This will give you the smiles

[Redr8]

I was down at the local camera shop today getting a few shots printed out for a client. I was doing my usual walk around having a drool over some L glass and the like. Was thinking to myself about upgrading my old 420EX to a 580EX flash or getting a wireless trigger...etc etc, we've all been there.

Anyway, I caught wind of a conversation going on between a sales guy and a lady and her daughter. The short version of a long story was that the daughter was about to start a TAFE course (for our American friends, our TAFE's are essentially a tech school - above high school but not quite Univeristy) and mum wanted some camera gear for her. The sales guy goes on to ask how serious the daughter was about taking photos to which mum stated she intended to pursue a career out of it. Has she ever had any camera gear before? Oh no this is her first camera, but we want to get something that is industry spec. The sales guy clearly saw the enormity of this sale and went on to talk about all the lenses and flashes and accessories she needed to go "pro".

So the end result, I saw an apparently 16 or 17 year old girl (no offence ladies - this was just the situation) who had never owned a camera in her life walk out with:

- 5D Mk II
- Battery grip
- 580EX
- 100L Macro
- 100L f2 prime
- 100-400 L
- 24-105L
- 16-35L
+ a swag of other things I don't recall..16G flash cards, back packs, etc etc

Hope that makes you as happy as it did me. :rolleyes:

[FlyingPhotog]

If this was in a local business where the taxes go to my community, I'd be freakin' ecstatic...!

[computerguru3190]

To go pro, that seems like an odd lens lineup. 24-70, 70-200, 50 would be more of what I would have pushed. Not a 100 f2 or 100 Macro. And just think, when her daughter gets tired of it, you could swoop up some gear cheap.

[Comerfjc]

Well, I WAS having a good night. Now I'm gonna have to get some paper towels to clean the tears off my desk. :cry:

[The Moose]

Wow, that's a crazy amount to spend but the sales guy did his job very well. Was it a Ted's or a real photography shop? :lol:

[tkbslc]

Another thread where normal guys cry about how rich people don't deserve nice stuff.

Personally, I say what a nice way to get started. Good for them.

[Comerfjc]

Another thread where normal guys cry about how rich people don't deserve nice stuff.

Personally, I say what a nice way to get started. Good for them.

I really don't think this has to do with normal folk cryin' about rich folk.

And yeah, you're right, that would be a pretty sweet way to start out. I'm glad she'll be learning how to use it at a trade school. :)

[Mastamarek]

I want that mum!! lol. I wonder why she didn't pick up 1Ds 3 and then D3x for "just in case" scenario.

[unmanedpilot]

I'd agree with the above. Sure its a lot of stuff unnecessary stuff for a beginner, but she will have it all from the beginning so theres no limit to what she could do. Then, what an AWESOME commission for the sales guy, he did his job, good for him.

Sure there are some problems here with them buying so much without really knowing what they need, lack of research, and just being stupid with your money. But thats a personal issue they have to work out for themselves. And for onlookers, its not like camera gear is limited, the more people buy, the more $$ Canon gets to make new stuff for us. And if she drops out she can sell the gear and we can get some cheap second hand stuff!

I see no downside to this personally. (unless your the mother :rolleyes:)

[Andrushka]

that is a lot of 100mm!!! shooot... diversify a little at least!! Must of had a lot of stock on hand or something

[Karl Johnston]

That's a whole year's tuition spent on a camera store guy...

[Absolutely Fabulous]

Personally, I say what a nice way to get started. Good for them.


what he said

That's a whole year's tuition spent on a camera store guy...

Your just wishing it was your mother LOL

[Karl Johnston]

I've got all that equipment x 4...lol

trying to bloody well get rid of most of it.
can't shoot with only one arm.
Buy my tokina.

[ckckevin]

- 5D Mk II
- Battery grip
- 580EX should be markII, but i guess the camera shop has plenty of mark I in stock.
- 100L Macro
- 100L f2 prime hmm.... i think there is a typo here, there isn't a 100L f2, but just a normal 100mm f2. But I would take a 50mm 1.4 +135L
- 100-400 L
- 24-105L I think i would go for a 24-70L and a 70-200 f4 IS. If not a 70-200 f2.8 IS
- 16-35L Mark II maybe?

