Your Next Purchase

[kb522]

I thought it might be fun to find out what's on everyone's "Wish List". What are you saving for? What is the next piece of equipment or software to add to your repertoire?

[HeidiKnight]

well, I just sent my order to apple for a Mac Pro. And I just upgraded to CS4 and Lightroom 2 (I'll be requesting permission to swap out for the Mac versions when I get my computer in). As for photography, I'm wishing for some new seamless paper, a remote for my D300, a few lenses...

[connieg]

I have so many things on my wishlist, but the ones on top, are: lightroom2, a laptop and a macro lens.

[mugsbigsis]

I just got my latest wish list item. . . the speedlite for my Canon.

[kb522]

Fun! I'm wanting to add some studio lights and also a faster lens. That 2.8 70-200mm I rented was awesome, but I'm wondering if I should go for more of a wide angle first??

[esther_a]

Well, for Christmas I got my DSLR with 2nd lens (see my sig) and now have TWO crumpler bags. Still basking in the joy of that. But, gee, I'd love one of those 1.4f lenses that I've read so much about here!

[geekgirl415]

You got me curious about the f1.4 50mm lens... so i looked it up and SUDDENLY, i cannot live without this lens!!!

And a crumpler bag
And the 2.8 70-200mm that produced that beautiful wedding photo
And a detached flash for my dslr
not to mention, i need to replace my Canon Powershot S70 point/shoot because I dropped it one too many times.

I thought paper scrapping and stampin was expensive... nobody here tell my husband my newest hobby is more spendy, k?

[LauraBean]

I probably have half a dozen lenses on my wish list, so my goal is to narrow the field to The One I want next. I'm currently leaning toward a zoom with more reach; right now the Canon 55-250, a bargain lens that has a very good reputation for its price, is on the top of the heap. But I sure would love the Canon 85mm f/1.8. And a macro lens--or Kenko extension tubes. And something wider than 28mm, which isn't very wide on my crop camera. Oh, yeah, and a Crumpler to carry it all. If only the funds were unlimited!

[KerryMac]

Every time I shoot a wedding, I rent a fisheye lens. I love that thing! So that's what is on the top of my list right now. But they are so pricey
I also want a new couch, but I guess that's a bit off topic...

[hguenthe]

Congratulations Heidi on the Mac Pro - they are AWESOME machines! I love my macbook pro but the mac pros rock even more. (requesting to switch from Adobe, right? know they had a process for swapping platforms on CS3 so suspect it is still around for CS4 and likely Lightroom too)

Kelly, whoo hoo! tell me more about this speedlite thingie.

It only took me a year to decide on which lens to get next so who knows how long it will take me to decide on what flash to get as I would love to play more with nighttime photography... and have a flash off camera for all sorts of better lighting options. My brother has been telling me about all sorts of neat things to try out... he is in Iceland so has been doing a LOT of nighttime photography... but his suggestions are usually limited to buy X but not why to buy X.

On my wishlist... a flash, Lightroom 2 (I think... still deciding on this.. it may be Lightroom 3 by the time I decide as originally it was thinking about Lightroom), macro lens

[mugsbigsis]

Originally Posted by hguenthe

Kelly, whoo hoo! tell me more about this speedlite thingie.

Heather, I needed something that would let me take pictures of the shelter dogs indoors if need be. The lighting there is terrible and the pics were ALWAYS yellow and almost always blurry (since dogs aren't the best at standing still). There are not that many options for external lights for the Canons and they are all spendy. When I finally found a sale I got the Speedlite 580EXll. I do love it and I know that it can do TONS that I know nothing about. (I know this because of all the buttons on the back) hehe

I should say that I also got a crumpler bag recently and I LOVE IT!

[Mary Rogers]

We have a speedlite as well - love it!

right now were are debating which prime lense, we have the 50mm and a macro.

We have 3 weddings to shoot this summer and would LOVE the 70-200 2.8, but that is completely out of our price range right now...

oh and Kerry, we want a new couch too! and a TV!
so much to decide

[anke]

Does Nikon have speedlites? I would assume so, but you girls all seem to be Canon girls. I could really use a good light, our house does not get a lot of natural light. Plus I would like a wider angle lens for panoramic shots, a bigger zoom and a macro lens. And then Katie puts stuff on sale all the time, so that's where my money goes. What is a girl to do?

[SAHMom]

I need to add another Alien Bee (already have the strip box for it... LOL).

The only lens currently on my wish list is the 24-70 2.8

Too bad that money tree is just NOT producing!!

Heidi, LR2 comes compatible for both Windows & Mac, so you'll be good to go there, and Adobe will allow you to cross platform as long as you have the latest version, so you'll be good to go!

Anke, Nikon does make speedlights! They actually have a FABULOUS creative lighting system! I use the SB-800, and now that the SB-900 has been release, I would think you could get a good deal on the SB-800!

