Back From Europe, Lessons Learned

[F8&Bthere]

So after reviewing about 1400 photos taken in Slovakia, I've come to some conclusions I'd like to share with y'all:

1. I'm so done with prime lenses. It's time for me to accept that I'm lazy, and would rather stay put and turn a zoom ring than constantly repositioning myself and changing lenses.

2. I'm so done with dual camera systems. I took my Pentax gear with me and left the more expensive Nikon at home mostly for fear of having it stolen. But I realize I don't need two systems. It just ends up creating too many decisions (and getting expensive), and I gotta stop babying my stuff. I realize I made some poor buying decisions, though I was able to justify or rationalize them at the time. So now feel I would be better off to dump one system and invest that money in better glass for the other.

3. Anyone interested in a crapload of Pentax gear?

[casil403]

Anyone interested in a crapload of Pentax gear?

I might probably be...what'cha got?

[F8&Bthere]

I'm guessing you're gonna be sorry you asked....

I have a K10D body with only about 2100 actuations, Pentax DBG-2 Battery Grip, plus back-up K100D body with about 4500 actuations, Sigma AF 10-20mm lens (bought new at Saneal for $700 in South Center Mall just a few weeks ago), newer Pentax AF 35mm/2.8 macro LTD (now goes for $600+ in town), older Pentax-A SMC 35-70/3.5-4.5 zoom (manual focus), older Pentax-A SMC 70- 210/4 macro zoom (manual focus), plus extra batteries, memory cards, and many other bonus extras like macro extension tubes, 3rd party ring flash, Tiffen close-up lenses (like filters), various other filters, Pentax IR and 3rd party cable release. I would also consider throwing in a macro sliding rail and a bag or case. Basically the only thing missing is a good tripod (I'm keeping that). All this equipment was babied and mostly in like new condition. A lot of this was just purchased in the last few months (K10D, grip, batteries, cards, remote, Sigma lens)!! I have all documentation, included accessories, and even the original boxes for the main items.
I am quite serious about selling the stuff, but I would only sell it all as a complete package. If nobody is interested at the price I'm asking, or if I keep getting offers on just one or two items, I'd rather just keep it. I'm thinking a good match is somebody out there who has nothing, and wants to got from 0-60 in 6 seconds flat. That, and/or somebody outside of North America who would have to pay way more to get equipment like this locally.

I actually just put it in the photo.net classifieds. And there's a guy there in the forum from Australia that just had all his Pentax gear stolen that's considering it as an option if the police don't recover his gear. Apparently Pentax is harder to get where he is and most photo equipment is more expensive than it is here.

[F8&Bthere]

Well, at least for the moment I've figured out a way to make the systems co-exist. This is after figuring that I'd end up taking a big loss to sell it at prices people will pay for Pentax gear, and just end up making matters worse. The K10D and Sigma wide angle lens can be on the tripod, for example, and my Nikon with a normal to long lens around my neck, and everything fits in my photo backpack. And if I'm keeping the K10D and Sigma 10-20, then the rest of the package is really not worth enough to bother with. The K100D will be my son's new toy along with the old manual lenses- maybe get him into photography at a young age.