This Forum is costing me way TOO much!!

[wcstory]

I started lurking and reading up on the dRebel I wanted to buy. 800 to 900 dollars.

The dRebel idea fell to the 20D kit.

Soon the standard kit lens plans were dropped for the 17-85 IS USM.

The origional low end price tripled by the time I got the 20D w/ 17-85 IS USM, two ultra II CF cards, hard case, camera bag, spare battery, lens filters and nick nacks.

Now I start getting shooting tips and taking more and more shots outdoors. AHarrr too far away. Maybe I'll get a 75-300mm zoom. Whats another 150.00.

Questions asked and reviews read. I'm now checking out the 75-300 IS USM for 400.00. Too soft at the far end. Some suggest "why not check out the 70-200mm f4.0 L for a hundred more. Read review after review and asked many question.

I bit! Just ordered my first "L" in time for Florida trip and some wildlife parks. Thank God I couldn't come to grips with the f2.8 price.....yet....

So far I've gone from just tip toeing into the dSLR world to scuba diving in and the origional plan of under a grand is about three and a half times blown away.

Don't get me wrong I think you all are great, but I'd stay clear of my wife. SHe's not as pleased that I met all of you.

Thanks for helping an addict! (The help is truely apprecieated!!)

Hope this brought you a laugh as you thought of your own buying.
Bill

[Marvinspu36]

You must be my twin :) ! My $1000 dollar purchase quickly turned into nearly $4000. While my wife enjoys seeing the smile on my face when I'm taking photos, I don't think she is looking forward to the booster shots I'll be needing each year (translate that into "new lenses"). I am truly blessed with an understanding wife!

[paulhillion]

One year a go I took the plunge and bought a 300D, almost straight away I remember going to Google and typing in something along the lines of 'Canon 300D forum' and I found these forums. Now look at my signature ;-)

[Andy_T]

Hahahah ... you guys crack me up.

But it's so true :o

Thank goodness, I could satisfy my worst appetite (after getting my 20D, 28-75/2.8 and 50/1.8 I) with relatively inexpensive M42 MF lenses so far (85/2.0, 135/3.5 and 300/4.5 together for about 100$). Now I just have to learn to correctly focus with the dang things... :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[Mark_48]

This Forum is costing me way TOO much!!

Just think how much you saved getting great advice from this forum and buying gear that will fit your needs better and longer !!! :D

[rebel61021]

I also thought I was ready to make the jump to DSLR from the P&S world and I started with what I thought was a great deal got my 300D for about $630.00 new and with in about 2 hours knew that the kit lens was not going to do it for me so started looking into lens started with some of the basics then got bit by the "L" bug. I am on my 5 camera bag they keep getting bigger and bigger now I on a Lowepro Photo Trekker AW Backpack it is a monster I hope everything fits in it. I have a girlfriend who has said I would probally be happier if I could sleep with the camera, and allready has given me the ok for a 20D now just have to decide if I keep the 300D for a backup or hand it down to her. I know that I would like to thank all the doctors here on this forum for they allways know what to perscribe to cure any bug that gets me. The last one was looking for wider angle and the 14-70mm "L" really did the trick...LOL

[Maureen Souza]

That's the way to look at it Mark. I sat here and read all you guy's posts for weeks before I took the plunge. Put my 20D lens kit on consignment at the local camera shop right away, bought the Tamron 28-75/2.8, 50mm/1.4 and the 75-300/f4-5.6 IS USM right out of the bag. Thank goodness for my big tax return this year..... I already had the 420EX, two 1 GB CF cards and a tripod.
When is Canon going to give us a frequent flyer discount???? Ha ha.

Maureen
I

[fiery360]

Been just lurking this forum for sometime. Thank god, I only have 50mm f1.4 and 28-135mm IS with DRebel. I thought I spent way too much money or digital SLR and lenses. I am just a beginner - still can't figure out the difference between Tv and Av :p. Just spent about $1800 on lenses and camera over last X-mas. No L lens yet. I am not brave enough to ask my wife for new L lens :p

[tim]

fiery - take a photography class at a local school or something, it'll be very valauble.

Everyone else - remember a great photographer can take great pictures with average gear, a bad photographer with the best great will still take bad photos. Don't get too caught up in the gear race.

