Somebody stop me!!!!!

Harryb

I woke up this morning with a familair sensation. I haven't bought a new lens in over a year. I have tried to resist but my lens lust is out of control.

The two contenders are:

Probably the sharpest and fastest focusing long lens I've tried -

The nikon 400 2.8


or the longest reach zoom available (curse you Pathfinder for bring into my home)

The Sigma 300-800 5.6

I realize that this my end up in divorce court, cost extra $ for medical treatments for my back plus time off for hernia operations but I don't care.

Help!!!!!!

Andy

Harryb wrote:

I

I realize that this my end up in divorce court, cost extra $ for medical treatments for my back plus time off for hernia operations but I don't care.

Help!!!!!!

Plus don't forget honey will want something too

Harryb

Andy wrote:

Plus don't forget honey will want something too

That cost is built in and goes w/o saying. Just double the lens price to get to the starting cost.

Osprey Whisperer

I'm going to help you get the lens...and keep the girl.

Do you have a pair of running shoes, black sweatshirt & sweatpants and a hammer? Just checking.

I say go the PRIME route. Get the 400mm f/2.8. That's a sweet piece of glass. Not purdy white...but still sweet.

DoctorIt

Get the monster. You already have one of the sweetest long primes available and you seem to have nice light all the time. Will the 400/2.8 really give you that much more that the 500/4 can't? Maybe if you were shooting in dark gloomy Yukon all the time, but come on, it's Florida!

Or, sell the 500, and get both the above

Phyxius

Sigmonster or Nikon prime?

But, I know what you can do with the "old" lens(es) that you'll be replacing...It'll only be a slight burden, but I'm sure I could provide a foster home for the poor little dear(s).

Oops, we're not doing a very good job of stopping you are we?

Harryb

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Do you have a pair of running shoes, black sweatshirt & sweatpants and a hammer? Just checking.

I have a hammer, will that do?

I say go the PRIME route. Get the 400mm f/2.8. That's a sweet piece of glass. Not purdy white...but still sweet.

That's the way I'm leaning but...... If I get the 400 then I would have to sell the 500 because I can't think of a good reason to keep both but if I get the Sigmonster I could rationalize keeping the 500.

Or I go with you hammer idea, hit Linda over the head. Not hard just hard enough for a short coma and then buy both the 400 and the Sigmonster and keep the 500. Of course if I had all 3 I would need a second tripod and a bigger car.

Harryb

DoctorIt wrote:

Get the monster. You already have one of the sweetest long primes available and you seem to have nice light all the time. Will the 400/2.8 really give you that much more that the 500/4 can't? Maybe if you were shooting in dark gloomy Yukon all the time, but come on, it's Florida!

Or, sell the 500, and get both the above

Hey, its gets overcast from time to time.

I like the idea of getting both of them. :ivar

pathfinder

Harry, you need to drink a Corona and calm down.

Next week you can shoot with a Sigmonster and see for youself if it is really what you want. You will just have to put up with shooting with my 1DMkll, instead of your trusty Nikon. It is too big, too heavy, and tripod bound. But you already know that. Also, 800mm really is not that much longer than 700. I think the jump from 500 + 1.4 TX, is not 800mm, but 1000-1200mm. I brought a 2x to use with my 500 like Fabs was posting.

As for the 400 f2.8, I suspect the Nikon is like the Canon 400 f2.8, big, heavy, very expensive, and rarely needed when a 400 f4 or f5.6 would not work as well. In Florida, f2.8 is not needed, unless you shoot after dark.

I would suggest keeping the tools you have, and take a trip to Bosque or Ding Darling, or come shoot with Marc in Utah in May......

I know you already know all this - you just need your friends to help keep you straightened out. We all suffer lens lust from time to time, but we usually figure out that new lenses are not the answer after we have good enough tools already.

richW

Harry,
It sounds like you might be in a “No Win” situation. So I would error in my own favor.
I don’t know about Florida, but in California personal property is split 50/50 in a divorce.
So you might want to check with the wife if see has a preference on which lens to buy.

