How to deal with expensive lenses you only use a handful of times throughout the year

[Dave442]

I just use my cell phone when I don't have my DSLR along. I like to force myself to use the different lenses by just going out with one lens for the day. Sometimes that means the macro lens. I have found that to really help me know how much I can get out of a lens.

I really want that RX100 M3, but I'd hate to part with the 105 macro...its such a good lens when I need it. But quite frankly, the RX100 M3 would be more useful. I don't have a ton of income, so these kind of purchases are hard to do. I'm in no need for the RX100 at the moment...but lately I've just been losing my photography mojo. I don't know what it is..but I just feel like I'm missing something. If getting that RX100 M3 will help me get my mojo back, then its worth it. Decisions...decisions..decisions...

About 10 years ago I used a nice Sony P&S and carried it everywhere. Now when the RX100 came out I really thought about picking one up. But, I had to keep reminding myself that when I moved to a DSLR after a few years with the Sony I finally had something that met and surpassed the film SLR's I had grown up with. For me the main thing is often just having the camera at hand, the RX100 could certainly go anywhere, but I find that even a DSLR is portable enough with a small lens and a small bag to toss the camera in.

Whether I a carry a DSLR or a pocket size camera I like to have some interests outside of photography that I have an interest in recording with photography. That keeps me interested with photography during those times when I might otherwise just leave the camera in the closet.

 

[nerwin]

I just use my cell phone when I don't have my DSLR along. I like to force myself to use the different lenses by just going out with one lens for the day. Sometimes that means the macro lens. I have found that to really help me know how much I can get out of a lens.

I really want that RX100 M3, but I'd hate to part with the 105 macro...its such a good lens when I need it. But quite frankly, the RX100 M3 would be more useful. I don't have a ton of income, so these kind of purchases are hard to do. I'm in no need for the RX100 at the moment...but lately I've just been losing my photography mojo. I don't know what it is..but I just feel like I'm missing something. If getting that RX100 M3 will help me get my mojo back, then its worth it. Decisions...decisions..decisions...

About 10 years ago I used a nice Sony P&S and carried it everywhere. Now when the RX100 came out I really thought about picking one up. But, I had to keep reminding myself that when I moved to a DSLR after a few years with the Sony I finally had something that met and surpassed the film SLR's I had grown up with. For me the main thing is often just having the camera at hand, the RX100 could certainly go anywhere, but I find that even a DSLR is portable enough with a small lens and a small bag to toss the camera in.

Whether I a carry a DSLR or a pocket size camera I like to have some interests outside of photography that I have an interest in recording with photography. That keeps me interested with photography during those times when I might otherwise just leave the camera in the closet.

Also, I think the RX100 does a better job at video than my D610, lol. I find recording video is a pain in the rear for when I need to record something quick. I really want a ultra wide angle for my D610, the old 20mm f2.8D really appeals to me because its so small. But the IQ isn't anywhere near to the 1.8G version. There are times when I just don't want to walk around with a big camera, people seem to be afraid of them these days. Scares me.

 

[xenskhe]

how do you deal with thought of buying an expensive lens that you only use a handful of times through the year?

I quietly regret it and sell it on for what i can recover of the cost. And for me, those lenses are longer teles always. I resist buying even a 90mm as i know i can get by with a 50mm on dx.

 

[nerwin]

I'm going crazy. Haha. The amount of thought I've been putting into it, I might as well just sell the dang lens and get the rx100 III.

 

[xenskhe]

I'm going crazy. Haha. The amount of thought I've been putting into it, I might as well just sell the dang lens and get the rx100 III.

I was looking at a choice of used cameras: Sigma DP1M, Ricoh GR (16mp), Fuji X-Pro1. I bought the Fuji. Then later I bought an XE1 as well..same camera without ovf.

You can have too many tools/toys and the inspiration goes. On the other hand you can buy a $20 Olympus XA2, or a little Rollei B35, some cheap film and get satisfying results that mean something to yourself.

Have you ever shot any film Nerwin? That might be the extra dimension to the hobby that you're searching for.

 

[nerwin]

I'm going crazy. Haha. The amount of thought I've been putting into it, I might as well just sell the dang lens and get the rx100 III.

I was looking at a choice of used cameras: Sigma DP1M, Ricoh GR (16mp), Fuji X-Pro1. I bought the Fuji. Then later I bought an XE1 as well..same camera without ovf.

You can have too many tools/toys and the inspiration goes. On the other hand you can buy a $20 Olympus XA2, or a little Rollei B35, some cheap film and get satisfying results that mean something to yourself.

Have you ever shot any film Nerwin? That might be what you're about.

I have much respect for film, but I don't have much interest in shooting film.

 

[xenskhe]

I'm going crazy. Haha. The amount of thought I've been putting into it, I might as well just sell the dang lens and get the rx100 III.

I was looking at a choice of used cameras: Sigma DP1M, Ricoh GR (16mp), Fuji X-Pro1. I bought the Fuji. Then later I bought an XE1 as well..same camera without ovf.

You can have too many tools/toys and the inspiration goes. On the other hand you can buy a $20 Olympus XA2, or a little Rollei B35, some cheap film and get satisfying results that mean something to yourself.

Have you ever shot any film Nerwin? That might be what you're about.

I have much respect for film, but I don't have much interest in shooting film.

Fair enough, the RX could be very good. I wouldn't sell my Fujis. Glad i bought them.

 

[nerwin]

I'm going crazy. Haha. The amount of thought I've been putting into it, I might as well just sell the dang lens and get the rx100 III.

I was looking at a choice of used cameras: Sigma DP1M, Ricoh GR (16mp), Fuji X-Pro1. I bought the Fuji. Then later I bought an XE1 as well..same camera without ovf.

You can have too many tools/toys and the inspiration goes. On the other hand you can buy a $20 Olympus XA2, or a little Rollei B35, some cheap film and get satisfying results that mean something to yourself.

Have you ever shot any film Nerwin? That might be what you're about.

I have much respect for film, but I don't have much interest in shooting film.

Fair enough, the RX could be very good. I wouldn't sell my Fujis. Glad i bought them.

I had the X100 before, loved it. But I needed a new dslr, so I sold it to help fund my D610 at the time. Thought about selling my macro lens and getting a x100s...but I'm looking some thing a little more versatile and compact. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. Hahaha

 

[xenskhe]

I relate to what you're saying.

 

[nerwin]

I'm thinking way too much about this. I think I'm just going to keep what I have because I wouldn't feel right getting rid of my macro lens.

 

[xenskhe]

I looked at your flickr Nick. You get a lot of pleasure from having a wide set of lenses on your SLR. Be a shame to lose that. It's easy to sell off things and hard to save for them.

 

[nerwin]

I looked at your flickr Nick. You get a lot of pleasure from having a wide set of lenses on your SLR. Be a shame to lose that. It's easy to sell off things and hard to save for them.

Thanks

The only one lens I want to kind of "complete" my kit is a ultra wide angle. Been eyeing the old school 20mm 2.8D.

 

[xenskhe]

Would be a great lens.

 

[Braineack]

I'm thinking way too much about this. I think I'm just going to keep what I have because I wouldn't feel right getting rid of my macro lens.

I wanted the 105 2.8, but I don't macro often, so I just got extension tubes and use my 85mm on them.

 

[nerwin]

I'm thinking way too much about this. I think I'm just going to keep what I have because I wouldn't feel right getting rid of my macro lens.

I wanted the 105 2.8, but I don't macro often, so I just got extension tubes and use my 85mm on them.

With the 85, do you find yourself using that more instead the 50?