[Marvinspu36]

still can't figure out the difference between Tv and Av

Tv (Time Value) is Shutter speed priority mode: You choose the shutter speed to use. The camera chooses the correct aperature to acheive proper exposure. Use this mode when you want to capture action, setting your shutter speed high enoungh to stop the action. In this mode you have limited control over the depth of field. You need to check the aperture the camera chooses and verify that you will have enough depth of field to keep your subject in focus. You may have to adjust your shutter speed to achieve proper depth of field (thereby forcing the camera to choose a different aperture, which affects the depth of field). Or you can change your distance to the subject and/or focal length of the lens.

Av (Aperture Value) is Aperture priority mode: You choose the aperture to use. The camera chooses the shutter speed to achieve proper exposure. Choose this mode if you want to have more control over depth of field and shutter speed is not important.

[Ogrt48]

Thats it? I'll warn you.. the spending has yet to begun.

[markubig]

This forum only cost you money??? It cost me about a month in the doghouse for spending what I did . . . :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D :D :D

[wcstory]

In all honesty If it wasn't for some of the help here I would not be enjoying my 20D as much. The level of options can be overwhelming at first.

What's next a 1.4x or a nice 50mm mk 1 ????

Bill

[MDJAK]

This forum cost you cashola? Heck, I was dropping the green before forums were invented. But it did get worse lately. This week I only dropped close to 10 grand on gear. At least I haven't yet traded in my 20D. I think I have it about six months. My F100 I traded at B&H for 50 percent of its original value a few years ago. My D100 I traded in after one short year, along with two expensive Nikon lenses, the grip and flash, again for 50 percent of its value. Got the 10D. Kept it until the 20D came out, and at least sold it privately for 800. Now, 20D sleeps with the fishes as I play with my one day old 1Ds Mark II, new 580ex flash and new 70-300 DO IS zoom.

But, you know what? I walk around with a smile on my face every day. I have a lovely family, a small but nice house, a good job, a loving and understanding wife who tells me to get whatever I want. I'm paying college tuition, etc etc, as many others here.

Got to have your hobbies.

[RJSorensen]

Yep . . . I was happy with my G's and Pro 1 until I got 20D fever. There was and perhaps still is a bad case of it going round. I expect to see a new case of Rebel XT to break out in a month or so as well, lol. Wonderful forum I must say.

Congrats one and all, that 1Ds must rock.

[rfreschner]

The $1000 to $1500 I was going to spend quickly went to $4500+ once I really started reviewing the lens reviews on here, but I would have wasted more money if I hadn't found this forum. And, my wife took it pretty much in stride once the initial shock wore off. Much better than my ex-wife did when I bought my A1 over 20 years ago! :lol:

[sparker1]

But are you having fun?

My wife was very supportive of my move to DSLR...she got my old Sony. Now, instead of pointing out good shots to me, she's busy making better pictures than I am (sometimes). My newest lens will fix that!

[richpix]

Worth a read:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm

[Steve Parr]

I figured I've spent about as much money on guitars as the wife will put up with. It was time to get into something else!

Steve

[CyberDyneSystems]

I bit! Just ordered my first "L" in time for Florida trip and some wildlife parks. Thank God I couldn't come to grips with the f2.8 price.....yet....

So far I've gone from just tip toeing into the dSLR world to scuba diving in and the origional plan of under a grand is about three and a half times blown away.

Oh,.. you are sooo in trouble now!

The Camera and gear was nothing! It's the "L" that'l get you everytime! :lol: :lol:

[metsuyan]

Dude you don't even know....

I went for looking to upgrade my sony DCS-V1 to a 1DsMark II.

(I know that makes me sound unworthy ;) but let's just say that when I wanna do/learn something, not much can stop me. So although I may not have been worthy the day I made the purchase, rest assured that things have since changed dramatically)

When I started to do my homework in the search of a real camera (as opposed to my sony) I got hooked on phonics. The creativity it has inspired and the quality of the lenses available are just incredible.

I figure I have spent about $1,500 per megapixel so far on lenses, accessories etc.
Pain in the pocket but definate relaxation for the mind body & soul.

In hindsight, I can't believe how long I was shooting with crappy digital cameras before I looked at Canon's. If it ain't an upper end camera SLR your interested in, stay away from digital and stick with film.

[Wazza]

I "accidentally" dropped my V1, and figured there was too much hassle in getting it repaired, so shelled out US$3500 on 20D, and 3 lens. I still put my camera into Sony for an repair evaluation, and they have quote NZ$800, or a bit over US$500. Are they idiots or what? A brand new V1 only costs US$300 now. All that is broken, is the lens won't come out now. It's jammed down.

I guess you can never spend too much on Canon gear. :p
Just as long as Canon don't try and say it will cost US$2500 to repair a 20D.

