Help me, I can't stop buying lenses!

[StateOfPlay]

I have bought two in two weeks, and now I am 'cruising' Ebay looking for more!

My wife is gonna kill me.

Someone tell me I don't need anymore lenses, please!

[shutterghost]

lets see a list of your lenses (oh and what body you're using), then some of the shots you take. maybe we can even help you get rid of some, make your wife happier?

[StateOfPlay]

OK, I have a 350D, and I have bought a 75-300 USM, and a 50mm f1.4 USM.

I am relatively new to SLR photography, I could never afford it before. And now I reach the age of 37 and for some reason I have a bit more disposable income.

I actually do not know how to show any pictures I have taken! Could you let me know how?

Thanks
SOP

[ssim]

I actually do not know how to show any pictures I have taken! Could you let me know how?

Thanks
SOP

See this (http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160897) thread. Tommy has done a great job of explaining this.

[StateOfPlay]

Hmm, that image has not come out very well. Very blurry for some reason.

[condyk]

You are probably bored and think lenses make a shot. Transfer your attention to learning the basics of composition and exposure. The 50mm 1.4 is the perfect lens to do this. Sitting in front of ebay is a mugs game on every level.

[grego]

If you are going to look at lens, stay away from eBay. Focus more on the buy/sell forum here and in fredmiranda.com.

But Dave's advice is pretty good. Take advantage of the 50 1.4 and work your way off there.

[Tyreman]

the 50/1.4 is fine
just play with that and practise a bit.
its great to blur out the backgrounds on the right shot

[liza]

I'd stay away from ebay. There's a lot of misleading information there that leads a newbie to buy crappy lenses. Research lenses thoroughly before purchasing them on sites such as www.fredmiranda.com and seek out the opinions of other users on this forum by using the search function or posting your own query. Also take time to learn the capabilities of each lens as you acquire it. The 50mm lens you have is a very good place to start.

[StateOfPlay]

OK, so I shall stay away from Ebay. Although, I just paid £205 for a once used 50mm f1.4 from a fellow enthusiast. He only bought it in July of this year, but says his 70-200 L works better for him, hence the sale.

Sounds OK doesn't it?

[Tareq]

Good that i don't know about ebay, and i am so away far for that site;)

[xft.y]

75-300 is a bit of a waste of money :|

[StateOfPlay]

Paid £130 for the 75-300 iiiusm, in good nick as well.

[steved110]

Paid £130 for the 75-300 iiiusm, in good nick as well.

That is a fair price, about £30 less than brand new from Jessops. you tell me if it was worth paying that price, plus postage, with attendant risks, for a used lens. your 50 1.4 was cetainly a good deal.

IMO the 75-300 is aperfectly reasonable consumer lens and you will have fun with it, but you will also probably outgrow it fairly soon - tho you can always sell it again on ebay for about what you paid for it.

Again IMO, ebay is a good place to sell lenses, but NOT a good place to buy them, unless you are very careful. bidding fever is scary.

[lakiluno]

the buy and sell forum is good. I got a Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro for £100 inc. delivery :D

[kevin_c]

Someone tell me I don't need anymore lenses, please!
You don't need any more lenses ;)



You are probably bored and think lenses make a shot. Transfer your attention to learning the basics of composition and exposure. The 50mm 1.4 is the perfect lens to do this. Sitting in front of ebay is a mugs game on every level.

Shuts down ebay... :oops::oops::oops:

[SuzyView]

I had the same problem, wanting more glass but not going out shooting. Then I stopped using my credit card on line and just went out. Made a big difference. Learn the 50 1.4 and love it. You can do a whole lot with that lens and then in a few weeks, think about something else. Keep the wallet away from the internet! :)

[StateOfPlay]

Thanks suzy, I shall take your advice, and only when I feel I have mastered the 50mm will I even think of buying another lens.

[grego]

OK, so I shall stay away from Ebay. Although, I just paid £205 for a once used 50mm f1.4 from a fellow enthusiast. He only bought it in July of this year, but says his 70-200 L works better for him, hence the sale.

Sounds OK doesn't it?

That's good you got your 50 off there. It's just that there are so many scams off eBay, you are better off dealing on these forums or through online vendors(good ones of course).

[ron chappel]

I have bought two in two weeks, and now I am 'cruising' Ebay looking for more!
My wife is gonna kill me. Someone tell me I don't need anymore lenses, please!

You are asking for help in the wrong place;) .This forum could possibly be the WORST place possible to be asking for help on not spending !!!
Seriously

[dpastern]

EBay isn't as bad as some of the posters are trying to make out. Sure, there are scammers, sure some of the prices aren't crash hot - it's up to you as a consumer to have enough sense to do pre-research to ensure you're not getting ripped off on the price, and to learn what lenses are worth buying and what aren't.

