A Backslider's Confession

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

I have a bad case of Lens Lust Disease, compounded by an unfortunate taste for good glass .
Their combined power has lured me down a long and twisty trail.

June '04: I bought the d70, but passed on the kit lens. I did a lot of research before buying,
and decided the 24-120VR would suit my style better than the 18-70, and be a great walk
around lens. It was, but...

September '04: I added the 80-200/2.8 AFD to my kit, and discovered the benefits and joy of
pro-glass. It made me realize that there was a level that the 24-120VR couldn't reach. I started
researching alternatives, but decided the 28-70/2.8 was too expensive and heavy to consider.

December '04: A friend who was upgrading to a 17-55DX offered me his Tamron 28-75/2.8.
Sample variation is a big problem with this lens, but he was able to vouch for it.

January '05: The Tamron quickly replaced the 24-120VR in my kit, so I sold it at a $175 discount
from my purchase price. The Tamron is a wonderful lens for the money. It's sharp as a
tack from tip to tip throughout its aperture and zoom ranges, but... it gives a slight yellow cast
to images, and it doesn't work quite as well with the sb800 as my Nikon lenses. Focus isn't as
reliable as with the Nikon lenses, either.

February '04: I made a huge mistake. I tried out the Nikon 28-70. The test shots had that very
special feel to them, and the lens felt "right" in my hands. Damn.

Today: I bought a "brand new" 28-70/2.8 demo model on eBay from an authorized Nikon dealer.
It comes with a full Nikon warranty, and even qualifies for the Nikon rebate, so the net cost
will be $900. After I check it out, I'll sell the Tamron.

For those of you with similar leanings towards good glass, I hope that you'll be any happier
over the long term than I was with the alternatives to big glass. The two drawbacks of the
28-70/2.8 is that it's expensive and heavy. Granted, the price is high... but it's built like a
tank, so I've taken a mindset that I will amortize it over a long period. Weight? It's a
mere 11 ounces heavier than my old 24-120VR. Not exactly a back breaker.

Here's a picture of my new baby

PhotoDawg · Mar 22, 2005

Frank you do have it bad. I am humming the song "My Heart Bleeds For You". :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

It's a "good-bad"

Flew · Mar 22, 2005

Hey Frank,

Reminds me of the underlying thought processes that prompted my I'm Mentally Ill post.... :lol: :lol:

I first bought the 70-200VR thinking that 200 was 'long enough' for shooting birdies. I quickly found out that it wasn't, so a few months later I got the 300 2.8, and also got the 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0 TC's.

Now don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful lens, but I often find myself wanting more length. Now the 200-400VR, 400 f2.8, and 500 f4 are on my 'lust list'. :?

As I said before, we are sick. 8)

Frank

obelix · Mar 22, 2005

Congrats.

Uncle Frank, I ordered the 70-200 VR yesterday (sold my 70-210 & 300mm f/4 to raise funds). Feeling a bit sick.

But then posts like this help to know that you are not alone / crazy.

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

obelix said:

But then posts like this help to know that you are not alone / crazy.
Click to expand...

Umm, they let you know you're not alone, but don't rule out being crazy. In point of fact, we all are .

Congratulations on your new lens, Anand! Did you get a deal on it?

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

PhotoDawg said:

Frank you do have it bad.
Click to expand...

Just wait. Your turn will come, Dawg. I clearly see a 70/80-200 f/2.8 in your future .

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

Flew said:

Now don't get me wrong, this is a wonderful lens, but I often find myself wanting more length. Now the 200-400VR, 400 f2.8, and 500 f4 are on my 'lust list'. :?

As I said before, we are sick. 8)
Click to expand...

When you start considering $5000 lenses, you're terminally sick 8)!

I'd say "never", but I remember saying that about the 28-70/2.8 a few months back :? .

GeeJay · Mar 22, 2005

Hi Uncle Frank,

I am very happy for you and am already looking for the 28-70 pictures you'll post...so get moving on that so we can start thinking about getting that lens :lol:

Best to you!

Gaye

You really did get a good deal on the lens with the warranty and rebate. Which camera shop on Ebay? Just curious :lol:

obelix · Mar 22, 2005

UncleFrank said:

obelix said:

But then posts like this help to know that you are not alone / crazy.
Click to expand...

Umm, they let you know you're not alone, but don't rule out being crazy. In point of fact, we all are .

Congratulations on your new lens, Anand! Did you get a deal on it?
Click to expand...

I paid $1570 for the lens. There is a $150 mail in rebate, that makes the lens $1420. This was from jr.com. I had to price match them with buydig.com and saved $30 - not much.

This lens is too popular. I did not get a good deal on this lens at all. It usually sells for $1200 upwards and that too has been used at least for 2 years.

anand

PhotoDawg · Mar 22, 2005

Just wait. Your turn will come, Dawg. I clearly see a 70/80-200 f/2.8 in your future
Click to expand...

:shock: :shock: I'M SCARED!!! :shock: :shock:

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

GeeJay said:

I am very happy for you...
Click to expand...

Thanks, Gaye; you're a real pal .

... and am already looking for the 28-70 pictures you'll post...so get moving on that so we can start
thinking about getting that lens :lol:
Click to expand...

That'll have to wait until I get my d70 back from the Nikon Hospital. I just sent it in last week for warranty work.

