What would you buy with $300 at B&H?

[seth_samuel]

<p>Hello All,<br>

I just received a $300 gift card to B&H. I am torn between what ought to be my next piece of equipment! $300 is not necessarily my spending cap (maybe a little more). I currently shoot with a Nikon D80 and a few nice prime lenses and a tripod and bag. I shoot portraits and street photos. Things I have considered:<br>

SB-800 Flash Unit (I've never shot with Flash)<br>

Used Nikon F100 - Fun to use my Nikkors with 35mm Film<br>

A Used medium format - Not sure what a good beginners would be (Mamiya C330? Rolleiflex?)<br>

What would you get and why? What do I need next?<br>

Thanks!</p>

[thomas_hardy1]

<p>How about:</p>

<p>SB-600 ... because you don't have a flash.<br>

N80 ... you seem to want to use film, it's cheaper than an F100, and you won't be out much money if you tire of it. (the N80s at BH seem to be more expensive than eBay offerings) <br>

BW film developing kit ... it will be fun to process your own for a few months.</p>

<p>You might be able to keep all this within the $300. Just a thought.</p>

[Brad_]

<p>I'd get a flash and start using it off-camera in commander mode. Flash in left hand extended out, camera in right (or vice-versa...). You'll love the results...</p>

[tdigi]

<p>What lenses do you have? IMO having a flash is a high priority. How do you shoot with no flash ever? Even with a prime I find a little extra light is most always needed. </p>

[seth_samuel]

<p>I use an 85mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, and a 24mm 2.8. I use a small reflector for portraits. http://www.sethfisherphotography.com/actors.html</p>

[vincent_peri]

<p>I'd buy more film - Kodachrome 64 and Tri-X.</p>

[tibz]

<p>For $300 I can run my color darkroom for a year. Though one thing I learned is that buying things new, especially film gear, is a mistake.</p>

[the celt 2]

<p>Yeah Vincent, lots of film, and some paper,and chemistry. </p>

[derek_kennedy]

<p>Film.<br>

Definitely film.<br>

About $300 worth.<br>

Definitely.</p>

[michaelging]

<p>I would get film, but I think you should get a good flash. Nothing will make your photos better than buying a good flash and learning how to use it .</p>

[brucecahn]

<p>7 boxes of 25 sheet 8x10 Tri-X.</p>

[seth_samuel]

<p>i get that film is valuable. but i dont have a film camera. maybe the key here is to either get a film camera or the flash.</p>

[dlw]

<p>I would spend it on 120 and 4x5 film. Perhaps what you should have asked is "What should I buy with my $300 gift card from B&H?"</p>

[icog]

<p> I think everyone is suggesting film and darkroom supplies because used equipment is cheaper on eBay and at KEH than places like B&H or Adorama. What does a Mamiya RB67 go for there? You might enjoy something like that. Or go with your idea of a Nikon film body. Any way you go have fun. </p>

<p>Lionel</p>

[leicaglow]

<p>I'd be buying prints or frames to DO something with the photographs I take. Maybe a great light meter too--a Sekonic L-328 for example.</p>

[Matthew Currie]

<p>I was going to say "a freezer load of film" but I'm late to the party.</p>

<p>The original post really should be "what do you think <em>I </em> should buy....etc."</p>

<p>A good flash seems like a good start. (Then if there's any left, film to put in the F100 you buy at KEH?)</p>

[seth_samuel]

<p>I actually wanted to hear what everyone else would buy hoping to get ideas for me. It just so happens that the one thing that everyone would buy is the one thing I cant use yet! I'm thinking maybe a flash and a used film body. f100 or n80. Thanks guys.</p>

[michael_dimarzio]

<p>After reading the title, I was going to add consumables, mainly film. That was already mentioned, so buy film.</p>

[greatbasinwilds]

<p>*Drools over that gift card*</p>

[jpo3136b]

<p>Congratulations! What about consumables (like film or fixer or paper or premix developer) or something to keep down your daily costs, like an AC adapter for something that eats batteries in the DSLR rig. Good luck with your choices! J.</p>

[david_fortin1]

<p>I bought an F100 (used) at B&H for about $360. It is the finest piece of equipment I've ever held in my hands. I've had it about 10 months have already had 4 photos enlarged and professionally framed for the house using Ilford film (FP4 Plus, Delta 400, HP5 Plus...).</p>

[graham_thompson1]

<p>I would put it towards a refund that is due to me for them shipping me a used F6 to the UK which was descibed and ordered as new stock. (They have admitted to 'an internal error' since it had already been sold and returned once.</p>