Getting big tax refund! Help me spend my $$!

Hi all,

I just did my taxes and I'm getting close to 6K back!! Help me spend my $$!!
What would POTN do?!

I think most people would suggest donations to the less fortunate people (me!:lol

Seriously i would rpobably go out and buy the following (priced of B&H)
5D MKII ($2699)
24-70 L f2.8 ($1254)
70-200mm L f2.8IS ($1779)

And that leaves you some spare for a tripod, flash or CF cards.

Adjust your withholding next year so you're not giving the government a $6k interest free loan?

gymell wrote in post #7260260
Adjust your withholding next year so you're not giving the government a $6k interest free loan?

Absolutely right, but not what I wanted to hear!
Most of the return is the First Time Homebuyer credit, which is an interest free loan. $500 a year for 15 years. I think it gets added to your earned income.

Booze & Women - always booze and women.

HSK wrote in post #7260352
Booze & Women - always booze and women.

I already have plenty of that!

200 f2 LIS. Done.

But, on the more realistic side, new glass/body, but, doesn't seem that you need it.

IMHO - I would put half into your mortgage as an extra principal payment. This will probably cut years off your total payments.

For your glamor stuff with the other half I'd get some glass that will hold it's value

eg. 85L, 24-70L

inthedeck wrote in post #7260388
200 f2 LIS. Done.

But, on the more realistic side, new glass/body, but, doesn't seem that you need it.

Manish!

Definitely new glass. But what to get?

Palladium wrote in post #7260467
IMHO - I would put half into your mortgage as an extra principal payment. This will probably cut years off your total payments.

For your glamor stuff with the other half I'd get some glass that will hold it's value

eg. 85L, 24-70L

Great idea. I would never spend the entire amount! I going to use some to upgrade my bathroom.

I think it depends a lot on what you like to shoot.
The XT is getting a bit long in the tooth. Maybe you can sell it and upgrade. I'd consider a 40D or a 50D if you like the crop factor but maybe a used 5D or a new 5DMII if you are thinking full frame.

If it was me (I prefer fine art/landscape/cityscap​e), I'd consider a nice 5DMII, 17-40L, a Grip for the camera, keep the tamron 28-75mm, 430EX II flash, and maybe a telephoto lens like a 135mm L or a 70-200mm lens. That should go to $5000 or $6000 I think.

If you don't mind changing formats, I'd go with a Nikon D700 with a 12-24mm, 24-70mm, and a 135mm, and one of their flash. That would be about $6000 if not a touch more.

If you like to stick with the crop factor (and want more versatility and reach for zoos and sports), I'd consider a 40D or a 50D with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 for the wide stuff, a Canon 17-55mm f2.8 or a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, maybe a Sigma 30mm f1.4, a 70-200mm zoom or a 100-400 depending on your need for reach, and a 430EX II flash.

A 40D/toke 11-16, 17-55IS, grip, 430EX, 100-400mm should go for about $4500 or so. I'd keep the change for a new laptop.


Wow, that was fun spending your money.

Tee Why wrote in post #7260724
I think it depends a lot on what you like to shoot.
The XT is getting a bit long in the tooth. Maybe you can sell it and upgrade. I'd consider a 40D or a 50D if you like the crop factor but maybe a used 5D or a new 5DMII if you are thinking full frame.

If it was me (I prefer fine art/landscape/cityscap​e), I'd consider a nice 5DMII, 17-40L, a Grip for the camera, keep the tamron 28-75mm, 430EX II flash, and maybe a telephoto lens like a 135mm L or a 70-200mm lens. That should go to $5000 or $6000 I think.

If you don't mind changing formats, I'd go with a Nikon D700 with a 12-24mm, 24-70mm, and a 135mm, and one of their flash. That would be about $6000 if not a touch more.

If you like to stick with the crop factor (and want more versatility and reach for zoos and sports), I'd consider a 40D or a 50D with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 for the wide stuff, a Canon 17-55mm f2.8 or a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, maybe a Sigma 30mm f1.4, a 70-200mm zoom or a 100-400 depending on your need for reach, and a 430EX II flash.

A 40D/toke 11-16, 17-55IS, grip, 430EX, 100-400mm should go for about $4500 or so. I'd keep the change for a new laptop.


Wow, that was fun spending your money.

You seem to really enjoy spending other people's money!

Alex, since you already have the 28-75 mm covered, in a fast lens, I'd consider the 100mm f/2.0 or 2.8 macro, the 85 1.8, or the 135mm L or f/2. You do lots of glamour/nude type work, so that 135 might be a bit long...especially on a 1.6x cam. the 100, imo, would be where it's at for decent beauty work, and 85 would be fine for 3/4 shots. Of course, if you didn't need money for the bathroom project, I still say the 200 f/2 LIS.

If it were 'my' money, I'd get new lights (a pair of Elinc. RX600's & 400's w/ some diffusers), a 135L and call it a day.

man, if i got $6k back the wife wouldn't let me spend it. honestly, if it were me, i'd put half toward the mortgage or home improvements. then if i were to blow the remaining $3k on camera equipment (probably not, but...) i'd go for a used 40D, 24-70L, 70-200 2.8 IS

inthedeck wrote in post #7261417
Alex, since you already have the 28-75 mm covered, in a fast lens, I'd consider the 100mm f/2.0 or 2.8 macro, the 85 1.8, or the 135mm L or f/2. You do lots of glamour/nude type work, so that 135 might be a bit long...especially on a 1.6x cam. the 100, imo, would be where it's at for decent beauty work, and 85 would be fine for 3/4 shots. Of course, if you didn't need money for the bathroom project, I still say the 200 f/2 LIS.

If it were 'my' money, I'd get new lights (a pair of Elinc. RX600's & 400's w/ some diffusers), a 135L and call it a day.

Manish,

Hmmm.. I just bought a new large softbox and a strip box, so my lighting rig is close to complete! I love primes, but for what I shoot, I'm thinking the 24-105mm f4 L. That would be the perfect lens!