[ssim]

That is a nice story and the part I like best is that they didn't come in to the store to fondle their gear and then go order it online like so many do these days. Good for the mother and I bet the daughter is behaving especially good after that.

It would seem that the girl had a goal for her future which is great to see and she needed some tools of the trade to facilitate this. Second guessing what she should have bought would have a multitude of opinions here and I am thinking that by the time she is through her first few semesters of classes she will have a more accurate idea of what she really needs. It is a pretty decent starter set that is for sure.

[Redr8]

- 580EX should be markII, but i guess the camera shop has plenty of mark I in stock.
- 100L f2 prime hmm.... i think there is a typo here, there isn't a 100L f2, but just a normal 100mm f2. But I would take a 50mm 1.4 +135L


It was probably a 580 EXII as I didn't see any Mk I anywhere. And yes typo on the 100Lf2. I was trying to snoop but without being obvious so I didn't get a real good look at everything.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for the daughter to be getting a great start like that, but jeez there was a lot of money spent on someone who has never touched a camera before. I'm just a weekend enthusiast at best, so I'd kill to have half of that stuff 'given' to me.

[skydiver_8]

I wonder if she wants to adopt a son.....;)

[400dabuser]

Ouch, now I know I would never walk into a shop and start pretending not to know anything about photography...I am going to walk in with a big pro lens stuck to my camera...on loan....start talking technical stuff about photography, I might get something cheap if not free :)

[DStanic]

That's alot of money to spend on a teenager. I could understand a good body, a flash and a lens or 2, but that's pretty overkill for someone who has never handled the stuff before. I'm not talking about rich vs poor, but people getting what they need and learning the value of a dollar. Parents these days...

[neilwood32]

If the kid is serious about the possible career, then good on the parents.

Yeah, its a lot of gear but folk in many trades have to buy a lot of gear when starting out (joiners, plumbers etc) so I see it as a similar investment.

And we have no idea how it is being funded - possibly the girls savings, an investment coming to fruition or even an inheritance.

[DStanic]

My point is that most 16-17yr olds have no idea what they really want to do in life. Today she wants to be a photog next week she might want to be a veterinarian or something. Alot of parents coddle their childrens these days, giving them whatever they want.

I could just see the convo at the photo shop

girl/clerk:
"you need a good camera, how about this 5D Mk II? "sounds good!"
"do you like to shoot people? For that you need a veritcal grip" "oh, absolutely!"
(ok I woun't argue about the flash, everybody NEEDS that- 580EX)
"do you like closeups of butterflies?" "oh yes!" "better get the 100L Macro"
"this 100L f2 prime is the best for portraits" "better get that one!"
"like shooting birds? get the 100-400 L" "oh for sure!"
"if you like shooting landscapes, the 16-35L is the way to go.." "put her in the bag!"

i don't mean to come off as an a**hole, I really do hope she succeeds as a photographer and I'll eat my words if she does!

[neilwood32]

I take your point but mine is that without knowing the "behind the scenes" we cant really determine if it is "spoiled brat", "budding pro" or something in between (and I agree it could well be spoiled brat!)

She might have borrowed cameras before or shot with school equipment prior to this, with this being Mom's first chance to buy the kit she deserves after years of shooting.

I guess I dont really like pigeon holing people without knowing all the info.

[seaside]

At least the salesman had the sense to sell her Canon equipment :)

This young lady may soon be posting here on POTN asking us how to use all that gear :D

[Casperd360]

Shouldve mugged her. HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Totally kidding.

But seriously I would have been way jealous.

[nicksan]

Yeah, I get jealous when someone is able to buy a Ferrari b/c they can afford it. :lol:
But that's life...and jealousy will get you nowhere...

[johnaengus]

When I was like 15 or 16 my parent bought me a Canon A1 and some Canon lenses. It was the coolest thing ever. I have always bought Canon since. I say if parents can help, it is great!

[stitchbug]

Yeah, I get jealous when someone is able to buy a Ferrari b/c they can afford it. :lol:
But that's life...and jealousy will get you nowhere...


It's true...
But I'm still jealous!
:lol:

[Casperd360]

It's true...
But I'm still jealous!
:lol:

Exactly... One day I will hit the lotto and can buy everything I want. Until then I am stuck on the grind of a 60 hour work week to make ends meet.

