hey.... do what you need to do. Watch this video that Marc found...
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=199626
... it just takes a lot of desire, patience, hardwork, and a smidge of skill. But none of those are beyond your control. I know there are a lot of students out there that think school is harder then life after school.... but I challenge them to make the same statement 10 years down the road. It may be the hardest thing they have done so far in life...but it is by fare not the hardest thing you will ever do. If you want to be successful, you do what you need to do - for example I flew to London for a 4 hour meeting this week... left at 7 pm, arrived LHR 7 am, by 9 i was in the heart of the financial district, then back to LHR via hired car for a 4 pm flight back to the states... 8 hours later hoping back in my car to drive home. But if you love what your doing, it isn't a big deal. What makes people successful is desire and passion... not a piece of paper. The degree may give you a foundation - open that first door - but that is about it. It is your reputation and the people you meet that will help you most.
My only comment on the lens thing is don't go into so much debt that you can afford to do what you want because your worrying about making the next payment. Debt reduces your options.
Watch the video....
