Yesterday I did a foolish thing...

[FlyingPete]

...a fiend of mine is thinking of moving to a DSLR, a current owner of a EOS500 with a couple of lenses, a body long overdue for an upgrade (it is almost 10 years old now!).

Word had come through the grape vine that a local importer had 350D's in stock, so off we went to try one out, BTW nice little camera, a lot more solid that I expected, quick and quiet too, a definate upgrade on the 300D.

Then comes the unfortunate part, whilst my friend was playing, I spotted some off white glass things with red rings on the end marked 100-400L IS and 70-200L f/2.8. I also noted the demo 20D body they had, so I asked for a play (foolish!!!).

I now know and understand what the big deal is about, and I did't even have a really close look at the results, as I only had the inbuilt screen, they are what telephotos should be. I will now forever be disatified with my 75-300IS. BTW, I prefered 70-200L as it felt better (didn't like the push pull zoom on the 100-400) to use, and it was so bright (hmmm f/2.8).

We both mentioned to our my wife's after getting back home, what we had been playing with, my friend got a thumbs up, I got a thumbs down with a 'no bloody way!'

:(

[joeseph]

<grin>
You could always use the "look at the exchange rate dear, it's as low as its ever going to get" routine....

actually, getting lenses from B&H or 17photo would work out cheaper, but the 20D's seem competitive.

[FlyingPete]

The 70-200L F/2.8 was Kiwi$2199 incGST, not sure what the B&H imported cost comes out at.

The 350D was $1999, a little steep considering the 20D was $2399, I know where I would put my money. Oh well Canon NZ hasn't got them yet, so I suppose you pay a premium unitl then.

[who me?]

But Peter, I always thought it was always better to ask forgiveness than permission....

[RJSorensen]

Once those wheels start to move . . . there is nothing that can stop them. So, you are doomed. Come heck or high water you will have your off white lens in the length and f/stop of your choice. The wife just as well give in . . . best of luck with your case of red stripe fever.

[SDK^]

I got a thumbs down with a 'no bloody way!'

Go and buy the gear anyway, what's the worst that she can do ? :D

[joeseph]

<not sure what the B&H imported cost comes out at>

Just to give you an idea, got my 100-400 from 17photo in Nov when exch rate was .68, cost NZ$2,101.51 incl shipping & credit-card charges, then paid NZ$277.00 to get it thru customs - total = $2,378.51

A NZ parallel importer has it advertised for $2799 - one chch photo outfit has them advertised for $3,480.97!!! guess they don't sell many...

just doing the sums on a 70-200 2.8 L comes out at NZ$1947

[rfreschner]

But Peter, I always thought it was always better to ask forgiveness than permission....

Worked for me!! :D

[gramps]

But Peter, I always thought it was always better to ask forgiveness than permission....

is it ask or beg?

[Columbus Photo]

Hmm well I'll explain what happened to me. 2 weeks ago I decided to venture to a local shop and just "hold" the 20d. :rolleyes: I now own a 20d and a very pissed off wife. :lol: I did tell her there is a plus to this, I could have spent a few grand more and came home with a new lense! (She doesn't know yet that the 2.8 is on its way home for good!) Shhh don't tell her! LOL
I also justify it in that I have 2 major jobs coming up soon that will more than likely pay for the camera!

[gramps]

Right now she probally owns you ...................

[FlyingPete]

Hmm well I'll explain what happened to me. 2 weeks ago I decided to venture to a local shop and just "hold" the 20d. :rolleyes: I now own a 20d and a very pissed off wife. :lol: I did tell her there is a plus to this, I could have spent a few grand more and came home with a new lense! (She doesn't know yet that the 2.8 is on its way home for good!) Shhh don't tell her! LOL
I also justify it in that I have 2 major jobs coming up soon that will more than likely pay for the camera!

Hmm a big white lens is a little hard to hide, it kinda stands out! The 'Oh I have had that for ages' line doesn't work there!

Right now she probally owns you ...................

Yep on stuff like this anyway.