[michael.luczkow]

well a lot of us have the same story here.

i started out with a Nikon coolpix :-)

started to actually like photography and realized i needed more than a point and shoot for what i wanted to do... okay....

december 2004- picked up a brand new G5 for 337 dollars
January 2005- still not enough camera- 20D 1450 dollars
February 2005- geez, it's a great camera but this lens sucks 70-200L f/4 560 dollars, 50mm 1.8 70 dollars
March.... I need to recover a little but
april may or june.... need to fill the 17/18-70 gap with some "L" and also pick up a fisheye :-)

Thanks guys. this place needs a warning. seriously. my dollar amount isn't ALL that much, but I think the timeframe is pretty funny. 4 months ago I had a 2 megapixel nikon :-)

[timmyquest]

Oh sure...blame it on the forum. Like we all havnt already done that before hehe :D

I started out here telling everyone that i had two sigma lenses that came with a kit and that i wasnt going to be buying any lenses for a year or two.

It has been a little more hten a year and i'm saving for a $1150 lens that doesnt even zoom :D

[baboymo]

I thought splurging for a G6 in December was a lot...then I discovered this forum. Now look at my siggy.

Damn you, Canon forum!!!!

[cruzyn56]

Count yourself lucky. I scuba dive and with the 20d purchase was also the underwater housing for about the same price as the camera and kit lens. I am trying to figure out why my hobbies are all on the expensive side: photography, scuba diving, motorcycling (Harley). I guess all I need is to take up skiing and that would round out the expenses on the credit cards. Anyway.... have fun with it ... you only live once and you can't take it with you. :-)

[Persian-Rice]

Tell me about it. It has almost been exactly one year since I joined this forum. When i joined I had an A75, an Elan. Now besides the LF camera with the digital back and my acceptance into photography Major. I have spend oh............. $10,000 USD. I work part-time, and a full-time in the summer. Pretty much every penny earned was converted into photo equipment.

What is most important to me is that I started out as a naturally good photographer with no direction, now I have an exclusive deal with a rep hockey organization and on Friday I have been asked to cover a local charity hockey game with the likes of Steve Yzerman, Eric Lindros, Steve Thomas, Gary Robers, Adam Graves, Gilbert Dionne, Mike Vanderjagt, Curtis Joseph and more. Best part is I am only one of four photographers invited :D

I think that this is the biggest benefit of all, the knowledge you gain.

[wcstory]

I think that this is the biggest benefit of all, the knowledge you gain.

Quite well said. I would of been much more fustrated and spent money on sub-standard lenses if it weren't for the help and advice here.

Bill

[griff2]

Was into film photography for eight years, the height of which had me using the Canon AE-1 with Tamron 90mm macro, then a Ef mount body with with two zooms, none of which I can remember, then a switch to the Powershot G2 (since I couldn't afford the megabucks that DSLRs were in 2001) then a EOS 300D with kit lens and a 75-300 from Ebay. I thought that would be it for a while, then I found this forum. I've since got the 50mm 1.8 mkII, 70-200 f/4L, Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 and am "saving" for the 17-40 f/4L and I've only been a member for a month!!

[poke]

This forum has been a great source of information and encouragement. Due to the knowledge I've picked up around here, I've been able to improve enought to get occasional paid jobs with a few different companies. It might take 5 years for that income to pay off my first "L", but somehow getting paid a couple of hundred occasionally seems to justify the $5000 in gear.... not sure how that works, but I still seem to be able to sleep at night :P

[charlesu]

Welcome to the club. Get a nice set of L glass going. Couple of flashes, and remember, you need a backup body too!! Oh, then you need a couple of different bags. A back pack. Tripod. Did I mention studio lights? Booms?

LOL

[xuxu1]

........ and i thought i am the only victim. What a mistake! :)

[dphotomania]

Good, one. It only gets worth if your wife / husband want the same equipment as you.. :p

I got the 20D back in January and loved it. Got 3 lense 50 mm 1.8, EF-S 17 - 85 mm, 70 - 200 mm f4 (all canon) and other stuff like Flash, batteries, memories sticks, bags...... Spent like over $5000 USD.....

Now my wife would like to get it also. She is jealous that I am having all the fun.

Now I am looking at another 20D, 85 mm 1.8, 100 - 400mm, 28 - 135mm, a flash, batteries, memories sticks, and other accessories.... Which will run another $5000......

And pretty soon, I will want another camera...... :rolleyes:

Doesnt know when this shopping will stop!!

