Oh Dear

Mmmm, just thought on the way home today I would stop at a camera shop to look at some DSLR's and lenses. I have been lookin ginto and strolling the forums for ages now working out what I would get whilst I saved the money...(only got a PAS atm)

Well, now I am going nuts thinking about it. I tried out the 350/400D and the 30D with grips and a few of the L lenses on. Whhooowww. What was quite an addiction has now become a serious problem.

Got my heart set on a 30D with grip and either a 400L 5.6 or 100-400L. The guy in the shop was so helpfull. Told him I was just wanting to get a feel of the cameras before I buy in a few months and he was like as excited as me showing me all the bits and stuff. Had about 10 boxes open over the counter in the end

Now just got to work out how to juggle Wife, mortgage and kids and a serious addiction to some sweet kit

Don't we all

David

As addicting as Canon Fever can be, we have to overcome it when wives, kids, etc. are involved.

PhotoScout wrote in post #2280666
As addicting as Canon Fever can be, we have to overcome it when wives, kids, etc. are involved.

Indeedy...there all looked after...they will always come first

We've all been there The best thing is to get your wife involved somehow. Either get her interested in taking pictures, or having her picture taken or kids pictures...you get the idea. Once your wife is onboard with you, it will make it sooo much easier to justify why you need that new piece of equipment (not to mention, it wouldn't be just for you, it would be for her to) Good luck

Its amazing how you can jugle things to get the toys.

My wife has learnt to use this "need" to her advantage....she can get what she wants

Money is always a juggling act. I'd suggest start relatively small - get the basic camera and a decent starter lens - even the kit lens will do, and slowly work your way up. the stuff in my sig has taken 12 months of careful plotting and planning and prioritising....you don't have to get a whole bunch of stuff at once. It is generally considered that the lenses are more important than the body - so if money is tight go XTi and good lenses.

I take my photography one purchase at a time - and I try to remember to keep taking pictures too.

I'm surprised you weren't charge a "hands on fee" because of people using small local stores to try out items but them buy them a lot cheaper online.

If you actually have the cash it takes a fair bit of strength to walk away from the item, go home and order on line, then wait several days and hope it comes intact, while someone is at home....brick and mortar is not that bad - a lot of these stores are getting more competitive, and it is always worth a haggle.

Everything in my sig came from a brick and mortar, and was taken straight home.

I think overall I probably paid about £100 too much - but had the luxury of immediate gratification, and if anything had gone wrong, a physical place to return things to. Worth it, IMO!

Z3rocool wrote in post #2280635
...working out what I would get whilst I saved the money...(only got a PAS atm)

Got my heart set on a 30D with grip and either a 400L 5.6 or 100-400L.

I find this odd. Your P&S can't be anywhere near in focal length to what that 400mm would be on a 30D (or any DSLR for that matter). Even the 100-400L would be quite limiting both focal length and aperture wise. Perhaps what you want to shoot is outside the mainstream of what most photographers shoot. BTW, the 100-400L uses a 'push-pull' type zoom, which some, including myself, don't care for; you may wish to take a second look at it.

jr_senator wrote in post #2282010
I find this odd. Your P&S can't be anywhere near in focal length to what that 400mm would be on a 30D (or any DSLR for that matter). Even the 100-400L would be quite limiting both focal length and aperture wise. Perhaps what you want to shoot is outside the mainstream of what most photographers shoot. BTW, the 100-400L uses a 'push-pull' type zoom, which some, including myself, don't care for; you may wish to take a second look at it.

I will mostly be shooting aircraft (military) as this is a huge passion of mine. 400mm I think is perfect for this and getting the 100-400 would give a bit more versatilty than the prime. I was concerned about the push/pull method on the 100-400 but after handling in shop think I would get used to. Knowing me though when it comes to it I would change my mind 4-5 times between actualy purchasing My PAS camera had a X10 zoom on which with a 1.75 convertor got quite close to planes etc at airshows (quality was not that good, but got some great shots). At its full length I think this pretty much matches the length the 400mm would give. I agree that the 400 Prime would be a bit limiting in focal length but i am willing to get a lens that is just for shooting jets etc and something else (on top of the kit lens) in time that will satisfy the smaller focal lengths...

Z3rocool wrote in post #2282083
I will mostly be shooting aircraft (military) as this is a huge passion of mine...i am willing to get a lens that is just for shooting jets etc...

I hope you find much success with the setup.

The 100-400 with its push-pull is dynamite for aircraft in flight, especially at air shows. Only complication you may run into is I've found the short end to be too long at times. Either get the "kit" 18-55 or use your current P&S for the in-close shots.

jr_senator wrote in post #2284195
I hope you find much success with the setup.

Cheers

Jon wrote in post #2285046
The 100-400 with its push-pull is dynamite for aircraft in flight, especially at air shows. Only complication you may run into is I've found the short end to be too long at times. Either get the "kit" 18-55 or use your current P&S for the in-close shots.

Just what I was planning Will get something on the lower focals later on, until then will use the old PAS and the kit lens with 30D

Cannot wait now

weka2000 wrote in post #2281554
Its amazing how you can jugle things to get the toys.

My wife has learnt to use this "need" to her advantage....she can get what she wants

Yeah... that is how it happens here. I just purchased her quite expensive Christmas gift this past Saturday. While waiting in the store, she said that I could go ahead and get the lens that I had been wanting.