Best and Worst Purchases of 2007

[Mrs F]

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but I was wondering, what are your best and worst purchases of 2007?

Here are mine.

Best:
1. Canon 40D
2. Lacie display with Blue Eye
3. Upgrade to SmugMug Pro Account
4. Lightroom
5. 2 black blankets to use as backdrops
6. Lumapix Fotofusion
7. Rangefinder (free!)
8. NAPP membership
9. two more gigs of RAM

Worst:
1. Too many useless/expensive actions! (When will I ever learn :rolleyes ) The worst action was Wynona Robison's cross processing actions.

2. A blue beverage container to use as a prop for babies that I only used once. I'm going to put beer in it from now on.

[HiSPL]

Best=Lightroom! :ivar :clap :ivar

Worst=Pentax K to EOS adaptor. I just don't use it and it was quite expensive for a little piece of metal....

[claudermilk]

Best:
1) finally getting my own 70-200/2.8L
2) Rangefinder (thanks, Andy!)

Worst:
1) umm...a house? Amazing how much of a cramp it puts in the photo toy budget. :dunno

[Cuong]

Best:
1) Diamond jewelry for the spouse
2) Canon 30D, lenses, accessories

Worst:
1) Useless software with mail-in rebates
2) Low-end flash memories

Cuong

[OsirisPhoto]

Best:

1. Tamron 28-70 f/2.8 - just got it, love it already.
2. 90 degree viewfinder adaptor - Cheap Ebay special.. great for dog photos.
3. Sigma 500DG Super - real flash again.
4. Demb Flip-it and diffuser - even better flash.
5. New laptop - I can see again!

Worst:

1. Monopod - found out my left arm works fine. Good for detering muggers I suppose.

[Awais Yaqub]

400D
50 mm 1.8
In few days may be crumpler to carry both :D

[AaronNelson]

Best:
1) finally getting my own 70-200/2.8L
2) Rangefinder (thanks, Andy!)

Worst:
1) umm...a house? Amazing how much of a cramp it puts in the photo toy budget. :dunno

same here except the rangefinder...:dunno

as for the house, well atleast they didnt really take my arm & leg....it just felt like it:D

[jogle]

Best)

A second hand Canon 85mm f1.2. Lovely lens that is sharp and great for portraits.

Worst)

A second hand Canon 85mm f1.2 that had some fungus and I had to send off to have cleaned :(

Yes they are the same lens. Glad I bought it but mad that it wasn't so clean. :scratch

[darkdragon]

Best: Canon 40D

Worst: Final Cut Studio (instead of waiting for the new release 3 months later)

Of course, the year isn't over yet!


I want a new car but my husband says "your truck is only 2 years old!!!"
:dunno

[nightspidy]

Best Purchases:

1. 70-200mm 2.8 IS
2. Canon 30D
3. 24-70mm 2.8
4. 1.4 extender
5. Gitzo Explorer Trioped with Manfrotto Ball-Head

Worst Puchases:

Nothing really! I can't complain, it's been a good year for me in terms of expanding my collection of goodies. My only complaint is how heavy my tripod is.......oh, well can't have it all. :D

[Manfr3d]

Best:

1. Sigma 10-20/4-5.6 EX HSM
2. Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 SL Macro 1:2 (for 150$ oh yes!)
3. Canon 580EX II
4. MacBookPro
5. 4GB RAM for the MBP

Worst:

LowePro Waistbelt (I never used this thing and dunno why I even bought it)

[Joves]

Best
D80
80-400 VR Nikor
Hoya 8.0 ND filter
Giotto Rocket
Didnt have any bad buys, Im too picky on what I buy.

[grassy]

Best..
Pentax K10D...what a bargain for a quality camera !..and a best kep secret..

Worst..
Lightroom...I know it was designed by photo pros but it is cumbersome and non-intuitive ..but good for archiving..

Merry x-mas all..

[Morbid Andrew]

Best:

Excaliber AC/DC 3200 Watt Strobe
(although the SP Battery that comes with it is of lttle use. It dies really fast.

Worst:

Photogenic Studio Max III AC/DC Strobe
Used Quantum Turbo Battery off ebay.

[jdryan3]

Best:
1- MacBook Pro 15"
2- Canon 35 f/1.4L
3 - 580 EX II

Worst:
1 - Lightroom. Got a great deal on it but haven't had a chance to really learn it.

[DJ-S1]

Best:
1. 70-200 f/2.8L (funny how many of us have that as #1!)
2. Dell Inspiron 530 for photo work (yes, w/ Vista)
3. Smugmug (just a renewal, but still deserves to be on this list!)

