14 lenses in 18 months...hmmm...I have issues!

So I put together my previously owned list in my signature to see what it would look like and I must say I got a little disturbed by it. I've gone through 14 lenses in 18 months!!! Although, I have had the Sigma 30 1.4 for almost 8 months...so there's something to be said for that!!!

I have the 135L on it's way and hopefully will be content for a long time with those two primes. I may add the tokina 11-16 2.8 (kindof a prime :cool to the mix this fall.

So is this normal? Finding one lens that you love and then going through many iterations to find a complimentary lens? Remember, I am a GWC who takes good pics once in a while.

It's an entry requirement to be a member of the forum to have LBA I think everyone buys and sells for a while striving to find just the right kit for what they need... I won't even list all the gear I've owned haha.

The funny or worst thing is that I could see myself owning the 85 1.8 for a third time. Depending on the reviews of the Sigma 85 1.4, if it ever gets released.

Equipment is easier to purchase than skill.

You are not alone. I wonder why you have gotten rid of some of the lenses you have had. 2 85 1.8's ?

At least you sell the stuff you don't need, I got tons of overlap and I still cant decide on what I want to sell off.

By the way crop shop, that is right on.

Its worse than drugs. I tell myself I'll ebay off a few lenses to pay for the new one... and I never do.

I'm a slow learner. It would take me 18 months to teach myself about just one. I research any purchase very carefully before I buy, then stay with it.

Hiring can be a very cost effective way of trying out a likely lens. An EF 500mm f/4 prime was mine for 4 days for just £100.

I sold the 85's as I've gone back and forth from prime's to zooms to find what works best for me. As my skill level has increased I continued to try new lenses and find what works best. I absolutely loved my 200 2.8 but it was a bit long on a crop and the 85 was a bit short. So I thought I would like the 70 - 200 f/4 IS since it's all the rave...well, nope it's not for me. Going with the 30 and 135 as my two primary lenses now.

The best thing is that for the most part I've boughten all my lenses from these boards, so all the switching hasn't cost me too much.

I thought about renting lenses, but when you buy used it just didn't make sense. I could keep a lens for as long as I like and resell for less than it would cost to rent. Of course, I'm talking about lenses under $1500 and not the big tele's.

Used goods interest me more than new,if only because I'm going to scratch bodies up anyhow.

Smart lens-shopping can actually earn you money. I always try to find the best second-hand deals when buying a new lens, so that if I sell them afterwards I can make a little profit.

Buying & selling 1 lens a day could earn you a modest living!

I have gone through a lot of lenses and2 bodies in the past year and I think it was good for me. I learned it is not really that much about the gear and I can make a lot of different lenses work for a given task.

What's funny is that I can't see you being happy with just a 135L and a 30mm, so I hope you are not at 15 lenses soon!

Crop Shop wrote in post #10424599
Equipment is easier to purchase than skill.

This is very true with a lot of hobbies . I am a guitar player and I can tell you that I've had way more equipment many times over than what I needed or could ever use ( 18 guitars and 7 amps at one time...all high end ). I have reduced to just my basic needs of just a couple items now because I'm not playing much anymore but yes , it's easy to get caught up in wanting everything and hording way more gear/equipment than is realistic .

I'm hoping this doesn't happen to me with DSLR's

Not knowing what or why you need a certain lens and going ahead and buying it, leads to your "condition".

I've sold one lens in the last 3 years and that was because I went to a FF and the lens, 10-22, doesn't work.

I've bought all my lenses, aside from the 10-22, in the last 3 years. Much thought went into each one, including how it would fit in with my existing glass and future glass. No plans on selling any of them, except the Oly 24/2.8. I use them all (not at the same time) and I'm happy with their performance. If I find I don't use a lens for whatever reason, it will be sold. I would like to trim my equipment list.