[tuaz0090]

Personally, I think the salesman got really lucky. good for him

Otherwise, parents like that make me sick. Teenage girl? NEver had a camera? All that equipment is unnecessary. I think she wont know where to start and wont really master any of her equipment/leave it in P mode. I wouldnt spend that kind of money on something im not 100% sure that my kid would pursue. And spending that on a young girl really wont give her much indication of the value of money. Ill bet that girl will have terrible spending habits!

[monk3y]

if the girl is really interested she should have at least researched online first before buying... but damn what a great starter kit. hehe

by the way, regarding jealousy... i think we here are pretty lucky to be at least posting some comments and we have our cameras and lenses and we could talk about it anytime as compared to other people, specially here in our country where the average daily salary is around $5-$6 only. even rich people here are somewhat poorer than your average joe in the USA or UK i think.

i find it funny to read that some of you are also jealous of others because you can't afford something they bought :), i am also jealous of all your beautiful L lenses as i can't afford them yet, but i feel quite lucky already compared to most of my countrymen. :) i am looking at the bright side always

[tuaz0090]

Yes I am very jealous of L's also. being a student, Im flat brok right now, but itching for a 7D. need to sell some stuff. Pinoy's FTW!

[nphsbuckeye]

Yeah, I get jealous when someone is able to buy a Ferrari b/c they can afford it. :lol:
But that's life...and jealousy will get you nowhere...
Only one. :lol:

Although I wish I had that sort of money, I'm still only 23 with my sites set on riches.

[canonnoob]

If this was in a local business where the taxes go to my community, I'd be freakin' ecstatic...!

x2...

Who cares what she is getting? You never know, she may be the next ansel adams or annie leibovitz..

[m3n00b]

All my local camera stores are owned by con-artists. Come on, $150 for the nifty-fifty? No, thanks. I'll fondle your gear and then order online.

[FOX2PRO]

As someone who works in sales, that's the stuff of fantasy. Rich customers who didn't research, and rely completely on you for information and advice.

[joedlh]

I want to announce at this point that I am officially up for adoption, as I lost both of my parents (years ago) and would love to become a photography professional. [sniff]

[neil_r]

She is off to a good start now it is all down to her. I would have wished her good luck.

[Tee Why]

If she's truly interested in photography, the gear with the exception of the 100mm primes and the 100-400mm seems reasonable. I would have gone with a 16-35 or a 17-40, 24-70, and a 70-200mm f2.8 with or without IS personally though.

I hope she's serious with all that money spent though.

I personally, would have gone with a 7D with grip, 17-55IS, 10-22, 70-200, and a 580EX II personally.

[Redr8]

I could just see the convo at the photo shop

girl/clerk:
"you need a good camera, how about this 5D Mk II? "sounds good!"
"do you like to shoot people? For that you need a veritcal grip" "oh, absolutely!"
(ok I woun't argue about the flash, everybody NEEDS that- 580EX)
"do you like closeups of butterflies?" "oh yes!" "better get the 100L Macro"
"this 100L f2 prime is the best for portraits" "better get that one!"
"like shooting birds? get the 100-400 L" "oh for sure!"
"if you like shooting landscapes, the 16-35L is the way to go.." "put her in the bag!"
Oh !! You were there too? That was pretty much how it went with the 24-105 for walk around.

[ckckevin]

Oh !! You were there too? That was pretty much how it went with the 24-105 for walk around.

lol, that's what i thought:lol: But seriously, we weren't there, so we won't know. But hope that she would enjoy photography.

[Bosscat]

Reminds me of the parents I see who buy their kids the best of everything in racing and then the kid rides around in last place, while some kid who has heart and desire, but his family is not very well off, is running out front and winning races with a stock machine.

You can't buy success in anything........you have to earn it.

[Chairman7w]

But given the opportunity, that poor kid would gladly accept the nice racing rig if it was offered (and win even more!).

I think those are two separate issues. The poor kid doesn't race better cause he's poor - and the rich kid doesn't race like crap cause he's rich.

But your last sentence says it best, for sure!

Reminds me of the parents I see who buy their kids the best of everything in racing and then the kid rides around in last place, while some kid who has heart and desire, but his family is not very well off, is running out front and winning races with a stock machine.

You can't buy success in anything........you have to earn it.

