How to throw away $150?

[Little Prince]

I have around $150 to let go of. I'm getting myself something photo related. What? Throw in your suggestions. I know it's an absurd question because you don't know what I want, but here are constraints so if you can stick to them and suggest something, it will be fun.

1. It's in the form of a gift card given by friends months back. I can't get a lens hood and tell them that's what I got. Don't want to see the dismay on their faces :confused: . They know I wanted some geeky stuff that's why they gave me a card in the first place.
2. No new cameras (so no ql17 or gsn sorry). I've decided I have enough, unless it were a new format or something.
3. Accessories are welcome. A decent monopod can be had for that sum and isn't too unimpressive or insubstantial :) . Only I have no need of a monopod.
4. Things that I intended to supply myself with but haven't gotten around to doing include: tripod (to replace that damned Benbo), ballhead, handy and small camera bag, and so on. The former two are really expensive if I want a good one and won't be covered by $150.

Let's see what the formidable GAS can do.

[VictorM.]

Film, film, film.

[BJ Bignell]

Oooh, film is definitely a good one. You could get a brick of your favourite, or even a 100' roll and some canisters! Or, get something like IR film and a good IR filter for your favourite lens(es).

I would suggest the bag; it's really frustrating having the wrong bag (ie too big) for your gear when you want to head out... I just order a Crumpler today, so it's on my mind.

[Roman]

Do you already do your own printing? If not, 150 USD might get you started with a used enlarger and some accessories...

Roman

[Duncan Ross]

Spend $50 on a Lomo Fisheye and the rest on therapy!!!

[childers-jk]

I agree with Roman. You could start your darkroom setup with say some processing equipment, etc. You could get most of that for 150.

Jeff

[aizan]

is the gift card one you can use anywhere? can get some books, darkroom equipment, filters, shoulder bags, software...a handheld meter....

how about this and a ballhead: http://kevincameras.com/gallery/albuy40

[Pherdinand]

I wanted to check what kind of photography you practice, before I answer. But your damn gallery is empty! :D
So, without knowing more, all of the above suggestions would be good to follow.

However, what do you mean you have enough cameras???

[Bob Michaels]

$50 worth of film, $15 worth of cheap food and $85 worth of gasoline to take you someplace you've never been but always wanted to go to photograph. You may have to sleep in the backseat of the car and encounter a few other inconviences.

But it will be something that will create photos and memories that will probably outlast any piece of equipment you could ever buy.

[Pherdinand]

Or, maybe you could hire a cheaper model for an hour...
(Nope, I don't mean a bubble bath with Milla Jovovich)

[RayPA]

I picked up my Epson 4180 scanner for about $150. Do you need a scanner? Barring that, I agree with the film, film, film suggestion, or a bulk loader, and some cannisters, and film, or a bulk loader, some cannisters, film, a changing bag and film developing supplies. Spmething like that.

[Roman]

I don't wanna steal that thread, but Ray, how happy are you with that Epson 4180? That one is on my short-list for an affordable (ie. cheaper than the 4990 or Canon 9950) flatbed for scanning both 35mm and MF negs (the other options would be the older 3200, or the Canon 8400F).

ROman

[RayPA]

I don't wanna steal that thread, but Ray, how happy are you with that Epson 4180? That one is on my short-list for an affordable (ie. cheaper than the 4990 or Canon 9950) flatbed for scanning both 35mm and MF negs (the other options would be the older 3200, or the Canon 8400F).

ROman

I like it a lot. For the price range it can give pretty high res, a decent black, and the MF option. Not a lot can do that for $150. I've scanned both 35mm and 6x6. I have done very little color scanning with it (I usually pay for scanning to a CD at the time of processing), so I'm using it exclusively as a b&w scanner. My only qualm is it only scans two strips of 35, and one strip of 120 film at a time. I usually scan at 1200 and reduce to 75 for posting here and my other gallery. The higher resolutions take longer to scan, but 1200 isn't bad at all and gets me what I want. But definitely, a very good bang for the buck. I recommend it highly.

[chug]

Maybe get yourself a nice camera bag to put all your stuff in?

[back alley]

either film or a bag that you normally wouldn't spend the money on.
i like bags myself, good ones and cheap ones.
but i prefer the really good ones.

a small billingham, the s3 or l2 would be nice.
an m classic, very nice.
joe

[Little Prince]

Lots of good suggestions.

Camera bag and scanner have been on my mind. I must do something about these. BJB, what Crumpler did you get? They are tempting. What exactly do you fit in it? Is it too bulky? Joe, the Billinghams feel like overkill to me. It just isn't right for me to carry one of those. I'll leave it for another day. I have a Scan Multi on my mind too (not the multi pro - too expensive). Resolution is plenty enough for me. Dmax of 3.6 - is that good?

Roman, enlarger and stuff doesn't seem very practical at the moment. I couldn't make space for a darkroom where I live. Too many difficult parameters. I do have access to the school darkroom and use it from time to time. They have 3 or 4 enlargers.

IR filter is a suggestion I must consider too. Can I get therapy for $100? He He, that is a new one. I bet no one would have thought of that when they wanted to give me a gift.

Bob, I love that idea. Spend the money on a little trip. Now where would I go. I must think about this too. Time, however is more of a constraint than money. Maybe for July 4. Absolutely no free time before that. But I am going to be in California second week of June. Its for a conference, so not much time there either. May spend one day of the weekend in Yosemite. Yippee! But I'm not lugging any special gear with me - don't want to annoy friends and folk.

That's enough food for thought. Actually I've also been thinking of a small/nifty incident meter.

[back alley]

anand,
i buy my 'good' bags used.
you'd be amazed how many nice bags are sitting in closets unused because the shooter bought another 'better' bag or just didn't like the feel of a bag.

my m classic was near new, the owner preferred one with a small hand strap along with the longer strap.
my billingham was bought from a shooter who just had too many bags and the s3 didn't carry enough gear for him.

seek and you shall receive...

joe

[Socke]

I'd go for a changing bag and a Kinderman tank, and throw in two glas bottles and some marbles to keep them filled to the top.

[Justin Low]

Why not make someone happy with that money? Get to know some of the students at your local photography or art school and offer to sponsor/subsidise their equipment or materials?

;)

[Traut]

Books - books - books - art -art -art - museums - museums museums - magazines

My top 10 list

[BJ Bignell]

BJB, what Crumpler did you get? They are tempting. What exactly do you fit in it? Is it too bulky?
I ordered the 4 Million Dollar Home (http://www.crumpler.ca/cartIndex.php?prodId=198&prodType=Bag&catId=22) bag. It's got an (outside) volume of about 5200cm3 - probably about 4000cm3 inside - and my Bessa R plus three lenses almost make 1000cm3, so it should be plenty big with some film, goodies, and my lunch (I bought it as a daily carrier to replace my beat-up old backpack). I expect to have it here by the end of the week.

I have a Lowepro "cube" that's got an outside volume of 12-15000cm3, and it's WAAAAAY too big for just the RF gear (but it's good when I'm taking the TLR and a folder). When I get my new bag, I'll post pics with it and what all I can fit. If it's the wrong size, I'll send it back, get the right one, and then post some pics!

BJ