Fun thread: If you were given $5,000 to spend...

**ThorSanchez** · 08-17-2018, 04:40 AM - **1 Like**

There's two ways I could go here. The first involves spending 40% of it on a K-1ii, which would be nice for a lot of reasons but would then require me to spend a fair amount on lenses just to cover the basics. I'm curious about how cool my Helios and Lomography Daguerreotype would look on full frame, at their swirly bests. But that seems like an indulgence with minimal practial benefit.

What probably makes more sense is filling out my kit for my APS-C bodies, the K-3ii and the K-30:

DFA*70-200mm, $1500
HD FA150-450mm, $1750
DA 21mm, $250 used
HD DA55-300mm PLM, $360
D-FA 100mm WR Macro, $400
DA 16-85mm WR, $600
A couple extra Yongnuo speelights and maybe a cactus trigger, $300

That's maybe a $100 over, but that's fine out of pocket.

**savoche** · 08-17-2018, 05:04 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Easy. Sigma 500/4.5, then see what's left over

Tempting, but since I could never have been bothered with actually carrying the thing around it would be wasted on me

I have thought of getting a Sigma 100-300/4 + TC instead, but I don't need $5k for that. Apart from a good (and reasonably portable) tele lens I have all I need for now.

I guess I'd look for a 645Z (or D) and some lenses if I got a lump of "use it or lose it" money.

Imp · 08-17-2018, 05:21 AM - **2 Likes**

I'd wait for the new DA* updates... hopefully the 5k would come in the right month!

**Videopilot** · 08-17-2018, 06:12 AM - **1 Like**

A little over but ...

K1
HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
SMC Pentax-FA* F2.8

**ffking** · 08-17-2018, 06:17 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Imp

hopefully the 5k would come in the right month!

you can hope!

normhead · 08-17-2018, 06:23 AM - **1 Like**

I forgot, the 200 macro.... now I need $25,000.

**Rondec** · 08-17-2018, 06:49 AM - **1 Like**

So Mike, are you going to grade our choices at some point?

normhead · 08-17-2018, 07:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

So Mike, are you going to grade our choices at some point?

I'm guessing if he does my $25,000 spending spree will be an automatic fail.

If he's going to grade our choice maybe a 2000 word justification of our choices should be included.

Fenwoodian · 08-17-2018, 07:24 AM - **1 Like**

.
Generally speaking, I'm quite happy with my cameras and lenses.

I guess that I'd buy the new D FA 50mm f/1.4 super lens.

With the remaining $3,800 I'd buy a new desktop computer. My current computer works too hard processing large K-1 pixel shift files. Also, I'm now doing lots of video editing on it, so a bigger/newer/faster desktop computer would be nice.

follansbee · 08-17-2018, 07:27 AM - **1 Like**

Well I was lucky to have something similar happen to me, so I did splurge on camera equipment. I gave my k-30 to a niece and bought a K-70; also bought a Fuji X-e3 with 23...and a Domeke messengIer bag. I still hope for Pentax to make a similar camera to go with my 15, 21, 40 and 70 but know it will never happen

**TER-OR** · 08-17-2018, 08:09 AM - **2 Likes**

On my "bucket list" is to be able to travel at the drop of a hat to photograph insects and blooms during a desert superbloom event. I'm sure between airfare, lodging, etc. I could easily spend $5000. If I have to pad the ledger a bit, I'd pick up a used K1 and/or a lightweight quality tripod for interval and night sky photography. Hell, I'd probably mount the Q on the big camera for two aspects during that.

It's one thing I look forward to in retirement - being able to travel like that when these unschedulable events happen.

normhead · 08-17-2018, 08:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by TER-OR

On my "bucket list" is to be able to travel at the drop of a hat to photograph insects and blooms during a desert superbloom event. I'm sure between airfare, lodging, etc. I could easily spend $5000. If I have to pad the ledger a bit, I'd pick up a used K1 and/or a lightweight quality tripod for interval and night sky photography. Hell, I'd probably mount the Q on the big camera for two aspects during that.

It's one thing I look forward to in retirement - being able to travel like that when these unschedulable events happen.

