Money spending advice time.
So I've got some cash saved up and I'm in a quandary as to what to spend it upon. I've a few options and each option is worth the investment (at least in my mind) and comes with its own bonuses.
1) Cognisys Stopshot. Likely the most expensive setup (even after currency conversion) although also the most exotic. I'd aim for the crossbeams, and external shutter primarily to allow for a custom setup for photographic insects in flight. Although that setup could also be adapted to other situations which would benefit from laser based trips. They also have their new IR kit for a more reliable animal trigger and chances are I'd also pick up a small trip to do some waterdrop photography (Because everyone loves that ).
Downside is that it is all somewhat exotic and expensive and big - it could well get used and then gather dust for a while during the wrong season or just without the right motivation to get it all out.
http://www.cognisys-inc.com …d7523bb31c6aa570e885287aa
2) Stackshot (from same company as above); automated focusing rail for stacked photography; a bit more limited in what it can do, but very rewarding in being able to reliably automate a very tricky shooting setup. Even with a very stable setup doing stacked shots manually and not missing a frame or overshooting on the distance can be very tricky.
The downside is that its doesn't really let me do anything new; although it greatly enhances by ability to do focus stacks both in the field and indoors.
3) Tripod + tripod head - not 100% sure on the exact options I'd opt for, but with the rough budget amount I could certainly replace my 055 manfrotto legs with gitzo legs; I've always wanted to move away from the horizontal central column to a central mount of the tripod head on the legs for low down shooting - I also could use another tripod head as at present I only really use my geared head (which is useless for anything not static like landscape or macro). This would likely be the best setup for my options other than macro photography.
4) Tilt shift lens - whilst I've not a massive interest in landscape to justify it and don't really do any architecture at all, I do have a macro (addiction) interest and the option to use one of the tilt shift lenses with extension tubes to allow for close focusing and the ability to shift the focal plane itself would be very powerful for macro work.
5) Flash - currently I've only my 580EX2 and the canon twinflash and I've often wanted to move into using one or two more flash units alongside larger diffuser setups for some photos. I've also had my eye on the high end 2 flash ultra small head setups with batteries - giving the features of a studio flash, but with the portability and size of a speedlite (portability being important to me and why I'd opt for one of these setups over regular studio flash units). An example of this would be the Elinchrom Lead Ranger Q Hybrid Kit with me likely adding a second flash head at a latter date - there is also the Safari Li-on Portable which has a good stat rating against the Elinchrom and is somewhat cheaper as well.
So those are the options in my mind at present, sadly I don't have a specific project or goal that would really help whittle it down into something more specific; they are all items that I can see a use for and have had an interest in for a good long while. However I might have missed some additional things that I could consider and others here might also have user input on the above options which could broaden my understanding and concept of their use. I'd welcome any input people have.