OR

You can claim "Twinkie defense". You were on a surgar high and could not control yourself.
Just a thought......

Harryb

Phyxius wrote:

Sigmonster or Nikon prime?

But, I know what you can do with the "old" lens(es) that you'll be replacing...It'll only be a slight burden, but I'm sure I could provide a foster home for the poor little dear(s).

Oops, we're not doing a very good job of stopping you are we?

Not to worry when lens lust hits nothing can stop it. :eek1

As for the "old lens", Harry's Home for Wayward Lenses always has room for one more.

Harryb

pathfinder wrote:

Harry, you need to drink a Corona and calm down.

Next week you can shoot with a Sigmonster and see for youself if it is really what you want. You will just have to put up with shooting with my 1DMkll, instead of your trusty Nikon. It is too big, too heavy, and tripod bound. But you already know that. ANd 800mm really is not that much longer than 700. I think the jump from 500 + 1.4 TX, is not 800mm, but 1000-1200mm. I brought a 2x to use with my 500 like Fabs was posting.

As for the 400 f2.8, I suspect the Nikon is like the Canon 400 f2.8, big, heavy, very expensive, and rarely needed when a 400 f4 or f5.6 would not work as well. In Florida, f2.8 is not needed, unless you shoot after dark.

I would suggest keeping the tools you have, and take a trip to Bosque or Ding Darling, or come shoot with Marc in Utah in May......

I know you already know all this - you just need your friends to help keep you straightened out. We all suffer lens lust from time to time, but we usually figure out that new lenses are not the answer after we have good enough tools already.

That's what I like, moderation talk from a man who has the Canon 500 F4, the Sigmonster, and the Tamron 200-500.

Its kind of like a liquor store owner preaching abstinence to a wino. :lol4

I can't do the shoot in Utah, too many Mormons. They are all clean cut, neat and happy. That would be way too depressing.

bfjr

Ok I'm here for Ya, Boss
Here's the plan (picture included) follow along:

1. buy what lenses you want of course
234173.jpg

2. go out and get one them LI policy on the wifey

3. Take her to Nigara to make amends for the purchase

Now I'm not saying do anything nefarious but them rocks are slippery !!

4. When the Mounties catch up to you, make your escape out the back


I'll be waiting in a van and we'll load up all your glass and gear etc.
Then you make your way through the BadLands to throw them Mounties off. I'll be waiting in sunny SoCal taking good care of the gear!! HONEST!! :lol

Man I like this Plan :ivar :ivar

Seamus

Harryb wrote:

I can't do the shoot in Utah, too many Mormons. They are all clean cut, neat and happy. That would be way too depressing.

JCDoss

I heard the Sigmonster comes with its own sherpa. Therefore, you should go with the zoom.

gluwater

Harry rememebr that if you get the Sigmonster you might need to get a bigger beach rolly . Or you could just stick up Andreas at the shoot and take his 400 f/2.8 :uhoh.

Maestro

Well I really can't tell you what to get. I would think that you wouldn't need such a fast lens in Florida with the Canon 400mm. The sigmonster is just, well, overkill and that is why I like it.

BTW, it is nice to know that I am not the only one who suffers from horrible bouts of lens lust.

pathfinder

Harry, if you it will make you feel any better, I have been contemplating view cameras in the 4x5 film range.....................

Osprey Whisperer

Harryb wrote:

I have a hammer, will that do?




That's the way I'm leaning but...... If I get the 400 then I would have to sell the 500 because I can't think of a good reason to keep both but if I get the Sigmonster I could rationalize keeping the 500.

Or I go with you hammer idea, hit Linda over the head. Not hard just hard enough for a short coma and then buy both the 400 and the Sigmonster and keep the 500. Of course if I had all 3 I would need a second tripod and a bigger car.

My idea had nothing to do with spousal abuse, silly. MOre like a trip to B&H after midnight.

raptorcaptor

Maybe you should get both!

