Received by Christmas Bonus. Help me spend it...

I can PM with my PayPal account, I can spend it wisely!

I'd recommend buying the wife something first, and then buying yourself a nice tripod setup with what's left. She may not mind you spending the money on yourself, but treating her first will get you super brownie points.
Your gear is already pretty awesome, so I wouldn't worry too much about other lenses etc.

And if she doesn't have one already, maybe grab her a decent little P&S? Might even be able to coax her into your hobby.

Throlkim wrote in post #2331807
I'd recommend buying the wife something first, and then buying yourself a nice tripod setup with what's left. She may not mind you spending the money on yourself, but treating her first will get you super brownie points.
Your gear is already pretty awesome, so I wouldn't worry too much about other lenses etc.

And if she doesn't have one already, maybe grab her a decent little P&S? Might even be able to coax her into your hobby.

Thanks, but she already has two P&S (Canon Powershots) cameras. So far I like the ideas of an MACBook Pro Laptop and\or the tripod upgrade best I think. Thanks for the compliment on my equipment, too. I do covet the 300 2.8 so much though. That said, I'm sure that if I had one of those, then the 400 2.8 would start looking good. Then, man if I only had that 500 f4, then a 600... This is truly a sickness, isn't it? "L" disease or something to that effect.

Haha, I've seen it strike many a man in these parts
If your wife would appreciate it, you could always pick up a couple of MacBooks for both of you, and see if you could get a tripod with what's left.

Throlkim wrote in post #2331848
Haha, I've seen it strike many a man in these parts
If your wife would appreciate it, you could always pick up a couple of MacBooks for both of you, and see if you could get a tripod with what's left.

Geez, you guys are scary good at this!

You could pick up a couple of these:

# 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
# 160GB Serial ATA drive @ 5400 rpm
# Superdrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
# AirPort Extreme Card & Bluetooth

Grab a copy of Aperture with that, and then a tripod with the leftovers.

(it's also like 3am here and I can't sleep, so that's why my replies are pretty nippy )

EDIT: I'm not actually sure how well Aperture will run on those because of the graphics card, might be worth grabbing a couple of MacBook Pros instead (and buy a tripod a bit later)

http://store.apple.com …mco=A4791B5D&nc​lm=MacBook

* 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1440 x 900 pixels
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive
* 6x double-layer SuperDrive
* ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB SDRAM

Ships: 1-2 business days
Free Shipping
$1,999.00

Then you'd just have to splurge a bit on a copy of Aperture if you fancy that

I think you should do something charitable and help the needy who are less fortunate then you. Think of all those poor homeless children out there in the cold starving for food and love!!! Think hard about them.

Now here is my address and just make the check out to Mr. Cash!!!

Congrats on the bonus _ I need to get a new job.

Throlkim wrote in post #2331864
* 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1440 x 900 pixels
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive
* 6x double-layer SuperDrive
* ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB SDRAM

Ships: 1-2 business days
Free Shipping
$1,999.00

Then you'd just have to splurge a bit on a copy of Aperture if you fancy that

No chance I'd pay $2k for those specs. Here's my choice:

Sony Vaio VGN-SZ340

2.16GHz Core 2 Duo
2 gigs of RAM
120 gig HD
bluetooth, a/b/g wlan
integrated biometrics
xp pro (upgradeable to vista)
nvidia geforce hybrid graphics system 128mb, 256 if shared
firewire and multiple USB 2.0 ports
port replicator compatible
DVD+- Burner drive
Multi- card reader built in
13.3" lcd

I probably missed a thing or two, but gosh...that's more than twice the computer if you ask me.

Cost?

Exactly $2000.99.

Benandbobbi wrote in post #2331723
Hopefully your job isn't as demanding either though.

hahaha I wish it wasn't. I work 7 days a week and am expected to work anytime needed. But thankfully the pay is pretty good and I am guaranteed full time pay even if I did not achieve it.

I wouldn't buy a Sony product if my life depended on it, their profits have dropped 94% in the last year, and they're headed down the crapper. :P
Also remember the fact they're the ones who made the exploding batteries, horrible DRM, and constantly make failing media technologies.

I paid more for this iMac than I would have paid for a more powerful PC, but I paid for a system that is a joy to use, and I actually enjoy coming home and hopping on this machine.

Plus, the machine you listed only has 1gb more RAM than the one I listed, and you'd need to show more than that to convince me a Sony machine is worth the risk :P (note: they've closed down a number of their departments to save costs, and they're losing money on every single PS3 they sell. It doesn't look good)

Hi,

My advice is to:

1) Share with the wife and family
2) Given your current (wonderful) kit I would look at the 135MM EF L ($910)...OMG what sharp, sharp lens it is
3) If you are happy with your current PC setup then buy an external (USB) HD. I just picked up one at CompUSA...320 Gigs for $129.00 (after mail in rebate and in store discount). Backup all you photos for security's sake.

JimAskew wrote in post #2333190
Hi,

My advice is to:

1) Share with the wife and family
2) Given your current (wonderful) kit I would look at the 135MM EF L ($910)...OMG what sharp, sharp lens it is
3) If you are happy with your current PC setup then buy an external (USB) HD. I just picked up one at CompUSA...320 Gigs for $129.00 (after mail in rebate and in store discount). Backup all you photos for security's sake.

Hey, Jim, where are you? If you are around, you should come and meet with the rest of the DC area shooters. I recommended the OP to go out and shoot something instead of buying more stuff as well. My family always shares each others' fortunes and really have a good time. Once you have the gear you need, enjoy it.

SuzyView wrote in post #2333200
Hey, Jim, where are you? If you are around, you should come and meet with the rest of the DC area shooters. ...

Suzie,

Been traveling (Chicago to shoot Senior Portraits for my 18 year old Grandaughter); doing a couple of local family shoots for friends, chasing grandkids; and working too hard.

I would love to meet the POTN locals here in the METRO DC area. Thanks for the offer. When's the next planned get together? I live in Springfield and work in Old Towne Alexandria across the street from the King Street Metro. A great place to check out long lenses and WAs is the steps of the Masonic Temple on the hill behind the Metro & AMTRAK stations

Benandbobbi wrote in post #2330730
OK, here's the deal. I just got my Christmas bonus ($4000USD after **&%@#%#$ taxes, ) and need your advice on how to best spend it. I take all types of photographs from sports to portraits to landscapes to Birds & wildlife. I have:

Canon 20D
580EX Flash
430EX flash
Smith-Victor KT900 Continuous Lighting Kit
Tokina 12-24mm
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 24-70 L
Canon 85mm 1.8
Canon 70-200mm 2.8 USM IS L
Canon 100-400mm 4.5-5.6 L
Canon 1.4X Teleconverter
Cheap Tripod
2 Canon Powershots
1 4GB Smartcard
1 2GB Smartcard
Backpack
External Shutter release
BG-E2 Grip
AC Adaptor
Sensor Cleaning Kit
Adobe Photoshop PS2
Neat Image Noise Reduction

My thoughts are to get:
300 2.8 L
OR
Save the money and add to it until I can afford a 500mm f4
OR
Be satisfied with what I have and give the 4K to my wife, who's been so patient and understanding with my hobby.

Any other ideas would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance

If you don't _know_ what you need - do you really need anything ?

Mike.