Bargains can be had from EBay, you just have to shop around (fancy that, it's like shopping in a real shop). I've seen people outbid each other in a bidding frenzy and end up paying more for a 2nd hand lens than they would have for the same lens brand new. Idiocy. I paid AU $860 including shipping and insurance for my Sigma 150mm f2.8 APO Macro lens, which retails for over AU $1400 here. I'm sure some of the posters here will try and tell me that EBay is still a ripoff ;-)

As to your question - as others have said, try learning how to use the camera/lenses that you have first. Read up on composition, exposure etc. The local library is a good place to start.

Dave

[Joel Hooks]

I got nicked on a 20d through eBay this week. :/

If you use your credit card it isn't that big of a deal though. Check your contract, but most cards feature buyer protection.

[corinto]

Unless you have loads of money, stop buying or you'll end up getting crappy lenses just to fill your focus length span.

What's more, you will catch the "one more lens and I'll get good pictures" syndrome.

[dpastern]

I got nicked on a 20d through eBay this week. :/

If you use your credit card it isn't that big of a deal though. Check your contract, but most cards feature buyer protection.

IMHO it's quite easy to avoid the ripoff merchants.

Dave

[grego]

EBay isn't as bad as some of the posters are trying to make out. Sure, there are scammers, sure some of the prices aren't crash hot - it's up to you as a consumer to have enough sense to do pre-research to ensure you're not getting ripped off on the price, and to learn what lenses are worth buying and what aren't.

Bargains can be had from EBay, you just have to shop around (fancy that, it's like shopping in a real shop). I've seen people outbid each other in a bidding frenzy and end up paying more for a 2nd hand lens than they would have for the same lens brand new. Idiocy. I paid AU $860 including shipping and insurance for my Sigma 150mm f2.8 APO Macro lens, which retails for over AU $1400 here. I'm sure some of the posters here will try and tell me that EBay is still a ripoff ;-)

As to your question - as others have said, try learning how to use the camera/lenses that you have first. Read up on composition, exposure etc. The local library is a good place to start.

Dave

Well its not bad, but I would rather just tell people not to use it unless they are good at identifying fake deals and good deals. They'd probably find better deals on the buy and sell forums here and at FM. Or just buying at good prices from reputable online stores.

[MikeMcL]

if you have a 50mm and a 70-300mm, you are covering a good range. I personally would ony add a wider angle lens to this kit, depending on the type of shooting you do...

that said, you dont have to add another lens anytime soon. this is a growing process. definately dont look to buy a certain lens until you see that your current lenses are deficient in a certain area, or cant do what you need them to.

I think your 75-300 is a good lens and can give you plenty of great shots. just make sure you are shooting in the daytime. many people here feel that only the TOP quality lenses are worth having... but for a hobby, the 75-300 will give good shots and good range, especially for the price.

have fun and practice alot.

[GilesGuthrie]

Let your photography tell you what lenses you need. Don't buy anything you can't clearly identify a genuine need for. Currently, I need faster glass, so that's my next purchase.

I've just dropped the idea of getting another lens because I think it's "better" than one I already have. I'm not good enough to need the difference at the current time.

I think you need to be honest with yourself about the amount you need the new glass.

[EOS_JD]

I surf ebay a lot (mainly Kerso as he imports to the uk at great prices - check his thread here on POTN). It's unfair to advise people to stay away from ebay. I've never really had any problems buying new or second hand. I've bought almost all of my photography kit on ebay including my 20D and there's some great bargains to be had. I saved over £300 on the new price of a 20D when I got it from Canada and that was including the payment of VAT and import tax. Couldn't believe my luck!

Also I agree with checking out the B&S forum here on POTN. I've bought some stuff here too.

I can't stop buying though so I know how you feel! And by the way StateOfPlay - You certainly need MORE lenses :-)

[dpastern]

Well its not bad, but I would rather just tell people not to use it unless they are good at identifying fake deals and good deals. They'd probably find better deals on the buy and sell forums here and at FM. Or just buying at good prices from reputable online stores.

Yes, that's true. A lot of it is commonsense though, and that is sadly lacking in most people I've found from personal experience. Of course, buy/sell here or at FM is a pretty good bet I do agree, and some great bargains can be had.

Back to the OP though - learn how to use the lenses that you have first. Give yourself an assignment - use the two lenses to produce images, set yourself photographic goals and meet them, testing the ability of your eyes, and the lenses, and the lenses abilities to meet what your minds eye sees. Don't be afraid to use your legs to move about to get the shot that you want, go high, go low to change the angle of view. Experiment.