John Chapman

Hi Harry
I see you have got the Bug in a bad way!!!!!

Harryb

richW wrote:

Harry,
It sounds like you might be in a “No Win” situation. So I would error in my own favor.
I don’t know about Florida, but in California personal property is split 50/50 in a divorce.
So you might want to check with the wife if see has a preference on which lens to buy.

OR

You can claim "Twinkie defense". You were on a surgar high and could not control yourself.
Just a thought......

I already know Linda's lens preference. :cry She prefers my current lenses. This will take delicate negotiations, some sulking, some holding my breath until I turn purple, and a few trips to the jewelry store before a final decision is amde.

Harryb

bfjr wrote:

Ok I'm here for Ya, Boss
Here's the plan (picture included) follow along:

1. buy what lenses you want of course
234173.jpg

2. go out and get one them LI policy on the wifey

3. Take her to Nigara to make amends for the purchase

Now I'm not saying do anything nefarious but them rocks are slippery !!

4. When the Mounties catch up to you, make your escape out the back


I'll be waiting in a van and we'll load up all your glass and gear etc.
Then you make your way through the BadLands to throw them Mounties off. I'll be waiting in sunny SoCal taking good care of the gear!! HONEST!! :lol

Man I like this Plan :ivar :ivar

:crazy and people think I'm crazy.

Skippy

Harryb wrote:

I woke up this morning with a familair sensation. I haven't bought a new lens in over a year. I have tried to resist but my lens lust is out of control.

The two contenders are:

Probably the sharpest and fastest focusing long lens I've tried -

The nikon 400 2.8


or the longest reach zoom available (curse you Pathfinder for bring into my home)

The Sigma 300-800 5.6

I realize that this my end up in divorce court, cost extra $ for medical treatments for my back plus time off for hernia operations but I don't care.

Help!!!!!!

Awwwww poor Harry, a man his age suffering "Lens Lust" it's so unfair :cry

Have you thought about printing a picture of the lens life size Harry and tape it to your longest lens that you have already, so when your out shooting you can pretend you have the Sigmonster on your tripod....

Dream big Harry get out there and spend the kids inheritance
.... Skippy
.

Trish323

Harry,
I say life is short, risk the divorce; buy both so you can share with your ol' shooting pal...me!

dragon300zx

Harryb wrote:

The nikon 400 2.8
The Sigma 300-800 5.6

Bet ya don't have the guts to bring both of them home and tell the wife you wanted em so you got em and to deal with it.

so what do you think guys? Think peer pressure will work on him?

Harryb

JCDoss wrote:

I heard the Sigmonster comes with its own sherpa. Therefore, you should go with the zoom.

I always wanted my very own Sherpa.

Harryb

Skippy wrote:

Awwwww poor Harry, a man his age suffering "Lens Lust" it's so unfair :cry

Have you thought about printing a picture of the lens life size Harry and tape it to your longest lens that you have already, so when your out shooting you can pretend you have the Sigmonster on your tripod....

Dream big Harry get out there and spend the kids inheritance
.... Skippy
.

Inheritance, now that's something I don't believe in. When my father retired he sat me down and said "Son, I just want you to know that your mother and I have scrimped and saved all our lives. Now that we are retired I intend to spend every cent of those savings before I die. I just don't want you getting any false hopes".

My father was a very wise man.

Harryb

Trish323 wrote:

Harry,
I say life is short, risk the divorce; buy both so you can share with your ol' shooting pal...me!

That's what I need advice from someone with no intrest in the matter.

Harryb

Bet ya don't have the guts to bring both of them home and tell the wife you wanted em so you got em and to deal with it.

Nope I don't. Being a card carrying coward got me through two years in Vietnam and I ain't getting off that winning horse.

so what do you think guys? Think peer pressure will work on him?

If I had a peer maybe. :smack :lol4

Harryb

John Chapman wrote:

Hi Harry
I see you have got the Bug in a bad way!!!!!

OH, I got it baaaad!!!!!!:sick