Reality check though I don't have the cash and barely have the credit to do one at the moment, I don't to HP's, and I have a major home renovation on, that eats spare $$$, so it will just have to wait :(

[Bruce Hamilton]

Scenarios like this make me happy I remained single, but I'm curious as to why you need to justify it to the wife... Buy that lens, she'll get over it. So you sleep on the couch for a week...

[Huckaback Photo]

Hi Peter
why not just leave this page open on your computor as soon as the wife clocks your name above
and all the usefull advice from all on this forum,
sure she will understand and pos want to buy the new lens for you.

Martin (Huckaback Photo)

My Gallery. http://www.pbase.com/huckaback_photo

PS. did you realise how this lens has come down in price in last few years.
and
"I say love these white lenses have really come down in price"
only a thought.

[rfreschner]

but I'm curious as to why you need to justify it to the wife...

Ah, definitely spoken by a man who has never been married!! :lol:

[Bruce Hamilton]

Ah, definitely spoken by a man who has never been married!! :lol:

And has every intention of staying that way... ROFLMAO! :lol:

[MDJAK]

Man, I must be lucky. Not only does my wife usually accompany me on my
all-to-frequent jaunts to B&H (including one today where I dropped a mere 1500), but she sits in the front where they have seating for the wives while I go on my merry way to get whatever I want. She says, honey, as long as you can afford it, go for it.

It shouldn't be any other way. I could never be happy if I had to kow-tow to my wife or anyone else. I work hard and I play hard. Life's short. Grab it by the L-lenses and run.

Now I got to go run and play with my new 24-70 F2.8.

hehe.

[rfreschner]

And has every intention of staying that way... ROFLMAO! :lol:

There certainly are advantages to that way of thinking!!!

[rfreschner]

Man, I must be lucky.
Yes, you are!

I could never be happy if I had to kow-tow to my wife or anyone else.
Ah, we all like to have fun blaming it on our wifes but, in my case at least, it's all in fun. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be selling the L lenses (along with the other toys I'd be buying weekly) some day so I could get something to eat! I'd never admit it to her of course...... :lol:

[tim]

I'm constantly buying new toys, my girlfriend's used to it by now, I think she finds it amusing. Got myself a new phone yesterday (Nokia 6100) and the parts for my new PC are waiting for me to collect on my way home this evening :)

Pete, is it parallel imported you're talking about? Next time i'm in Auckland I must go and have a look in there...

[FlyingPete]

I'm constantly buying new toys, my girlfriend's used to it by now, I think she finds it amusing. Got myself a new phone yesterday (Nokia 6100) and the parts for my new PC are waiting for me to collect on my way home this evening :)

Pete, is it parallel imported you're talking about? Next time i'm in Auckland I must go and have a look in there...

Hmmm, new PC.

Yep it is Parrallel Imported, I went to the one in East Tamaki, apparnlty the one on the shore is bigger and better. A real gadget heaven, says something that they have big whites on diplay to play with! There is even a purfum display for the ladies!

By the way, I have noted that my last notification email to this thread at this forum has been already opened when I got to my webmail client, so there is a very real possiblity that my wife has read this thread :eek:

[JasonW]

For some strange reason Dell (US) seems to have good prices on Lenses if you are happy importing:
100-400L IS: $1440 (NZ$1960)
70-200F4L: $630 (NZ$855)
70-200F2.8L IS $1763 (NZ$2400)

I think the 70-200F4L looks like a pretty good buy at $855. Not quite as fast as the F2.8, but you get an L lens for under $1000!! Maybe I could convince my wife.....

[FlyingPete]

For some strange reason Dell (US) seems to have good prices on Lenses if you are happy importing:
100-400L IS: $1440 (NZ$1960)
70-200F4L: $630 (NZ$855)
70-200F2.8L IS $1763 (NZ$2400)

I think the 70-200F4L looks like a pretty good buy at $855. Not quite as fast as the F2.8, but you get an L lens for under $1000!! Maybe I could convince my wife.....

The 70-200F4 might fly, but I would have to loose my 75-300IS, not sure of the pro's and cons there, some say the 75-300 is not much good over 200 anyway, the IS is good, but what a slow lens!!!

