What am I missing?

Hey all,

I have itchy fingers and am considering adding some gear but am not sure what I should consider, if anything. I haven't been particularly prolific with my shooting recently due to Uni and work and family and life....... so I don't have a particular focus at the moment. I have been thinking about maybe a UWA but am not sure how much use I would give it, alternatively maybe a macro. My main subjects are my kids, as you'd expect, but for more arty stuff I am trying to develop some street skills and also enjoy urban architecture. I also shoot sport when a decent event is in town, cycling, motor sport etc.

I would love some thoughts on either gear or suggestions on how to go out establishing my needs vs wants. Feel free to have a look at my flickr and 500px and suggest ways to improve on what I do.

Oh and budget is limited, probably no more than $500 Aussie.

Cheers

Heya,

Well, if you're not getting out and shooting, why buy something to shoot with that will in turn collect dust? I think you have a great array of tools. 17-70 and 70-200 covers all your general stuff. The 30 F1.4 lets you get real creative. Not sure what else you would need since you have wide angle, telephoto and fast prime all covered.

Keep your money for some vacation/outings with the family. And take the camera.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17185312
Heya,

Well, if you're not getting out and shooting, why buy something to shoot with that will in turn collect dust? I think you have a great array of tools. 17-70 and 70-200 covers all your general stuff. The 30 F1.4 lets you get real creative. Not sure what else you would need since you have wide angle, telephoto and fast prime all covered.

Keep your money for some vacation/outings with the family. And take the camera.

Very best,

Cheers for that,

I think I agree, I think I just needed to hear that from someone else. Once my Uni stuff is over in 4 weeks I plan to get out much more often so I'll see if anything holds me back so to speak.

red snapper wrote in post #17185362
Cheers for that,

I think I agree, I think I just needed to hear that from someone else. Once my Uni stuff is over in 4 weeks I plan to get out much more often so I'll see if anything holds me back so to speak.

I know how it goes, we've all been there.

Sometimes we spend more time looking at stuff online and not simply out shooting some where. I find when I'm out shooting I rarely think about all the stuff I want, and rather, think about just shooting. When we sit on these forums and browse stores and look at other people's work, we start getting itchy to buy stuff.

My current itch is a weather proof camera, with no AA filter, for some time lapse sunsets or sunrises in the dank weather of Florida, and for when I'm out on the boats.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17185404
I know how it goes, we've all been there.

Sometimes we spend more time looking at stuff online and not simply out shooting some where. I find when I'm out shooting I rarely think about all the stuff I want, and rather, think about just shooting. When we sit on these forums and browse stores and look at other people's work, we start getting itchy to buy stuff.

My current itch is a weather proof camera, with no AA filter, for some time lapse sunsets or sunrises in the dank weather of Florida, and for when I'm out on the boats.

Very best,

GoPro lol.

Talley wrote in post #17185427
GoPro lol.

I have a GoPro. It's video.

I'm talking high quality stills.

From Canon, that means 1D series. Even then, lens required costs. I'm actually considering a Pentax K30 or K5, with a 18-55 WR. They're cheap alternatives to "waterproof P&S's" and definitely not as costly as a 1D and `L lens.

Dunno yet.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17185448
I have a GoPro. It's video.

I'm talking high quality stills.

From Canon, that means 1D series. Even then, lens required costs. I'm actually considering a Pentax K30 or K5, with a 18-55 WR. They're cheap alternatives to "waterproof P&S's" and definitely not as costly as a 1D and `L lens.

Dunno yet.

Very best,

Nikon AW?

I say go to a thrift store, antique mall or flea market and find some cool old lenses. A "new" MF lens always renews my interest in going out to shoot, it gives me something different to play with and it's super cheap.

I am in the same boat as you are. I feel as if I'm missing something, but I guess I'm not. I guess I could kinda use a portrait lens like the 135L, but I'm not in a huge hurry. I photograph my 14 month old son and I'm itching for good portraits. Right now I have a Canon 16-35 F4L, Tamron 24-70 F2.8 and the Canon 70-200 F2.8L. The whole spectrum is covered except for a portrait lens. I find myself not using the 24-70 too often anymore. I mainly shoot wide (architecture/landscap​es) and shoot at the 200mm end of my telephoto. if you end up going full frame, the 16-35 F4L is SPECTACULAR. Sharp all around and you can get very creative with it. It's pointless to use on a crop though. Maybe eventually invest in a full frame, grab a UWA and sell the 17-70? For now though it looks like you have everything covered!

emfinite wrote in post #17185991
Right now I have a Canon 16-35 F4L, Tamron 24-70 F2.8 and the Canon 70-200 F2.8L. The whole spectrum is covered except for a portrait lens.

Why can't your 24-70 or 70-200 work as a portrait lens?

Sometimes when I feel that way, I'll look for something cheap to try out new things. In the last couple of months I picked up some new gels for my flashes, and a couple of inexpensive manual lenses to play with. I've been looking at picking up some macro tubes on the cheap to play some more. It's always fun to try something new without dropping a bunch of money, and still getting new toys.

I meant to say a prime! Those two are great but I would love to get a 2.0 L lens.

What's missing is how much time you can dedicate shooting.

Don't get more gear - you have the things you need already.

At the risk of getting booted around here, I'll put in a rec for the Canon 85/1.8 . It's a quality lens at an affordable price. The main thing is it's fast !! Besides the f/1.8, the AutoFocus is quick enough to simply swing the camera to the action and click. It's great for close sports and kids and ... anything that moves.

If you're using the crop bodies listed in your sig then I'd go for a UWA lens. When I use my 7d I always take a 11-16 and 17-50. 17mm just isn't wide enough for me on a 1.6x crop. I just got back from vacation (western Colorado and eastern Utah) and the 11-16 was used constantly for landscapes.