Why I suspended from buying anymore lenses :)

[ShutterDude]

On the weekend I was presented with a Nikkor 16-80mm lens for sale (yet again!) - it is a lens that in my opinion priced too high new, and as a result the used market value is also high. Anyhow, this was going for $700 - mint and with warranty of just under a year old. By coincidence on the day, I was reading a book and there was a section on GAS and some tip on to minimize or avoid it That really got me thinking and that's why I put the brakes on this purchase. The questions I asked and answered by myself were:

1. Do I really need this lens? Ie. do I need f2.8, another zoom? No, and I rarely shoot under low light conditions.

2. What gear possible do I have now that I can't work with. What wrong with the lenses that I have now? No answer [Well, I do have an 18-140mm, which is sharp enough and it does cover the range of the 16-80mm almost. ..minus the 2mm on the shorter end, which I don't really need.

3. Does buying this lens make me a better photographer - will get better pictures? Thinking more of no....a lens doesn't change the feeling/emotion, composition of the subject.

4. I'm thinking of going full frame for more landscape type photography, so does buying an DX lens make sense at this point? Nope

5. How much difference in quality would I really notice (without pixel peeping)? Probably not so much, and especially with Post Processing I can minimize or eliminate any issues as a result, so I might not be even gaining anything but losing $700.

6. How often would you use the lens? Well, I've started to leave the DSLR at home on vacations and resorting to small mirrorless body, which I find so much lighter and easier to conceal.

The bottom line is is that I've been looking for this lens for months now, and I've been going back and forth on picking one up, but after this weekend, I realize that I really don't need it.

Hoping this rationale will help others, but I"m sure within a few months, I'll be back buying things that I don't necessary need

 

[tsinvest]

Hi,

Really enjoyed your post. Lens buying can be very addictive and it appears you slowed down and asked yourself the question WHY? Why do I need it? It is so easy to read about all the lenses out there and what they can do, look at sample photos and before you know it we want that lens.

I have been looking at the 16-80mm lens myself, but I also have the 18-140mm as well as the 18-200mm in addition to a few others that work fine for my needs. And, as we always hear it said, the photographer is a more important part of the equation than is the lens. Your post really hits the nail on the head.

As an aside, I recently discovered the auto fine tuning capability of the D7500 and I fine tuned my 18-140mm via the D7500 and what a difference in IQ a small adjustment made. Without the adjustment the lens was just okay, now it is very good. The D7500 allows you to fine tune all of your lenses - very cool feature!

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[RealVSK]

I am so extra covered for focal length, DX, FX, high noon, blackouts with no moon, miles away and macro. Everything is awesome.

...so I've been reading about this Medium Format stuff...

 

[mbecke]

Good post; good sound logic. At times, I wish I would have more closely adhered to this logic. It is precisely why I am greatly reducing future lens purchases. I already have virtually all that I need, and can possibly use. Thank you for the wisdom.

 

[polizonte]

Sounds like my attempts of breaking this addiction: "Now I am quite happy with all my lenses." but I have a D800e, purchased new years ago, still with only 900 clicks, do not want to sell it but it looks sad without a lens.

 

[JeffryZ]

Over the last couple years I too have been looking at my lens collection while reading reviews on this or that lens which sounds really cool. Wouldn't that be nice to have? I am fortunate enough to be in a position where I can afford to buy a new lens or two each year if I choose. But I am now asking the same questions- "Do I really need that lens"? "Will I actually use it"? I decided I have finally put together a great set for the kinds of shooting I do. And in addition to not purchasing new lenses, I have actually sold off a couple since they were just collecting dust. "But those are worth money!" Not if you aren't using them. They are giving you zero return for just sitting there. Keep them if you use them. But if not. let them go. It feels good to cut back on the clutter. I have six lenses right now and am even debating selling of just one more. I generally just carry one body and two lenses when I go out to shoot something.

 

[morinor]

So for what reason you were searching that lens if you are satisfied with your 18-140mm. I was not satisfied with my kit lens and I was shooting quite a lot on low light situations. That's why I moved to a fast prime and an FX camera. Also I wanted to get a shallower DoF when I needed and sharper images with less distortion. If you do not have a target then it is meaning less to search around. I suggest the following:

1. Find what you want to achieve that your current lens doesn't fulfil.
2. See what a Nikon 16-80mm would it cover from the above.
3. Search for other lenses which can cover your needs better.
4. Compare the price for each lens and what is the given value to you.

Generally I think that there are some good primes which are cheap and can be useful. You can get something like Nikon 35mm DX f/1.8 G, Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G, Sigma 30mm f/1.4, Tamron 45mm f/1.8 VC. They are cheaper than the 16-80mm and can give you a different experience than your kit lens. If you are still avoiding no matter what the primes, then also Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 would be a choice for complementing your current lens.

 

[Nikon33]

Ha ha ha. I have the same problem, but with buying bodies. Used to be lenses. But now I only own 3! The Holy Trinity. In the past year, I have tried: Nikon D2H, Nikon D2X, Nikon D200 (x2), Nikon D300, Nikon D500, Nikon D750 (x2), Nikon D800E, Nikon D50, Nikon D70s, Nikon D80, Nikon D3200, Nikon D3300, Nikon D7000 (x2), Nikon D7100, Nikon D4 (in the mail). Well, I rank them, based on price and quality:

1. Nikon D750

2 (tie). Nikon D7100 and D500

4. Nikon D800E

5. Nikon D7000

6. Nikon D3300

7. Nikon D3200

8. Nikon D2X and D200 (tie)

10. Nikon D80

11. Nikon D70s

12. Nikon D2H

13. (tie) Nikon D300

13. (tie) Nikon D50

I want to try the D850, D7500 and DF next year. Lol. I think my bank account reads $10.20 balance. That's what happens when a high school student has an addiction buying equipment!

 

[Leo_B]

You are a high school student and have gone through that many bodies? That must be some summer job.

 

[Nikon33]

Nope. Just my idea of fun. Anyway, I shop for good prices, and usually end up making more money than I spent on the body.

 

[dave steinberg]

Nikon always told me WARRANTIES are NOT TRANSFERABLE! Do not assume you have one if the lens is only a year old

mint and with warranty of just under a year old.

 

[Hilifer]

Nikon always told me WARRANTIES are NOT TRANSFERABLE! Do not assume you have one if the lens is only a year old

mint and with warranty of just under a year old.

Even if a written warranty is not transferable by its language, consumers are protected by implied warranties which are generally for as long as the term of the written warranty (see the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act) and sometimes longer. Implicit warranties could be said to follow the product; express warranties, the buyer.

I’m not a lawyer and I’ve never been on TV.

--
Moretti
"Things are more like they are now than they've ever been before."

 

[polizonte]

It is midnight and a flock of Canada geese just flew overhead. An omen? Or is it just a bad time of year for this lens addict, my lensless D800e body looks pathetic and today is the first day of a 3 day Photo & Video Show...