tksleeper Loc: St Louis, MO

Ok so I am very happy with my camera's.
A D7000 I picked up used and a D7100.

I had been using kit lenses on the D7000, then after a trip to Alaska I picked up a 18-200 VR which seemed to give much better quality in the end shot, and other than a slight lens creep mostly stayed on the camera. Then I screwed up and rented the 70-200 2.8 which as visibly huge jump. Bought it.

Now I am in a good place..
12-24 Tokina F4, 35mm G F1.8, 60mm D 2.8, and 70.200 28
I still have the 18-200 but don't use it as much as I used to .. the 70-200 seems to be on the camera most the time.

I want the 70-200 2.8 quality in as a second lens for bicycle travel so I rented the 24-70 2.8. As much as I loved it, it will not fit on the handlebar bag of the bicycle. (note the 70-200 rides in rear bag and not as accessible) The 17-55 looks great.. but haven't rented one yet to see how it works.. then after testing found that my 35 1.8 is small .. fast.. sharp as hell and I have it already. I'm thinking that I don't need a zoom in that 18-24/70 range .. as it's only a few foot steps. The 35 should give good perspective and more consistent quality. ?? My thinking.. scary.

There is this nagging that a 17-55 would be a great party / event type lens and would be a significant upgrade to my old 24-120 d which is rather soft. But for event's / family get togethers and parties .. good enough or just use the 18-200 for this ... see the 18-200 is the choice here for that.. give the 24-120 away.

After mind fracking this I've kinda sorta think I'm nervous shooting people with the 12-24 . worried about big noses and ears / perspective and blah blah.. so guess I'll quit thinking and get one of my dream lenses.. the 105 2.8. sheesh.. someone shoot me .. save this mind job for another month.

If you read this I apologize.. i'm going to hit send anyway.. feel free to laugh or better yet.. what do you think.. have you driven yourself nuts over this before?

Kit lenses aren't so bad..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/7755722852/in/set-72157630829044946

Kelly

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Welcome to the hobby. Your acquired disease is known as Lens Lust. I need the next better Lens to capture that one shot I might miss if I don't have.. The more money/credit cards you have the more this disease will affect you. It affect me early on also and found that over time as you have already experienced I started favoring one lens or the other, leaving the rest to collect dust in my closet. Until you pinpoint the calling/your favored type of photography/ this disease will have no cure other than you running out of money/credit card maxed. I currently now have 3 lens I never/seldom use, the 60mm Nikon macro lens, the 35mm nikon F/1.8 and the 11-16mm tokina wide angle lens, oh and forgot about the F5 Nikon film camera and the Nikon D5000. One thing I have changed, I no longer take more than one lens with me to shoot. I concentrate on the lens at hand and get much better photos then switching back and forth. I'm Forced to Learn the Combo at hand and learn much more about the limits of that combo, both for the camera and myself. Now I have 3to4 favorites. 100 tokina macro lens for macro, 70-300mm/300mm lens for wildlife, 18-200mm nikon for walk around lens. I just decide what I'm shooting that day and leave with that lens only. No more lugging around two camera bags, sweating my butt off and missing the shot because I have the wrong lens on. Now it's get the shot I'm after that day and have Fun doing it. Expect a cure in the next few years if your Lucky, some folks never get cured, and or learn how to use their equipment.......

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Ok...everyone!...sit down...grab a seat...if you haven't gotten coffee, get it now...

The weekly meeting of the Lens-a-holics will now come to order...

Oh! I see we have a new member...tksleeper...everyone?

HELLO TKSLEEPER!

I'm bob and I AM a lens-a-holic.

susie-q-tip Loc: Mississippi/Texas

I've just joined the lens-a-holic group myself. I am considering purchasing the Nikon 35mm f/1.8. Why do you no longer use that one? I have a Nikon 5100 with the kit lens 18-55mm and have recently purchased the 55-200mm. I have a trip planned for September which will include the Grand Canyon. I was thinking the 35mm might be the best one to take since it's fast and small. What do you think?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The "short drive" to driving yourself nuts title is priceless! I was blissful in my ignorance for 4 years owning only the 18-55 kit lens (had longer film camera lens but that was then). Now that I also have a 55-250, life is more complicated - especially when trying to take photos at 250 mm that shouldn't be attempted at less than 400!

