Obsession with Equipment

I'm a fan of Ken Rockwell site as with most amateur or professional photographer alike would agree that his insights into lenses are usually spot on.

As a professional, I really cannot spend a lot on frivilous lenses and photography toys as I make a living out of being a photographer and rent and food comes first. I may spend a lot on a single lens, but I expect that lens to earn its keep. Although I may be tempted into buying a unique lens, I hold off on its purchase until I am absolutely sure that I can find at least several uses like portraiture + landscape combine.

Recently I found myself wanting on a lens reach as I zoomed to my current max of 120mm and barely reaching the bride and groom; although I could crop their kiss in photoshop, that extra zoom would have been nice.

So my search through Craigs list lead me to a seller that was selling a 28-200mm zoom. His return call reminded me of someone that woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Although his demeanor changed after meeting him, I pushed his patience by examining the lens for the next 15 minutes; all the while chatting with him on what equipment he owned, why he is selling etc, while I took various photos with the lens.

The lens was an old lens; meaning no VR. With scratches on the front element (more then one scratch), no lens cap, no back cap, no lens hood and of course no case, no box or other paraphernalias like manual, warranty card etc., the lens reminded me of a war veteran lens that is seeing its last days.

It wasn't so much as the cost of $160 but it was the fact that I was reluctant to use or trust this lens for a wedding. Although I can always set the shutter at a higher shutter speed, the fact remains that, without VR, any drop below 60th a second can mean another blurry photo and already there are so many factors such as the people moving, my own haste to take a photo and more, that since I already have the 24-120mm VR lens that I realize that my mind has already been made up that even though my 24-120mm lens is not as sharp (according to Ken Rockwell), it is still a lens that I trust more then any of my lens for weddings.

The seller snapped at me "well if you don't want the lens" his voice sudden grew cold as I was voicing all my thoughts out loud, made the decision easier to make. I thanked him for his time but I doubt he had heard it as he literally stomped out my vehicle after I handed back his war-veteran lens.

Although I am still in the market for the nice 80-200 old plastic lens which should sell for $75, I doubt that I would be buying any other older lens that don't have VR. This includes the 14-24mm, the 14mm and most non VR lens.

The fact remains that VR is needed; just in case. You don't need a fast lens, you don't need a sharp lens because if you cannot focus on your subject and if your hand shakes it defeats the purpose of paying $2k for a fast sharp lens.

Although this lens was under $200, it is time that I stop making a collection hobby out of my profession; Get the lenses you need and use them.