Now that I am retired, a lot of the things I thought I would be doing haven't happened. There's no way to anticipate the loss of muscle mass after you turn 65. Hopefully you do better.

**StiffLegged** · 08-17-2018, 08:46 AM - **1 Like**

I'd upgrade my K-7 to a K-3ii (£500 s/h) or a K-70 (£500 new), add a 12-24 (£650), a 28-105 (£500) and the 150-450 (£1500). That leaves enough for a better ball head, batteries and more SD cards with a backpack to carry this deliberately portable selection with my hefty tripod. The 150-450 would stay at home unless I'm shooting aircraft. Maybe I'd skip the ballhead in favour of ND grads.

Less is more!

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-17-2018, 10:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by savoche

Tempting, but since I could never have been bothered with actually carrying the thing around it would be wasted on me

I have thought of getting a Sigma 100-300/4 + TC instead, but I don't need $5k for that. Apart from a good (and reasonably portable) tele lens I have all I need for now.

I guess I'd look for a 645Z (or D) and some lenses if I got a lump of "use it or lose it" money.

true, but currently i use a 70-200/2.8 ex with TC, and have no issue with extra weight so the 500/4.5 would be a good selction, plus i have already the 1.4x TC from sigma

**MossyRocks** · 08-17-2018, 11:12 AM - **2 Likes**

This is a hard one given that there is gear I want and would use but there are basically 2 nice splits that I could do that come out pretty close:
First group:
1. The SMC Pentax-A* 400mm F2.8 ED [IF]
2. The 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for it
3. A motorized equatorial mount to stick it all on

The second group:
1. A K-1 MKII
2. The 3 amigos

The problem is I don't know what group I would go for. I guess it depends on what time of year it is. If it is winter with the great astro viewing opportunity I have here then I would probably go with group 1. If it were summer it would be group 2.

08-17-2018, 06:12 AM - 1 Like	#64
Videopilot Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Jersey Photos: Albums Posts: 481	A little over but ... K1 HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW SMC Pentax-FA* F2.8

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
If Ricoh gave you five pieces of free camera gear...	bertwert	General Photography	85	11-12-2015 03:31 PM
If Ricoh gave you a tripod and bag to go with your five pieces of free camera gear...	bertwert	General Photography	2	11-01-2015 10:12 AM
How would you spend $10,000 on K-mount glass?	spade111	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	52	03-01-2012 05:55 AM
Tax and spend repubs..opps.. just spend.	jeffkrol	General Talk	31	07-01-2010 03:23 PM
1,000,000,000,000	graphicgr8s	General Talk	46	07-16-2009 10:13 PM

08-17-2018, 04:40 AM - 1 Like	#61
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,807	There's two ways I could go here. The first involves spending 40% of it on a K-1ii, which would be nice for a lot of reasons but would then require me to spend a fair amount on lenses just to cover the basics. I'm curious about how cool my Helios and Lomography Daguerreotype would look on full frame, at their swirly bests. But that seems like an indulgence with minimal practial benefit. What probably makes more sense is filling out my kit for my APS-C bodies, the K-3ii and the K-30: DFA*70-200mm, $1500 HD FA150-450mm, $1750 DA 21mm, $250 used HD DA55-300mm PLM, $360 D-FA 100mm WR Macro, $400 DA 16-85mm WR, $600 A couple extra Yongnuo speelights and maybe a cactus trigger, $300 That's maybe a $100 over, but that's fine out of pocket.

08-17-2018, 05:04 AM - 1 Like	#62
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Easy. Sigma 500/4.5, then see what's left over Tempting, but since I could never have been bothered with actually carrying the thing around it would be wasted on me I have thought of getting a Sigma 100-300/4 + TC instead, but I don't need $5k for that. Apart from a good (and reasonably portable) tele lens I have all I need for now. I guess I'd look for a 645Z (or D) and some lenses if I got a lump of "use it or lose it" money.

08-17-2018, 05:21 AM - 2 Likes	#63
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	I'd wait for the new DA* updates... hopefully the 5k would come in the right month!

08-17-2018, 06:17 AM - 1 Like	#65
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,039	Originally posted by Imp hopefully the 5k would come in the right month! you can hope!