[Starlite9711]

I am going to get the 50mm 1.4g (nikons newest) because it is the only one (50mm) that will auto focus on my camera. (I really wish I had known I would outgrow this camera so quick)-It just came out so I was waiting for the price to drop, but instead it keeps going up. Anyone else notice this with lenses you've been watching?
I want the SB-800 but if I could find the SB-600 at Circuit City-clearance this week, I'd buy that one
I want lighting and seamless paper too.....and
and
and
and....

ok I had to edit to add: A quilted camera strap, and a cool bag. (these are actually in my price range)

[HeidiKnight]

Great info, Kim! I just looked at my LR2 box and sure enough, it says Windows/Mac OS so I'll be able to just install it! Thanks! If it weren't for you girls I wouldn't know anything! Cassie clued me in on the Apple upgrades that happened 2 days after I orderd my computer and guess what - I'm getting double the RAM and a couple other upgrades for $100 LESS than the system I originally ordered! Now seems to be a great time to buy a Mac! I'm really excited, but have to wait until late this month to receive it. Which actually works out since we're going to Disneyland in 9 days anyway. It will arrive just in time to play with all my new photos!

[hguenthe]

How exciting Heidi!!

[cstaff]

well i've been looking at i-mac but i keep hearing mac pro... insight please... i'm trying to be realistic. i'm not a designer but love to play... just now getting into creating pages but life keeps getting in the way. think i-mac is more cost effective now. oh my... what's a girl to do? carol

[SAHMom]

Bailey, I have the old 50 1.4 D, and still am tempted by the G! But I've read the D focuses faster anyway... and bigger/newer isn't always better. Right? LOL That's a hard to find lens right now, which is why you see the prices going up. It'll come back down!

Heidi, Apple is one of THE best companies ever for customer service! They go out of their way to make the customer happy! Now really IS the time to buy a Mac... great deals!!!

[Amy L]

It's the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 for me too!

[kb522]

Originally Posted by Amy L

It's the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 for me too!

Amy, I've been wondering about the wide angle zoom vs. the telephoto. what will you be using your wide angle for most?

[Jen D]

It seems like I am always adding to the list!

I would like to upgrade to CS4... but not sure it is worth it just yet. I also would like a crumpler bag... But, I would love to get the 70-200 2.8L for my Canon! That is not in the budget... but i am trying to break into the wedding world and I feel that is a must have before I do =) I am going to rent it for now until I can reinvest to buy it! Then last I would love the Canon 5D... I would love to have a full frame camera... but that is going to have to wait AWHILE!!! I am afraid most of it I am going to have to just dream about for now =)

[Amy L]

Originally Posted by kb522

Amy, I've been wondering about the wide angle zoom vs. the telephoto. what will you be using your wide angle for most?

I am hoping to make this a fairly everyday lens. I don't use a zoom quite as much. I'm just worried that I'll need a bit of a wider aperture for some of my indoor shots.

[maryannwise]

everything...
anything...
really though , the new canon 5D would be nice....!

[HeidiKnight]

I went with the Mac Pro, Carol. But you can get a really sweet iMac and it will take up so much less space on your desk. You will spend a lot less as well. I ended up upgrading to 8gb RAM (6gb now comes standard on the machine I chose), 2 optical drives, 1 TB hard drive bay 1, 640gb hard drive bay 2, bay 3 and 4 are open if I want to expand later, but that's doubtful for a long, long time. I have had great experiences with their customer service. I called 3 or 4 times with various questions or order changes and every single person I talked to was extremely pleasant and helpful, not to mention intelligable. Most of my order shipped right away (the monitor is in the box next to my desk right now), I just have to wait on the tower. If you have an Apple store nearby, I hear they'll build a machine for you in just a few days. I probably should have done that, but went the lazy online route instead. Oh, I work for a school district so I got an education discount too - that saved me several hundered $$$!

As for lenses, the 50mm 1.4 is on my list too, but I'm waiting on that.

[mel_b]

I still don't have the 85mm in my collection or the 24-70 seems to be popular... but really I'm interested in a nice portrait lens. Or a lens that will do a wide variety of ranges.

Melissa
Canon 30D, 50mm 1.4, 75-300mm (from my old canon film), and 28-135mm.
Lightroom2, Photoshop CS4, and Bamboo Fun.

[bluelemur01]

I'd also like the 24-70 2.8. I'm also intrigued by Lightroom, because so many of you seem to love it! And I still haven't gotten a Wacom tablet yet, and I want one.

I'd like to get a HUGE octobox like Kim (Sahmom's), and some better backdrops...but since the last time I actually USED my Alien Bees was like a year ago, that one's not really on the very top of the list. (Kim, it is you who has that really cool large soft box, right?)

I too want new couches, ones that are not full of dog hair and marker. But I guess I'd rather get some lenses, first!

[bluelemur01]

Anke, I also have the SB-800 and it's great. Of course now I want the SB-900! I didn't know it existed until I read Kim's post, and now I can't live without it. Let's just add it to my list...

J

[shhbabymine]

I really want to upgrade my camera, and cant decide if i should save and bite the bullet on that - or spend a little less and get the f1.4 50mm lens and play with it a while.. just ordered a nice crumpler - cant wait for it to arrive ....

[sam ellis]

For those of you looking at adding the SB900 (nikon light) to your list they say DON'T bother. I was at Nikon supplier the other day with my sb800 having it tested. The sales woman says the sb800 is FAR superior ! So there we go.

Ok so what is on my wish list ? 70-200 2.8 But - I have had sooo much new equipment in the past few months it is so gonna stay on my wish list til at least the end of the year.

fun thread