karl_haase

<p>If I had the money and wanted I'd just get it now.<br>

By the whole "it'll be cheaper later" rational, taken all the way down the slippery slope, then a D1 is definitely the camera you'd be in the market.<br>

A similiar mindset exists among some mac users waiting for Steve to give them better hardware. Some people waited for years for the G5 to come out....<br>

You'll have more fun taking pictures (I assume this is a personal purchase...) once you get away from the shopping and internet and start shooting.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I get this from time to time. I haven't been worried about being mugged. Maybe I should?</p>

<p>Past examples:<br>

If we can see the parking lot, I point to my 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass and say "more than my car!".</p>

<p>If the person is holding a camera that is worth more than mine, especially if they haven't used it all day, I say "it's pretty old. How's that VR working out for you?" (A D90 with an SB400 and a 18-200VR is definitely worth more $$ than my well-used D200, with a well used SB800 and a so-used-you-can-see metal f/2.8 24-70...)</p>

<p>If it's a kid "a lot" and I take their picture.</p>

<p>If it's someone who is into photography, I think they're trying to ask something else, like how much does it cost or pay to be a wedding photographer. I have to feel those out. Especially since I'm just a photographer by avocation.</p>

<p>I'd say find a clever and ackward joke if it makes you uncomfortable, or if the person is getting in the way of your work. This might also be your response if you're not comfortable dealing with people who are interested in the field (e.g. you see them as potential competitors).</p>

<p>Clever jokes:<br>

"Cheaper and more fun than my own wedding."<br>

"Daddy bought it for me."<br>

"I don't handle the business side of things."<br>

"It was either this or more therapy."<br>

"Do you drive a BMW? I'll trade."<br>

"The strap was a good deal!"<br>

"I don't know. I'm sure it looses value each time I drop it."<br>

"A lot. I keep thinking a Brownie would have been a better investment."<br>

"A lot. The medical and legal bills associated with photography are huge. Soon after I got my camera, my kids put paper bags on their heads because they didn't want their pictures taken. One got scruvy from vitamin-d deficiency caused by lack of sunlight. The other got hit by a car he didn't see coming, and then the driver sued me for his own psychological trauma. At least I am living out my dream of being a photographer!" (Happily click off a photo of the inquisitor)</p>

I've got a AF (D, I think) Push-Pull (no tripod collar) that I got used.

It's stellar.

It's also big and heavy.

The autofocus feels sluggish compared to smaller AF lenses (like the 35-70 2.8...) and is markedly slower than my 18-135 AFS lens.

I think with this family of lenses, the sharpness between them is hardly a deciding factor. If you're worried, check here or some place like pbase.com where you can filter images by lens.

If you're shooting sports, the AF-S VR will help with sharpeness more than absolute resolution. It can't be sharp if it's not in focus...