Love the One (or two or three or four) You're With!

Ok, here's my long-anticipated regret thread... lol.

I sold every piece of my gear since we're close to foreclosure on our house and my hubby said today the execs at his job are in more lay-off talks in closed-door meetings . As we just re-located to MA after he was let go in NC, this is not good. Trouble is, I couldn't stand having no gear after I sold, so I tried to sneak one past him and get used gear at a fantastic price from a kind soul here at the forum - figured after selling $2,000 worth, this was peanuts. But when he woke up and checked our bank account, he went ballistic, so I'm back to zero.

Now, if you told me over the past couple years I'd wind up with nothing, I would've held onto that precious gear for more than a few weeks or months (ok, so I wouldn't have, but let's pretend). Goodness knows I've had more than my fair share of L's and bodies. Trouble is, after induldging in all this switching, buying and selling, the L's have spoiled me. I'm convinced I had the best of the best. Where I went wrong was enjoying too much of the guilty pleasure of selling one to try another. I can't lie - I thoroughly enjoyed all of those purchases because it taught me so much, but look at me now...

I would KILL to have even one L right now. Handcuff it to my arm and throw away the key! Super glue it to my hand! After all my journeys through Canon and Nikonville, there were no more enjoyable lenses, so I'm my own worst enemy. But I guess sometimes you just have to learn that for yourself. I think this entire experience was less about greed than it was about exploration. But like any other obsession, it's tough to know when to stop... until there is no longer any choice!

That is a sad story, I really hope that things pick up for you soon and that your collection of red rings starts to grow again.

neil_r wrote in post #6819225
That is a sad story, I really hope that things pick up for you soon and that your collection of red rings starts to grow again.

Thanks. Most saw it coming, but it does suck to be gearless. I'm sure I'm not the only one going through this right now. Economy stinks!

Really sad to hear of your misfortune. Hope things work out and you are back on your feet soon.

Really sorry to hear of your plight, but you have to get the priorities right.
The good times will return eventually, but meanwhile you know by not having that gear anymore you've at least made a contribution to keeping some form of roof over your head.
Least you can still have hope & aspiration to keep you focused on the future.
Best of luck to you all.

Thanks guys. This wasn't really meant to be a pity party thread, so sorry if it came across that way. Guess it just seemed like this time of the year is the time you think about getting new things, not having to give up things. But guess you also have to be thankful for what you do have and not sweat the small stuff. Like my Father would say, "[Lenses, or fill in the blank] are like buses. Another one always comes along."

Not sure what kind of stuff you shoot, but although I own two L zooms, I would be perfectly happy if I was "stuck" with my Xsi and my 85/30 (non-L) primes.

Anyway you could swing an Xsi, the 85 f/1.8 (and a speedlight) ?

Not to sound mean but if you are bad off and facing foreclosure you husband is right, you have to sacrifice. Camera equipment is a luxury, not a necessity in hard times. Don't fret, times will get better, and that means you will get newer and better equipment.

londonandlawson wrote in post #6820560
Not to sound mean but if you are bad off and facing foreclosure you husband is right, you have to sacrifice. Camera equipment is a luxury, not a necessity in hard times. Don't fret, times will get better, and that means you will get newer and better equipment.

Doesn't sound mean. Just regret getting rid of my L's to begin with. Likely wouldn't have had to part with ALL my stuff if I'd stuck with original plans. Ah well...

londonandlawson wrote in post #6820560
Not to sound mean but if you are bad off and facing foreclosure you husband is right, you have to sacrifice. Camera equipment is a luxury, not a necessity in hard times. Don't fret, times will get better, and that means you will get newer and better equipment.

To take that a step further, are L lenses a want or necessity? It sounds like they are a want, in which case third party lenses would do nearly the same job for a fraction of a price. I doubt you're a pro, or else you wouldn't have sold them in the first place.

Best of luck to you and yours in these trying times.

Nonetheless I really don't understand the strong emotions behind unnecessary material wants. In photography creativity is the most valuable yet infinitely supplied tool in your toolbox. Most of all though I think you should not only appreciate the camera kit you have & had, but most importantly the people you have.

Stay strong.

I feel sorry for you and hope that soon you will again have the finacial means to buy nice photography equipment. The great thing about photo gear is that it gets better and (used stuff) gets cheaper! It's not like having a nice classic car that is rare and pristine condition- one that you'll never find the same again. L's are all great and made to last!

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #6821359
To take that a step further, are L lenses a want or necessity? It sounds like they are a want, in which case third party lenses would do nearly the same job for a fraction of a price. I doubt you're a pro, or else you wouldn't have sold them in the first place.

Yeah. I expected to get some comments like this one. I'm not able to read minds and know what other people's opinions are. I've stated my own opinion about the L's. I loved what I had. It's a want not a need, whatever. I never said I was a "pro" (not sure what constitutes that term in everyone's mind anyway) and hardly think that has much to do with my purchases. And in my opinion, the third party lenses can't do what the 24-70L, 35L, or 50L can do (can't speak for the 85L, etc. as I never had it). Have you ever had a 1.2? I would certainly HOPE they had something to offer over the other lenses as they cost a heck of a lot more.

Can I please request that this doesn't become the usual bashing session? Seems this forum is the only one where people like to get on my case for seemingly no reason. It's like it's fun to gang up on someone while they're down. Seems kind of immature to be honest.

To everyone else, thanks for your support. I know the stuff will be there later and it's not more important than family. It's just that - as I've stated - I miss the stuff. But I'll be back.

Mum2J&M wrote in post #6823951
Can I please request that this doesn't become the usual bashing session? Seems this forum is the only one where people like to get on my case for seemingly no reason. It's like it's fun to gang up on someone while they're down. Seems kind of immature to be honest.

I see no bashing, and no point in posting on a public internet forum in false hopes of only getting one flavour of responses. Welcome to the public

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #6821359
To take that a step further, are L lenses a want or necessity? It sounds like they are a want, in which case third party lenses would do nearly the same job for a fraction of a price. I doubt you're a pro, or else you wouldn't have sold them in the first place.

To be honest I think that the argument as to whether L glass is a want or a necessity is pointless and futile.

I drive a Mercedes and a BMW and ride a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide. Are they necessities, no they are not,

Would a Ford and a Honda be almost the same, yes they would.

Would I rather have what I have or the cheaper alternative, Yes I would.

Were I to fall on harder times and have to trade down, would I still wish that I had that which I had before, yes I would.

To get right back on point. I currently have L glass I would not want to use less.