An expensive impluse

Friday, July 22nd, 2022 at 07:36pm

After I recently speculated about upgrading my camera I was seriously looking around for a 6D Mark II and appropriate lenses to go along with it. And I almost did it, lining up a near new 6D Mark II, and a used 24-105mm f/4L lens for $1900, with an option to also get a 17-40mm f/4L for a further $500.

But then I kept thinking and looking around…

I have not had an L lens as my everyday lens, and while the lens I would be getting with that 6D would be an L lens, it would also be an older lens. The RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 lens has some good reviews and is only $600, while the L version is a lot more expensive at $2000. I needed to be reasonable and consider paying $600 instead of $2000.

As I looked around online (at the few stores that had a reputation I could trust) I realised that the f/4-7.1 lens came as a kit with the R6, bringing the price down a bit more. So when I saw the R6 and lens for $3700 I decided (more on impulse than I should admit) to get it.

The next item that was essential was the EF to RF adapter, looking around and comparing prices I found one for $185 including delivery.

My next consideration was a wide lens, because while I have rarely used my 10-18mm lens, it is still an option that I want to have, especially for an event like Open House Melbourne where wide angle indoors could be really interesting. With the L lens mindset the option was looking like the $2700 RF 14-25mm f/4L, which was way too much to spend on a lens I would rarely use. Then the RF 16mm f/2.8 caught my eye as if I am shooting wide then why do I need the range between 16mm and 24mm? It is also reasonably priced at around $480, in the end I got it through the ebay store of one of the online retailers because an additional discount from ebay dropped the price to $440.

When I include an SD card, lens hoods and a cable release I ordered from five different places, at which point it became a waiting game. I was surprised that the camera actually arrived from Sydney the following day, but the other items have taken longer. It has been nearly two weeks and everything except the hood for the 16mm lens has arrived, that should be here on Monday.

I have been playing around with the camera at home, including going through my what I already have to see what I have to reuse:

  • my EF 70-200 f/4L remains as my long lens (though at true 70-200mm instead of the 112-320mm cropped)
  • the 580EX II flash works well, as does the ST-E2 transmitter for that flash
  • my original 67mm adapter ring for my Lee filter holder works with the new lens (I had to get a 72mm adapter when I got the 15-85mm)
  • my older 67mm polariser will also be back in action (it is not slimline so might be introducing a slight vignette, but it will work)
  • the third party LP-E6N batteries I got last year for the 7D will work in the R6 (only the newer LP-E6NH can be charged in-camera)
  • Garmin eTrex 20x because geotagging my photos is important to me and I prefer to have a dedicated device instead of trying to use my phone to log a track
  • I transferred over the tripod plate and the WS-20 wrist strap which made it feel more it was “my” camera

I still need to think about when it might make sense to replace my long lens (and with what…) and I also need to rethink my bags. While the backpack I have still works to hold everything, I’ve also got two shoulder bags for when I am walking around with just the camera and one lens. I have my trusty Crumpler bag, but I need to work out how to also carry the 16mm in that bag. I have another Lowepro sling bag that can fit lenses and accessories, but is still not quite big enough for the camera with the lens hood on.

My immediate plan is to get out this weekend to start getting used to it before Open House Melbourne the following weekend.

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