Getting big tax refund! Help me spend my $$!

[AxxisPhoto]

Hi all,

I just did my taxes and I'm getting close to 6K back!!:shock: Help me spend my $$!!
What would POTN do?!:lol::lol:

[neilwood32]

I think most people would suggest donations to the less fortunate people (me!:lol:)

Seriously i would rpobably go out and buy the following (priced of B&H)
5D MKII ($2699)
24-70 L f2.8 ($1254)
70-200mm L f2.8IS ($1779)

And that leaves you some spare for a tripod, flash or CF cards.

[gymell]

Adjust your withholding next year so you're not giving the government a $6k interest free loan? ;)

[AxxisPhoto]

Adjust your withholding next year so you're not giving the government a $6k interest free loan? ;)

Absolutely right, but not what I wanted to hear!
Most of the return is the First Time Homebuyer credit, which is an interest free loan. $500 a year for 15 years. I think it gets added to your earned income.

[HSK]

Booze & Women - always booze and women.

[AxxisPhoto]

Booze & Women - always booze and women.

:lol::lol: I already have plenty of that!

[inthedeck]

200 f2 LIS. Done. ;)

But, on the more realistic side, new glass/body, but, doesn't seem that you need it.

[Palladium]

IMHO - I would put half into your mortgage as an extra principal payment. This will probably cut years off your total payments.

For your glamor stuff with the other half I'd get some glass that will hold it's value

eg. 85L, 24-70L

[AxxisPhoto]

200 f2 LIS. Done. ;)

But, on the more realistic side, new glass/body, but, doesn't seem that you need it.

Manish!

Definitely new glass. But what to get?;)

[AxxisPhoto]

IMHO - I would put half into your mortgage as an extra principal payment. This will probably cut years off your total payments.

For your glamor stuff with the other half I'd get some glass that will hold it's value

eg. 85L, 24-70L

Great idea. I would never spend the entire amount! I going to use some to upgrade my bathroom.

[Tee Why]

I think it depends a lot on what you like to shoot.
The XT is getting a bit long in the tooth. Maybe you can sell it and upgrade. I'd consider a 40D or a 50D if you like the crop factor but maybe a used 5D or a new 5DMII if you are thinking full frame.

If it was me (I prefer fine art/landscape/cityscape), I'd consider a nice 5DMII, 17-40L, a Grip for the camera, keep the tamron 28-75mm, 430EX II flash, and maybe a telephoto lens like a 135mm L or a 70-200mm lens. That should go to $5000 or $6000 I think.

If you don't mind changing formats, I'd go with a Nikon D700 with a 12-24mm, 24-70mm, and a 135mm, and one of their flash. That would be about $6000 if not a touch more.

If you like to stick with the crop factor (and want more versatility and reach for zoos and sports), I'd consider a 40D or a 50D with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 for the wide stuff, a Canon 17-55mm f2.8 or a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, maybe a Sigma 30mm f1.4, a 70-200mm zoom or a 100-400 depending on your need for reach, and a 430EX II flash.

A 40D/toke 11-16, 17-55IS, grip, 430EX, 100-400mm should go for about $4500 or so. I'd keep the change for a new laptop.
:)

Wow, that was fun spending your money.

[AxxisPhoto]

I think it depends a lot on what you like to shoot.
The XT is getting a bit long in the tooth. Maybe you can sell it and upgrade. I'd consider a 40D or a 50D if you like the crop factor but maybe a used 5D or a new 5DMII if you are thinking full frame.

If it was me (I prefer fine art/landscape/cityscape), I'd consider a nice 5DMII, 17-40L, a Grip for the camera, keep the tamron 28-75mm, 430EX II flash, and maybe a telephoto lens like a 135mm L or a 70-200mm lens. That should go to $5000 or $6000 I think.

If you don't mind changing formats, I'd go with a Nikon D700 with a 12-24mm, 24-70mm, and a 135mm, and one of their flash. That would be about $6000 if not a touch more.

If you like to stick with the crop factor (and want more versatility and reach for zoos and sports), I'd consider a 40D or a 50D with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 for the wide stuff, a Canon 17-55mm f2.8 or a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, maybe a Sigma 30mm f1.4, a 70-200mm zoom or a 100-400 depending on your need for reach, and a 430EX II flash.

A 40D/toke 11-16, 17-55IS, grip, 430EX, 100-400mm should go for about $4500 or so. I'd keep the change for a new laptop.
:)

Wow, that was fun spending your money.

