I wish B&H (and other online photo retailers) didn't exist.

[cdifoto]

Between Norman Camera & B&H Photo Video, I've spent approximately $2500 in the past 7 days. Just this morning I bought a Sto-fen Omnibounce, Tamrac Water Bottle & Holder, and Tamrac Accessory Pocket to attach to my Adventure 75 backpack. Since *discovering* photography in June (read: getting serious about it), I've purchased over $7,000 worth of gear and I'm nowhere near finished!

Man this is crazy...:eek:

And no, I'm not bragging...I really think it's

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/nftn/mixtures-nuts-imperial.gif

[aparmley]

I'm not sure what response your after but here goes:

I haven't even EARNED $7,000 since June. . . Are you doing your part to increase consumer debt?

[Rex914]

$7000? :eek:

How's that possible given what you're listing in your signature?

[Chucko]

Welcome to the club. I'm sure I've spent that much on my Canon DSLR gear to date... and I got the 1st body in July.

The good news is that stuff in your signature should take you a long way.

The bad news is that you may be an "L"-coholic. :(

If you're going to buy this stuff, you should at least try the used market... the Fred Miranda forums have a very active "buy and sell" section. Most of my DSLR kit came from there.

[cdifoto]

I'm not sure what response your after but here goes:

I haven't even EARNED $7,000 since June. . . Are you doing your part to increase consumer debt?

Just kinda venting/thinkin aloud. I wasn't really expecting any responses. I had to add it all up cuz I'll be insuring it shortly. Just amazes me how fast it adds up.

I put the 2 L's on a no-interest-till-Jan '07 credit card but otherwise it's paid for - thankfully. So nah I'm not increasing consumer debt TOO much. I'm just glad I can make the gear pay for itself (even if it's slowly). heh.

$7000?

How's that possible given what you're listing in your signature?

A wee bit of sarcasm? :p

Welcome to the club. I'm sure I've spent that much on my Canon DSLR gear to date... and I got the 1st body in July.

The good news is that stuff in your signature should take you a long way.

The bad news is that you may be an "L"-coholic.

If you're going to buy this stuff, you should at least try the used market... the Fred Miranda forums have a very active "buy and sell" section. Most of my DSLR kit came from there.

I'm not a big fan of buying used...anything really...unless it's a vehicle. I've never owned a brand new vehicle in my life and have always bought used ones. BUT for some reason I can't see myself buying camera gear without a warranty.

Yeah it should last me a long time...only the prime and kit lens feel like they could snap in half any minute. The other 3 lenses are built like tanks. The bodies feel sorta pathetic without the grips but once they're attached they feel meatier and more durable. Just an illusion perhaps but one I can live with till next year or so when there are 2 1Ds bodies in their place.

The items that immediately come to mind that I'll need shortly are as follows:

1. Alien Bees Studio Strobes (how many & what size I'm not sure)
2. Muslins/Backdrops/Props (how many & what size I'm not sure)
3. Canon EF-S 10-22 (or similiar) to get wide.
4. Second Sigma EF-500 DG Super
5. Second Lightsphere II
6. Epson 9800 Wide format printer or similiar

I need an UWA real soon - hopefully by the beginning of Summer '06 or before - unless I get the full-frame 1Ds bodies sooner than expected. Something to get huge groups.

[boog]

CDI, Just out of curiosity, why did you buy the stofen omnibounce when you have the lighsphere II? I own the Lightsphere II and have had great results with it(actually still learning to use it). Do you use them for different types of shots? Thanks.

[cdifoto]

CDI, Just out of curiosity, why did you buy the stofen omnibounce when you have the lighsphere II? I own the Lightsphere II and have had great results with it(actually still learning to use it). Do you use them for different types of shots? Thanks.

I haven't received it yet, so maybe my theory is off base with reality but here's why:

As you know, the Lightsphere with its dome attached is rather forward-heavy. I don't like that much weight resting on the flash head...plus it keeps pushing the Sigma's head down to the 15 degree (I think) position quite easily. Plus it's intimidating for casual everyday stuff. I thought the lighter, less intimidating omnibounce could be used for regular stuff (outdoor fill flash, etc) when I'm using direct flash. I'll then reserve the Lightsphere for when I bounce indoors and there's no heavy dome, and it's straight up in the air putting less stress on the flash head.

[boog]

I get many a strange look putting lightsphere on my flash. Maybe I need to try omnibounce. If you get time, compare the two and post pictures. It would be interesting to see. Thanks alot.

[boog]

By the way, have you seen the new lightspere photo journalist? It still crazy looking but without the dome.

[cdifoto]

By the way, have you seen the new lightspere photo journalist? It still crazy looking but without the dome.

Yeah and it's flexible too (easier storage)...I've been tempted to get it and probably will. Being almost totally clear it might be less intimidating as well.

I'm going to bounce the Lightsphere and use the Omni for direct flash so I doubt comparisons would really help. Kinda 2 different purposes.

[Bluedog]

Yea I been around but on a limited basis, hey Andy ... ;)

I've been adding to my entourage of stuff too: Sold my Silver XT/Kit Lens (with in 15 minutes @ FM) and replacing with a Black XT/Canon 17-40 f/4L > EW-83DII hood, 430EX Speedlite, Hoya 77mm CP and a Tamrac 5606 System 6 bag and some other minor stuff, $1700 from my new found place to do all my business ... Norman Camera > these guys are awesome.

[cdifoto]

Yea I been around but on a limited basis, hey Andy ... ;)

I've been adding to my entourage of stuff too: Sold my Silver XT/Kit Lens (with in 15 minutes @ FM) and replacing with a Black XT/Canon 17-40 f/4L > EW-83DII hood, 430EX Speedlite, Hoya 77mm CP and a Tamrac 5606 System 6 bag and some other minor stuff, $1700 from my new found place to do all my business ... Norman Camera > these guys are awesome.

That's where I got my 2 L's and RC-1 remote. They're a really good place. I'd order everything from them but B&H is faster from being closer to me, so I save by using Ground. I'm too impatient to wait a week for shipping. I had the 2 L's overnighted. :eek: :rolleyes:

[aparmley]

. . . I'm just glad I can make the gear pay for itself (even if it's slowly). . .

Thats the ticket. Keep it up. Maybe I should take the same approach to get me to start taking work. LOL - I did have my first portrait shoot two weekends ago, waiting on the Mom to get the proofs and make her selections. It was eye opening to say the least. . .

[TheObiJuan]

self control should be your friend.
There isn't anything I purchase on a card that I can't pay for cash immediately.
Otherwise, you can get yourself into trouble and quickly too.

[cdifoto]

self control should be your friend.
There isn't anything I purchase on a card that I can't pay for cash immediately.
Otherwise, you can get yourself into trouble and quickly too.

Yeah I wouldn't have extended myself like I did if it wasn't a 0% interest credit card till January 2007. $2700 in shouldn't be too hard to come by in a little over a year's time. About 1/3 of that should be paid by the end of the month with the 2 gigs I have, plus getting paid from the newspaper in a couple days.

[aparmley]

self control should be your friend.
There isn't anything I purchase on a card that I can't pay for cash immediately.
Otherwise, you can get yourself into trouble and quickly too.

This true and how I operate - doesn't it get tiring though. LOL . . . :rolleyes: