If you had $1,800 that had to be spent on camera gear, what would you get?

[jdramirez]

I forgot... I want a 72 inch umbrella.

 

[Aglet]

Awe, you spent it already.
i was gonna suggest a Fuji X-Pro 1 and a nice prime or 2

 

[alexturton]

I'd buy a safari trip to africa and take some pictures.

 

[jdramirez]

I'd buy a safari trip to africa and take some pictures.

Safari for 1800? Who is your travel agent?

 

[mackguyver]

I'd buy a safari trip to africa and take some pictures.

Safari for 1800? Who is your travel agent?

+1, I'd love to take a safari for that price! Maybe he meant the safari tour itself, minus travel expenses. Or he lives in Kenya

 

[Loswr]

I just spent some 'small change' on a couple of muslin backdrops, a 42" reflector and Manfrotto holder, a background light stand, and some Lastolite diffusers and a grid for the 24" Ezybox. I've got >$2K left, but no mandate to spend it this year.

Just ordered a Manfrotto 420NSB (I have you to thank for that, PBD), a 3-lb and pair of 10-lb counterweights (the 10-lb weights are for the bases of my little 1051BAC stands), and an LBAG90.

I have the LBAG110, it's great - holds two 1004BAC, two 1051BAC (or 1052), a 024 boom (without counterweight), and a pair of Justin clamps. I'm hoping the LBAG110 will hold the 420B in addition to the two 1004BAC stands, the two 1051's, the 024 boom and RH353 reflector holder should go in the smaller LBAG90.

The 420 boom is quite nice, thanks! Unfortunately, the 420 doesn't fit in the LBAG110 - not even close. So, I ended up putting the 420 in the bag for the Manfrotto 314.05 bag (comes with the 1314B background support kit). So...that bag has the 420 and the crossbar for the backdrop, the LBAG110 has the two 1004BAC stands and the two 1052BAC from the background support, and the RH353 reflector holder, and the LBAG90 has the two 1051BAC stands with 026 swivels attached, and the 024 boom. The counterweights (33 lbs of them) are in a sturdy canvas tote.

I wish they sold the bag from the background support kit separately! I did send an inquiry about ordering the 314.05 bag as a spare part, I wonder how much they want for it?

 

[privatebydesign]

Neuro, glad you are liking the 420, I should have noticed your desire to bag it, it really doesn't have a good closed length! But I find it's versatility unmatched and for practically any speedlite work it is well up to the job.

To any others still reading the thread, the question really wasn't asking for advice on what I should get, it was asked out of curiosity on where your priorities lie. Most people automatically think lenses, but there are thousands of dollars worth of accessories that can make your images much better and your life easier.

 

[Loswr]

I did send an inquiry about ordering the 314.05 bag as a spare part, I wonder how much they want for it?

$101 plus S&H. Ummmmm…no, thanks. When you add up the separate prices of the kit components except the bag (2x 1052BAC, crossbar, 2x miniclamp,) that's exactly the price of the kit. Not that I was expecting it to be free, but something closer to the cost of their other light stand bags (~$50) would have been reasonable.

 

[privatebydesign]

Gulp.....

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Neuro,
You sure they didn't quote for the kit?
How do they think they can justify that price for a bag to carry that value of gear, that is insane!

Cheers Graham.

I did send an inquiry about ordering the 314.05 bag as a spare part, I wonder how much they want for it?

$101 plus S&H. Ummmmm…no, thanks. When you add up the separate prices of the kit components except the bag (2x 1052BAC, crossbar, 2x miniclamp,) that's exactly the price of the kit. Not that I was expecting it to be free, but something closer to the cost of their other light stand bags (~$50) would have been reasonable.

 

[RGomezPhotos]

I had to think about this... First there was what I 'wanted'... And couldn't make up my mind.. Then I thought about what I needed... Then it became much clearer:

• ThinkTank Photo Airport Security v2 Bag. Because I'm always pissing that I don't have a bag big enough to carry my big shoot/event gear.
• Manfrotto Pro Backpack 50. Because using a rollerbag is a pain on many location shoots.
• Zeiss 85mm f1.4. Love this lens. I love my Zeiss 50mm f1.4. But the 85mm is a notch higher up in every way. Even though I feel a million miles away from my subject.

Yup, two bags and a lens.... But thanks for asking.. It was fun putting my priorities in order ;D

 

[privatebydesign]

Hi Ricardo,

That is the kind of thought process I had hoped to shoot the breeze with.

Incidentally I have the Airport Security V2 and it is a crazy good bag, but I drag it practically everywhere, I am on my third set of wheels, but on the rare occasions it will not work it has he emergency shoulder straps, awesome bag. I really really wish the International was a scaled down Security.

 

[nickharys]

I'd buy a gif card for my son

 

[Dick]

1.8k could be spent on some interesting lenses. I'd get the L fisheye just for fun and maybe a 600ex-rt. Not sure if 1.8k is enough for those...

I would buy a gift for my wife, so she wouldn't not give me hard time when I'm ready for 600mm f4 :

Does it really work that way for you? No matter what I buy for my wife, she will be pissed if I get another lens.