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I got it to photograph the grandkids indoors under low light. The problem being the photos sucked because they were looking at grandpa with an unnatural look, not to mention how close I had to be unless I wanted most of the photo to be background. I started using the 18-200mm, Which I already Had, just bumping up the ISO, zooming in and got Great candid shots of the grandkids doing what they do best, having fun and not posing for grandpa. You would be amazed of the uses you can get out of the lens you already have if you just apply them. In the beginning I always wanted the next lens without learning the abilities of the one I already owned. You already cover the 35mm with the 18-55mm, just use a higher ISO as you have a good camera that does fine with higher ISO's not to mention it's a good sharp lens. If you have a big camera bag, want to carry lots of lens around on vacation ect.. then get more lens. I think we all have to get the lens lust out of our system no matter what anyone else tells us, I know I did..

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Hi susie-q-tip, I'm Erik and I'm a lens-a-holic. The 35mm 1.8 is a great lens like you said, small, fast, and very sharp. Have you heard about the nifty-fifty, 50mm 1.8? (oops, sorry group)

Singinman Loc: Newport News, VA

Hi, I am a recovering lens addict. I have a 12-24, 50, 18-55, 70-300, and a 100-400.

The 12-24 is the least used, but it is indispensible for churchs and stained glass windows.

The 50 gets a lot of use indoors. It is a 1.8 lens super sharp and perfect for low light. I always get the shot while others are worrrying about their flashes.

The 18-55 is the kit lens for my K-30. It has proved its worth as an urban walk around lens.

The Tamron 70-300 is a soft lens with lovely bocah. It is my flower lens.

The 100-400 is for birds and my grandsons football games.

Every lens has its place, but I want one more lens, a super sharp 70-250/300 as a walk around lens. It would replace the Tamron.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Uh...I can quit anytime I want...right after I get off the phone with B&H... :)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If you want a reason to buy the 17-55 DX 2.8 I give you permission.
It's a fantastic event lens for a DX camera body.
It is a pro-level lens, like the 24-70 & was made when Nikon didn't offer a full-frame body.
It's heavy, expensive and very sharp.
Not that much smalller than the 24-70 though.

ClutchDisk Loc: Fayetteville, NC

Oh no ! I thought this was normal behavior ! I'm seriously inflicked with more. 55 kit for the d3000, 55-200 for the same, wasn't good enough 55-300 to reach out more, now I had to have the d7000 more is better.Looking for an all around carry lens for the d7000. Hey I think I'll go with the 18-300. I need some serious help ! I'm not a pro...so why ? I ask you why ? Will it stop ? I can't take the pressure and haven't a clue of what I'm doing ! Is there a doctor in the house ? Thanx for this post.I am hooked.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Hello my name is Charles and I am a rod & reel-co-holic. . Ops, sorry wrong forum. OK, so I am lens-a-holic. And you guys think you have a problem. Not only do I want new lenses but have you seen the new rod and reels lately. That new 360 fish finder is sure nice and what about that new 175 bass tracker boat A 70-200 2.8 would sure be great on the boat. Man, do I need help.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

:thumbup: :thumbup:

tksleeper Loc: St Louis, MO

I'll reply to myself..

1. I'm not afraid of missing a shot. I just want the shot I compose then shoot to be the what I want.

2. I don't like changing lenses. So I want to consolidate to maybe 4 total lenses. Sell or give away to family members the old film stuff I had on the shelf from my f4 days.

3. Like I said I'm in good shape. I'm just not sure there is a need / advantage to the 17-55 or that it optically would blow me away over the existing 18-200 like the 70-200 did. Especially since it would be shot mostly with flash or outdoors. But it is just enough smaller to fit my bike bag and keep me at two lenses tops for travel.. My debate is can't I do everything the 17-55 does with the prime 35 in most cases with just a few steps.

4. Ok I'm in denial.. but at least one person believes I should buy the 17-55 :)

Kelly

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I'm Bret and I AM a lens-a-holic....think I'll have a beer and a ring light....I'm still recovering from the last one.