Worst:
Too many little useless gadgets! (I never learn)


As an aside, I love Lightroom now but not before I learned how to use it properly. Check out all the cool video tutes on the Adobe site as well as here (http://www.lightroomkillertips.com/)and other places. Maybe you'll eventually take LR off your "worst purchases" list. The tutorials made a big difference to me. ymmv

[Manfr3d]

I have to add a best, which I just chose over the f4 IS :thumb

4. Canon 70-200mm/2.8 L (yes funny how many ppl like this lens)

[urbanaries]

Best
1. Canon 17-55 2.8 IS
2. Sigma 70-200 2.8 Macro
3. Sandisk Extreme III 12.0 GB card :ivar
4. roscoe gels
5. Tamrac black suede neck strap with cardholders

Worst
1. Canon hand grip
2. 580EXII - like it, but it messed up my hot shoe, and melted the plastic "foot". and my camera will be in repair over Christmas! :cry

[Ann McRae]

2. 580EXII - like it, but it messed up my hot shoe, and melted the plastic "foot". and my camera will be in repair over Christmas! :cry

Sorry to hear this Lynne, do you know why that happened? It shouldn't, should it?

[Ann McRae]

I am embarrassed to admit how much of a glutton I was this year!

My very best purchases were the
1. 1dMkIIN
2. iMac 20" plus a 23" cinema display
3. 300 f4

My other great purchases were
3. 50 f1.4
4. 24 - 105 IS
5. a great tripod & pano head
6. the 2007 shootout

The other purchases I made were
6. PSCS3 - necessary with the move to mac, but I still would rave about PSP
7. 580EX - I haven't learned how to use it yet.

The really great thing for me was all of the glass, and the 1d were paid for by revenue from sports photography, and bought here on dgrin (well, 'cept for the 300).

ann

[Icebear]

Best: No question - Lightroom is the runaway winner. At this point, I gotta say it would have been a bargain at twice the price.

Worst: High quality circular polarizing filter and graduated ND filters. Sounded like good ideas at the time. Never actually used either.

[Seymore]

Well... the latest, most likely the best, definantly the cheapest and I expect it will be the last for 07' happened today.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/233211138-XL.jpg

[Tommyboy]

BEST:


Canon 40D
EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS
B+W thin 77mm cir-PL (for 10-22)
New Manfrotto tripod and ball head
Minolta Flashmeter IV off ebayWORST:


Misc. lighting accessories (slave, post adapters) that I never used.It's been a banner year for me. I've been so busy at work I've scarcely had time to even use the new stuff. I'm off for about four weeks, so it should get a work out.

[davev]

Best:

The trips/photo trips that Kate and I took this year. (and the deposits for next years trips)

Worst:

The $250 tripod.
I don't need no stinkin tripod. :wink

[z_28]

Best:

- Nikon 70-300VR (small, light, really good quality)
- Nikon 10.5/2.8 (I should buy something like that YEARS before)
- Nikon D300 (maybe, probably, don't know yet ...)
- Canon 580EX II (just great lamp)
- Canon CP-E3 (best spend $ for every own CP-Ex)
- full size acrylic clawfoot bath tub :rofl

Worst:
- Canon XTi
- Canon G9
nothing really wrong with them, just lower than my expectations

Have a Happy and Full of The Best Purcheses 2008th AC YEAR !!!
:thumb

[BigAl]

Best:
Manfrotto 055CLB tripod
Kirk BH3 (modded to Manfrotto RC2)
Spyder

Worst:
Ergorest vehicle support

Undecided:
Canon 40d

[Awais Yaqub]

Just received text from bro he bought me a Crumpler Pretty boy 3000L from Amsterdam to carry my 400D

:ivar
Another great purchase of 2007

[KED]

I am embarrassed to admit how much of a glutton I was this year!

My very best purchases were the
1. 1dMkIIN
2. iMac 20" plus a 23" cinema display
3. 300 f4

My other great purchases were
3. 50 f1.4
4. 24 - 105 IS
5. a great tripod & pano head
6. the 2007 shootout

The other purchases I made were
6. PSCS3 - necessary with the move to mac, but I still would rave about PSP
7. 580EX - I haven't learned how to use it yet.

The really great thing for me was all of the glass, and the 1d were paid for by revenue from sports photography, and bought here on dgrin (well, 'cept for the 300).

ann
Thanks for taking the lead on the gluttony front. I jumped in huge this year.

Best:
1. 1D Mk II N
2. EF 70 - 200 f/2.8 IS L
3. Conversion from Windows to Mac, still in progress
4. Lightroom (for now)
5. SmugMug account and, free bonus, finding my way to Dgrin -- you all are amazingly friendly and helpful!

Worst:
1. 1D Mk III (yes, both in the same year (the gluttony part), this one a major source of aggravation)
2. CS3 (I have no clue and no time in which to get one)
3. Aperture (for now)

[urbanaries]

Sorry to hear this Lynne, do you know why that happened? It shouldn't, should it?

Not sure myself. My local dealer insists its a camera issue and not the speedlite (of course, since I bought the speedlite from them but not the camera LOL), but doesn't really explain the melted foot now does it? Will know more after repair....