You seem to really enjoy spending other people's money! :lol:

[inthedeck]

Alex, since you already have the 28-75 mm covered, in a fast lens, I'd consider the 100mm f/2.0 or 2.8 macro, the 85 1.8, or the 135mm L or f/2. You do lots of glamour/nude type work, so that 135 might be a bit long...especially on a 1.6x cam. the 100, imo, would be where it's at for decent beauty work, and 85 would be fine for 3/4 shots. Of course, if you didn't need money for the bathroom project, I still say the 200 f/2 LIS.

If it were 'my' money, I'd get new lights (a pair of Elinc. RX600's & 400's w/ some diffusers), a 135L and call it a day. ;)

[timrocks311]

man, if i got $6k back the wife wouldn't let me spend it. honestly, if it were me, i'd put half toward the mortgage or home improvements. then if i were to blow the remaining $3k on camera equipment (probably not, but...) i'd go for a used 40D, 24-70L, 70-200 2.8 IS

[AxxisPhoto]

Alex, since you already have the 28-75 mm covered, in a fast lens, I'd consider the 100mm f/2.0 or 2.8 macro, the 85 1.8, or the 135mm L or f/2. You do lots of glamour/nude type work, so that 135 might be a bit long...especially on a 1.6x cam. the 100, imo, would be where it's at for decent beauty work, and 85 would be fine for 3/4 shots. Of course, if you didn't need money for the bathroom project, I still say the 200 f/2 LIS.

If it were 'my' money, I'd get new lights (a pair of Elinc. RX600's & 400's w/ some diffusers), a 135L and call it a day. ;)

Manish,

Hmmm.. I just bought a new large softbox and a strip box, so my lighting rig is close to complete! :D I love primes, but for what I shoot, I'm thinking the 24-105mm f4 L. That would be the perfect lens!

[inthedeck]

It's a good one, Alex. I use it on some of my shoots, as well. I'm more inclined to use the 85L for most times, though...since I'm not really worried about 'fast as lightning' focus.

But, the 24-105L on a cropper wouldn't be bad at all. Pair that thing with a 5D like I do...and it's a magical all purpose lens, with IS! ;)

Good luck with your decision!

[AxxisPhoto]

It's a good one, Alex. I use it on some of my shoots, as well. I'm more inclined to use the 85L for most times, though...since I'm not really worried about 'fast as lightning' focus.

But, the 24-105L on a cropper wouldn't be bad at all. Pair that thing with a 5D like I do...and it's a magical all purpose lens, with IS! ;)

Good luck with your decision!

Manish,

Thanks. I'm not really looking into a new body as of yet because I'm happy with the XT. Good glass on an ok camera is always better than having a good camera with just ok glass. Coming from a film background, I really want a FF body, but I can wait. For now!:mad:

[inthedeck]

I'm not trying to tempt ya, Alex. But, with 5D bodies going for 1200 or so, you'd have a nice backup, in the XT. One extra lens and you'd have the best of both worlds.

However, I understand if you don't want a new body. The 24-105L will just be a bit redundant, I feel, alongside your 28-75. This is why I recommended either the 85 or 100 primes. They seem to offer something that the current Tammy doesn't. But, ymmv.

Good luck with the decision, though...post up, when you do go ahead with whatever it may be! ;)

[AxxisPhoto]

I'm not trying to tempt ya, Alex. But, with 5D bodies going for 1200 or so, you'd have a nice backup, in the XT. One extra lens and you'd have the best of both worlds.

However, I understand if you don't want a new body. The 24-105L will just be a bit redundant, I feel, alongside your 28-75. This is why I recommended either the 85 or 100 primes. They seem to offer something that the current Tammy doesn't. But, ymmv.

