Damnit!

[BLS439]

Life sucks. Nothing has gone right for me this week. I responded to to help somebody not breathing last week, only to be exposed to HIV and Hepatits A, B, and C. Luckily, the person ended up not having HIV. Today, I came home to find my garage door wide-open and my photobackpack with almost all of my gear gone.

I lifted the fingerprints, I am in that line of work, and completed a report. The thing that pisses me off is two fold, now some crook knows where I live and the crook probably has no idea what they made off with. The backpack looks like a computer pack and was heavy, lots 'o equipment, like a computer and it's accessories.

I am lucky in that they did not touch my Santa Cruz Blur LT, Heckler, or Cameleon. Almost $15,000 worth of bikes.

They did take everything listed in my signature and more. The bastards left me with my Mamiya RZ 67 kit. I guess I can shoot film again.

So, as I start the process with my renter's insurance company I have been contemplating new equipment. It seems as though the replacement cost of my equipment is about $7,800.

What do I get? I find myself attracted to sports photography and portraiture. I am thinking of a 5D or 1D Mark II N for a camera body. Not sure about the glass though. Maybe the 70-200 f2.8L IS and the 100-400 IS L? I am also thinking of a good prime telephoto lens...?

Anyway, I guess I should not count my chickens before the eggs hatch. Who knows what'll happen with the insurance company.

Please let me know of any recommendations you have!

--Dave

[Photo-John]

Ohhhh, man. I am so sorry. That is really sad. And knowing where you live, it probably got traded for a bag of speed. Maybe the stuff will turn up. Hopefully the thief will be caught. None of that will make you feel much better, though.

As for the replacement gear, it's a tough call. The 5D is a really, really nice camera and will function pretty much just like your 30D but with way more resolution. The choice is really between speed and resolution, isn't it? I have a 1D (1st generation) and there's nothing like it when it comes to fast, accurate auto focus. The frame rate is nice too, although it's not as valuable as a lot of people think. Frames-per-second are no replacement for good technique.

The 70-200 f/2.8L is a given. That's basic. You could get IS version or try to save a few bucks by buying a used non-IS model. You shoot surfing don't you? That being the case, you might want to consider a longer lens. I keep looking at the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8. It looks better and better to me all the time. It's a unique and very useful range, the 2.8 aperture is excellent, and I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about it. The worst thing I've heard is that it isn't quite as good as the Canon 300mm f/2.8L. And that's not really a bad thing to say, is it?

If you buy a 5D, you could sell of the Mamiya. Although I don't think you'd get much for it these days.

We should go riding. I rode SC yesterday and it was brutal. And I have a big, bright, angry new patch of oak on my arm.

[BLS439]

I'd love to go riding sometime with the infamous PJ! It's always been a dream of mine. :cornut: I am working graveyards now though and have crappy days off, albeit the trails will be empty. If you're serious about a ride PM me. I work with AKABrad, in fact he was my boss until a few days ago (shift changes).

I am thinking more and more about trying to make photography my life. Recently, I've been shooting a lot of photography. It seems like the skateboarding industry though, very popular with lots of money, and people trying to get recognized.

My brother's roommate in Socal shoots for Thrasher. He gave me a couple pointers and tips to try and get my photos in magazines. I think I'm just chicken though. I submitted some Sea Otter pix to Dirt Rag, but they never returned my email.

Anyway, I think the 5D with the vertical grip may be the way to go. I look at my images in PS now from my 30D and long for a little more.

Lens-wise, I was thinking the 70-200 f2.8, 15mm f2.8, and maybe the 300 f2.8. I have a buddy who is gonna kcik down his 2x TC that he doesn't use anymore. I figure 600 F5.6 couldn't be too bad for surfing and really getting out there. I'll have to check out the Sigma you were talking about. It sounds like a worthy piece of glass.

Anywho, I'll have to see how the renter's policy turns out.

And I hope Karma is in good spirits. I've returned a Calfee roadbike, Specialized P3, Santa Cruz Superlight, and a Kona Coiler to their owners in the past six months.

--Dave

[dmm96452]

...And I hope Karma is in good spirits. I've returned a Calfee roadbike, Specialized P3, Santa Cruz Superlight, and a Kona Coiler to their owners in the past six months.

--Dave

Let's hope what goes around comes around for you and the dirtbag that stole your gear. Good luck!