What do you Splurge on?

[mackguyver]

As promised, the counter-thread:

What do you splurge on - not just a little, but a lot. Things that you know you could do with lesser versions of, but either you have to have the best, or you just love the item so much you have to have it.

My list:

1. L lenses - I just love 'em

2. 1D- and 5-series bodies - tough full frame bodies - gotta have 'em

3. The 50L - related to #1 and the 50 f/1.4 is nearly as good, but I love the build quality, f/1.2 aperture, and taking portraits with the lens

4. B+W Kaesemann XS-Pro circular polarizer - I have a 82mm of this and can't really tell much difference between it and my 77mm Hoya HD C-PL that costs half as much, but it's one of the best, so why not...or maybe why did I spend so much on a C-PL?

5. RRS support gear - many cheaper ballheads are as good or better than my BH-55 and a generic camera plate would probably be reasonable, but custom-fitting RRS gear is sweet

 

[dancook]

I bought the 200mm f2 because I couldn't 'make do' with lesser lens isn't that the point of GAS?

If the results of a lens can be described as 'magic' - then I'm sold

I'm sucker for fast primes

 

[mackguyver]

I bought the 200mm f2 because I couldn't 'make do' with lesser lens isn't that the point of GAS?

If the results of a lens can be described as 'magic' - then I'm sold

I'm sucker for fast primes

I have a self-imposed ban on ever being in the same room with the 200 f/2. I'm sure it would suddenly become a necessity if I ever saw or touched the lens, let alone used it

 

[Dylan777]

See my signature. .

 

[jwilbern]

I use the 60D camera, and I have splurged on a Gitzo tripod and B+W filters. They are a pleasure to use and will still be top quality when I've upgraded to the 120D.

 

[pablo]

grip. I like being able to mount my cameras in unusual ways, i do a lot of video, so I've full size track and dolly, table dolly, fig rig, cowboy slinger, slider, gimbal stabiliser, timelpase motion tripod, mini-jib, video monopod, video tripods, superclamp and snake, magic arms, c clamps, 'the pod', suction cups.. not exciting, but practical.

I do rather find these threads a kind of shower-room excercise of who has the biggest... wallet. Ok, it's a gear forum, but I'd rather talk about what folk do with their kit...

 

[Besisika]

2 of them
1 - 85mm 1.2; I just wanted the bokeh, the 70-200 I owned back then did the job but I really, really, wanted the bokeh.
2 - zoom handy voice recorder. I have already the H4N but needed a back up. Bought the H6N because it is a newer model, without really an obvious advantage for me (it's a better one but not for my usage - the H4N would do just fine).

 

[mackguyver]

Addendum:

6. Having two expensive bodies. Yes, I need a 2nd as a backup, but I have yet to have a catastrophic failure with any Canon DSLR. I'm sure a SL1 as a backup would make a lot more sense than carting around a 1D X and 5DIII, and would have saved me a lot of cash.

 

[JonAustin]

That's the problem with G.A.S. You get interested in quality photography, and this equipment goes from being tools to toys to objects of desire ...

I'll "splurge" on anything for which I believe the value over the period I plan to own it exceeds the price. So I tell myself I'm actually saving money. (I do try to buy smart, and watch / wait for sales, rebates, closeouts, estate sales, etc. That way, if I got it wrong, I don't lose too much when I sell.)

 

[Besisika]

grip. I like being able to mount my cameras in unusual ways, i do a lot of video, so I've full size track and dolly, table dolly, fig rig, cowboy slinger, slider, gimbal stabiliser, timelpase motion tripod, mini-jib, video monopod, video tripods, superclamp and snake, magic arms, c clamps, 'the pod', suction cups.. not exciting, but practical.

I do rather find these threads a kind of shower-room excercise of who has the biggest... wallet. Ok, it's a gear forum, but I'd rather talk about what folk do with their kit...

