Will the economy affect your lense buying habit???

[masayako]

Bad economy in U.S., we all know. Will the economy affect your lens buying habit???

[ed rader]

Bad economy in U.S., we all know. Will the economy affect your lens buying habit???


you're going to ignite a political debate, and i don't think that's a good thing.

obviously if money is tight people will spend less.

ed rader

[In2Photos]

I will leave this open for now, but DO NOT turn this into a political debate. These types of threads have a tendency to turn off topic so let's try to maintain discussion to buying habits only. Thanks!

[TheHoff]

I'm voting Nader. He is the only one who supports higher quality glass manufacturing with NO lead in the process.


Oh, wait...

[masayako]

I don't see much price dropping for lens or camera stuff, so I wonder if bad economy has no effect on photograph items

[masayako]

A friend of mine once said to me recently: "Since housing is down, stock is down, nothin' really worth buying, so I invest in my hobby and my more lenses & stuff..."

Hence, the question arise.

[TheHoff]

A friend of mine once said to me recently: "Since housing is down, stock is down, nothin' really worth buying, so I invest in my hobby and my more lenses & stuff..."

That implies that he is liquid in his assets and does not have to save for a purchase; which is unlike the majority of consumers who either save or live on credit.

[Jamie Holladay]

Well let me say this about that. I have a friend who is a Nikon rep. He was at a show a few weeks back. Had he had 4 of the Nikor 400 (what ever they are) with him he could have sold them. Not to professional photogs but to photogs like most of us. So I say there is going to be little effect and that disposable income still exists.

[masayako]

Some more observation: I went to calumet photo last Friday and Saturday in Escondido, CA. Both times, I had to wait in line to test out some lens. 10-15 mins wait. 7-10 people in line.

[steved110]

I'm not planning on cutting back, because i have always been very careful anyway - don't go into debt to buy toys, don't spend more than I earn, don't have as much fun...;)

I think most people will be a little more carefull but I am an optimist regarding the world of finance, and reckon things will not get as bad as feared, and pick up sooner than expected.

[Matt Peters]

Well seeing as my pay here in the UK is pants, I couldn't afford new lenses if I wanted too!!

[Ade H]

If only I could afford to develop such a habit.

[Pete]

Buy white lenses, make wise choices about your selection, and they'll last you a long long time. Quality lasts, and will be an investment.

[rklepper]

I would think people would end up buying more things that gave them hobbies to keep them busy and enjoying something.

[masayako]

That's my current thinking. I rather think about photographer than worrying about the economy.

I would think people would end up buying more things that gave them hobbies to keep them busy and enjoying something.

[Ade H]

That's probably going to hold true for people who have yet to see a major effect and still have disposable income. Sadly, I know all too many people who have been affected to the point of no longer having any spare income, and some of them are much worse off than that. I'm feeling it, too.

At the moment, it seems that over all retail sales are hanging in there, but if the experts are right about people using savings and credit cards to keep up their spending, that can't last and will leave them worse off in the long term.

[klynam]

Single income family here. I do photography on the side as much as possible for fun and extra income. I'd love to expand my lenses further, but worries about the future economy are definitely holding me back. (Plus we need a new oven...:-( )

I did invest in some hot-lights (balanced fluorescents) last week that I hope will increase my school portrait income.

I think most of my investment for the near future will be time: learning to photograph better and using my current equipment to it maximum potential.

With resources online (like POTN and it's members) that should keep my mind off the 135/L...or the 18-200/IS...or the 50D...or the 5DMkII...or the...

[Lonnie]

I have the lenses I need for now anyway - I don't see buying more than one more lens in the next year. The habit I've gotten into - buying lighting, which is cheaper than a lens habit I guess.

The higher gas prices and inflation of other products because of the gas prices will cut into my discretionary income of course. I still have a job, my mortgage is the same and the sky is still up there last time I checked. :)

[mdm]

I was thinking about picking up an extra working wife that would give me more disposable income.

[PiRho]

My lens buying schedule, has not changed due to the economy. I have been saving for the lenses, and gear... and by Canon I'm gonna buy it! the rising gas prices affect me more than the investment stuff... on the personal side, might not get to buy a house as soon, due to income... but that is a different story.

[Mark1]

Since I don't participate in recessions, Yes I am in fact buying. Actually buying pretty much a whole whole new set up. Body, lights, a few lens, tripod, Pretty much everything but my bag. Or mabey a new bag too.

Smart business people advertise more in times like this, not less. So basically I am getting ready. I hope to introduce new services while others are trying to cut back.

[mellowd]

Not really. I save around £50 - £100 a month for purchases, occasionally splashing out. I need to get a new body soon but I'm in no rush to get lenses right now, everything I got cover what I need for now.

I'd love to get the 35L and 85L as well as an old 5D body, but that can wait.

And nothing I've ever bought has been on credit, I've always been one to say if I don't have the cash, don't buy it!

[smcclelland]

We're still going strong here in Canada and with the motorsports season finished here I am doing my usual winter revamp of the kit and addressing any gaps or needs I found during last season. This is also the time I ponder about expanding beyond motorsports and look at other avenues of photography to source a secondary income.

[sevillafox]

I'm set for lenses and feel no need for L's at this time or in the forseeable future. I'm currently disposing of all my income in the form of diapers. ;)

[Tandem]

I'm going to take advantage of the bad economy and branch out into photographing homeless people. :p

Maybe I can buy some stealth lenses.

[klynam]

Tandem - got a few lenses to choose from don't cha? LOL !!!

[shannyD]

it wont change my buying habbits.. at all.. if i need it i need. what else can i do about it? pls if i really want something i will spend less on expensive make up, so i can spend more on photography.

[DozerLYP]

it will be the same for my photographic gears, I might just have to stop buying everything else tho...

[John_B]

masayako,
Looks like even the bankrupt companies are still offering credit :lol: :lol: :lol:

WaMu Credit
http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.jpg
click for specs (http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.htm)

[mdm]

masayako,
Looks like even the bankrupt companies are still offering credit :lol: :lol: :lol:

WaMu Credit (http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.htm)
http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.jpg

click for specs
(http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.htm)


Too funny. Good one.

[masayako]

yes, WaMu. WaMu is big in San Diego. Me & my partners managed to withdraw 95% of cash away from it before the announcement. masayako,
Looks like even the bankrupt companies are still offering credit :lol: :lol: :lol:

WaMu Credit
http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.jpg
click for specs (http://johnbdigital.com/misc/wamu_credit.htm)

[dave kadolph]

I'm keeping an eye on the local Craigslist.

Some ready cash for certain items @ a good price--but so far no bargains here or FM.

[GilesGuthrie]

The higher gas prices and inflation of other products because of the gas prices will cut into my discretionary income of course. I still have a job, my mortgage is the same and the sky is still up there last time I checked. :)


This is pretty much how I feel, except substitute "gas" with "food". I've noticed our food bill has gone up by 30% this past year. Oh, and electricity, and the stuff we call gas has gone up too, so utilities are up around 30%. We both have jobs, even though my wife works for HBOS, and we're still getting the bills paid.

I'm fortunate enough that my savings are actually in low-yield zero risk places at the minute, although the children's Child Trust Funds have taken a beating recently.


I've just ordered 400/5.6L, 135L and a Gitzo monopod, so that may answer your question.