Photography - rich man's hobby?

[Link64]

do you all afford to get the new (better) equipment just for a hobby? and how much do you like photography?

I like it ok so far (just started), but I would like it more if I have more equipment :lol:

if its ONLY a hobby (and not doing it for a living) do you kind of see it as a hobby for the "thick wallet" ppl?

With an slr kit only, the average photographer wont go far; you need more pro tools to make more pro photos (otherwise they wont be on the market :P)

ok some guys do miracles with an auto point and shoot film camera, but im not one of those :p

if one wants the best, he/she needs a good tripod, good flash, luggage and more (not to mention computer software for editing!) Funny thing is that all photographers (strongly) suggest to get the GOOD ones and to avoid the cheaper stuff as they wont last long.

How are your settled with your stuff?
So far i only have an eos kit and Kelby's book!
I do wish for a tripod but I can't afford a manfrotto so i'll prolly go for those china-pencil legs tripod lol
I mean, as long as it does the job its ok right?

cheers :)

[dollei]

I just work my ass off to get my gear; sell old ones I don't use/need anymore and that helps get me the new gear I want. Yes it is an expensive hobby, but you can either work with what you have and use it for it's full potential or let the bug bite and have purchases of bodies, lenses, lighting, software, and accessories circling your mind every day :(

[Link64]

5D | 17-40L | 70-200 f/4L | 50 f/1.8 | 75 - 300 III

thats some nice equipment u've got!!!!!! speechless

[windpig]

You think photography is an expensive hobby, try boating.

[sued5320]

Keep in mind photos are only as good as the person BEHIND the gear. So-so photographer is going to shoot so-so photos even with expensive gear. Get better with what you have then reward yourself with higher quality stuff.

If your tripod works for you, no need to upgrade. (I upgraded because of better QR plate, independent angles for legs and the velbon I had wasn't tall enough.)

[matonanjin]

You think photography is an expensive hobby, try boating.

Or horse showing!:rolleyes:

[dollei]

thats some nice equipment u've got!!!!!! speechless
That is nothing compared to what others have racked up here!

[natalieegbert]

I started out a little over a year ago and I slowly save money for everything I buy so much a week and then my husband gets bonuses at his work every 3 months or so and I usually spend them on photo stuff too. I want to start saving up for the 5D Mark 2 but its gonna take me a while.

[k_wakasugi]

In my case, I'm a college kid, living on my own, paying every penny of my bills (parents live in a senior community, living off of disability/social security). So for me, it's just slow... slow... sometimes painfully slow saving up. But when that new toy arrives, it's all worth it.


Stupid tuition hikes don't help. :mad:

[neil_r]

keep earning, keep saving, keep buying..... it all adds up :-)

[Roy G. Biv]

My other expensive hobby.. 210g saltwater reef tank. :) Fish/corals can easily run into the $100's each!

[JeffreyG]

I won't call photography an inexpensive hobby, but it is cheaper than a lot of other very common ones. I have something like $10k spent on everything I have. That is a lot less money than:

Motorcycles
Antique or Hot Rod cars
Fishing (usually, especially if you have a boat)
Golf (over the long haul greens fees really add up plus I know guys with $3000 clubs)
Flying
Sailing
Boating
Gambling

One gets the idea. I think some non-photographers are stunned at the price of good equipment. These same people don't bat an eye at a $25,000 Harley Davidson or a $35,000 bass boat.

[RDKirk]

When I was in high school and college in the late 60s and early 70s, I haunted pawn shops for my first cameras. My first brand new camera was a pretty icky East German Praktica.

http://www.collectiblecameras.com/catalog/images/HanimexSTL.jpg

[number six]

When I was in high school and college in the late 60s and early 70s, I haunted pawn shops for my first cameras. My first brand new camera was a pretty icky East German Praktica.

http://www.collectiblecameras.com/catalog/images/HanimexSTL.jpg

That was my first SLR too. I bought it new. At the time through-lens metering was fairly rare and expensive. The Praktica had stop-down metering - the big button on the front.

Still, it worked. Lens wasn't the best, but I didn't know any better.

A couple of years later I upgraded big time to a Nikon FTn with the excellent Nikkor 50 f/1.4. I still have it.

