Rotten impulse buying

[Chillie]

OK! Yesterday I had plans to walk up the street, check my mail at the Post Office, catch up with friends, buy a Tattslotto ticket and then walk home.

Got up the street, no mail (I'm expecting 5 bills before the end of the month), couldn't find my friends, so I bought a Tattslotto ticket.

I then went to Camera House to have a look at DSLR cameras not planning on buying one.

I walked out of the shop with a Canon EOS 450D Twin Lens Pack, a 4GB SD card, 2 UV filters, and a new camera bag. All up costing $1,549.00 on my credit card.:eyepop: That's put fully paying off my credit card by at least 3 months.:(

I did buy the right camera, didn't I? The people here on IIS seem to lean towards Canon.

This is my first DSLR but not my first SLR.

Any comments welcome.

I now need to win Tattslotto tonight to pay for it.;)

p.s. I forgot to ad, the battery finished charging for the first time while I was writing this. I haven't used the camera yet.

[Kevnool]

Yep they use them 450s here.
I dont tho i use a little fuji thing

Pay that beast off within 55 days now and you,ll be happier.
Cheers Kev.

[Chillie]

Not a chance without winning Tattslotto.

At best I can only pay $500 per month when I don't have many bills (I'm on a pension).

I have some questions, but I will ask them in the camera section of this forum.

[Octane]

Henry,

If you're willing to spend that much money, is it too late to return the camera?

http://d-d-photographics.com.au/canon500d.htm

You could have got the superior model, with the same lenses (most likely) for cheaper than you paid for the 450D lens kit.

H

[Liz]

Well done Henry ... though bad luck for the credit card, but you deserve it ... right ;). Yes, I have the Canon 450D, great camera, we expect to see some pics in the terrestrial pic section soon!!

PS ... if you can do what H says, woulld be better!!

[Chillie]

I don't regret buying this camera although there is a large learning curve for me. Buying it local means I got good advice from sales staff who know what they're talking about.

[Chillie]

Thanks Liz. I didn't have to buy it, and I was going to check out other shops.

As for the credit card, I'm back to where I was in November last year.

I could cheat and use my Pentax Optio33LF and say that I took them using my DSLR.;)

All of the pictures I've posted so far were taken with my Pentax Optio33LF.

[Octane]

For what it's worth, I buy some gear from D-D every now and then. They know their stuff.

The learning curve is irrelevant. The fact that they sold you useless UV filters means they're in it just for the sale. I do understand the benefit of buying local (should something break or be faulty). Having said that, it's not like you will be going back there asking them to show you how to use the camera.

My post was just a suggestion to save you a couple of hundred dollars.

H

[TrevorW]

I know what you mean by impulse buying went too Ranger Camping to pick up some Bushmans Insect Repellant walked out with a new tackle box as well

Caught again :D

[Chillie]

Useless UV filters?:question::rolleyes:

I was the one who wanted to buy the UV filters. They give protection to the lenses. I would rather spend $30 to replace a scratched UV filter than to fork out several hundred dollars to replace a scratched lens. I also have UV filters on both of my 35mm SLR lenses.

I will be going back on Monday to check out what they have in the way of tripods but I won't be buying one yet. If I have any questions about my camera, I will ask them while I'm there.

[jakob]

How often do you scratch a lens?
Why degrade the quality of a lens by adding two surfaces of poor quality glass to a good lens?

In all the years I have never scratched a lens, but I notice the extra reflection etc. when I have to use a filter.

In the film days you added a UV filter in alpine or snow country to avoid UV affecting the film.

The lens cap is useful to protect the lens when not in use!

Buy the filters by all means but not because the salesman is trained to make an extra sale to a venerable customer.

This is just my personal opinion, Regards Jakob.

[Robert9]

I'm with Henry. All lenses protected. You only need to scratch one once.
My preference though is for a skylight rather than UV filter. Stops blueish tint in open shade situations.
Robert

[Lee]

To filter or not to filter! This is nearly a banned question on one photography forum I visit, such is the emotional arguments that fly over this innocuous question! I tend to use a UV filter as a protectant filter only in harsh environments, like the beach/boat etc, not otherwise. Horses for courses.

[Robert9]

I basically agree though I adopt the position of leave it on unless it interferes with the job in hand. When finished, put it back.

[that_guy]

i had the same impulse... went into a telescope shop to buy a small 6" dobsonian, but came out with an 8"... My dad wasn't happy...

[tlgerdes]

My last minute impulse happened nearly 20 years ago.

Decided at the last minute to go skiing for the first time for the weekend, came back with a woman who would later become my wife.:rofl::rofl:

Now that turned out to be an expensive weekend that I am still paying for:eyepop::eyepop::D:D:P:P:questio n::question:

[DavidU]

:lol:

[Jen]

Arrrrrrrrrh dont you just love those impulse random shopping sprees :lol:

Nice one Chillie hope you enjoy your new camera im a new proud owner of the 500D im having a great time with it :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol: LMAO Trevor :rofl:

[Chillie]

I've heard of the Skylight filter back in the late 1970's, early 1980's and was told there's not much difference between them.

[Chillie]

I can't afford one of them. Besides, she would throw out most of my stuff including the engineer's lathe and stand ( https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products?stockCode=L141 ) and my snake which both of them live in my lounge room.

[Chillie]

I sure my credit card company love people buying on impulse.:rofl:

I saw you bought a new camera Jen. Have you installed the software yet?

I haven't used mine yet. I was waiting to see the responses about the screen protectors before I start playing with it.

A few things I don't like about it is that it is not very compatible with my Nikon F301 35mm SLR. Different filter size (SLR is 50mm, DSLR is 58mm). And according to the salesman the electronic flash isn't compatible either.:mad2:

Even the focal lengths of the lenses between the SLR and DSLR is different.

[Jen]

No i havnt installed the software just yet Chilli ive been slack :lol: At the moment i have just been checking out and transfering the pics using the memory card ;)

[Chillie]

Nothing wrong with that. I used mine for the first time yesterday (Monday). Have taken 2 test pictures and deleted both of them.

I bought a flip up screen protector but after doing some "dry runs" with it, but I can't get my eye anywhere near the view finder with the screen protector flipped up (working position). I'll have to take it back and go with the standed screen protector.

BTW, I almost walked out with a new tripod valued at between $160 and $200.;)

[Jen]

:lol::lol:What do u mean almost, get back in there and do some more shopping i got a tripod too and i love it :thumbsup:

[Chillie]

It has a video head (I think) so I don't know if you can put it into the vertical position. It looks sturdy but it's also a cheapy. I already have a tripod with a video head that cost me $300 years ago.

Also if I bought it, it would be another credit card purchase. I'm trying to get the credit card paid off so I can start saving for another car.