Good luck with the decision, though...post up, when you do go ahead with whatever it may be! ;)

Manish,

You are making great points! But I am getting tired of the Tamron and really want a medium zoom to replace it. The only reason I won't commit to a prime is that you have to move physically to compose the shot. And I'm usually at a premium for space!:mad: As a glamour shooter, you know what I'm talking about!;)

[inthedeck]

Yessir, I do. In that case, if you 'are' getting rid of the tammy, or plan to, then replace it with the 24-70L. Better lens, for the job...but, no IS. The jury is still out on which is better...but, in the end, I believe that extra stop comes in handy, vs. IS any day. ;)

EDIT: Btw...how do you manage to get all those women to pose for ya? Amazing. :lol:

[AxxisPhoto]

Yessir, I do. In that case, if you 'are' getting rid of the tammy, or plan to, then replace it with the 24-70L. Better lens, for the job...but, no IS. The jury is still out on which is better...but, in the end, I believe that extra stop comes in handy, vs. IS any day. ;)

I hear what you are saying, but 70mm is not a long enough reach for what I shoot. :)

[AxxisPhoto]

EDIT: Btw...how do you manage to get all those women to pose for ya? Amazing. :lol:

What?! I've seen your work, which is amazing! You know how we do!:D:D:D

[inthedeck]

Hehe...nah man, yours is just top notch. I wish my wife let me do some nude stuff...but she won't, and I respect her like that, so, I don't do it. ;)

But, you've definitely got a rockin' port man. Would love to work with you sometime...though, I know we're kinda far away! hehe...darn...where's 'scottie' when you really need him...,.haha.

[inthedeck]

Oh, and I was also curious...how is OMP as compared to MM? I know 'togs have to pay on OMP, but, are the models any better/worse/less flaky/more responsive/etc?

[AxxisPhoto]

Hehe...nah man, yours is just top notch. I wish my wife let me do some nude stuff...but she won't, and I respect her like that, so, I don't do it. ;)

But, you've definitely got a rockin' port man. Would love to work with you sometime...though, I know we're kinda far away! hehe...darn...where's 'scottie' when you really need him...,.haha.

Well, you have to respect the wife! My girlfriend is cool with what I do. Only because I told her up front what I shoot.:) I would love to work with you sometime. Maybe we could set up a group shoot. PM me and we can talk about it more.

[inthedeck]

I've planned a trip with Larry (ducatiwv) for Myrtle Beach, in April. Care to join, let me know. I'm looking to book a couple of models out that way...just tough to get in touch with, especially since I'm not local to that area...but, I'll find 'em. ;)

[AxxisPhoto]

I've planned a trip with Larry (ducatiwv) for Myrtle Beach, in April. Care to join, let me know. I'm looking to book a couple of models out that way...just tough to get in touch with, especially since I'm not local to that area...but, I'll find 'em. ;)

April could work. Keep me in the loop!

[inthedeck]

I will do. And please let me know about my question of OMP vs. MM. It's a couple of posts back! ;)

Oh, and the dates are the 24th - 26th...of April.

[SaraEmily]

Hey Alex! Your work is very well done, though not something I'd ever do. Heh, that's just me though. I tend to lean more towards fine art nudes and fetish/gothic stuff. Well, I used to anyways... I've grown a lot and become a lot more girly over the last year or so. I don't even really like my fine art nudes anymore... (body image issues). I prefer implied nudes now.

As for the money... wow, I wish I had that much! That would book my flight back home to Canada, plus pay back my ex for my visa, PLUS have extra spending cash for when I got home! And I could go home sooner! Boy, dreams are fun. I don't know enough about pro gear to give any suggestions, though I see you're in no short supply of those. ;)

[AxxisPhoto]

Oh, and I was also curious...how is OMP as compared to MM? I know 'togs have to pay on OMP, but, are the models any better/worse/less flaky/more responsive/etc?

Manish,

First of all since I'm incorporated, I write off the OMP membership costs.;) To me OMP is worth the $$ because it is way more robust than MM. The best thing about OMP is you can set up your profile to send an email alert when models are travelling to your area. And honestly, all the models in my port I hired from OMP. It just seems like a more professional site.

What I've noticed about MM is I get emails from models constantly saying "I love your work and would love to work with you" etc. And if I am interested and reply, I never hear anything back. And with MM it's hard to find models travelling to my area. But it is free.....;)

[inthedeck]

Thanks for the info. Alex. Much appreciated.

Anyhow, back to the topic related to the thread. Ever figure out how you are going to spend your tax return $$'s? hehe...or still pondering it?

[AxxisPhoto]

Thanks for the info. Alex. Much appreciated.

Anyhow, back to the topic related to the thread. Ever figure out how you are going to spend your tax return $$'s? hehe...or still pondering it?

Yep. I'm now a proud owner of a 70-200mm f2.8L IS!!!:):):)

And.....

Going to start hunting for a good used 5D. I can't take this crop-factor stuff anymore!

[inthedeck]

Congrats. Good choice. And good luck with the hunt. ;)