Well, I've done it....but now what do I do?

I don't think anyone here is going out of their way to be rude or contentious.

Frankly, I find the approach that BlueDodge took to be refreshing. Call it like it is, and don't sugar-coat it.

But that's me...

I agree. I too didn't think BlueDodge was being rude - he was telling like it is from his perspective. Ron asked for others' opinions and BlueDodge offered up. Nothing wrong with that.

Shame. That you two agree is a sign that this place will eventually become just like dpreview has been for quite a while and fred miranda is starting to be.

Buy whatever you want Ron. If I see the 5D in the Marketplace in a month, oh well. You're young, maybe a little impulsive, and obviously have the means. Indulge yourself. Sometimes I think you enjoy the hunt more than the kill, but you always seem to do good on your transactions. I think maybe in a past life you must have been a horse trader.

I have a rather nice ball head (nice for the kind of budget I have anyway )

Anyway...monopods don't always need heads...although I'll have one if its offered

Have fun

I'm a little confused so maybe you can help me. We're all to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya"? We're required to sugar-coat our comments, criticisms, and observations?

Did I get it right?

I'm not sure I understand this comment.

Is the problem that we agree with each other, or that neither of us agrees with you?

Thanks so much...

Steve Parr wrote:
I'm not sure I understand this comment.

Is the problem that we agree with each other, or that neither of us agrees with you?

Thanks so much...

The shame is that neither of you sees a problem with being rude to other posters here. Your sarcasm with regard to the matter is only more evidence we are in danger of developing a problem on this board.

Well, it isn't going to happen in this thread. Let's all play nice so we don't have to lock it. We're really getting a little silly at this point.....arguing about the finer points of arguing.

We're all friends here. Let's keep it that way.

Thanks,


Tom

BigBlueDodge wrote:
To be honest, I don't see what is wrong with your current gear list. Why do you feel you NEED more gear. Is your current setup holding you back? I've tracked your posts, and 80% are about equipment talk, 15% are about selling equipment you have, or bought and haven't received yet and already need to sell it, and very few about photography (composition, technique, etc). The kit you have is already top notch. Remember, more expensive equipment does not mean better photographer.

I would say spend the $3000 on a vacation for you and your mom (since she is supporting your photography habit) and have a good time. I guarantee 40 years from now, you will cherish that more than a 5D. I would love to go on one of the National Geographic Expeditions. Take a look at these

http://www.nationalgeo​graphicexpeditions.com​/

Very nice post. So happy and elequent.

I'd like to. That's why I am pointing out that friends generally don't talk to each other that way.

I agree, Tom. Guys, let's not argue to the point that the thread gets locked. I thought we were having a nice little discussion about my disgusting habits. Steve, Rick, let it go. You're both pretty defensive guys, and I am too. Just don't let it get in the way of other people having fun, eh? No offense guys...just want things to be fun around here, with no "junk", ya know?

As for that comment earlier...steve is exactly right. As long as he's not very rude about it, he's very well entitled to it. If it gets snobby, rude, or anything else, it's out of line, and we don't need it here. Should we sugar-coat our comments? Yes, if the other option is being rude. By all means, I'd like everyone's opinion...just don't be a jerk about it, eh? (not intended to anyone)

I sell an awful lot of gear...like I said, I like doing it. Nothing wrong with that, eh? I have fun, and I get to experience a lot of different things along the way. Like I also said..it's given me the chance to own and use just about every L I can think of, and every body between an XT and a 1DMkII (save the 1D, and the 5D I'm getting). How many 21 year olds do you know that have personally owned a gear list like I have, cumulatively?

Bodies: XT, 20D, 30D, 5D (in a couple days), 1DMkII
L zooms: 24-70L, 16-35L, 17-40L, 28-70L (got one to save money, but it wasn't up to par with the 24), 70-200 f/4, 70-200 2.8L IS, 100-400L IS
L primes: 35L, 180L, 200 2.8L, 400 5.6L
Non-L primes:50 1.4 (2 of them), 100 f/2, 100 macro, 50 1.8 (promptly returned it...no offense), Sigma 20 1.8
Non-L zooms: 18-55 (3 so far- came with the bodies), 28-135, 28-105, 100-300

Now..that's 6 bodies and 20 lenses. No way I would have afforded them all to keep, nor would I want to. The prices I paid for them, all together, total about $25k. Now...at no point did I ever have that much money. Also, anything I didn't fall in love with has been sold. Everything you see in my sig? I love it to death. The 35L, the 70-200L IS, the 100 macro...all have a bit of magic in them, if you ask me. So, basically what I do is fiddle through gear, trying everything I can, making sure I'm not missing anything, and finding the true "dream list" (within my budget). I've had a lot of fun doing it, and I don't believe I've lost a cent. My prices are steep, but the buyers always know they're getting a *choice* piece of gear, and from a stand up guy at that.

No one gets hurt, eh?

To be honest? Yep. It is holding me back. It's holding back my potential to grow and be more creative, I think. I don't feel I need more gear...I just feel I need and want different gear.

I very much agree. I think my gear is spectacular, and I'm jazzed about having it. You're right...more expensive equipment doesn't mean a better photographer..however, it means that when I become that better photographer, I'll have all the room to grow that I'll need.

We're not all insecure in that area, ya know. Just kidding. Seriously? Unless it's something pretty specific, I don't feel I need any advice on how to take pictures from anyone here. No offense, and I'm far from an expert, but I like to learn as I go. I think I take some fine shots, and I rarely find myself wondering "how to do anything". As for posting about photography in the sense of helping others...well, I do that quite a bit. I give advice and tips quite often, indeed.

now...about my monopod

With this amount of trading, surely the tax departments will be looking for you soon!

Have fun with the 5D. Personally I would have rathered the 1DII for being more solid, water proofed and only marginally more expensive. Just as long as you stay with Canon, I'm happy.