I was about to ask you what do you do with all that?
I do video too (not professional yet), but tripod, monopod, 2.5feet slider, table dolly and a viewfinder are enough. It must be heavy your bag.

 

[pablo]

I had done with it and fitted carry handles to my car.

 

[J.R.]

Speedlites ... The more the merrier!

 

[mackguyver]

grip. I like being able to mount my cameras in unusual ways, i do a lot of video, so I've full size track and dolly, table dolly, fig rig, cowboy slinger, slider, gimbal stabiliser, timelpase motion tripod, mini-jib, video monopod, video tripods, superclamp and snake, magic arms, c clamps, 'the pod', suction cups.. not exciting, but practical.

I do rather find these threads a kind of shower-room excercise of who has the biggest... wallet. Ok, it's a gear forum, but I'd rather talk about what folk do with their kit...

pablo, did you miss my other threads - as in what do you spend very little money on and what goes unused?

Also, these threads are just meant to be fun, not comparisons of anything as you suggest. I like to see what other people spend money on - we can't all own everything....and while I love lenses, others love flashes, etc.

I think gear is cool, but certainly not everything. Many of the best photos I've taken were with a Rebel and the 50 f/1.4.

I think a good forum has plenty of room for a variety of topics. Check out the Technique and Advice area of the forum for lots of talk about using gear along with amazing examples of the work members produce with their gear.

 

[slclick]

Pretty much everything from here on out as I have purged all my cheap gear and really pared down my list of bodies and glass. It'a either Sigma Art or Canon L for glass and as for bodies I'm set and have no g.a.s.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

These days I splurge on agriculture and real estate...

I buy groceries and pay my mortgage.

 

[NancyP]

New full frame camera 6D (started digital with 60D) plus a used Zeiss 21mm f/2.8. Mmmmm. Landscape heaven.

Filters: B&W Kaesemann CPLs in 52mm, 72mm, 82mm - and weirdly, brand-name step up rings, preferably brass - the really cheap no-name step-up rings are not always milled accurately

 

[cycleraw]

As promised, the counter-thread:

What do you splurge on - not just a little, but a lot. Things that you know you could do with lesser versions of, but either you have to have the best, or you just love the item so much you have to have it.

My list:

1. L lenses - I just love 'em

2. 1D- and 5-series bodies - tough full frame bodies - gotta have 'em

3. The 50L - related to #1 and the 50 f/1.4 is nearly as good, but I love the build quality, f/1.2 aperture, and taking portraits with the lens

4. B+W Kaesemann XS-Pro circular polarizer - I have a 82mm of this and can't really tell much difference between it and my 77mm Hoya HD C-PL that costs half as much, but it's one of the best, so why not...or maybe why did I spend so much on a C-PL?

5. RRS support gear - many cheaper ballheads are as good or better than my BH-55 and a generic camera plate would probably be reasonable, but custom-fitting RRS gear is sweet

Mackguyver, My list pretty much matches yours:

1) Primarily L Glass
2) 1D and 5D Bodies
3) B+W Filters, but I also love my Singh Ray Color Combo for most landscapes
4) RRS Support Equipment, I use and love TVC-34L, BH-55, B150-B Macro Focusing Rail, PC-LR Panning Clamp

 

[Don Haines]

Inordinate amounts of tuna and catnip for princess Fluffy

 

[Lee Jay]

What do you splurge on - not just a little, but a lot. Things that you know you could do with lesser versions of, but either you have to have the best, or you just love the item so much you have to have it.

"The best"??? I rarely buy the best of anything - way too expensive.

I often purchase relatively expensive items, but generally I buy stuff that has a good performance/cost ratio, not the very best of really anything I can think of.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

These days I splurge on agriculture and real estate...

I buy groceries and pay my mortgage.

I've been retired since 1998, and groceries seem to be more and more of a splurge. I bought some Razor Clam meat, at $10.55 a pound for something that I used to dig up at the Ocean Shores or Grayland beach for free. Back then, Halibut was 19 cents a pound.