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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
2012: Best/Worst Purchases this year
Brad Barr, Photographer
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Port St. Lucie | FL | USA | Posted: 1:39 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Its that time of year again folks, time for the annual best/worst purchase of the year. Actually, these posts have helped several, more by way of the worst listings, as it has saved more than a few the wasted time and money buying something that didnt work out.
My worst this year: Easily Window 8. Even though it was only a 39 dollar upgrade...what a pain in the butt those stupid tiles are if you dont have a touch screen Tip...save your money...keep windows 7
Best: D800 was better at more things than I anticipated (AWB, & AF mainly)
2nd best...new laptop that screams. iphone 5 (another surprise on how much better it was)
Best xmas gift from last year Garmin S1 Golf GPS watch thing.....so simple...it just works. |
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Perrone Ford, Photographer
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Tallahassee | FL | US | Posted: 1:53 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Hmm, first time for this:
Worst Purchase:
Joby Gorillapod. Probably works ok for some things, just totally unsuitable for what I needed it to do.
Best Purchase: Ticket to the SportsShooter Academy. Changed everything for me in terms of my photography. Second would probably have to be my D600 (not my D800 though I like it too. The D600 just gives me SO much in such an affordable package... |
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G.J. McCarthy, Photographer
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Dallas | TX | US | Posted: 2:20 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Fun.
Best -- Canon 5d Mark III. Love it so much, I now own two.
Worst -- Heidelberg Electric Belt. For one, I'm still really nervous, I still suffer from crippling insomnia, and I continue to bald. But now my d*ck hurts, too. |
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Jacob Langston, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | | Posted: 2:27 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: Netflix membership so I can understand GJ's movie references.
Worst: Netflix membership. There is a lot of crap out there. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington/Normal | IL | United States | Posted: 2:33 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best - My SS membership so I can laugh at Gerry's posts on the board.
Worst - My SS membership when I realized I can read Getty's posts without paying. |
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Alan Herzberg, Photographer
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Elm Grove | WI | USA | Posted: 2:53 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: Canon 1DX; Vagabond mini lithium battery.
Worst: Nothing really bad comes to mind. |
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Butch Miller, Photographer
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Lock Haven | PA | USA | Posted: 3:05 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: Would be a tie between My Think Tank Airport International and the iPhone 4s. Both quickly became vital assets that I really don't know how I got along before I bought them.
Worst: I didn't win the half-Billion $ Power Ball jackpot |
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Daniel Berman, Photographer, Assistant
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Seattle | WA | US | Posted: 3:13 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: D800, loving the resolution, sharpness and colors
Worst: PCB 86" Parabolic Umbrella, only because I haven't gotten a chance to use it just yet :) |
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Wesley R. Bush, Photographer
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Murfreesboro | TN | U.S. | Posted: 3:20 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: Pocket wizard flextt5
Worst: Nashville Predators season tickets |
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Dan Powers, Photographer
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Appleton | WI | USA | Posted: 3:36 PM on 12.18.12 |
| ->> 2013 Mini Cooper S convertible for my wife...;0) |
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Jeff Gammons, Photographer
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Destin | Fl | USA | Posted: 3:44 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Wes, arent you supposed to flip the season tickets for a profit?
I thought thats what all the pros do? |
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Scott Mapes, Photographer
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Jackson | MI | USA | Posted: 3:59 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: Canon 1D Mark IV
Worst: Bright orange speedo's with a yellow smiley face on the back I thought would be in style this summer. I need to quit reading European web sites. |
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Jim Colburn, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | USA | Posted: 4:15 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> "Heidelberg Electric Belt"
Wasn't that outlawed under the Geneva Convention of 1929? |
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Max Waugh, Photographer
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Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 4:19 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: 5D Mark III, which a family member eventually traded for, giving me a 1DX in exchange.
Worst: Some really expensive website software that I bought several months ago and have yet to use. If I ever find the time to implement it, it may turn into one of my best purchases, but until then it's just gathering dust. |
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Thomas Campbell, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 5:32 PM on 12.18.12 |
| ->> Best: two 5D Mark IIIs |
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Jim Colburn, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | USA | Posted: 6:18 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: A frequent flyer ticket (only 30,000 miles!) to Cologne, Germany for Photokina.
Second Best: Finding a large, bright, beautiful studio apartment in Cologne on AirBnB for only $48/night.
