[Arthur Macmillan]

After reading the posts, I noticed you are like us infected with the " I wanna get more gear" virus which is fairly common here, I am one of the most affected here since in 2 years I bought 2 cameras (5D and 750D), one flash, reflectors, filters, camera bags and other accessories and of course seven lenses (8mm fisheye, 18-55 STM, 24-105L, Y50mmf1.8, 10-18 STM, T16-28f2.8, 70-300IS), am I using all of them ? of course no.

It was hard for me to get separated from one of my 2 50mm primes, but now I don't regret it. now I am planning to sell/donate some gear not for money but to make my bag lighter, and because I don't need it.

I suggest you do the same, it is difficult when you do it, but it helps and now I ask before buying of course it is nice, but will I use it ?

just a thought.

OTOH what improved my images is of course not lenses, nor cameras, but other accessories, a simple reflector can do marvels to a picture no lens can do. Now I am working on myself not on my gear (although I am still lurking for some lenses)

 

You are totally right!  I feel I learned a lot from trying some many lenses, and most of the old lenses were cheap, and...They are things of beauty to hold, and look at.  But the bottom line is during the periods when I only had one lens on my camera for years or months, I probably took the best photos, because I really learned what the lens could, and could not do.  I don't really need any of the manual focus lenses.  There is just some sort of mean spirited satisfaction when I can do better with a MF lens, than someone who understands even less than I do using high end gear.  I think I could live with 6 good AF lenses...and I have 5 of them already!

 

My concession to learning lately has been getting a ring light, a ring flash, and a speedlight.  Reflectors make a lot of sense as do a set of white, grey, and black cards.  And I want some remote flashes.  But I am not spending high dollars on these.  Yongnuo actually makes good flashes.  The ring light uses real flash tubes, and has to modeling LED's to assist focus.  It's only like $100.  And their RF remote flashes and controllers are good from what I hear.

 

I know no one asked but I wanted to give back a little, because you guys have helped me a lot.  If you've dreamed of a ring flash or remote flashes, you can sort of live the dream.  But yeah.  Good lenses.  Good light.  Good color balance.  I think we are getting somewhere!