Oh got a new printer as well. Now we can print all the photos we took!! :p

[billhercus]

I just refuse to add up what this forum has cost me. I do hope some senior Canon executive browses this forum - someone from Canon certainly should - and, having read and inwardly digested this thread, sends a large cheque to Pekka.

Even a large cheque would probably only amount to a small commission.

Come on Canon - do the decent thing!! :rolleyes:

[metsuyan]

Tell me about it. It has almost been exactly one year since I joined this forum. When i joined I had an A75, an Elan. Now besides the LF camera with the digital back and my acceptance into photography Major. I have spend oh............. $10,000 USD. I work part-time, and a full-time in the summer. Pretty much every penny earned was converted into photo equipment.

What is most important to me is that I started out as a naturally good photographer with no direction, now I have an exclusive deal with a rep hockey organization and on Friday I have been asked to cover a local charity hockey game with the likes of Steve Yzerman, Eric Lindros, Steve Thomas, Gary Robers, Adam Graves, Gilbert Dionne, Mike Vanderjagt, Curtis Joseph and more. Best part is I am only one of four photographers invited :D

I think that this is the biggest benefit of all, the knowledge you gain.


Bahr Kallah!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Persian-Rice]

Bahr Kallah!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hahaha, it took me a minute to figure out what you said, but now I get it LOL.

Thanks, BTW, are you typing with an accent? :D

[DocFrankenstein]

Bahr Kallah!
LOL - didn't take me long at all :)

And I don't know much else than koskesh and such ;)

[sparker1]

Oh, it's not so bad. I used to have a boat. Before that I played golf. Think I'll order another lens.

[metsuyan]

Hahaha, it took me a minute to figure out what you said, but now I get it LOL.

Thanks, BTW, are you typing with an accent? :D

Haha... Yep, typing with an accent ;)

1/2 persian rice.
1/2 russian rice.
Cooked in america.

now I make sushi rice!
(I own Japanese Restaurants!)

;)

[SkipD]

Unfortunately, I've been lurking on this board for some time. I've been into photography since '65. A couple years ago I got into digital with a Canon G2, and have loved what it can do. However, I have hated not having what it couldn't do (fast response, smaller apertures than f8, etc.). Just ordered a 20D with 16-35 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, and 70-200 2.8 - all "L" glass - and a few other accessories. Expect to get the shipment Friday. The wife now EXPECTS me to make money at photography..... Oh well, that's one of my retirement plans for income. Until then I will just have some good ole fun with the stuff and maybe make a buck or two here and there. By the time I retire (another 8 years, age 64 then) I will need another body - camera body, that is - , but will probably hang onto the 20D for a spare.

[TammieO]

Being photographers you all should understand perspective. Here is my perspective on this:
I do a lot of research here before I make my purchases. Had it not been for the people on this forum, I may have made a wrong camera or lens choice and had to spend more money correcting the choice with another purchase. I love my camera and all my lenses. So, with all the money this forum has saved me, I can buy another lens! Ha-ha-ha-ha

[oddball]

After 6 weeks of lurking this forum, I'm ready to invest a couple of grand into a Rebel XT/ kit lens, nifty fifty, 70-200 f/4L and access. at the end of this month .

Mind you, I went from having my mind set on an S70, then to a Coolpix 5400, to ordering a D70/kit lens, returning the D70, to finalizing the above system. I credit this forum on educating me about the world of dSLRs. But man, what a hit on the wallet...

[roanjohn]

You guys are PATHETIC!!!
Blaming this wonderful forum on all your purchases!!!

..........so, do you guys think I should get the 20D or the Rebel XT??!!!

Ro1

[Maureen Souza]

Ha ha ha...you guys are cracking me up because we are all sinking on the same Titanic.
Seriously tho, I thank everyone's input on equipment/lenses because I feel very satisfied with my initial purchases just 2 weeks ago after 6 weeks of researching and using this forum as one of my primary spots. My poor hubby has been sucked in (no pun intended)... I am having my 50th in May and I really want one good L lens....I think he's gonna cave.
Keep those wisecracks coming.......I love 'em.

[Persian-Rice]

roanjohn, something waterproof please.

[lmelendez]

I wouldn't blame this forum.... .but it has had some influence on my purchases. The most recent one was a famous one.... Rebel XT vs 20D. I didn't post the questions since there were a lot threads going on the Rebel XT. I read them all... check more reviews and at the end decided for the 20D.

The camera shop in my city is terrible so I cannot go for advice there.... so I come here and thanks to the knowledge of a lot of people here... I don't regret anything I have bought so far.

Bottom line is..... Canon is making money out of YOUR advice :)

Leo.

