leaving for bootcamp... should i keep my cam or sell?

[skimmilk68]

Im leaving for USAF bootcamp in couple weeks and I was wondering if I should sell my camera (body only) and buy another one when I get stationed somewhere after bootcamp or should I just leave it with my family and have them send my gear to wherever im stationed at

(just trying to find another reason to sell my 300d to get a 20d :D )

[Andy_T]

Skinmilk,

good luck!

You might drop a PM to user Vvizard, who faced a similar decision about a year ago when he went to join the (Norwegian?) army...
He voted to take his 10D with him and actually posted some pictures a bit later.

On the other hand, few has been heard of him ever since :rolleyes:

Best regards,
Andy

[lmelendez]

Im leaving for USAF bootcamp in couple weeks and I was wondering if I should sell my camera (body only) and buy another one when I get stationed somewhere after bootcamp or should I just leave it with my family and have them send my gear to wherever im stationed at

(just trying to find another reason to sell my 300d to get a 20d :D )

I don't like seeing good equipment collecting dust...
I do like people happy because they got new toys...

I love my DRebel... but if I had a excuse to buy a 20D (and the money, of course)... I would do it :)

Good luck in the bootcamp.

Leo.

[pyterps]

Skimmilk68

From a 20 year Air Force guy, keep the camera. The BX carries the 20D for a good price and when you get to TECH School you can pick one up. You might want to have your lenses sent to you in TECH School as you would not want to take the camera or lenses with you to basic training.

What job did you get? I was a 20 year Air Traffic Controller.

If you don't listen to anything else anyone tells you about going into the military here is two things that will give you rewards for years to come.

1. Pay the $100 dollars a month for 12 months to get your GI Bill benifits. Even if you don't think you want to take any college classes you can now use it for your kids (when the come or get old enough). It's the best 1200 dollars you will spend.

2. TSP: Thrift Savings Plan. This is your savings for the future. I did not put a penny away during my 20 year career and regret it every day. Again, this is money you should not miss as you will never see it. All you will see is it continue to grow over the years.

Don't mean to preach but no one ever explained the above to me and if they did I would be a lot better off for it.

My son joined the Navy over a year ago and did both.

Good luck and don't volunteer for nothing...HAHAHA

Dave

[ToddMorris]

Hi,

I'm currently Active duty Air Force (a weather guy). I agree with everything Dave said above ... especially about the GI bill and TSP.

As for the camera ... yep ... good prices at the exchange ... that's where I got my 20D.

Good luck in Basic,
Todd

[HJMinard]

Thanks for choosing to serve ... and good luck!

With regard to the camera ... if the DRebel is meeting your needs then keep it. If it's limiting you ... sell it. Just don't trade up merely for the desire to have the latest and greatest ... that's a never ending cycle and you can't win.

[skimmilk68]

one more question.. were there any serious restrictions about cameras on base? I don't want to get in trouble for shooting pics of base etc...

[DSMITH131]

Sgt. Smith at you service ok i am a disabled vet 10 yrs i bought my first camera while in the army canon AT-1 in 1981 and still have it it was one of the best things i did with all the photo opt. you are going to have if you sold it you will be beating yourself later

[ToddMorris]

one more question.. were there any serious restrictions about cameras on base? I don't want to get in trouble for shooting pics of base etc...

Well, I wouldn't bring your camera with you to basic training ... lol, TI's would have a field day with that. Otherwise, generally speaking, it's ok to take pictures on base. However, there may be certain areas where picture taking in prohibited ... but, it's always pretty prominently posted on a sign.

Hope this helps,
Todd

[pyterps]

I only remember getting asked 1 time to stop taking pictures on base in 20 years. Just be carefull of taking pictures on the flightline. If you ever have a question you can contact public affares or the base photo lab.

[robertwgross]

For most military training bases, they will tell you not to bring any valuables (which would include cameras). Internal security tends to be a problem.

Further, due to external security concerns, the military gets kind of nervous when they see somebody taking pictures of the base.

I would not take a camera to training. But once I arrive at a permanent duty station, I would have somebody mail the camera to me. I used my film SLR for one year in the Far East, and the old 35mm slides still bring back fond memories.

---Bob Gross---

[AFCop]

Leave the camera at home while you're in basic training. Once you graduate and move on to Tech School, get it sent to you ASAP. Not only will there be photo opportunities on base (and you'll definitely want to get shots of your tech school buddies), but there will likely be chances for you to get off base and get some shots of the base's surrounding areas. Just make certain photos are authorized in the areas your shooting on base. Otherwise, some of my fellow SFs will come and take you and your camera away!!!:sad:

With your experience and equipment, I hope you chose to get into VI (visual information [yes, the Air Force has people who's only job is to run around base taking pictures and videos. {NOT FAIR:evil: }]).