[mrcoons]

Best: was a tie for me between the 40D and Lightroom

Worst: very easy - DxO Optics Pro version 5

[yoyostock]

Best:

1. Gary Fong's Puffer
2. Canon HV10 - High Def video camera
3. Crumpler The Bundle (L)

Worst:

1. Ummm...can't think of anything! Must have made some good buys this year...or maybe I just have selective memory.

[KED]

video camera
3. Crumpler The Bundle (L)


I'd never heard of Crumpler till I saw your post. What a funky website! I carry two camera bodies and their Brazilianmansion-whatever looks perfect for me, but can't get over the jump in price point from everything else they offer. Maybe they figure that if you have all that gear you don't mind paying $280 for the bag -- clever entrepreneurs behind that hipster guise!

[swintonphoto]

Worst purchase:
The fact I have not been able to purchased an E-3 yet...:cry

[evoryware]

Not sure myself. My local dealer insists its a camera issue and not the speedlite (of course, since I bought the speedlite from them but not the camera LOL), but doesn't really explain the melted foot now does it? Will know more after repair....

Did you send it to Canon?



Best purchase: http://www.digitalgrin.com/images/icons/sad.gif :humungus


Worst: Canon 50mm 1.8

Here's to a much better 2008. :slosh

[20DNoob]

Best:

Canon 300 2.8L IS
Magellan 4250GPS(for the new car) so I can mark the new spots I find.

Worst:

(see above):rofl Stuff really puts a ding into the disposable income account.

[gus]

Best :

My iMac..those that know..... know.


Worst :

Sonny Bono's furry vest from ebay. I had hoped he was taller but when i got it i found out he was only 5'5" tall thus i really cant fit it on as im tall.. am using it on my motorbike seat atm.





.

[sohotrightnow]

Best: :ivarLightroom :ivar
Nikon SB-800

Worst: None! :barb

[jdryan3]

Sonny Bono's furry vest from ebay. I had hoped he was taller but when i got it i found out he was only 5'5" tall thus i really cant fit it on as im tall.. am using it on my motorbike seat atm.

...and the beat goes on :dj :drums

[Scott_Quier]

Best:

WPBC attendance - Thanks Shay, when's the next one?
Off-camera lighting gear
EF 24-205 f/4L
BG-E2 x 2 - Thanks to Lyn for convincing me that I needed it


Worst:

CTO and green gels for matching flash light color to ambient - cheap enough, but don't use it any more
Hmmmm - there are probably others, can't think of them right now.

[Arvan]

Best:

my whole K10d kit, including sigma 500 DG ST SUPER. The absolute best thing this year was my penix 28-70 f/3.4 for 20 dollars...ohh my what a lens :D.

worst:

hmm i must say my pentax 50 f/1.4..Just don´t use it and the old 50s without autofocus is much better imo.

Tamron 70-300 f/4-5,6. THE worst autofocus on the planet, crappy builduqality and well..It delivers kinda good images but no..What a waste :D

[joshhuntnm]

Did you send it to Canon?



Best purchase: http://www.digitalgrin.com/images/icons/sad.gif :humungus


Worst: Canon 50mm 1.8

Here's to a much better 2008. :slosh

What is wrong with the 1.8? do you wish you had bought the 1.4?

[evoryware]

Yes I wish I had purchased the 1.4 in the first place.
The 50 1.8 hunted too much and just wasn't as fun to use as I'd hoped. Plus I dropped it and it broke so it's useless now.
My best purchase was the 580EX, though I want the EX II, now that I look at the receipts. :)
I have a nice wishlist that I hope to have purchased by end of January though.

[tobers]

I've almost bought too much this year and my new year's resolution is to stop buying stuff and get out more to take pictures.

Best:

1Dmk3, 24-105, 580 EXII

Worst:

Cokin P filters - got shot of them and replaced with Lee

[yoyostock]

I'd never heard of Crumpler till I saw your post. What a funky website! I carry two camera bodies and their Brazilianmansion-whatever looks perfect for me, but can't get over the jump in price point from everything else they offer. Maybe they figure that if you have all that gear you don't mind paying $280 for the bag -- clever entrepreneurs behind that hipster guise!

Yeah, Crumper's website is completely wacky. In fact, I think it's been improved to make it easier to use. When I checked it about a year or two ago, you kinda had to click around to figure out what's going on...where the products were, what's what, etc. BUT...they make a heck of good bag. I have the 4-Million Dollar Home, and it fits my 20D with a 17-55mm lens, as well as a 50mm prime. It's built well, has stood up to being beat around, and doesn't look all too camera-bag-like. Is it worth the $? I'd buy it again if I had to. :clap

[Crvtte65]

1) Tamrac Expedition 5
2) Nikon 14-24mm

Worst...

Thats all I have bought since an sb-800 in 2005!

Lens is 2nd because it comes in the mail tomorrow. I would expect it to be the #1 soon after :D

[Phyxius]

Best -
1. D300
2. Grad N/D Filter and adapter/mount

Worst -
1. $90 lightweight jacket from EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) that I don't really need and forgot to return...oops.