[Rayenna]

Last Wednesday I finally received my Vivitar Series 1 85/1.4 lens, which came to me via the USA; I was lucky enough to have family on holiday there at the same time I had the funds to purchase the lens, and hence I saved myself $50USD in postage.

So for the past week or so I've been working on my manual focusing skills, and although I still need to work on it a little I really am in love with the lens--having used an FA 50/1.4 for the past year, I've felt the benefit of having such a large apertures when I often shoot indoor functions and concerts. And the 50mm was a joy to use when I shot my first wedding in March this year; I'm looking forward to putting the 85 to good use.

Of course, you would expect that after getting such a nice piece of glass, I might be content to play with it and get comfortable with its quirks, but lo and behold, two days ago I was browsing eBay (deadly) and discovered a used Sigma 18-125 DC for $200AUD. I've been wanting a walkabout/travel lens ever since I realised that the kit lens (Sigma 18-50) I got with the camera 2 years ago was not the only lens I would ever own (foolish, naive, incredibly-ignorant me thought that just buying a dSLR with my tax return would keep me happy--oh, to be innocent again!). And then tonight, 9 days after one lens purchase, I've made another.

I don't regret the decision at all--considering that I was looking at an 18-200 or 18-250 which would have cost $600+ AUD, I know I've made a good purchase. Not having the extra zoom doesn't bother me... but part of me still rolls my eyes at myself that once, my old and poor student self would have flipped out at spending $700 on lenses in the space of two weeks, and now it seems cheap! I know my friends think I'm batty. I did the same thing last year at tax time: bought a FA 50/1.4, and then within the space of a few weeks bought a Sigma 17-70 Macro (mainly because I ruined a $50 older 28-80 macro that I found on ebay... by slinging it over my shoulder on the camera and walking through a door and smacking it solidly--learned my lesson well that day!).

I have realised, reading some of the threads here, that I really don't have LBA that badly--but compared to NORMAL people, I know I still seem insane. Photography is my HOBBY, not my job--and yet every six months my camera bag needs to grow 'cause there 'aint enough room any more. I don't think I would actually go pro (I enjoy being a teacher too much), although I think I would enjoy shooting functions every now and then, to challenge my skills. Perhaps I'll just use all this gear to build my skills until I can teach photography as well as English. And in the meantime I get the advantage of having all my friends say 'jeez, those are damn nice photos'.

So... I suppose a question might be in order: how many people have large or growing kits, but know that they would never be a pro photographer and yet still feel the compulsion to let their collection of gear keep growing?

[gofour3]

My lens collection keeps growing and I’ll never be a pro. Photography is just a hobby for me and I also like collecting (fixed focal length) lenses from a specific period. I only take a few lenses out for a shoot at one time and rotate them each time I go. I could never fit all my lenses (over 20) in one bag, so I usually take one wide, prime and telephoto. As long as you can afford to buy more lenses, go for it!

[axl]

1st of all congrats on new lenses. I'm sure you'll enjoy them.
As far as question goes, count me into your group. I'm not a pro and I don't think I'll ever be, but looking at my bills from 1st of January 09:
FA31ltd,
Sigma 24/2.8
Sigma 100-300/4 - broken, swapped for Tamron 70-200/2.8 - broken, swapped for DA*50-135.
And AF160T flash
to sum it up: most expensive year to date.

BR
Peter

[MattGunn]

I have lost track of the lenses I have brought since January! In the last 2 months I have brought (often for no particular reason) :
Tamron Adaptall 2 28 f/2.5,
Contax 60mm f2.8 S-Planar AE Macro (now modified to K mount),
KA fit Tokina SD 28-70mm,
K fit Vivitar 135 f/3.5,
PENTAX TAKUMAR-A 28-80,
and about 10 minutes ago a Super Takumar 135 f/3.5
Yes I know I have a problem but to be fair every one was brough as faulty for next to no money and I derive as much satisfaction fixinng them as using them.

[aleonx3]

Count me in your group as well.

I have added the following this year:
DA* 50-135mm
DA* 16-50mm
FA 43mm
DA 55-300mm

Prior to that:
FA 31mm
FA 77mm
DA 12-24mm
FA 28-105mm
FA 28-80mm
Sigma 18-50mm
Tamron SP90
Tamron 28-300mm
and many MF lenses 50mm, 28mm

Thinking about adding DA 21mm, DA* 300mm

[axl]

Count me in your group as well.