Worst: The $3,800,000 that I gave to Karl Rove when he promised that he'd use it for "educational purposes" only. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 6:26 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> GJ..TMI (but thanks for the laugh)
MEN-whoever told you men look sexy in speedos...LIED!
WOMEN-wouldn't you agree? |
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Dave Prelosky, Photographer
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Lower Burrell | Pa | US | Posted: 7:34 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Useful - I'll go with the 24" Lastolite softbox I picked up with Chase credit card points. Nothing like popup portability to add some life to mundane photo assignments.
Least? Probably the car I had to buy my daughter for the commute from Cleveland to Kent for grad school. Someday I'll get to drive it.... |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 9:07 PM on 12.18.12 |
->> Best: Anything that allowed me to spend more time with my wife and children.
Worst: It's just stuff.. doesn't mean squat. I just don't care about much of it.
After the last 10 days, I'm just happy to be alive and breathing. Like I said, stuff... is just stuff. If you need that to make you happy, you have some lessons left to learn. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer, Photo Editor
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PLANET | EARTH | | Posted: 1:26 AM on 12.19.12 |
->> best: all the new nikon stuff my boss bought me
worst: the friggin blanco, mccarthy, liddy bobble head "three stooges" collection. it will SO never be a collectable item.....crap...that was $1.99 wasted.... |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 1:43 AM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best - Nikon D600 and a decent, freakin' espresso bean grinder...
Worst - the "Idiot's Guide to Winning the $500 billion Powerball"... |
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Gene Boyars, Photographer
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Matawan | NJ | United States | Posted: 6:57 AM on 12.19.12 |
->> The best? Two tickets from EWR to LAS with first class upgrades in March for my son's wedding. Wonderful way to travel to a very special event.
The worst?? The whole house generator I did not buy before Superstorm Sandy left me without power for 10 days. Sometimes we really do need to act on these great ideas in the calm before the storm. |
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Sam Santilli, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Philippi | WV | USA | Posted: 8:03 AM on 12.19.12 |
->> Worst: D5100 to get me by when both D700's went into the repair shoppe
Best: The money spent to get my D700's fixed
Since this is a thread about purchases, I will not list my family, especially my first grandchild that came this year, since I did not buy them. |
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Bob DeChiara, Photographer
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Burlington | MA | USA | Posted: 8:11 AM on 12.19.12 |
| ->> Best: iPhone 5, MacBook Pro, the Pocket Wizard Plus III's, Nikkor 17-35 2.8 and Photoshop CS6. |
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Rob Carmell, Photographer
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Yucaipa | CA | USA | Posted: 8:54 AM on 12.19.12 |
| ->> Best: Canon 1D Mk IV, Alien Bee 800's, Black Rapid strap |
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David Rossiter, Photographer
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Lethbridge | AB | Canada | Posted: 9:38 AM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: Nikon D4
Worst: GoProHero2...broke it the second time I used it :-( |
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Jon Wright, Photographer
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Wayzata | MN | USA | Posted: 9:53 AM on 12.19.12 |
| ->> Best: Adobe Premiere Pro |
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Timothy Andrews, Photographer
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Pearl Harbor | Hi | USA | Posted: 11:00 AM on 12.19.12 |
| ->> @David Rossiter - How the hell did you break a GoPro? Those things are nearly indestructible! I've submerged mine (without the waterproof case) when I flipped a sailboat and dropped mine of a motorcycle at 60+ mph and the thing just keeps ticking! |
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Columbia | MO | USA | Posted: 11:35 AM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: Dozens of boxes and rolls of packing tape, 17-foot Penske moving truck, 9 hours of tuition & fees...
I moved to Columbia in July to start my master's program at the Mizzou. It meant quitting a paying gig at a newspaper (will those still be around when I graduate?!), but I knew as long as I stayed in Texas I'd be doing the same things I had been doing, and I wasn't happy. It's worth investing in yourself and pursuing your dreams. (Sidebar: the best purchase ever was a tiny engagement ring I bought back in 1999, and gave to the woman who would become my wife, and has been the best partner and support a guy could ask for).
Worst: I bought a chicken burrito from the Chipotle across the street from the J-school before class a few months ago, and the chicken was dry. |
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Osamu Chiba, Photographer
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Vista | CA | USA | Posted: 1:51 PM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: Star Watermark (watermarking software for Mac). Not the greatest program, but it has made my life easier.
