Sods law again..

S

stevewestern

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Last time I came over to England, I bought almost all my gear, and didn't have a chance to use it at all. This time, I have come with my 30d, 24-105 and my 70-300 that I am hoping to sell. No flash or anything else.
I arrived yesterday, went to work this morning and my clients announced that they want some pictures taken - could I do some tomorrow evening in their garden. They go away the morning after, and he is a very busy bloke, so no chance of him being home earlier, and the garden is fairly small despite them having a £1,500,000 house.
So, what do I do - their last guy charged them £360 for the session, plus £40 per print in 2005, and they bought about 30prints !
My 24-105 is not wide enough, I have no flash, and it will be getting dark before we start.
Having been asking about prices for selling my 70-300 and been given lower prices than I had hoped for, and faced with a lack of the right gear, I have just been shopping.
Now, I have just got me a 430 flash, and to allow me the wide angle I need, a 17-55 2.8 IS.
So, looks like the 70-300 and the 24-105 will be going up for sale shortly, to make up for all this, plus I guess I had better sell one of my 3 flashguns - if you want a Canon 380EX then I'll be bringing it over in a few weeks, or I may sell the Sigma EG500 Super whatever-it-is.......
Also, bought me another memory card and card reader, as these too are in Spain, sitting idle (my 10-22 would have also been good for the pictures, but guess where that is...)
Have to praise both Jessops and Jacobs in London, as both were very helpful, knowledgable and pricematched, so were cheaper than Microglobe, who sell imports..!

Poor old credit card..
 
the money you make off your portrait session will pay for your new goodies.
 
It did occur to me, but from what little I know, rental is not cheap, plus the 24-104 is a little slow for my upcoming wedding and some other stuff I will be doing, so I am happy to swap them over, but also I am meant to be working today, and taking off an hour or so to get the stuff is fine, but to have to return things again in a day or two would be loosing me time and money. I also need more memory, so with the 2 shops opposite each other, it made sense to me to do it and not waste my time running around London.
I believe that rental from Calumet would be around £40 for the lens and maybe £20 for the flash, plus my time the day after, so I figured it best to go shopping.
Anway, I really really needed that lens..
 
mho - I certainly hope so - I am a builder, and have worked for these people for years, and they are some of the nicest folks you could wish to work for. They also tell me to charge plenty, as they are rich, and we know each other well enough to be honest, so no quick buck making, but they also showed my the last guys card, and explained how his pictures were ok, but the prices were from 2 years ago, so mine should be higher. I am invited for dinner, with some picture taking as well, so I can't go wrong...
Still feels a little naughty spending so much..
 
Hahaha, you have it bad my friend.

Admit it, it felt good to give that credit card a bashing eh?

Cheers,
James :D
 
Think you made the right decisions there Steve - good luck & don't feel bad about the money!
 
Sounds like a nice set of friends you have there. I may well be interested in a flash gun. Going on holiday for a week tommorow but will give you a shout when I get back!
 
It always feels good to bash the credit card, and every time I do, my rating goes up - I plan to buy a second house soon on plastic... James - If not for some small amount of common sense, I would have
It does feel good to go spending, and the 17-55, while not an L series (which is neither here nor there if it won't do what I need) does feel fantastic, and will allow me to take the pictures I need tomorrow.
T-Photo - cool - I am in no rush, and the flashguns are in Spain till mid September anyway - have a good holiday !
As for my friends/clients - I have known them for 16 years, watched their kids grow, and my kids now wear their old clothes. I was one of the first to know when Mum got cancer, and Dad, who is an Investment banker (with morals..!) gives me a hug whenever we meet. I'd like to think you get what you deserve, but am unsure if I deserve so much - just lucky I guess !
 
Is this the 24-105L f/4 you are talking about getting rid of?

What's the going rate for one of those these days? :thinking: ;)
 
Braedon - take a look in the for sale room - mine is on there, and it is the 24-105 L f4..
 
I just found it

am off to pester the wife :wave:
 
Where is it that the Jacobs and Jessops stores are opposite each other? Is it New Oxford St?
 
Weggy - thats the one !
The guy I dealt with in Jacobs was really helpful, friendly and was happy to fetch stuff from the basement, off the shelves, and almost stopped me from buying as I wasn't sure - just his job, but not many seem to do it well !
 
Thanks Steve. Might have a treck over there this afternoon. Are Jacobs well priced compared to rip off Jessops?

Is it near Tottenham Court Road? I'm sure I've been to Jessops over there, but never noticed Jacobs...
 
Yup - the big jessops about 100 yards from Oxford street - opposite is Jacobs, about 10 yards further away, towards Morgans S/H computer shop.
Jessops wanted £860 or something, Jacobs were doing it at £645..
However, if not in a rush, use Kerso, who will be much cheaper, but it will take a few days..
 
Have used Kerso for pretty much everything I've got... but have an hour free this afternoon so thought I'd pop over and have a look at Jacobs. It's also always nice to have a look and try stuff before ordering from Kerso... ;-)
 
Weggy,

Can you pick me up a few brochures while your in there.

Steve - The canon flash gun sounds worth a look, let me know if you decide to sell.
 
Sure, will see what they've got...
 
Well, Duncan F - keep them eyes peeled in 2-3 weeks time - I expect it'll be the 380ex that I sell, perfect nick, just not as powerful as the Sigma DG500PS XP WhY BlahBlah thingie.. I'll try to remember to let you knowe before posting, but another member has also expressed an interest...
 
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