How best to spend $200 in the next two days

I'm at a company event in Austin, Texas. I won a $200 visa gift card today in a competition at the event

I have my wife's permission to spend the $200 on camera stuff. I return home to the UK on Wednesday and the gift card is probably pretty useless once I return

So, what should I buy in the next two days? It will have to be in Austin, presumably. I don't mind adding a bit to the $200, but I don't have a lot to spare.

I have an E-PL5 and the two-lens kit (14-42mm and 40-150mm).

I've been thinking about getting a fast lens for indoors and a longer lens for wildlife, but ddidn't have the budget (and even with $200, I still probably don't).

Suggestions (both for kit, and place to get it from)?

ccasey1 wrote:

http://www.precision-camera.com

Precision Camera is a relatively large and well-stocked camera store with friendly associates. Prices are typical of brick and mortar stores, not nearly as competitive as B&H.

That amount would get you most of the way to a Sigma 60 2.8, which is an excellent portrait lens. Make sure you don't get the Sony version.

Enjoy!

-Chris

Thanks. I'd found them with Google. Is the 60mm the one to buy? They have the 30mm in stock too, according to their website (the 19mm is out of stock)

pocketpygmy wrote:

My vote goes to an Olympus 25mm f1.8. Not exactly $200 but not far from it and an excellent value anyway -- as your first prime lens it should serve you very well with its very versatile 'normal' angle of view. A classic "nifty fifty" perspective.

Very nice. Also twice $200, at precision camera. I'll need to think about that!

Not quite what you asked for, but I'd recommend a Rokinon/Samyang 7.5mm fish eye--great little lens that can do fun super wide angle fish eye shots as well as some great defished extra wide angle compositions.

Otherwise, you could look on eBay for a used Panasonic 20mm f/1.7--that goes for around ~$230+.  Very compact to go with your compact camera, and good for low light situations.

Sigma 60mm got some excellent reviews. For the money, I doubt it can be beat. Check out a couple review using the internet. Search for sigma 600 review and you will get some reviews.

Otherwise, you could look on eBay for a used Panasonic 20mm f/1.7--that goes for around ~$230+. Very compact to go with your compact camera, and good for low light situations.

Sounds good, but not sure I could complete that in 2 days

Oh right, I've overlooked the part where you are leaving the country soon.  I guess either expedited shipping or local camera store selection would be your only options then

Another vote for Sigma 60/2.8. I have one myself, and it is razor sharp wide open with nice smooth bokeh. For the price (around $200), it can't be beat.

Why don't you take your wife out for a nice dinner?

Manti44 wrote:

Why don't you take your wife out for a nice dinner?

Because she's still in the UK?

When looking for a deal I always check craigslist first. *I feel obligated to say that you need to be very careful when dealing with or meeting people from personal ads. Craigslist can be very dangerous. You'll also need to get cash for that gift card if you chose to deal locally. Look for a coinstar kiosk... google cash for gift cards.

http://austin.craigslist.org/pho/4863501390.html

Soulhand wrote:

ccasey1 wrote:

http://www.precision-camera.com

Precision Camera is a relatively large and well-stocked camera store with friendly associates. Prices are typical of brick and mortar stores, not nearly as competitive as B&H.

That amount would get you most of the way to a Sigma 60 2.8, which is an excellent portrait lens. Make sure you don't get the Sony version.

Enjoy!

-Chris

Thanks. I'd found them with Google. Is the 60mm the one to buy? They have the 30mm in stock too, according to their website (the 19mm is out of stock)

Either one is good, the 60 is said to be better, but it depends on what you will use the lens for.

As Paulmorgan says the 30 is a bit of an odd focal length but it also just slightly longer than normal which is better for general photography than the 60. I have a 25 (Olympus) and the Sigma 60. If I didn't have the 25, I would have bought the Sigma 30.

BUT I am a prime lens shooter. So it comes down to this. if you can see using a prime as a walk around lens for general photography, I would get the 30. If you are happy with your zooms for your basic photography and want a lens that you can use for portraits and occasional long shots, get the 60.

But hurry before you get back to those awful UK prices!