[mikejet]

To go pro, that seems like an odd lens lineup. 24-70, 70-200, 50 would be more of what I would have pushed. Not a 100 f2 or 100 Macro. And just think, when her daughter gets tired of it, you could swoop up some gear cheap.

I agree, or maybe even just the 50 and 85 L primes to start and two 580EXII's.

[shayneyasinski]

I am with the OP on this one as well as others that can see that children have only ideas of what they will be when they grow up.
My friends kid wants to be a supercar (lambos ect) mechanic but will not work at the local shops and fix junk he says....
He is 22 with a 15 thousand dollar student loan debt along with his parents 10 grand that they gave him to party for 2 years to be a social worker.
You gotta have used the bad to ever know the good!

Now maybe this girl will be a pro but the odds are not looking good and what person in their right mind dumps this kind of cash on a first camera.

[Bosscat]

Too many kids are SPOILED rotten these days by parents for whatever reason, and I have heard the parents justify the reasoning, but what are these kids going to turn out like when they hit the real world, and have to struggle and fight to climb the ladder to success?

When I raced my dad supplied me with a stone stock bike, and said when you can win with that, I'll get some stuff to improve it. I went and out and flat smoked guys with super trick bikes costing twice as much.

I always tell parents that you cannot want it for your kids.......they have to want it for themselves, and either they do or they don't.

[mikejet]

Too many kids are SPOILED rotten these days by parents for whatever reason, and I have heard the parents justify the reasoning, but what are these kids going to turn out like when they hit the real world, and have to struggle and fight to climb the ladder to success?

When I raced my dad supplied me with a stone stock bike, and said when you can win with that, I'll get some stuff to improve it. I went and out and flat smoked guys with super trick bikes costing twice as much.

I always tell parents that you cannot want it for your kids.......they have to want it for themselves, and either they do or they don't.

My dad taught me how to shoot on his Nikon F4 but I didn't have my own camera until i bought my own.

[ssim]

Personally, I think the salesman got really lucky. good for him

Otherwise, parents like that make me sick. Teenage girl? NEver had a camera? All that equipment is unnecessary. I think she wont know where to start and wont really master any of her equipment/leave it in P mode. I wouldnt spend that kind of money on something im not 100% sure that my kid would pursue. And spending that on a young girl really wont give her much indication of the value of money. Ill bet that girl will have terrible spending habits!
I am amazed at the number of bitter people in this thread towards a situation that we have gotten 2nd/3rd hand. Do we know for a fact that the OP heard all of the situation. How many times have one of you gone into a store and pleaded ignorance in order to see what they try and sell you.

I think it is great that the girl has a goal in life. So what if it doesn't work out and she changes career paths down the road. She has some great gear to keep with her.

Parenting is funny thing, everyone is an expert on everyone else's children. I did for mine the many things that my parents couldn't afford to do for me. Does that make mine spoiled. I paid for all of their post secondary education because I could and it gave them a great start on life without student loans. The mother in this case could obviously afford it and I see no problem with her getting the girl the tools that she needs for her career choice. Would this be different if a young man wanted to be a mechanic and the parent was in buying him tools.

[gkarris]

... only to find out that the school requires a Nikon.. LOL...

Maybe the salesman was cute?

A buddy of mine walked into the Apple Store to buy just a low-end Mac, but ended up asking a ton of questions and spending almost $3,000 on a Mac, software, warranty, services, printer, etc., only because the saleslady was cute (which she also helped out with the online rebate).

Talk about Consumerism... :)

[Mastamarek]

... only to find out that the school requires a Nikon.. LOL...

Maybe the salesman was cute?

A buddy of mine walked into the Apple Store to buy just a low-end Mac, but ended up asking a ton of questions and spending almost $3,000 on a Mac, software, warranty, services, printer, etc., only because the saleslady was cute (which she also helped out with the online rebate).