08-17-2018, 06:23 AM - 1 Like	#66
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I forgot, the 200 macro.... now I need $25,000.

08-17-2018, 06:49 AM - 1 Like	#67
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	So Mike, are you going to grade our choices at some point?

08-17-2018, 07:01 AM - 1 Like	#68
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Rondec So Mike, are you going to grade our choices at some point? I'm guessing if he does my $25,000 spending spree will be an automatic fail. If he's going to grade our choice maybe a 2000 word justification of our choices should be included.

08-17-2018, 07:24 AM - 1 Like	#69
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,875	. Generally speaking, I'm quite happy with my cameras and lenses. I guess that I'd buy the new D FA 50mm f/1.4 super lens. With the remaining $3,800 I'd buy a new desktop computer. My current computer works too hard processing large K-1 pixel shift files. Also, I'm now doing lots of video editing on it, so a bigger/newer/faster desktop computer would be nice.

08-17-2018, 07:27 AM - 1 Like	#70
follansbee Site Supporter Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 26	Well I was lucky to have something similar happen to me, so I did splurge on camera equipment. I gave my k-30 to a niece and bought a K-70; also bought a Fuji X-e3 with 23...and a Domeke messengIer bag. I still hope for Pentax to make a similar camera to go with my 15, 21, 40 and 70 but know it will never happen

08-17-2018, 08:09 AM - 2 Likes	#71
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	On my "bucket list" is to be able to travel at the drop of a hat to photograph insects and blooms during a desert superbloom event. I'm sure between airfare, lodging, etc. I could easily spend $5000. If I have to pad the ledger a bit, I'd pick up a used K1 and/or a lightweight quality tripod for interval and night sky photography. Hell, I'd probably mount the Q on the big camera for two aspects during that. It's one thing I look forward to in retirement - being able to travel like that when these unschedulable events happen.

08-17-2018, 08:30 AM - 1 Like	#72
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by TER-OR On my "bucket list" is to be able to travel at the drop of a hat to photograph insects and blooms during a desert superbloom event. I'm sure between airfare, lodging, etc. I could easily spend $5000. If I have to pad the ledger a bit, I'd pick up a used K1 and/or a lightweight quality tripod for interval and night sky photography. Hell, I'd probably mount the Q on the big camera for two aspects during that. It's one thing I look forward to in retirement - being able to travel like that when these unschedulable events happen. Now that I am retired, a lot of the things I thought I would be doing haven't happened. There's no way to anticipate the loss of muscle mass after you turn 65. Hopefully you do better.

08-17-2018, 08:46 AM - 1 Like	#73
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,635	I'd upgrade my K-7 to a K-3ii (£500 s/h) or a K-70 (£500 new), add a 12-24 (£650), a 28-105 (£500) and the 150-450 (£1500). That leaves enough for a better ball head, batteries and more SD cards with a backpack to carry this deliberately portable selection with my hefty tripod. The 150-450 would stay at home unless I'm shooting aircraft. Maybe I'd skip the ballhead in favour of ND grads. Less is more!

08-17-2018, 10:33 AM - 1 Like	#74
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by savoche Tempting, but since I could never have been bothered with actually carrying the thing around it would be wasted on me I have thought of getting a Sigma 100-300/4 + TC instead, but I don't need $5k for that. Apart from a good (and reasonably portable) tele lens I have all I need for now. I guess I'd look for a 645Z (or D) and some lenses if I got a lump of "use it or lose it" money. true, but currently i use a 70-200/2.8 ex with TC, and have no issue with extra weight so the 500/4.5 would be a good selction, plus i have already the 1.4x TC from sigma

08-17-2018, 11:12 AM - 2 Likes	#75
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	This is a hard one given that there is gear I want and would use but there are basically 2 nice splits that I could do that come out pretty close: First group: 1. The SMC Pentax-A* 400mm F2.8 ED [IF] 2. The 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for it 3. A motorized equatorial mount to stick it all on The second group: 1. A K-1 MKII 2. The 3 amigos The problem is I don't know what group I would go for. I guess it depends on what time of year it is. If it is winter with the great astro viewing opportunity I have here then I would probably go with group 1. If it were summer it would be group 2.