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Archive 2009 · What should I ask for?

Josh023
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p.1 #1 · What should I ask for?

My last holiday season living with my parents (next year i will be in college).... I can't really think of a reasonably priced gift to ask for....

here's my current set up:
G10
D90
Tokina 12-24
Nikon 18-200 VR
Nikon 50 f/1.8

Flash: SB-600
Bag: Crumpler Five and Seven Million Dollar Home
Tripod: decent but heavy manfroto with ball head.... (my dad's but i use more than he does)

What I want vs. What is reasonable.

Ideally, the 17-55 f/2.8 is about the best nikon glass made specifically for DX. However, it cost about $1150 (ballpark). If I sell some of my stuff, spend my summer employment earnings, combined with my Hanukkah spoils, this is a realistic possibility. Is it worth it?

I am not to jazzed by Nikon's 35mm.
The jump to the d700 is expensive and leaves me without FX lenses.

The thing I kind of want is a light tripod with a good head. Mine is too heavy to carry around everywhere i want thus i use it less than i would like to. Of course i've heard great things about Gitzo but are they worth the money (around $500) for a "traveler"? What is a step down alternative?

Again this is my last holiday season with my family and also the last one when i am not paying for all of my food/rent/expenses/etc..

I hope a couple of gear heads and amateurs alike step up and help me out!

Dec 02, 2009 at 08:32 AM

Langran
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p.1 #2 · What should I ask for?

Having been in a pretty similar situation to you I asked for a manfrotto tripod. I got the 190xprob although that's not all that light to be honest. Gitzo are great but I've always found manfrotto to be perfectly fine for my needs. I wanted the canon 17-55mm or something like it but there's no way I can justify the price tag. I also switched from an 18-200mm to a sigma 18-50mm F2.8 although the 18-200 was a sigma too and pretty bad at that. If it helps, my next purchase is going to be a sigma 30mm F1.4. I hear varying reviews and opinions on it but I don't particularly like anything in that range by canon, similar to you with nikon.

Dec 02, 2009 at 02:57 PM

vinnakin
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p.1 #3 · What should I ask for?

I do not know your exact budget, but maybe you could look at a Feisol tripod?
I have read nothing but good about them and they are pretty light.

Vincent

Dec 02, 2009 at 05:08 PM

Bearmann
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p.1 #4 · What should I ask for?

Thats what I was thinking too, a Feisol tripod. The Photoclam ballheads have gotton some good reviews here.

What about a nice flash? Perhaps a prime lens. Does Nikon make a reasonably priced 85 1.8 or similar?

Barry

Dec 02, 2009 at 09:39 PM

Josh023
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p.1 #5 · What should I ask for?

Bearmann,
Does nikon make a reasonably priced anything

?? haha
I think their 85 mm lens is pretty steep and i can't justify spending over $500 for a fixed focal length....
i know that might cross a few people but being someone who hasn't found their favorite niche in photography as well as being someone who rarely buys lenses/makes big purchases and when i do so, i put a ton of thought into it.

I usually get to borrow stuff from friends before buying but i dont know someone with the 17-55.

my budget.... lets say $500 from relatives/parents/sibs for holidays, then i have some money i COULD spend from my summer jobs but im stingy when it comes to my hard earned money....

I COULD acquire that 17-55 but i need price justification before i part with my funds.

my other idea was some sort of home brew kit..... my physics teacher recently brought in home brewed ginger ale.... best soft drink ive ever had....

thanks for everyone's input.. i

i will check out Feisol.

Dec 03, 2009 at 05:33 AM

TTLKurtis
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p.1 #6 · What should I ask for?

I learned many years ago not to get equipment as a gift. The problem is that A) it's all so expensive and B) I tend to sell stuff and buy new stuff relatively often... and people tend to get offended when you sell that lens, or flash, or whatever else. Or at least I feel bad when I do it.

Dec 03, 2009 at 07:54 AM

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