Got £2k to spend at Wex.

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supersammy

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Okay - I am insured with Aaduki, last week I was robbed and they have been great at sorting it out. Sadly I was underinsured. Which was my fault really (well I wasn't underinsured - but you couldn't replace my equipment at Wex prices).

So instead of replacing my items they have put credit to spend at Wex. I got £4850 to spend.

So far I've ordered a 16-35mm and a 24-70mm which comes to just under £3k.

I have a spare body - so I don't plan on buying one of those now.

A lot of stuff was stolen - but I'm trying to work out what I really need now. I can borrow a 70-200 which I had so it's not a priority but it's something I would like at some point.

And advice on what I should spend the cash on?

I am thinking some filters, a replacement flash, and I need to work out what else.
 
obvious ones if you dont have them.. camera bag, sd cards, tripod, prime lens .. maybe a 35 or a 50mm.. macro lens something like 85 or 100mm maybe?
 
dean messenger said:
obvious ones if you dont have them.. camera bag, sd cards, tripod, prime lens .. maybe a 35 or a 50mm.. macro lens something like 85 or 100mm maybe?
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Got a spare bag - however after getting robbed I don't really want to carry a "camera bag" again. I'd rather stick the camera in a normal bag. The slim risk of damaging it, is better to me than getting my head kicked in.

I've got a tripod and loads of sd cards. Although prime lenses are great - I rarely if ever used my old one... To be honest I found the 24-105 good enough and I'm sure the 24-70 will be just as good if not better.

I was considering a 100mm macro - but again, I've got to ask myself when I would use it. Taking photos like that doesn't really interest me. I'm told you can use it as a great portrait lenses, but I prefer to just use something like the 24-105 for that. I'm not overly fussy so like flexible things.

I am looking at some lee filters - maybe getting a ex600 flash (although again, I'm not sure it offers anything the 430 didn't).

I know this sounds like a terrible comment - but I'm kind of struggling to think of what I actually need. Even spending the cash on overpriced cable releases seems daft when I can get a knock off from amazon for £15.

I'm actually considering using the cash to get my brother a dslr set up - unless someone can give me some inspiration.
 
you could sell the credit to someone else?

someone that's just about the buy a 5dmk3 for example?

you'll get so much more for your money buying cheap amazon knock offs and used gear



out of interest what camera bag were you using- an obvious lowepro one? How did the incident occur

i've just bought a billingham to combat the 'camera bag' look, but fear that A) it looks like a nice bag that might hold expensive things, B) you see my put the camera in the bag after taking the shot and the disguise is blown C) thieves might know billingham!
 
WEX do secondhand too.....
 
mrjames said:
you could sell the credit to someone else?

someone that's just about the buy a 5dmk3 for example?

you'll get so much more for your money buying cheap amazon knock offs and used gear



out of interest what camera bag were you using- an obvious lowepro one? How did the incident occur

i've just bought a billingham to combat the 'camera bag' look, but fear that A) it looks like a nice bag that might hold expensive things, B) you see my put the camera in the bag after taking the shot and the disguise is blown C) thieves might know billingham!
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Yep Lowepro. Fortunately it was just snatched, and I didn't catch the bloke. But on another day I could end up getting a good kicking or even stabbed. So I just don't want the hassle off carying around a big sign on by back saying in here is loads of money.

Most of my stuff was brought second hand, or imported so Wex do seem expensive. I am looking forward to getting the new lenses though.

I don't know anyone who is looking at spending that amount on camera equipment - and I'd not be willing to buy it without having some money, similarly no one in their right mind who doesn't know me would send me money when I don't even have the equipment. So that idea is out.
 
Sorry to hear about stuff getting stolen. Had it happen to me, and it's not nice. I wasn't insured though. :(

It depends what was taken, and what you want to replace. And if you're not doing a straight like for like replacement, why you have made those choices.

Little bits and pieces will be cleaning stuff, Lenspens, cleaning cloths, maybe a wet clean kit. Bags. Memory cards too, though you wouldn't be getting the most of your credit by getting memory cards from WEX, as they overcharge for cards by quite a bit. :rolleyes:

A Flash depends on whether you would use it. I have one, but rarely use it, so it would not be high on my list to replace.

Filters , again, depends on whether you will use them. Polariser, ND and Grad ND can come in useful, but any other type of filter are pretty much a waste of time imho. I use a Polariser all the time so it would be near the top of my replacement list.

