I've done it...

Wētāpunga wrote: I now have bought no new lenses for 12 months. My last purchase was on this day, last year (during the Auckland lockdown). My Batis 135/2.8 (used). I've beaten my impulse to collect more lenses.

WOW!         CONGRATS!!!

I don't even look at lenses, determined to stay away from stores, auction sites, etc. but they land on my path.

just 2. + some heavily discounted Lensbaby toys -no lenses-, a trigger and a bunch of receivers, that had been on the wishlist for ages, for years and years. (+ a FalconEyes background system, at the local thrift store > E 15).
but think I can justify the purchases? a massive lens to replace dearly missed 70-400 APO, that killed the -screwdrive- AF of A99 the 1st in 2016, (a G-labeled successor with a better reputation ;)), and a faster equivalent of one of my fave ancient lenses, this time WITH working aperture. and half the ('normal' E-bay asking-) price, a cult lens from famous origins, 'as new'.    (because I'm happy with what I have ;)).

@Sashi- you are in very good company! A-mount forever! (unfortunately lacking eye-AF).
@Matthew- that's why my 24-70 ZA has f2.8 on board. ;)

hardly took any pics since november (due to comp. probs). does that count? but saw I made an appearance on Insta. much to my surprise.
(no Instagram account, but entered a photo contest and these people are obv. into Instagram. hardly ever enter contests, other than on Dyxum, but wanted to win a prezzie for a friend. and so I did, won it 2 days ago). on Insta, they changed my name into 'Thurman'. am I a celeb now?

here's to the next 12 months?

angora wrote: WOW!         CONGRATS!!! I don't even look at lenses, determined to stay away from stores, auction sites, etc. but they land on my path.

Well, at least you've shown some restraint with your purchases.

I hear you about the action sites/stores thing. During the lengthy 2021 lockdown in Auckland I had too much time to look at lenses for sale, and no real chance to take photos. And the price of the Batis 135/2.8 just kept dropping, week after week.

Avoiding them is a much better way to avoid seeing 'bargains'.

Wētāpunga wrote: Well, I've never had a desire for Sony GM lenses as they are generally too large and heavy for me to want to carry on long hikes. I freely confess however, I did get addicted to Zeiss Loxia lenses. They were at least, much cheaper. And no new ones seem to be planned, so I think I'm safe for now...

I think some of the Sony GM lenses are surprisingly small and light: for example FE 1.4/24 GM and FE 1.8/14 GM are not that big for these specs, although sure manual focus primes may offer even more compact solution. FE 2.8/70-200 GM OSS II did also shave off significally bulk off from the earlier version and likewise FE 2.8/24-70 GM OSS II is smaller and lighter than the predecessor. Of course, all GM lenses are expensive, although occasionally one can find some bargains also for those on the second hand market.

Congrats! I don't remember the last time I bought a lens. I guess I beat the G.A.S. !!!!!   Well.... sorta. Now I have A.G.A.S. (Astro Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

angora wrote: @Sashi- you are in very good company! A-mount forever! (unfortunately lacking eye-AF).

Moving out of A and into E will cost me a LOT of money in upgrades plus a big loss in all of the glass that will only fetch me pennies on the dollar.

The eye-tracking is one of the best features ever, I have to agree.

I've thought for a long time about getting the 200-600G plus maybe the A6600 or other body to go with it for birding. But I do precious little birding (since it's SO expensive - in terms of time!) that it's perhaps barely worth it at all.
I don't do much sports or wildlife so I'm sort of good where I am, at least for now.

skm.sa100 wrote: ... Moving out of A and into E will cost me a LOT of money in upgrades plus a big loss in all of the glass that will only fetch me pennies on the dollar. The eye-tracking is one of the best features ever, I have to agree.

All good points. In some ways however, I think it is easier to shift to the E-mount (cost-wise) now, as there are more 3rd party manufacturers undercutting the Sony offerings. You could have a good lineup with just what Tamron now has on offer.
Also, now there are a lot more E-mount lenses available for sale 2nd hand.

On the other hand, yeah, A-mount lens prices are not great. I had a lot of older classic and G Minolta lenses I'd bought used, so I didn't 'lose' that much when I sold them. And the few new Sony lenses I had, I'd years of use from. Which meant in some ways, I'd been 'paid' in years of photos already.

But I've accepted I will own less lenses in E-mount than I did in A mount.

I do love the eye-tracking. It has made shooting events so easy (which as a paid-gig, matters).

You naughty boy