So, who else spent too much at the end of the year? Again...

Run&Gun

Run&Gun

Veteran
Well, 2016 is now gone and we're a week into the new year. That means that a lot of people just made a lot of year-end purchases in the last few weeks. I know in several threads, some people have said they weren't gonna buy any gear this year or next year, at least concerning major purchases like cameras, glass, etc. I had fully intended to take it easy on the way out of '16, too. My plan was to add some more lighting(LED's), some memory cards and maybe some odds-and-ends, but that was it.

Towards the end of November I decided to go ahead and add the LED's- another set of bi-color Astra's. Of course it's not just the lights you have to buy. I wanted to make a mirror set of what I have now(minus the BT modules), so it wasn't just two panels, it was two more stands, two more diffusion panels, two more Chimeras, two more power cables(I buy 25 footers for them), two more battery brackets and of course a bag. So two $1350 panels end up being $4000... But that was gonna be it, except for odd-and-ends.

Well never being one to know when to quit while I'm ahead, I decided, in an almost spur of the moment decision, to buy a Canon 17-120. Yeah...

I'm done for the year. I don't "need" to buy anything else, I thought. Then my dealer sends me a "specials" sheet with gear that they're trying to clear out of inventory that has been sitting for a while. I look through and nothing is jumping out at me, even though some of the prices are DAMN good, thank goodness. Then I see an Oconor 1030DS head for 45% OFF!!! But it was already sold. I was saved from myself. Then as i continued to scan down the list I ran across two Sound Devices 633's. Hell, I have three audio bags, my old 442, a 664 and a 302 for run & gun stuff. I don't "need" another mixer, but... I can replace the 302 AND leave the 664 at home a lot more... Then I look at the prices. Crap. It was pretty much an offer you couldn't refuse. And one of my audio guys picked-up the second one. At least I knew on this purchase, there weren't going to be another $1K-$1.5K in accessories that I was gonna have to buy, because it was a direct replacement for the 302 in that bag. I only had to buy the Lemo-to-2 BNC TC cable.

So, I went from "I'm not buying a lot" at the end of '16 to making not one, not two, but what could be considered three big purchases, plus the other things like cards, filters, cables, etc.

I think we need to set-up a 'Help Line'. Got G.A.S? Call 1-800-DONT-BUY
 
PM me if you are interested in an Oconnor 1030B. Just serviced in excellent condition. I bought it new in '98 and may consider selling. Is my screen name familiar to you? I see you are in NC. Oh, and I spent too much too.
 
I know how you feel, too many sweet group buys at the end of year.

I went with Anton Bauer Cine 150s and Performance Quad Charger, Cartoni Focus 12 38% trade in special, Bright Tangerine LW matte box 50% discount special, Dracast LED 60% discount from BHPhoto deal zone, bunch of Pelican cases from their annual sale, and now I'm looking at a lightly used Canon CN-E 15.5-47.

Help!
 
bill totolo said:
I know how you feel, too many sweet group buys at the end of year.

I went with Anton Bauer Cine 150s and Performance Quad Charger, Cartoni Focus 12 38% trade in special, Bright Tangerine LW matte box 50% discount special, Dracast LED 60% discount from BHPhoto deal zone, bunch of Pelican cases from their annual sale, and now I'm looking at a lightly used Canon CN-E 15.5-47.

Help!
Click to expand...

I guess I can feel a little better. The only stuff I really paid full price for were the lights that I was gonna buy anyway. The lens had a $5,000 rebate and the mixer was over 30% off.
 
Guilty as charged as well. :Drogar-Shock(DBG):
And maybe I do need that help line. After reading Bill's post above - my first thought was honestly " damn, how did I miss that Bright T 50% matte box sale".
 
markfpv said:
Guilty as charged as well. :Drogar-Shock(DBG):
And maybe I do need that help line. After reading Bill's post above - my first thought was honestly " damn, how did I miss that Bright T 50% matte box sale".
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad, it was only on the lightweight misfit atom. Seem to come up every year or so.
 
Ha. Thanks Bill. I really do need a new matte box...and the LW atom was on my radar... so I'll keep an eye out for that sale (of course, if I can stay off the purchasing sauce that long)
 
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Well I went and bought an Alexa Studio... so, yep... guilty as charged :/

But hey, I've accumulated so much crap by now, that I've barely needed to buy any accessories for it - so that's a victory... right?
 
Who spent too much? I did!
I needed some expenses to offset income for taxes. I try to hold out for certain gear I need while watching for long periods of time until significant sales (which often come at the end of the year).

I mainly needed a 4K camera solution, an indoor mic and more drives/media. The 4K camera ended up meaning more lenses...
But then the Sennheiser 416 goes on a big sale and Dracast slashes the price on a couple lights that would make life easier. And then the super zoom lens I've been watching for several years gets slashed in price and ahhhh! :2vrolijk_08:

And then other things pop up on sale that I've been watching and I don't really need right now but will later....

Waiting and watching does help because I ended up saving a lot plus acquiring gift cards to use on other gear so I was able to juggle it all around each other.
And after all that I still don't have the indoor mic I need! :grin: But I do have a gift card waiting for it....

So yeah I spent a lot but have gotten just about where I need to be on gear for a while.

Big gear expense in 2016 and big vehicle expense in 2017 should help me on taxes.
 
Good time to pick up various Christmas light LEDs. Was at a big box store today and all their Christmas lights were 75% off. Obviously not serious kit but definitely have their uses from time to time.
 
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