A tripod would be good if you lost that too, again, only you can say if it is a priority.

I wouldn't want to be left with one camera. Be careful in not getting a back up camera if you have the cash now, as the longer you have only one camera you may feel you don't need a back up and use up the credit, but if something were no happen, depending on what camera you'd want, that could be a big wad of cash to suddenly come up with. :eek:

Getting credit instead of cash could be a double edged thing, it will stop you spending the money on something else, but obviously limits you to one company.

Only you can say what you need now.
 
Aaduki are excellent at sorting claims. They were happy to give me a cheque to buy 2nd hand rather than new as I was underinsured too.
 
redhed17 said:
Sorry to hear about stuff getting stolen. Had it happen to me, and it's not nice. I wasn't insured though. :(

It depends what was taken, and what you want to replace. And if you're not doing a straight like for like replacement, why you have made those choices.

Little bits and pieces will be cleaning stuff, Lenspens, cleaning cloths, maybe a wet clean kit. Bags. Memory cards too, though you wouldn't be getting the most of your credit by getting memory cards from WEX, as they overcharge for cards by quite a bit. :rolleyes:

A Flash depends on whether you would use it. I have one, but rarely use it, so it would not be high on my list to replace.

Filters , again, depends on whether you will use them. Polariser, ND and Grad ND can come in useful, but any other type of filter are pretty much a waste of time imho. I use a Polariser all the time so it would be near the top of my replacement list.

A tripod would be good if you lost that too, again, only you can say if it is a priority.

I wouldn't want to be left with one camera. Be careful in not getting a back up camera if you have the cash now, as the longer you have only one camera you may feel you don't need a back up and use up the credit, but if something were no happen, depending on what camera you'd want, that could be a big wad of cash to suddenly come up with. :eek:

Getting credit instead of cash could be a double edged thing, it will stop you spending the money on something else, but obviously limits you to one company.

Only you can say what you need now.
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Lost a bag with a 5diii and lots of other stuff. Overall it was around 7k to replace it all. I got a bit less than this.

Again - a second camera would be great. But I'm not a pro so it's not the end of the world if I can't take a photo. And my other body is insured - so if I lose, drop it or it gets pinched I'm covered. So at this moment I don't need it. And if I were to have got another 5d I'd not have enough to get the lenses. Thats what I was left short with. So I had to make a compromise.

I do occasionally use a flash. But not all that often.

One of the lenses lost was a 70-200 2.8 ii. Getting another one is an idea - but I didn't use it that often and I know two people with them who would let me borrow them if I asked. So it's seems a little silly to spend 2 grand on it (especially when I can get it hundreds cheaper elsewhere).

I've got a tripod, I suppose I could upgrade - but I don't really need to. Same goes for memory cards.
 
cambsno said:
Aaduki are excellent at sorting claims. They were happy to give me a cheque to buy 2nd hand rather than new as I was underinsured too.
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They didn't let me have a cheque. The underwriter didn't allow it. I'd have to buy the stuff myself and then reclaim the cost. I didn't want to spend 5 grand off my own money at this point. I also was wary of them being overly picky when it came to claiming back. As in I brought the 24-70 rather than the 24-105. It also leaves me with big problems when it comes to buying the stuff from say china - and them saying they won't pay for that. I just didn't want to take the risk. But overall they were great.
 
dean messenger said:
might sound a waste but have you considered something like a CSC camera system for when you dont want to lug around big heavy DSLR and lenses
fuji x system maybe.. the x100s for a fixed lens system or the XE-2

add in a canvas shoulder bag with some padding and you have the perfect days out kit
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-fuji-finepix-x100s-digital-camera-black/p1547204
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-fuji-x-e2-digital-camera-with-18-55mm-lens-black/p1544352
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Considered it - but for me wouldn't be worthwhile. I'll get ripped for saying this. But if I want to take a quick photo I'll use my iphone 5s.
 
nah i wont rip ya.. its your money but i will say this. as a former X-E1 owner and having used the X-100S its a serious piece of kit by a very long way and used by alot of pro's and comparing it to an iphone is like comparing a ford fiesta to a Mclaren F1
 
dean messenger said:
nah i wont rip ya.. its your money but i will say this. as a former X-E1 owner and having used the X-100S its a serious piece of kit by a very long way and used by alot of pro's and comparing it to an iphone is like comparing a ford fiesta to a Mclaren F1
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Sorry I wasn't trying to compare them. What I mean is, if I want to take a quick shot I'm happy with the iPhone. If I brought a really expensive compact - I'd never use it to it's potential. So it would be wasted on me.
 