You really did get a good deal on the lens with the warranty and rebate. Which camera shop on
Ebay? Just curious :lol:
Click to expand...

The dealer is Alkit. They have both a brick & mortar and an eBay store, and, as I said, are authorized
Nikon dealers. I gave them a call and discussed the lens extensively before I bid. It was a demo in
their shop, and lived in a glass case for 4 months. They claim the only sign of use is a bit of minor
marking on the lens mount from taking it on and off various cameras. We'll see 8).

Harry S. · Mar 22, 2005

UncleFrank said:

I have a bad case of Lens Lust Disease, compounded by an unfortunate taste for good glass .
Their combined power has lured me down a long and twisty trail.
Click to expand...

Frank, I just want to comfort you - you are not alone with your dilemma. I was suffering from a very advanced state of lens lust, but it seems that I have eventually fevered it out. But only because I'm aware that I am far too lazy for the long FL end.
In case you are interested, here's my desease history:
June 02: The desaster commenced - my institute bought me a D1X and a Sigma 17-35 to go with it. The lens is a lemon and didn't see day light for a long period.
August 02: AF 50/1.8, Sigma 70-200/2.8 APO HSM
April 03: 45/2.8 P, the 50/1.8 is collecting dust since then.
May 03: AF 60/2.8 Mikro, AFS 28-70/2.8, the latter is only used now when I need flexibility.
January 04: AFS 12-24 DX
July 04: Ai 35/1.4, AiS 28/2.0; I love the build of these "old" but optically outstanding lenses.
October 04: AFS 70-200/2.8 VR; it replaced the Sigma 70-200 (not sold yet)
November 04: AF 85/1.4, TC 14E
January 05: AF 28/1.4; there was some conflict between buying this lens or the 17-55, but finally Ron Reznick's input made me go for the 28/1.4
February 05: Canon 500D closeup lens.

You see I am well equipped at the shorter end (and still married ), so I am almost cured. There might occur a slight set-back when I come across a cheap 85PC.
The long end has to wait until I can easily afford let's say a 200-400, but I would rather buy a D2X (and naturally a new computer :roll: ) before that.

I hope I haven't made your case worse by posting this, I just wanted to show that you're in good company.
Cheers

Gale · Mar 22, 2005

I remember UF that you said " no need for DSLR" and here you are turning into a sick pup , just like the rest of us. :>)))))))

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

hummmmmmmmmmmmm

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

Harry S. said:

I hope I haven't made your case worse by posting this, I just wanted to show that you're in good company.Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks, Harry. It's comforting to know I'm surrounded by madmen of similar persuasion :twisted:.

Uncle Frank · Mar 22, 2005

Gale said:

I remember UF that you said " no need for DSLR"
Click to expand...

I'll stand by that remark. But it turns out that need and desire are entirely different things :twisted:.

Gale · Mar 22, 2005

I have to say you held out right to the end Frank I think you were the last to get the DSLR..

I still use the 5000 :>))) Even bought the wide angle and 3x tele for it in December after having the camera for over two years. Now that is a sick pup. Then turn around and get an 80-400 VR VR VR VR for the D100 and I just ordered a lensbaby.

BAHAHAHAHA

Cheers
Gale

hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Flew · Mar 22, 2005

Gale said:

I have to say you held out right to the end Frank I think you were the last to get the DSLR..

I still use the 5000 :>))) Even bought the wide angle and 3x tele for it in December after having the camera for over two years. Now that is a sick pup. Then turn around and get an 80-400 VR VR VR VR for the D100 and I just ordered a lensbaby.

BAHAHAHAHA

Cheers
Gale

hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Click to expand...

Gale, you are a riot.

I've called the riot police.... :lol: :lol:

Frank

Panos Kazanelis · Mar 22, 2005

Frank, congratz on your new tank... let me give you a future view -if I may... :wink:

...in the future UncleFrank said:

April '05: I bought the D2x. I did a lot of research before buying, and decided D2x would suit my style better than the D70, and be a great walk around camera.

May '05 (early): I added the 80-400 VR to my kit, and discovered the benefits and joy of pro VR-glass. It made me realize that there was a level that the 80-200 couldn't reach. I started researching alternatives, but the Bigma was too heavy to consider.

May '05 (late): A friend who was upgrading to a 500/4 offered me his 200-400 VR. Whatta lens!!!

June '05: The 200-400 VR quickly replaced the 80-400VR in my kit, so I sold it at a $499.95 discount from my purchase price.

July '05: I made a huge mistake. I tried out the Nikon 600/4. The test shots had that very special feel to them, and the lens felt "right" in my hands. Damn.

Today (August '05): I bought a "brand new" 600/4 on eBay from an authorized Nikon dealer. It comes with a full Nikon warranty, and even qualifies for the Nikon rebate, so the net cost will be $5,900. After I check it out, I'll sell the 200-400 VR.
Click to expand...

Ohh Frank, you're NOT alone... I think we're ALL sick...!!! 8)

Gale · Mar 22, 2005

Flew

Are the riot police better than the paddy wagon, ya know the one with the white jackets.. If so, Thats makes me feel a bit safer.

lolololol

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Gale · Mar 22, 2005

Oh yeah need a CF tripod toooooooooo

And one of those things Flew has. A side winder.. lolololol

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A Backslider's Confession