Dave

[mbellot]

My wife is gonna kill me.
If not lenses she'll find another reason. Trust me. ;)

Someone tell me I don't need anymore lenses, please!
Sorry, the purpose of this forum is to push people into buying more and more and more glass not talk them out of it. We are all a bunch of enablers. :D

If you really want to stop I suggest turning off the computer. It eliminates ebay and all the photography forums in one simple motion.

[beano]

I haven't read all of the posts in here, but if you haven't got a cure already, here it is.....

Everytime you buy a lens, you give it to me. You'll soon stop, because you won't be getting anything out of it. Except for the warm glowing feeling of helping someone less fortunate than yourself! :D

[DocFrankenstein]

You're only starting to build your kit. It's only natural to want to experiment with lenses to see what you like to shoot.

[gryphonslair99]

StateofPlay. I will be most happy to solve your problem for you. Just send me all your credit cards and I will hold them for you till this urge to buy lenses has passed.

(Now let's see, what did I do with that Canon Cataloge?) :lol:

I feel your pain. I just bought a 30D and two lenses and have a list already of things to get. Good luck with the wife. I have always said that there needs to be a photographers hotel with cheep rates for when the wives get fed up with our purchases.

[cjm]

If you are going to look at lens, stay away from eBay. Focus more on the buy/sell forum here and in fredmiranda.com. NO! Dont do that many of us have lost a fortune (and saved a fortune, hmm we broke even ;)) on those two places. In fact I have bought so much from those two places. So dont go there because... ah who am I kidding go there, you'll look at eBay like its paying retail.

[braduardo]

Play with what you have, and before too long you will have an idea of what you are really lacking. If you are new to DSLR, you aren't going to be able to consistantly get good results by pure luck. Use your toys, find out what works, and stick with it. Read up on aperture/exposure/shutter speed... Learn all you can, then go lens shopping. There is no reason that you won't be able to get some AMAZING shots with what you have. Once you are getting good shots consistantly, you will be in a good place to figure out where your lenses are limiting you. Upgrade at that point.

[jajurek]

I have the same problem (read my signature), prefer long zooms. Now want to buy 70-300/4-5.6 IS.

[PhotoJourno]

If you keep buying lenses, you will go blind.

[tweatherred]

You don't need any more lenses. What you really need is a full-frame camera so that you will have two different fields of vision with each lens you already have. That was my rationale, anyway.

[Hermeto]

If you keep buying lenses, you will go blind.

If you keep buying lenses, hair will grow on your palm.:D

[corinto]

If you keep buying lenses, hair will grow on your palm.:D


:oops:;)

[Margie]

Buying can be addictive...Just a few weeks ago I said to myself....well, finally I have all the lenses I need and don't want anymore...then a few days later I found that I needed a longer lens than the 70-200 F4 that I have. So, needless to say, I started looking again. :rolleyes:

And like someone said earlier...reading this forum doesn't help. You will always see and hear others talk about a lens you don't have and before you know it, it will become one you start searching for!

Good luck...it is not easy...I know just how you feel!

[aladyforty]

I have purchased all my lenses on ebay, the trick is to research any lens before bidding on them, dont take the word of who is selling the lens apart from the condition its in. I got three second hand and two new lenses on Ebay and I will purchase my next lens 70-200 L on ebay at a saving of $400 australian. I look at the feedback at usually you get a fair Idea of who you are dealing with that way.

[puttick]

There is NO HELP for someone like yourself!

Seriously, there is good advice above - kerso on ebay is 100% reliable - also buying used is fine IF you know what you're doing, whether on this forum (look for "UK" in the thread) or on ebay - but do research the best price first as often you get pretty close buying new - I would want to save at least 35% off the best new price to even consider a mint used lens. One tip is to look for the date code on the lens mount (of a Canon lens). Some sellers show this in a picture - you should always ask for the code if its not shown. A 50/1.4 for example could be 10 years old, and a 28/2.8 18 years old. For example, a code starting UU denotes a 2006 built lens. The code is available here:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

Also, in the UK, consider the good used dealers (I'll leave it to you to look them up) who have online searchable lists - Mifsuds, Ffordes, Walters PhotoVideo, MXV, Westcliff (an no doubt others) as you will get an honest description of condition, and at least a warranty or return policy.

[Big WIll]

Keep to the Buy and Sell Forums here and fredmiranda.

I have picked up a 70-200mm f2.8L - £500
580ex flash for £200 (When they were selling new for £320!)
All from this forum!

[sirsloop]

lol... so you spent like 600 bucks on lenses? You're doing GREAT! I'm looking at the 70-200 F/2.8L IS and a 17-40L... gonna be like a $2500 day...