I mainly just use my bag for storing my camera rather than actually carrying it but if I wanted a bag that did not shout "steal me" then I'd go with something like the think tank retrospective bag which looks like a regular messenger bag - they seem to get good reviews - you can get them at clifton but not sure about wex
 
dont know if you do much flash work i see you mention flashguns.. what about pocket wizards?
or a wide format Printer if you do your own prints..
Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Printer will dent a £1000 hole in your budget

or a 15 inch macbook pro? ( or one of the other macs)
 
boliston said:
I mainly just use my bag for storing my camera
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Be careful of that. When I got broken into all my gear was nicely packed in my back for the B******s :mad: as I'd just stopped at home to drop my bag off before I went out again. Nice and handy for them to pick up. I now put bits and pieces in different places, and don't have anything on show. All my stuff would not normally have been in the bag at the same time, (a backpack btw, not specialist camera bag) but I had been demonstrating it all to some people. :(
 
redhed17 said:
Be careful of that. When I got broken into all my gear was nicely packed in my back for the B******s :mad: as I'd just stopped at home to drop my bag off before I went out again. Nice and handy for them to pick up. I now put bits and pieces in different places, and don't have anything on show. All my stuff would not normally have been in the bag at the same time, (a backpack btw, not specialist camera bag) but I had been demonstrating it all to some people. :(
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The only camera equipment I own is one consumer body and one cheap (about £40) lens so it's only a small bag (nova 1-aw) that it gets stored in. If I had a lot of expensive lenses nicely stored in a bag with a pro body (or 2) then this would be nice & handy for a thief!
 
Sorry to hear about your gear being stolen. Thankfully you were partly insured. I think it is a great time to think about what you really use and need. I've recently cut down kit down to what I use rather than want, it's made me think what I really need to keep. It is worrying how much you buy over time. What photography do you do? As you have gone for a 16-35 and 24-70 that covers most portrait and landscape needs. Lens wise a 70-200 could be ideal but if you don't use one then it won't be much use. As you don't what to replace the 5diii I can see your problem.

Regarding storing everything in a bag, it is easier but like you say it is ideal for thieves. Out and about I can't really not be seen with the camera, can't really hide a long lens easily. I've never understood why manufacturers have logos on their camera bags, kind of gives it away.

I was thinking of insuring through Aaduki, they did say they would cover like for like, ie second hand for second hand so it's a bit of a worry that the underwriter has made you go with new. I think I will be phoning them before going ahead now
 
I hope the 16-35 is not the old 2.8 model. 24-70 and 70-200mm form the basis of the kit, then start adding everything else. Maybe have a think about heavy chunky tripod with solid head for next time :naughty:
 
rob-nikon said:
Sorry to hear about your gear being stolen. Thankfully you were partly insured. I think it is a great time to think about what you really use and need. I've recently cut down kit down to what I use rather than want, it's made me think what I really need to keep. It is worrying how much you buy over time. What photography do you do? As you have gone for a 16-35 and 24-70 that covers most portrait and landscape needs. Lens wise a 70-200 could be ideal but if you don't use one then it won't be much use. As you don't what to replace the 5diii I can see your problem.

Regarding storing everything in a bag, it is easier but like you say it is ideal for thieves. Out and about I can't really not be seen with the camera, can't really hide a long lens easily. I've never understood why manufacturers have logos on their camera bags, kind of gives it away.

I was thinking of insuring through Aaduki, they did say they would cover like for like, ie second hand for second hand so it's a bit of a worry that the underwriter has made you go with new. I think I will be phoning them before going ahead now
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Don't worry about it - Aaduki were exceptional. As in brilliant.

There policy is new for old. It was my mistake to value my items at the price I paid for them. To me that makes sense though - when I insure my car I don't say it cost £30k new if it's worth £15k. But then I wouldn't complain if they didn't pay me £30k. Aaduki are not responsible for me not reading the policy properly.