[Vita Rara]

Roanjohn,

I think my first question would be why? You have a 10D already. To me the next logical upgrade from that is a 1DMkII. I mean let's spend some money man. You can't expect us to endorse your spending less money on such an inferior upgrade like the Rebel XT, or on one of such marginal value like the 20D? ;) Especially on a thread about spending TOO much? ;)

But, in all seriousness. If it's a replacement for the 10D don't get the Rebel XT. If it's in addition to the 10D go ahead and get the Rebel XT. If you don't like it you can always sell it, and you'll still have your trusty 10D.

Now if you're really looking for the upgrade path from the 10D seriously think about a 1DMkII. It really isn't TOO much... ;)

Mark

[Jon]

roanjohn, something waterproof please.

How about a nice Nikonos V, or look around for the RS?

[Jonny]

Oh,.. you are sooo in trouble now!

The Camera and gear was nothing! It's the "L" that'l get you everytime! :lol: :lol:

Indeed.....Do Crack, Heroin and Charlie as much as you want BUT DON'T DO 'L'.
You will spend your life aching for just one more fix. You will be desperate and do all most anything to find the money to buy it, your wife will never understand.
It will leave you in the gutter without a penny to your name.

DONT DO 'L'

[mikesd]

truer words have never been spoken: BUY CHEAP AND YOU WILL BUY AGAIN. I have learn't that lessen all to well.

[roanjohn]

roanjohn, something waterproof please.

FINE!!! 1DMKII it is then!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Ro1

[Vita Rara]

FINE!!! 1DMKII it is then!!!

Excellent. We all knew you had it in you. ;) I guess this mean I ought to order my 1DMkII myself.

Mark

[Roach711]

My first camera was a Ricoh with screw-in lenses - I kept that for 10 years.

My second camera was an A-1 - Kept that for 20 years

My third was a 300D DRebel - kept that for 12 months and sold when I heard the XT was coming out (sold the 300D before it's price drops into the basement).

I used to think of camera equipment as a long-term investment. Not anymore. At least I got good lenses with the help of this group of "L" addicts.

I'll never be debt-free again. LOL

Da Roach

[aam1234]

Oh, it's not so bad. I used to have a boat. Before that I played golf. Think I'll order another lens.

I agree. Photography is not as bad as some other hobbies including the L's. Boating would be a good example.

[Southswede]

As I read this thread, I am waiting the arrival of the UPS truck. He is bringing ANOTHER package from B&H.........

[Jon]

As I read this thread, I am waiting the arrival of the UPS truck. He is bringing ANOTHER package from B&H.........

I'm trying the 12-step program. Each month I order 1/12 what's on my B&H wish list. The only problem is deciding whether that 1/12 is based on dollar value or number of items . . .

;{)#

[mbze430]

Camera's definately used to be a long term investment, because in basic reality it just a light box with controls. but with digitial, you now have sensors. And as sensors gets better, the older stuff becomes obsolete.

[AcuraFan]

my first camera was a 10d and a 28-135IS

...now i am $6,800 in the hole...argh :D

[rosie777]

I am right there with you...Stumbled on this site to find answers to a compact flash card question. Imagine that, 5 days ago, all I thought I needed was a new flash card! Now, I'm reading about 1sds's, 300 L lenses, 580 flashes and all of a sudden, I'm thinking, maybe I'm not as happy with my D60 as I thought. Maybe I need to get rid of the 75-300 IS and try something new :-P You all are a bad influence and once my husband hears about this, he's not going to let me come out to play any more :D

Rosie

[rfreschner]

I am having my 50th in May and I really want one good L lens....I think he's gonna cave.

I'm having mine in July and she already caved ..... Nothing like a little "rebate ends on 1/31" to help push it along!!:lol:

[Maureen Souza]

Congrats Rick...which one did you get? I am having such a hard time deciding....... How did you decide?

[rfreschner]

Congrats Rick...which one did you get? I am having such a hard time deciding....... How did you decide?

Thanks..... Actually I got both of the L lenses in my signature and the body at the same time. I had an A1 for 20+ years and a Ni*on P&S for the last few, and spent some time PM'ing some of the other folks on the forum about the pros and cons of each of the lenses I had in mind. I'm very happy with both of them. :)

[Maureen Souza]

I am soooooo jealous...guess I'll have to pick up an over-time shift or two. What we won't do for our toys!

[IanBMW]

I went from one addiction to another....first it was car's....and I thought there was no way Camera's could be as expensive as a turbo kit....way wrong haha.