I worship far too often at the alter of consumerism. At some point in my life (and I suspect it was pretty early) I began to lust after far too many toys. The latest example? I want a new lens for my camera. Oh I can rattle off a number of reason why I really should have one, but ultimately it comes down to desire and nothing much more than that.
I've got a tiny bit of extra money in our personal account right now, thanks to a week of teaching down in Iqaluit, and there is a whole lot of things I should be doing with it (which includes saving it for a rainy day, or several) and right now I'm struggling not to spend it on a new lens. Struggle is the optimum word here. I know me, and logic doesn't enter into it once I decide that I want something. Actually there are two lenses I desire and what is probably saving my savings right now is I can't decide between them, that and I'm scared of what Leah would think.
The first lens is Canon's EF-S 10-22 f3.5 to 4.5 Zoom. No more patching together panoramas together with this baby. I could capture those sweeping vistas with one photo, not to mention take kickass wildflower in the foreground sweeping vista in the background photos. Of course I'd need a new polarizing filter to go with it. But don't you think it would look good on my little Rebel?
Of course the one I really want is Canon's EF 100-400 f4.5 to 5.6 IS Zoom. Harder to justify because I've already got a zoom telephoto, but the Image Stabilizing feature, longer focal length and supposedly better optics make me want it. I mean, how am I supposed to take better pictures of birds and wildlife without it?
See. See what I've started. Lust, that is all it is.
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11 responses
I had this conversation with my husband 5 minutes ago. I want the Nikkor 50mm AF-D 2.8 macro, just so that I can take better pictures of hermit crabs at Cape Cod this summer.
If I were you, I’d choose the 10-22. A good wide angle is next on my list, for sure.
De-lurking to say: Go for the 10-22! I bought one this summer and couldn’t be happier!
I, uncharacteristically, want a new TV to replace our 20 year old piece of crap that makes David Boreanaz look orange, and a TIVO. I’m not even the TV watcher in this house. So far, I’ve resisted.
I know how you feel, I’ve lusting after a GPS unit (you know for birding…) for a long time. All it took was my wife to say, yeah I could use that when I do flower deliveries and I was out the door to the store!
I am weak, I gave in I bought it.. and I love it.
Hi Karen, the 10-22 is the easier choice, but really I want the larger, more expensive lens. Unfortunately Hilary spilled water on Leah’s laptop last night so it would appear neither are in the cards.
Hey Megan, thanks for de-lurking. How’s Inuvik?
Hey Julie, you know we went with a Dell TV for our last TV purchase and I’m happy with it. It doubles as a monitor for my Powerbook that I use as a desktop now.
GPS opens brand new opportunities for purchases Will, and there are so many options. I see that Sony now makes one for the cameras, to record info on where each picture was taken. I’ve an interest in the History of the Great War and a company in Britain makes software that has old trench maps on it, that coupled with a GPS unit holds tons of possibilities (for me anyway – of course then I’d have to get back to France… and then… and then… )
That’s the trouble with “extra” money. Something always happens to scoop it up before you can spend it on fun stuff or save it for a rainy day. Usually cars break down for us when we get a windfall. Sigh.
I was just thinking about this today though . . . I have a wishlist that is a bazillion items long. I haven’t even put anything I want on it. Insane.
We are consumers plain and simple.
Frustrating.
We just put some money in savings. It’s a good feeling but I keep thinking well, we know we’re going to get XYZ and we have the money now . . .
Thankfully, we don’t use credit cards and my husband does a better job ignoring that voice in our heads that makes us spend money so recklessly.
Yes I suppose Extra money never stays “extra” very long. That is one of the reasons I like to spend it as soon as I had it. See if I’d already bought a lens then I’d have to come up with the money for the laptop and I’d have both.
That’s me, king of justification.
Hey Clare – The long lens is nice. I got to borrow my Dad’s this year on my trip south and it was great to use. The only problem is that now that I am home I had to give it back to him!
Thanks for all the comments while I was gone. Now that I have a decent connection again I will address them soon. John
I’ve just been thinking that I would really like to have a good wide-angle lens. With the wide sky here, it takes five photos to piece together a panorama, and it’s never quite right. Your vistas definitely need a wide angle perspective. I hope you get it.
Currently Inuvik is cold (-39 last I checked) but things are going well. The sun is coming back in a week so I’m happy 🙂
Hope things further north are going well (shame about the laptop!).
Hey John welcome back! (Sorry you had to give up the lens) I greatly enjoyed your trip reports and can’t wait for more pictures. I was really wishing I was there.
Hey Robin Andrea, I have to say that I lust more after the telephoto than the wide angle, although my brain tells me the wide angle probably makes more sense and that I’d get more use out of it.
They are going well Megan, the laptop is back running but only while connected to the powercord. Working on determining what exactly is causing the problem with the battery