[stckciv]

HAHAHA
This makes me happy that im divorced and dont have to ask any more, but sad cause I dont have the extra income!
HAHA

[FlyingPete]

I think it is time for a plug for my lovely wife, she may be the one saying no, but I also know it is not a reality at the moment, there are (believe it or not!) other priorites in life.

I can buy what I want when I want with my $$$ earned from any photographic work with no questions asked, I just have spent all of it recently on other gear, after all she did let me have my 20D only a year after getting my G3, and me making the daming statement that it would be good for at least three years! I do know wifes that would not let their men off that one!

[Volatile]

I've done the same thing with my drebel. In fact, I convinced the missus that digital photography would save us money. I have $4k into my gear.... so far.

I'd say wait about 6 months more. or until the next rebate deal comes out.

[poogpost]

Grow some..(INSERT EXPLICATIVE HERE) and buy the lens. I can't believe how people are (EXPLICATIVE) wipped!!!!! JEEEEEZE.

[Maureen Souza]

Okay... I am really getting tired of you guys blaming it on the wives. After I got my 20D and saw how much my hubby wanted one too, I convinced him to get his own camera and lenses. Today we stood side by side and shot all kinds of fun photos of our daughter's soccer match, compared settings and results! I'm so glad he's joined me in my photography hobby!!!

[MDJAK]

Maureen, whose pictures came out better?

[Wazza]

Hmmm, new PC.

Yep it is Parrallel Imported, I went to the one in East Tamaki, apparnlty the one on the shore is bigger and better. A real gadget heaven, says something that they have big whites on diplay to play with! There is even a purfum display for the ladies!


I've been into Parallel Imported a few times. I bought my first digital cam there... Sony V1, but when it was at it's old location just down the road. Since then I bought the 20D with them end of January. At the time, they had a crap selection of lens, the best they had was a Sigma 170-500.. Beyond the reach I needed, but was only $969... It retails for $1500 at photo.co.nz
They asked what lens I would like. Mentioned the 100-400L, 17-40L, and 70-200L.
They were supposed to get back to me a couple of days later and see if they can arrange to order one especially for myself. No phone call. But I guess the L lens idea has hit off with other requests also I'm assuming. :)

I still won't have money for the next couple of years for big upgrades. But that was also when I spent out "big" on $1249 for my Sony, and said I would never spend that large again. Just 16 months later, I spent a total of $5600 on 20D, 17-40, Sigma 70-300, 50 1.8, 2 CF 1Gb, extra battery... Oh dear. Keep that L away from me.

[cfcRebel]

I waited 2+ years to get my first digital camera - 300D because of $$$. I finally bought it early this year because my girlfriend asked me, "Honey, when are u gonna get a digicam? I need pictures of my stuff to post on eBay. If u are not getting your 300D any time soon, i'll go get my S400." So I had Dell.com overnighted the camera immediately.:lol:

[TammieO]

I can hear all those white L-enses calling to each of you to pick them up and give them a warm loving home...

[Citizensmith]

I also justify it in that I have 2 major jobs coming up soon that will more than likely pay for the camera!

I work it the other way round. Once I've got the money in from my side job I split it 1/4 to the tax account and the rest 50/50 between my wife and my joint checking account and my own account. That way I get to spend money on some L lenses (although a new bike is next on the shopping list) and have a happy wife.

Plus, its just a frickin' camera. If you are that dependant on having the best of everything you probably need to work more on your basic skills. And, why are you trying to mislead someone you are supposed to respect and live with. Sneaking around buying things behind your partners back seems a bit childish.

[FlyingPete]

Sneaking around buying things behind your partners back seems a bit childish.

And near on impossible with something as obvious as a big white lens, if you don't have any already!

[Citizensmith]

And near on impossible with something as obvious as a big white lens, if you don't have any already!

You mean a conversation along the lines of "is that a 70-200 f/2.8L IS in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

[Rob612]

But Peter, I always thought it was always better to ask forgiveness than permission....

Right on. Plus, there is the old story... "You know honey, it was a real bargain and I also traded in some old stuff that I do not use anymore..."

Works with guns... I suppose it works with photo stuff also :D