Wish List

Now, we all feel this urge from time to time – you read about a new device, your friend shows you some hot new gear he bought, on some workshop everybody except you seems to be dressed to the nines, and suddenly “it” strikes. You can no longer continue your passion without this – yes, this! – upgrade.

I have long found for me some money saving tricks to prevent myself from falling into this trap too quickly. It sometimes happens, though, and I am ready to admit it!

  1. Don’t buy immediately.
  2. Sleep over it.
  3. Go to the store and touch it (again) – is the urge still there?
  4. Don’t try to get 100%. Sometimes this costs you 150% the money (or even 500%). And 80% is most probably good enough.
  5. Keep a watch list for equipment needs – and prioritize! You might find that there was something that promises you even better pictures for less money, just in the moment of shopping joy you didn’t think of it.
  6. Do price comparisons. With the help of the internet, this is piece of cake and can save you hundreds in photo gear.
  7. If you buy – buy the cheapest that does the job, but don’t sacrifice on quality. Sacrifice on features you’re not 100% sure you need.

You can see I am a systematic person, but as I said above: Sometimes it overcomes me anyway ;-)

One major item I always ask myself before putting anything on this list – will it help me produce better photos? Will it help me advance my art? If not, I strongly reconsider if this is really the right thing to add to my list. After all, to get better photos, to make better art, is what this is about.

So here we go with my current (and continously updated) equipment watchlist:

Equipment Wish List

  1. New quick release base – maybe the Novoflex Q-mount.
  2. A better ballhead, or other tripod head. I am not satisfied with the quality of my current one.
  3. Background system for studio photographs. When trying to use the strobist kit, often enough I can’t get a clean background that fits my subject.
  4. Sliding focus rail for macrophotography. Maybe the Manfrotto 454
  5. Smart charging device for all kinds of batteries
  6. Geared head. It makes a difference when doing landscapes!
  7. 500 mm/f4 lens (yikes)
  8. Lensbaby. The Composer looks nice.
  9. Camera hand grip strap
  10. Larger monitor (>=24″)
  11. Wacom tablet.
  12. Projector (we do miss the slide shows of our past, don’t we?)

Bought by now:

Ok, not necessarily in the order they were on the wish list I have since starting this list bought:

  • Completed the filters I need. I bought a large polarizer (sufficient for the 82mm Sigma 100-300mm f/4), a large neutral density filter as well as graded neutral density from Cokin.
    This was actually on place 1 of the wish list, so I bought the highest priority item :-)
  • The Cokin-P filter system. I indeed bought the cheaper China version from enjoyyourcamera.com, and so far it works ok.
    This became the top priority item after I purchased the filters, so again, highest prio purchased.
  • Vertical (L-shaped) quick release plate from Kirk.
    This was an opportunity on the Glanzlichter Photomarket in Fürstenfeldbruck in May 09 – the PhotoProshop had a booth and a trade show price 10% off the list price, so I couldn’t resist and bought despite that item being only on place 6 of the wish list at that time.
  • A Sigma 2x DG EX teleconverter. This was not on the list at all, but when facing the opportunity to go back into the Bavarian Forest national park I remembered the long distance the Lynx were at…
  • An Eckla Beach Rolly! This was also not on the list, but again before the Bavarian Forest workshop I recognized my still bad knees wouldn’t probably allow to carry that >10 kg backpack full of gear for 4 days without getting hurt. And having been there before, I knew that the paths in the animal enclosure were ideally suited for the Beach Rolly, and many photographers used it there.
  • Decided for the commercial Photo Mechanic software. I originally had Lightroom on my list (second highest on list), read my article on why I did not go mainstream after all.
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