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

neil_r wrote in post #6824005
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.

Amen and Mum 2, keep your chin up you will be back to L in no time...

Mum2J&M wrote in post #6823951
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.

No, I haven't used those lenses, and please don't be so defensive. I'm not saying a hobbiest can't have those lenses, just they are "L" or "luxury" lenses and they are that unless you get paid. I know you said you weren't a pro, rather, it seemed to me like they are a want. Of course those lenses will be better than a 3rd Party, but is the 24-70L ~$900 better than the Sigma 24-60? From what I've heard the 50L is not $1000 better than the 1.4. Of course it's faster, better bokeh, and slightly better optics with a more solid construct, but I cannot recall someone saying it's a grand better.

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.

Thank you for insinuating that I'm not helpful because I haven't said to buy, quite frankly, extraordinarily expensive luxury items.

Am I bashing someone for buying nice things? No, I would love to have them myself. But as one perceives to like these instead of cheaper alternatives, one has to think what is better for the current situation. I hope things get better and you can get your lenses back and get the 85L. I'd be a liar if I said that I don't want them. But at the same time, I'd be a liar if I said you should look at cheaper gear that's 85% the quality as professional gear. Sorry, if I've offended you, but I'm not saying I'm sorry for saying it.

neil_r wrote in post #6824005
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.

You can afford those things. Big difference.

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #6824049
You can afford those things. Big difference.

Well yes as you point out, I can. Were I no longer able to I would regret that.

neil_r wrote in post #6824091
Well yes as you point out, I can. Were I no longer able to I would regret that.

As I've stated, I don't care if one drives a Ferrari and lives in a German castle. But one has to remember that if one can't afford these things, there are alternatives that are still very nice for much less.

My thesis revolves around how much money one can spend.

I am in full agreement with you and pausing only to blow the chip off your shoulder I depart the thread xx

TeeTee wrote in post #6824001
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

Funny, but the Noink forum didn't do this at all. Never once had an issue there. So welcome to the public!

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #6824110
As I've stated, I don't care if one drives a Ferrari and lives in a German castle. But one has to remember that if one can't afford these things, there are alternatives that are still very nice for much less.

My thesis revolves around how much money one can spend.

Yes, but this was never the point of the thread! Point was that I had the stuff, I blew it and sold it, and now I wish I hadn't - although I'd likely be having to sell them off anyway. Why must this always become some stupid argument about non-L vs. L? That is SO not where I was going with this. In fact, I have completely lost track of why I wrote this to begin with! Here's the gear I've had:

Nikon FG w/Sigma stuff
Canon XT, 30D, 40D, 5D (not even long enough to get to know)
Lenses: Tokie 12-24 (for both Nikon & Canon), Canon 10-22, 50 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 24L, 35L, 24-70L, 24-105L, 70-200/4 L, 50L, Nikon 50 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 18-135, 18-105
430EX, SB800

So for those of you who weren't around for my roller coaster of exchanges, you can see I've had all kinds of gear. The L's, in my opinion, had a magical quality to them. Again, this is MY opinion. I'm not trying to make any statements about lens superiority, etc. I could just have easily said I love the 85 1.8 because I do - just couldn't afford it AND an L. Get it?

OMG - I am so exhausted of having to justify things. Feels like I'm talking to my parents! LOL.

Mum2J&M wrote in post #6824379
Why must this always become some stupid argument about non-L vs. L?

Because you never once said you missed taking pictures/photography; you only said you missed your L lenses making this an "argument" about materials, not the hobby. Why are you being so defensive? I just wanted to say you could still take pictures with cheaper gear. If you miss photography that badly, you can still get stuff for much cheaper.

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #6825503
Because you never once said you missed taking pictures/photography; you only said you missed your L lenses making this an "argument" about materials, not the hobby. Why are you being so defensive? I just wanted to say you could still take pictures with cheaper gear. If you miss photography that badly, you can still get stuff for much cheaper.

Yes, I could. But, then, I wouldn't be satisfied, would I? Ho hum. I'm starting to get bored with this. I'm not getting defensive. I KNOW I could get pictures with cheaper gear and HAVE. And, yes, if I have great light and a good background, I could get some stellar pics with non-L's. But when you DON'T have perfect light and the type of photography you do is mostly portraiture, the 1.2 sure is a lot of fun. And I haven't had an L lens since May, so I'm not sure why I was missing photography when I was using what I had... I switched to Nikon since I was working for a company who does youth sports photography and I was able to be shoot manager b/c I had the same gear they had. I got some nice pics. But for artistic purposes, I really liked my L's. Ok, can we end this now? This wasn't meant to go into the lens wars, or my not wanting to photograph. I do - and did - without L's. And of course I miss photography in general. But as I can't afford anything right now, I'm reminiscing about my favorite stuff, that's all.

Mum2J&M wrote in post #6824379
OMG - I am so exhausted of having to justify things. Feels like I'm talking to my parents! LOL.

So don't then

And the part I find ridiculous is the strong emotion for material goods, to the point of going behind the back of a loved one. Even then the sentiment isn't the realization that luxury lenses are entirely unnecessary but that you still love and long for them.

I must be the awkward one with my flawed values.

TeeTee wrote in post #6825647
So don't then

And the part I find ridiculous is the strong emotion for material goods, to the point of going behind the back of a loved one. Even then the sentiment isn't the realization that luxury lenses are entirely unnecessary but that you still love and long for them.

I must be the awkward one with my flawed values.

Perhaps...

Hey Cleo,

I have been in your shoes somewhat (had to sell gear to eat) but it has been awhile and I have vowed to never do that again. I nearly sold my big L for airfare for the wife for a family medical emergency. My wife nearly hit me with a brick.

Remember the images that you posted here? Remember that most of those that gave a "real" review said you have talent? Well that is not something that anyone can take away from you. Apply that as hard as you can, as soon as you can. I swear to The Almighty that If I had spare gear I would send it to you post haste so you couid get started. I do have an A2e film camera flash and a POS 28-80 that i would gladly ship to you for usage if you want. Please note that I think that if possible we give you a hand up not a hand out you can help create INCOME for your family.

I know you like the L glass, so do I and nearly everyoen that uses it. BUT I think you could create sellable images with a Brownie and a candle if you really tried to...

Just lemmie know...

Hey Mum, I feel for you!

I recently hit a financial bottom from all the economic mess and put a few of my premium lenses for sale. The one that hurt the most was the 300 f/2.8 IS, man, that is a sweet piece of glass. Of the three that I put up for sale, it was my most used, but since selling it alone would keep me going for a month or so, it had to go.

So, the 300 sold quickly, and since then I've found a way to stabilize myself and my income, so that I don't have to sell more glass. I'm very relieved, sad to have let the 300 go, but at least I have that focal length covered with the 100-400L, although dang it's just not as tack-sharp as the prime.

I was, though, having to consider all kinds of unpleasant options, up to and including selling all my gear. I'm glad it hasn't come to that, but I'm definitely empathizing with you and your trauma. Hope you guys get back on your feet!

Les - Wow. Those were some very kind words. I truly appreciate that. I know there are times I've been a PITA here, but I've learned so much from people like you who care and understand.

Tony, I love the "that is a sweet piece of glass" comment. Cracked me up. And it does suck to have to give up all your gear. But the guilt associated with knowing you have something worth $$ can get overwhelming.

And to the poster above - the money was always mine. I got it from my inheritance, so it had nothing to do with "stealing" from my husband.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I know there are a lot of us in the same boat at this tough economic time. Hopefully things will turn around soon.

Cheers.