm guessing she tracked your big whites, though, I know my wife sure did!

That's a good strategy! I did that with an iPad last year

What preserves my marital harmony is restricting gear purchases to extra money I make from consulting, workshops and photo gigs (my part time business stuff). Separate cards and bank account = no arguments.

That said, I'm really starting to question myself on any new gear purchases. I feel I hit the plateau on quality per dollars spent a while back and I really need to stop worrying about gear limitations and shoot at every opportunity. Spending money on travel and workshops (experiences) makes more sense to me at this point than more/better gear. GAS is a hard habit to break, though!

 

[Dylan777]

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

That's what I'll be doing today - sneaking, not writing a thread, that is 8).

My wife already giving up tracking my lenses

Last weekend, she saw me setting up the flashes and umbrella at home office. She looked at me and asked "have you seen my new Fendi bag?"

It was a HAPPY ENDING for both ;D

I'm just glad your story wasn't set in a massage parlor . And I bought my wife a new laptop this week, so if she catches me, I'm okay. I'm guessing she tracked your big whites, though, I know my wife sure did!

LOL...... ;D

 

[unfocused]

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

That's what I'll be doing today - sneaking, not writing a thread, that is 8).

1) Always own up to buying one white lens. Once you've got one, they all look alike, so that gives you the freedom to own more.

2) When ordering from the Canon refurbished store, track the package progress and then change the delivery address to the nearest Kinkos/Fed Ex site. That way you can go and pick it up yourself without having to rush home to snag the attempted delivery notice tag off the door before someone finds it.

3) Separate checking accounts have prevented more divorces than any other innovation known to mankind.

4) You will never be able to sneak every purchase in, so build up some immunity. Do that by never, ever criticizing or questioning her when a box arrives from an online clothing, purse or shoe store. Smile. Complement her on her good taste and make a point of being pleased that she bought herself something nice. You are earning credits that you can cash in later.

5) Always include some low cost item in your purchases from B&H and Adorama – "Oh yeah, I ordered some batteries...a filter...a camera strap...etc. I don't know why they send that stuff in such a big box."

6) If you've got a big purchase planned, start the process early on. I'm going to start mentioning the new Tamron 150-600 zoom soon so that by the time Black Friday rolls around she'll be ready to tell me to just get it.

7) Never miss an occasion for a gift. A piece of jewelry tucked into an Easter Basket is also a great way to buy immunity for the future.

8 ) Ask for gift cards from your preferred photo store. "Oh that. I ordered that with the gift card you gave me last Christmas." (plus an extra $800, but who's counting)

9) Get yourself a "man cave" where you can stash all your toys. Preferably in a room she seldom goes into.

I have more, but these should be a good start.

 

[mackguyver]

I should start a thread on how to purchase equipment and sneak it into the house without your wife knowing

That's what I'll be doing today - sneaking, not writing a thread, that is 8).

1) Always own up to buying one white lens. Once you've got one, they all look alike, so that gives you the freedom to own more.

2) When ordering from the Canon refurbished store, track the package progress and then change the delivery address to the nearest Kinkos/Fed Ex site. That way you can go and pick it up yourself without having to rush home to snag the attempted delivery notice tag off the door before someone finds it.

3) Separate checking accounts have prevented more divorces than any other innovation known to mankind.

4) You will never be able to sneak every purchase in, so build up some immunity. Do that by never, ever criticizing or questioning her when a box arrives from an online clothing, purse or shoe store. Smile. Complement her on her good taste and make a point of being pleased that she bought herself something nice. You are earning credits that you can cash in later.

5) Always include some low cost item in your purchases from B&H and Adorama – "Oh yeah, I ordered some batteries...a filter...a camera strap...etc. I don't know why they send that stuff in such a big box."

6) If you've got a big purchase planned, start the process early on. I'm going to start mentioning the new Tamron 150-600 zoom soon so that by the time Black Friday rolls around she'll be ready to tell me to just get it.

7) Never miss an occasion for a gift. A piece of jewelry tucked into an Easter Basket is also a great way to buy immunity for the future.

8 ) Ask for gift cards from your preferred photo store. "Oh that. I ordered that with the gift card you gave me last Christmas." (plus an extra $800, but who's counting)

9) Get yourself a "man cave" where you can stash all your toys. Preferably in a room she seldom goes into.

I have more, but these should be a good start.

Let's see - I have a TS-E 17 waiting for me at FedEx Store right now, re-directed from home delivery, of course. I have multiple white lenses, so that's easy - and won't use the 17 around her (not really a portrait lens), so easy there, too. Separate checking accounts. Check. My AMEX with a extra card for her, check. Lots of old Amazon & B&H boxes in the garage come in handy for eBay, ahem, in case she's home before you can slip it into the house.

Also, the handy "man multiplier" works - i.e. how many women before me - 3. How much did that new lens cost, $300

I wonder if MrsFotografie and NancyP use similar tactics to get around their husbands ;D

 

[mrsfotografie]

I agree, this is good advice.

A lot of people buy lenses as a "collection," "trinity" etc.

The reality is, if you "collect" every lens you will have spent way too much money on lenses that are too similar.

So, it is important to evaluate what you like, and how a lens will enhance your creative ability in a way your current lenses do not. That is not to say that you have to buy just a 50mm f/1.8 ii and call it a day, but buying lenses just for the sake of buying them is going to be a very expensive hobby.

My 'strategy': Wide angle primes in UWA to 50mm (equivalent) and a few tele-zooms. Oh and a 'slow' zoom in the normal range. No 'portrait' primes for me. This formula applies to both my EF and E mount systems.

 

[mackguyver]

I agree, this is good advice.

A lot of people buy lenses as a "collection," "trinity" etc.

The reality is, if you "collect" every lens you will have spent way too much money on lenses that are too similar.

So, it is important to evaluate what you like, and how a lens will enhance your creative ability in a way your current lenses do not. That is not to say that you have to buy just a 50mm f/1.8 ii and call it a day, but buying lenses just for the sake of buying them is going to be a very expensive hobby.

My 'strategy': Wide angle primes in UWA to 50mm (equivalent) and a few tele-zooms. Oh and a 'slow' zoom in the normal range. No 'portrait' primes for me. This formula applies to both my EF and E mount systems.

No comment on my post above?

 

[dcm]

I agree, this is good advice.

A lot of people buy lenses as a "collection," "trinity" etc.

The reality is, if you "collect" every lens you will have spent way too much money on lenses that are too similar.

So, it is important to evaluate what you like, and how a lens will enhance your creative ability in a way your current lenses do not. That is not to say that you have to buy just a 50mm f/1.8 ii and call it a day, but buying lenses just for the sake of buying them is going to be a very expensive hobby.

My 'strategy': Wide angle primes in UWA to 50mm (equivalent) and a few tele-zooms. Oh and a 'slow' zoom in the normal range. No 'portrait' primes for me. This formula applies to both my EF and E mount systems.

No comment on my post above?

I believe he (mrsfotografie) has addressed this before - http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=18881.msg353096#msg353096