Worst: Western Digital MyBookLive. This thing is so slooooooow. |
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Mark Kauzlarich, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Madison | WI | | Posted: 2:53 PM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: I picked up two D3's and a Macbook Air (which I am absolutely loving)
Worst: As opposed to Greg, I always get the chicken at Chipotle but I found the steak rubbery.
Undecided: I purchased a one way ticket to Washington, D.C. I'm moving there to work part time at an international news org and try to start my freelance career, as well as finally get to the Middle East for work. I don't know if my gamble will pay off yet, but I'm trying to stay positive. |
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Randy Sartin, Photographer, Assistant
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Knoxville | TN | USA | Posted: 4:49 PM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: Money spent on marketing myself, and SS membership.
Worst: Money spent on other things :) |
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Jack Kurtz, Photographer
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Bangkok | Bangkok | Thailand | Posted: 6:35 PM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: 5D Mark III, must get another.
Worst: all of the video stuff, microphones, viewfinders etc, I bought to put on it.
Haven't shot 30seconds of video since I left the paper. But I am finding the little LED light I bought to be a very handy companion for my Lumix GX1. I use it instead of a flash. |
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Brent Just, Photographer
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Saskatoon | SK | Canada | Posted: 7:02 PM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: I'm gonna call it a tie between the 1DX and 200 f/2.
Worst: Dell U2711 monitor. The anti-glare drove me bat$hit. Gave the monitor to my Dad who doesn't notice it. |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Beaumont | CA | USA | Posted: 7:03 PM on 12.19.12 |
->> Best: 2013 Chevy Cruze. Love this car!!!!!!!! If you're in the market for a new car, you should test drive one yourself. And no, I'm not paid or sponsored by Chevy.
Worst: Used Cineslider from a fellow SS member who shall remain nameless. He warned me that it was not as smooth as a pro rig, but he didn't tell me it sucked! LOL!!!!! But seriously, I used it once so far, it's not great, but it's not totally terrible either. |
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Gregory Greene, Photographer
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Durham | NH | USA | Posted: 5:26 PM on 12.22.12 |
->> Best: Canon 1DX
2nd Best: Canon Radio Controlled Flash System
Worst: Entirely too much fast food this year. :) |
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Heston Quan, Photographer
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Orange County | CA | | Posted: 9:51 PM on 12.22.12 |
->> Best: My Nikon 24-70 2.8 and new underwear.
Worst: The $60 I spent on a dinner date only to have her berate photography as a profession. |
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Gabe Souza, Photographer
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Portland | ME | USA | Posted: 12:10 AM on 12.23.12 |
->> Best: Think Tank Airport International. Deserving of the hype. Worth every penny.
Worst: Pocket Wizard Flex. They have some bright spots, but don't entirely suit my needs. Not reliable at least in my experience. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 10:14 AM on 12.24.12 |
->> Best: Nikon D600.
Worst: Mitt Romney yard sign. |
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Robert Caplin, Photographer
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New York/Barcelona | Worldwide | | Posted: 11:33 AM on 12.25.12 |
->> Best: Leica 35 1.4 Summilux. Simply the best lens I've ever owned.
Worst: Facebook stock. Doh. |
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Jim Colburn, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | USA | Posted: 4:35 PM on 12.27.12 |
->> Worst (courtesy of my daughter):
The Bonnie Tyler GPS Unit. It keeps telling you to turn around, and every now and then it falls apart. |
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Matt Cashore, Photographer
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South Bend | IN | USA | Posted: 11:43 AM on 01.01.13 |
->> Best: Nikon 70-200 f4. (Until and unless it needs service, of course...)
Worst: D4. |
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Tim Snow, Photographer
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Montreal | Qc | Canada | Posted: 1:39 PM on 01.01.13 |
->> Best: Think Tank Retro 10 in black; it's my new walking around bag...fits the 24mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4, 135mm f/2 and the 5dII perfectly.
Worst: Hate to say it, but the whole PW Mini/Flex mess. When they work I love them, when they don't I want to have a nervous breakdown. |
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Kent Nishimura, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | USA | Posted: 4:39 PM on 01.01.13 |
->> Best: Plane Ticket to Charlotte, NC to visit my gf, and subsequent air/train tickets to NYC, Tampa for the RNC and back to Charlotte for the DNC. Also the plane Ticket to Osaka, Japan.
Second Best: Leica M3 + 50mm 1.5 Sonnar
Worst: Nexus 7. i've found that I'm an iOS kinda guy... |
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