I can't comment for every case. But mine was a high value claim, the Police were unable to do anything. So they only really had my word and a crime reference number, and they have sorted it in 4 days. 1 day was me calling up and putting the claim form in (couldn't do it til late afternoon after 5 due to work commitments), then 2 days to hear back from the underwriters. Then they got it sorted. I know the underwriters came back to them with questions because I chased them up. However - they were truly brilliant.

I'm not someone who hands out compliments easily. However if my policy is in anyway reasonable in price I will be renewing with them. To put it into perspective - when I had less than 2 grands worth of damage done to a car it took weeks to sort out. That was after I'd crashed into a wall, being totally my fault.
 
daugirdas said:
I hope the 16-35 is not the old 2.8 model. 24-70 and 70-200mm form the basis of the kit, then start adding everything else. Maybe have a think about heavy chunky tripod with solid head for next time :naughty:
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No it's the new mark 2 model. To be honest I was torn between that and the new f4 one, however I don't need IS and being able to shoot at 2.8 could be useful. Very few comparisons of the two side by side on the internet.

Oh and I've got a heavy chunky tripod. I just didn't have it with me. And I wouldn't have caught the bloke anyway he grabbed it and was off on his bicycle. Also if stuff is insured (even though I made a loss due to under insurance) I'd rather let someone take it than run the risk of getting hurt, or getting arrested. I had a friend who for over a year was on bail after breaking the jaw off someone who tried to break into his car.
 
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supersammy said:
Don't worry about it - Aaduki were exceptional. As in brilliant.

There policy is new for old. It was my mistake to value my items at the price I paid for them. To me that makes sense though - when I insure my car I don't say it cost £30k new if it's worth £15k. But then I wouldn't complain if they didn't pay me £30k. Aaduki are not responsible for me not reading the policy properly.

I can't comment for every case. But mine was a high value claim, the Police were unable to do anything. So they only really had my word and a crime reference number, and they have sorted it in 4 days. 1 day was me calling up and putting the claim form in (couldn't do it til late afternoon after 5 due to work commitments), then 2 days to hear back from the underwriters. Then they got it sorted. I know the underwriters came back to them with questions because I chased them up. However - they were truly brilliant.

I'm not someone who hands out compliments easily. However if my policy is in anyway reasonable in price I will be renewing with them. To put it into perspective - when I had less than 2 grands worth of damage done to a car it took weeks to sort out. That was after I'd crashed into a wall, being totally my fault.
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Thanks for the reply Sam. Sounds like they are great to deal but it is a shame you had to go through this. I'm going to give them a call to go through it properly as like you say it's worth to ensure you are fully covered. cheers Rob
 
Given I ordered last night after 5, the new lenses have just arrived. First impressions are good. Definately need to go and have a play with them now. Oh and 16mm is quite wide.

A couple of oddball ideas to spend the rest of the money - 1) Wait for the 7dii to come out. I've heard it is going to be great, not sure if it will be worth the close to 5d money though. 2) Get the canon fisheye lens. That seems really cool - but I'd never spend it if it was "my" cash.
 
supersammy said:
Don't worry about it - Aaduki were exceptional. As in brilliant.

I can't comment for every case. But mine was a high value claim, the Police were unable to do anything. So they only really had my word and a crime reference number, and they have sorted it in 4 days. 1 day was me calling up and putting the claim form in (couldn't do it til late afternoon after 5 due to work commitments), then 2 days to hear back from the underwriters. Then they got it sorted. I know the underwriters came back to them with questions because I chased them up. However - they were truly brilliant.
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They seriously sorted it all out within a week?
 
gman said:
They seriously sorted it all out within a week?
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I've got two lenses sitting here in front off me. Less than a week. I called on monday - on thursday it was settled, and today I have the equipment.
 
That's excellent service.
 
Hire a Fisheye lens to get it out of your system. You have to really really like the fisheye effect to justify buying one. I would say one of the more common lenses to be gathering dust in cupboards. ;)

As with Nikon and a mythical D400, a 7DII is one of those you plan to buy it when it actually exists. ;) Rumour after rumour, but no camera after years and years.:( :rolleyes: :LOL:
 
Okay - an update for anyone who answered.

I decided to prove I can never make my mind up.

So have gone for a Fuji x100s as a nice camera to take on holiday.

Also gone for some Lee Filters (big stopper, little stopper, DSLR started kit, 82mm ring).

And a 600rt flash.

And bang there goes two grand.
 
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