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What's the most you've spent on a lens?

I thought spending 700 odd quid on my sigma 50-500, a couple of years ago was loads. However, I'm now contemplating splashing out 4 grand on the canon 500mm f4 lens. I sometimes think I'm going mad when I consider what else I could do with the dosh. I know I will use the lens a lot but spending this much money on my "hobby" is casting doubts in my mind. Whats the most you have splashed out on your equipment? and will I sit back and say "I'm really glad I got this lens?"

I have the luxury of being able to justify it to myself by saying 'It's a tool of the trade' but it's still nice to own all the same.
Total kit is around the £25k mark. My favorite items being the 500 f4 (£4K), MKIII bodies (£2.5k) and my couldn't live without accessory the quantum turbo 2x2 at a shade under £500 (sounds cheap until you realise it is merely a souped up flash battery but once you've used one you'll never go back!).
Oh yeah got a nice 50mm f1 at focus too, total whimsical purchase for about a grand!! Taken some nice portraits with it lately though so I am glad I bought it.
Total kit is around the £25k mark. My favorite items being the 500 f4 (£4K), MKIII bodies (£2.5k) and my couldn't live without accessory the quantum turbo 2x2 at a shade under £500 (sounds cheap until you realise it is merely a souped up flash battery but once you've used one you'll never go back!).
Oh yeah got a nice 50mm f1 at focus too, total whimsical purchase for about a grand!! Taken some nice portraits with it lately though so I am glad I bought it.

Last year - Nikon's 70-200 2.8 VR etc. etc. at £1.2K - lovely device...takes better pictures than I do...
Justification..? I know a young couple who together spend more on season tickets to watch some over-paid prima donnas kick a ball round a field... This year they'll have to spend the same again - I've still got the lens though
Kevin.
Justification..? I know a young couple who together spend more on season tickets to watch some over-paid prima donnas kick a ball round a field... This year they'll have to spend the same again - I've still got the lens though

Kevin.

In 1980 ish (can't quite remember) I bought an Olympus OM1. This cost me a months wages. I shortly after bought a 500mm Zuiko mirror lens second hand which cost me half a months wages. I then bought an OM2MD which was again equivalent to a months wages.
In today's terms I suspect that would be about £3,000.
My last lens cost me £695 and then £1,400 for the 5D.
I would have to have some serious need to spend £4,000 but if you have the money and can justify it to the family go buy it.
I have a friend who is an Arsenal fan and keeps expensive carp. I don't think I spend as much on my hobby/passion as he does but in any case it is all relative. At least when I have had my fun I can get some money back.
My next task is to convince the wife that the successor to the 5D will be really worth it and she can use my 5D as long as I can have it when I need a back up. I will obviously let her have to 70-200F4 and I will have to buy a longer zoom. What wife wouldn't be convinced?
In today's terms I suspect that would be about £3,000.
My last lens cost me £695 and then £1,400 for the 5D.
I would have to have some serious need to spend £4,000 but if you have the money and can justify it to the family go buy it.
I have a friend who is an Arsenal fan and keeps expensive carp. I don't think I spend as much on my hobby/passion as he does but in any case it is all relative. At least when I have had my fun I can get some money back.
My next task is to convince the wife that the successor to the 5D will be really worth it and she can use my 5D as long as I can have it when I need a back up. I will obviously let her have to 70-200F4 and I will have to buy a longer zoom. What wife wouldn't be convinced?

I've found the more money I spend on camera gear... the less I use it. 
(unlike the car)
edit: to answer the question - about £1200
I wouldn't dream of spending more than that on a lens.
Then again, when I bought my first Canon SLR (an EOS 5000) I wouldn't have dreamt of spending more than a couple of hundred quid on camera gear.
Then I bought a 70-300 lens.
Then an EOS 300.
Then a Sigma 24-70.
Then a Canon 17-40, Canon 100mm F2, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 100mm F2.8 macro, Canon 70-200mm F4, Canon 300mm F4, Canon 24-70 F2.8, Canon 100-400mm IS, a 10D, a 5D and a 40D.
Mind you, I did sell the 300mm F4

(unlike the car)
edit: to answer the question - about £1200
I wouldn't dream of spending more than that on a lens.
Then again, when I bought my first Canon SLR (an EOS 5000) I wouldn't have dreamt of spending more than a couple of hundred quid on camera gear.
Then I bought a 70-300 lens.
Then an EOS 300.
Then a Sigma 24-70.
Then a Canon 17-40, Canon 100mm F2, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 100mm F2.8 macro, Canon 70-200mm F4, Canon 300mm F4, Canon 24-70 F2.8, Canon 100-400mm IS, a 10D, a 5D and a 40D.
Mind you, I did sell the 300mm F4