Talk about Consumerism... :)
lol, thats how I got signed up for my gym membership. I only wanted a monthly pass but I ended up buying the full year pass with another year for free. lol. The lady that was assisting me though was just soooo hoooot that I really didn't wanna leave. I'm mean, smoking hot!! lol. She showed me the pool, sauna, massage place, rock climbing and so on. All that time I was just admiring her body and agreeing to whatever she was saying. That was one of the worst fails in my life, but it was worth it ^^

[gkarris]

lol, thats how I got signed up for my gym membership. I only wanted a monthly pass but I ended up buying the full year pass with another year for free. lol. The lady that was assisting me though was just soooo hoooot that I really didn't wanna leave. I'm mean, smoking hot!! lol. She showed me the pool, sauna, massage place, rock climbing and so on. All that time I was just admiring her body and agreeing to whatever she was saying. That was one of the worst fails in my life, but it was worth it ^^

LOL... Yes, the saleslady was pretty (for her age, but my buddy was 50+), and he also decided to get his Mac "upgraded on the spot" while she explained all the stuff he bought to him... ;)

[Nanboh]

I have to wonder how much pressure that girl is going to be under to accomplish what her parent thinks she should given the 'professional' nature of her equipment. Sounds like a lot of stress to put on a kid to succeed.

[kiss_me_now9]

My point is that most 16-17yr olds have no idea what they really want to do in life.
I knew at 16 that I wanted to at least get a decent camera... So I put away £50 of my paltry £100 take home wage a month and managed to buy my 350D 10 months later. Granted, before I had been playing around with a P+S but if you know me, you'll know that I tend to get an idea in my head and then drop it a month later (which I think is what you're getting at here?). I didn't want to be a pro photog back then and I still don't now; but equally I had not got a clue what I wanted.

Err. TL;DR - Quite!

[Absolutely Fabulous]

Some nasty comments!! My parents spoiled me and funny enough I have no bad spending habits or anything else mentioned of "spoiled kids"

My 4 year old has a macbook and ipod touch, and now a camera, poor kid will be spoiled like his mother was, he's doomed!!!!

I hope the girl in question joins here and knocks your socks of with her pics!!!

[neilwood32]

I am amazed at the number of bitter people in this thread towards a situation that we have gotten 2nd/3rd hand. Do we know for a fact that the OP heard all of the situation. How many times have one of you gone into a store and pleaded ignorance in order to see what they try and sell you.

I think it is great that the girl has a goal in life. So what if it doesn't work out and she changes career paths down the road. She has some great gear to keep with her.

Parenting is funny thing, everyone is an expert on everyone else's children. I did for mine the many things that my parents couldn't afford to do for me. Does that make mine spoiled. I paid for all of their post secondary education because I could and it gave them a great start on life without student loans. The mother in this case could obviously afford it and I see no problem with her getting the girl the tools that she needs for her career choice. Would this be different if a young man wanted to be a mechanic and the parent was in buying him tools.

My thoughts exactly (as mentioned previously).

Without the background info, people really have a cheek making comments about the parents. It might be that the kid has wanted to be a photographer for years and this is the first chance to actually own some gear.

[DStanic]

I knew at 16 that I wanted to at least get a decent camera... So I put away £50 of my paltry £100 take home wage a month and managed to buy my 350D 10 months later. Granted, before I had been playing around with a P+S but if you know me, you'll know that I tend to get an idea in my head and then drop it a month later (which I think is what you're getting at here?). I didn't want to be a pro photog back then and I still don't now; but equally I had not got a clue what I wanted.

Err. TL;DR - Quite!

Buying a camera is a short term goal. Deciding you want to be a professional photographer is a long term goal.

When I was 16 I thought i wanted to work with computers, software/hardware repair anyways. At that time everybody was going to school for "IT".Went to college and worked in a couple shops and decided it wasn't for me. Hated dealing with customers, pay wasn't very much, and i didn't have the knack for programming or network aspect of it. I'm 26 and have been an auto detailer for the last 5 yrs, still don't know what I want to do with my life. :)

[dovaka]

that is a rather odd lens line up but im sure a lot of it had to do with what they had in the store right then

[TooManyShots]

- 5D Mk II
- Battery grip
- 580EX should be markII, but i guess the camera shop has plenty of mark I in stock.
- 100L Macro
- 100L f2 prime hmm.... i think there is a typo here, there isn't a 100L f2, but just a normal 100mm f2. But I would take a 50mm 1.4 +135L
- 100-400 L
- 24-105L I think i would go for a 24-70L and a 70-200 f4 IS. If not a 70-200 f2.8 IS
- 16-35L Mark II maybe?

Yeah, what if she is into sports, you need at least a 300L 2.8 IS.....:) On a full frame, maybe the 400L 2.8 IS???