Does anybody ever buy gear that they never end up using?

Slaphead

Slaphead

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For example I bought an SB900 about 2 months ago. Thought it was a good idea to pair it with my SB600, SR200s and my SU800 for some off camera stuff.

Truth is I haven't even got round to putting batteries in the thing to see if it works.

Did seem like a good idea at the time though.

Just curious.
 
I do the opposite, I don't buy gear that I'd like to be using.
 
I've got a monopod I put the camera on once in the house to see how it felt and just thought nope that was a mistake, it was only cheap though certainly not in SB900 territory!
 
Yep I did. However now I ask myself twice.. will I use it ... before buying.

Just trying to save money now.
 
All the time and what's worse is that I can't sell any of the stuff just in case I might need to use it one day :shake:
 
I bought a clamp with a spigot on for attaching speedlights to trees and what-not. Still in its wrapping.....
 
All the time, I'm selling it again slowly!
 
yup, bought a 24-70 L and never really used it, sold it and got a 35mm L which I use all the time!
 
Slaphead said:
For example I bought an SB900 about 2 months ago. Thought it was a good idea to pair it with my SB600, SR200s and my SU800 for some off camera stuff. Truth is I haven't even got round to putting batteries in the thing to see if it works. Did seem like a good idea at the time though. Just curious.
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Yes i wasted money on camera gear at the time i thought i would need it and use it. and i only buy the gear because it's cheaper to buy in HK then UK prices. maybe one day i will use them;)

1. I have only used my tripod two times, now it sits in its box. 2. Got a 55-250mm only used it one time still left in its box, 3. 430EX II never used still in its box, 4. RODE mic for 60D, used it one time now it spents most of it time in its box. 5. One spare batterie still in the pack, 6. Battery grip tried it one time now it in its box 7. Got a Lowepro aw 400 never use it once.

I only use the 60D camera with 18-135mm only onces a week most of it time is in the lowepro aw 160 camera bag.

if you think that is a waste of money above i have a dell laptop only use it five times now it spends most of it time pack away. just like my Canon video camera.
 
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Fortunately not too often as I manage to talk myself out of unnecessary purchases before they happen most of the time.... Though I did buy a compact camera that I've hardly ever used....sigh...
 
Defo! I bought a Marumi ring flash.. totally pointless buy. Actually regretting it seeing as the price of some primes have come down recently.
 
Bags, and a Canon video cam several years ago (only used it the once).

Nigel.

PS Just bought a Lowepro Slingshot bag this morning :lol:
 
I talk to myself (and the cat!) long and hard to ensure I need the kit I'm eying up before I press the add to cart button or make the trip to town. I do however have a couple of bits of kit that are all but redundant - a 180mm f/2.8 (which is now covered by a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom) and a Seculine digital level which has been redunticised by the in camera level of the D700 (will still use it on film bodies and the D70) Also got a canon s820 printer which is on the shelf since I now use an iX4000 A3 printer.
 
I bought a Sony flash however I used it a few times but never really got to grips with it. I have now finally sold it. I also had a couple of old minolta lenses that I bought as part of a package but never really used them. They seem to make good paper weights though :)
 
You guys should get together, put all your unused stuff in a big box and have a competition for Children in Need or something. lol
 
Skips said:
You guys should get together, put all your unused stuff in a big box and have a competition for Children in Need or something. lol
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We all have brought something in life that we never use offen, sometimes you can 't say no to a sale bargains when you see it because in the back of your mind one day you wish you brought it at that price;)

When i learn more of my camera i might use all the gear then.
 
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That's a great question. It's also interesting to see the responses!

I have never left anything unused. In fact, most of the time I end up packing everything with me (if possible). I can't stand not having options available. I don't want to be left thinking that I could have pulled off a beautiful shot "if only".

Much of the time, however, I have borrowed equipment before I purchase it for myself. That's how I ended up buying a monopod, my friend grew tired of lending me his! That is probably why I don't have unused equipment. I've been lucky enough to test most of it out before I buy it.

D Alishouse
Casie Zalud: Boulder Photography and Destination Wedding Photographer
 
I also think i only needed the Canon 60D and 18-135mm lens at the time when i first started, then i got the 50mm but only use it two - three times in one year, like the rest of my gear because i hate carrying the weight, that i don't use.

I also have been some place thinking only if i had the extra lens or flash unit with me at the time and i miss the shot because of it or can't get any closer to it.
 
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I think if we're realistic with ourselves we could all rationalise our kit down to the stuff we use 99% of the time and never miss the shot we would have taken. I could probably sell four lenses (17-85, 50, 70-300, 105mm), buy one (85mm) and cover everything I really enjoy shooting on digital with just three (10-20, 30, 85mm).

The nifty-fifty is great, but it seems like I'm not the only one for whom it was a great lens to learn with but it then fell by the wayside in favour of something else.

But camera bags.. I can't say I have one I don't use.. I have six or seven that I do use regularly (some of these are used for accessories/film only), and I still haven't got the right one for airline travel..
 
I have this tendency with photography - getting kit that one-day at a push I might use.

The worst was when I was learning to play the guitar - buying loads if instruction books, amps, effects etc when all I needed to do was practice more!

Phil
 
The nifty-fifty is great lens also smaller and without the weight on the camera but i also like 18-135 it stay's on my camera most of the time, i don't think i could live without a 135mm zoom, i just need to learn more on my camera and what i do need and don't needed.
 
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yeah ive got a whole bunch of mamiya 645 stuff that i bought second hand and ive put less than a film through it - I'm only hanging on to it in the hope that digital backs will become affordable.

I've also got loads of books that ive only read once - really ought to sell them off to fiund some new shiny purchases but its a case of getting round to it
 
my other hobby is woodwork , and when we moved i sold all my non essential workshop items and netted nearly £2k

every hobby that involves shiny kit will have people who have shiny kit acquistion syndrome
 
I wouldn't class myself as a kit collector due to the fact I am not in a position to waste money. I have to think long and hard before any purchase, if there is any doubt, I don't buy. The last time I pushed the boat out was on a 17-55 f2.8. It took weeks of contemplation before I took the plunge. Its now my most used lens.

Before I buy, I try to convince myself why not to buy.
 
Quaker said:
Before I buy, I try to convince myself why not to buy.
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I Have a nifty time saving device for that...... its called a 'wife' :lol:
 
Quaker said:
Before I buy, I try to convince myself why not to buy.
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I had to stop doing this, my arguements were just too convincing and I ended up without toilet paper for a month.
 
I buy kit every pay day. I use it a few times and if I don't keep using it I sell it. My latest purchase was a 24-105l for my 5d, so now my 50mm has not been on the camera since. I really need to be getting out more.
 
Buying things you don't use is one of the burdens of being a photographer.

I try to be very rational about what I buy. but I have ended up with a 18-55 a 24mm and a 55-250... each of which I have only used once.
I replaced the 18-55 with a 17-55 within days and I use it all the time.

I have a 380 and two 580 flashes but rarely use more than one at a time, but when those occasions come arround they are important. A couple of years ago I was using them virtually every day for 9 Months.
 
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