What an odd dilemma!

[jamesw]

This is certainly an odd dilemma...

I'm content with my shooting setup!

I was just pondering what I should purchase next. I have forced myself not to purchase anything for almost 9 months now, as I had a pending legal case (won't get into it...) and I didn't want to end up in financial ruin at the end of it.

The case went ok, and I have a bit of cash on the side that I can potentially spend or save...

And I don't know what I want to buy!

At the moment I generally carry around:

Body
D200
(For roadtrips I'll put my d70s in too, and will take my F4s with me if I am super keen!)

Glass
10.5mm f2.8
18-70mm f3.5-4.5 (Seriously, this thing is awesome)
20mm f2.8
50mm f1.8
70-300 f4.5-5.6... The really cheap kit one (Very, very rarely used focal length for me)

Lighting
3x PWiz
1x Sunpak 555
2x Sunpak 383 (Always keep a spare on me)
1x Sb600 (when TTL required)
Lots of cords etc

I don't exactly have the most top end gear, but at the moment I'm finding that my kit really works.

For glass, there are some lenses that i'd really like, but can't don't need. The 18-70mm seems to do me just fine 90% of the time when I don't go fishing. The 10.5mm is stellar and with the type of shooting I do, it get used a fair bit. For lowlight i have the 20mm and 50mm.

And my D200 is great, I love it. Sure I'd love a big 3" screen with that awesome resolution that the D300 has... but I don't need it.

As for lighting... well a funny story. I borrowed a PW and Flash from DaveR (on this forum) to get a 3 flash setup shoot some photos out in full sun... well it took me 45 minutes to realise that the third flash was turned off... and in the meantime I had taken some photos that I'm very proud of! So i'd like another pocketwizard to trigger a third flash... It'd be nice... But i don't need it.

The only thing that I think my shooting would benefit from is a ND filter (non graduated). I'd love the ability to shoot wide open and to achieve some DOF separation, while still killing off ambient.

[phillipb]

James,
Sounds to me like you are just buying something for the sake of buying. If you really needed something you wouldn't be asking this question.
Use the cash to go on a holiday, enjoy yourself and come back with lots of photos.

[jamesw]

James,
Sounds to me like you are just buying something for the sake of buying. If you really needed something you wouldn't be asking this question.
Use the cash to go on a holiday, enjoy yourself and come back with lots of photos.

Exactly! Like I said, I don't need anything, I'm actually pretty stoked about it (If you couldn't tell from my post)

[Raskill]

There's an old saying by the Dalai Lama that springs to mind...

"He who ever dies with the most toys, winneth...."

That's all I've got to say.....

Maybe another D200 would be good? Two identical bodies are always easier.

[Mal]

If you really have all that you need and are still wanting to spend some money I have a few things that you could buy me!!!!!!!!!!

[jamesw]

Maybe another D200 would be good? Two identical bodies are always easier.

'
if i buy another body, it will be nothing less than a D3.

i'd love full frame.

but right now, price is the real prohibiting factor. i'm happy to stick with DX, FF is a luxury rather than need for my gear.

really, i can't honestly see myself spending 6k on a body untill i am earning real good money for my work... and i can't see that happening any time soon (although it isn't completely out of the question either).

priorities are a bitch, huh.

[olrac]

what about the 14 - 24 that would give you a few more wide options for the kind of shooting you do.

or even the 17 - 55 or 17 - 35 which I sure you could pick up from people upgrading to the 14 -24 rather cheaply.

[daniel_r]

Considered maybe some equipment beyond camera + lens?

What about looking at a remote camera set up? super clamp / suction base, + a remote trigger?

This can open up a whole lot of new possibilities for action and sports photography. You only have to be able to secure and trigger the camera, and not have to be concerned with being able to fit/get there physically yourself.

[Viz]

Buy the 14-24 so I can live vicariously though your purchase