I have added the following this year:
DA* 50-135mm
DA* 16-50mm
FA 43mm
DA 55-300mm

Prior to that:
FA 31mm
FA 77mm
DA 12-24mm
FA 28-105mm
FA 28-80mm
Sigma 18-50mm
Tamron SP90
Tamron 28-300mm
and many MF lenses 50mm, 28mm

Thinking about adding DA 21mm, DA* 300mm

I quietly wish I had your budget ...

[MattGunn]

Count me in your group as well.

I have added the following this year:
DA* 50-135mm
DA* 16-50mm
FA 43mm
DA 55-300mm

Prior to that:
FA 31mm
FA 77mm
DA 12-24mm
FA 28-105mm
FA 28-80mm
Sigma 18-50mm
Tamron SP90
Tamron 28-300mm
and many MF lenses 50mm, 28mm

Thinking about adding DA 21mm, DA* 300mm

I quietly wish I had your budget ...

Likewise. I suspect the sum total for all the lenses I have ever brought would only buy me one of these.

[Indianadinos]

Hi, here is a newcomer for your group ...

Since january:
a Katzeye focusing screen
an angle finder (model B from Canon, adapted to my K10D)
a Schneider Xenar 135/4 (my first Retina lens for my K10D)
a Vivitar 75-205 3.8
a Soligor 400/6.3
a Tamron 200-500 (to be deeply cleaned)
a Pentax-K 105/2.8
a Voigtlander 135/4 (ex Retina)
and last, but not least, a Pentacon 135/2.8 with its original box and papers

The only thing i have missed up to now is some more spare time for using more my gear ...

[aleonx3]

Likewise. I suspect the sum total for all the lenses I have ever brought would only buy me one of these.

MattGunn and Axl, I bought all those lens prior to the Canadian price hike in April this year. I would have held back if not for the price hike.

[axl]

MattGunn and Axl, I bought all those lens prior to the Canadian price hike in April this year. I would have held back if not for the price hike.

if you sell them you'll turn some serious profit then
still before of after price hike, that's one great collection. I hope you are enjoying it. If not I know of potential buyer...ehm, ehm... for old prices of course

[Rayenna]

I keep seeing people talking about the price hike, and I know I've seen it myself with prices online--but I'm not sure why this has happened. It's affected Australian prices also: I bought my FA 50/1.4 last year around this time for $330AUD, and now they cost $630AUD. I think that's one of the largest jumps I've seen, and it makes me wonder why different lenses have increased at different levels. Would it be demand for that particular lens that has put it up so much? I don't know. I'm just guessing at this point; if anyone could enlighten me I'd appreciate it.

Oh, and the other thing I've noticed is an often large discrepancy between US and Australian prices. For example, a Tamron 70-200/2.8 is listed as $1325AUD at an online Aussie store; at B&H it is $679USD (equivalent $831 with exchange). So I can still get it cheaper WITH postage included... and it would still save me $400. I understand importing costs for businesses... but $400??? Surely they realise that people who would fork out for a lens like that are going to shop around? I just don't get it.

[xjjohnno]

Last 2 weeks LBA self indulgence and using my tax return has seen me buy a Pentax SMC 1000mm, a Samyang 8mm fisheye, a Sigma 50-500 aka the Bigma and a Helios 77M 50mm f1.8.
A little tip if buying Sigmas new, find the cheapest grey import price and get CR Kennedy to price match it.

[xs400]

Put me on the list. In the last 2 weeks I've acquired the DA 55-300mm and a FA 77 ltd.

[Ash]

Rayenna,

lots of us Aussies share your sentiments about the Aussie prices, let alone the recent price hike. There's not much that can be done about it, other than just swallowing your pride to wanting to support local businesses and going straight to B&H and the like.

Good for you for getting a good deal on your lenses. I too have spent the last 2 years buying lenses to use (not to collect) and feel that I've come to the point of contentment (famous last words), of course, until more DA* lenses come to trump the performance of my current lineup... Though I realise the greatest determinant of my results is me, not my lenses...

[Just1MoreDave]

So... I suppose a question might be in order: how many people have large or growing kits, but know that they would never be a pro photographer and yet still feel the compulsion to let their collection of gear keep growing?

A pro should only get those lenses they need to get the images they are getting paid for. That might only be one lens. For them, it's just a business decision.

For amateurs, we don't need a reason. I have bought lenses because they were cheap, looked cool, sounded like fun, whatever. I only have a vague idea of how many lenses I own. It's no way to run a business, but I'm doing it for fun.