-js

[adsayer]

I'm a student and I'm not even sure how I've acquired the gear I have thinking about it. Just good part exchanges and grabbing a bargain when I see one! I'm looking to reinsure my gear this year for £6000.
ouch.

[Karl Johnston]

Rich man's hobby, poor man's career? :lol: Just kidding. I don't think it's a rich man's hobby. Realize this; the majority of the highly expensive gear in photographer (16-35 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS, 1DS mark IIIs, 5Dm2s) are geared towards the professionals...not the hobbyists.

There's lots of cheap cameras out there that will do the job more than you ever will need and be great fun to work with. Such as a rebel 350d or a AE-1 SLR for film. Cheap cheap cameras but still good, even today

I have a 3500$ car that we have put 1000$ into..thus 4500$ expenditure. I love driving, so there's my gas too. I spend probably about 200$ a month in gas because of my love of cruising and pumping tunes; it's how i relax. Then there's registration and insurance..so add another 1200/year on there.

But ...look how expensive it is! Then again I have a relatively cheap car (2002 sunfire). A hobby like cruising and tuning costs way more than photography ever will. I know guys who have nissan 350Zs and a similar hobby as mine...but they're the ones spending 50-100 grand on their car collections and cruising hobby.

[cdifoto]

do you all afford to get the new (better) equipment just for a hobby? and how much do you like photography?

I like it ok so far (just started), but I would like it more if I have more equipment :lol:

if its ONLY a hobby (and not doing it for a living) do you kind of see it as a hobby for the "thick wallet" ppl?

With an slr kit only, the average photographer wont go far; you need more pro tools to make more pro photos (otherwise they wont be on the market :P)

ok some guys do miracles with an auto point and shoot film camera, but im not one of those :p

if one wants the best, he/she needs a good tripod, good flash, luggage and more (not to mention computer software for editing!) Funny thing is that all photographers (strongly) suggest to get the GOOD ones and to avoid the cheaper stuff as they wont last long.

How are your settled with your stuff?
So far i only have an eos kit and Kelby's book!
I do wish for a tripod but I can't afford a manfrotto so i'll prolly go for those china-pencil legs tripod lol
I mean, as long as it does the job its ok right?

cheers :)
You're confusing "photography" with "gear collecting."

You don't need expensive stuff to make photographs.

[Karl Johnston]

2 points !^

[cdifoto]

Hah I drive a 1999 Contour and that was a recent upgrade for me. :D

[Undispu7ed]

I would have the sexiest set up if I didn't blow all my money on stupid crap back then. Hell I bought a motorcycle almost a year ago and it got stolen 2 months later. I wish I spent that money on gear instead :(

[Analog6]

Or horse showing!:rolleyes:

Yes, I can identify with that one, biggest and hungriest money eater around.

[RDKirk]

That was my first SLR too. I bought it new. At the time through-lens metering was fairly rare and expensive. The Praktica had stop-down metering - the big button on the front.

Still, it worked. Lens wasn't the best, but I didn't know any better.

A couple of years later I upgraded big time to a Nikon FTn with the excellent Nikkor 50 f/1.4. I still have it.

-js

I went from there to a Topcon Super DM, which was an excellent camera (it was the official camera of the US Navy), but it was ultimately doomed because of the tiny Exakta lens mount. But then the Canon F1 came out--I was out of school and working by then, but still unmarried and didn't mind eating Ramen noodles for a few weeks if necessary, so I could swing a brace of F1 cameras with the MF drives.

[bric-a-brac]

haha, I would shoot film for the rest of my life if the trade off meant I could afford sailing and motorcycles. :D

The hobbyists aren't even shooting the expensive cameras! heck, *most* of the pros aren't, either. Take a look at the digital medium and large format cameras some time. Phase One, Hasselblad, Horseman... they make the cost of a brand new 1Ds mkIII look like peanuts!

[Karl Johnston]

Hah I drive a 1999 Contour and that was a recent upgrade for me. :D
I hear you, my sunfire feels like luxury compared to my highschool car of a parissienne pontiac 1980 ;)

[tkbslc]

I think you would be surprised how much money even a "poor" man wastes. If there is something you really want to do, you can find the money. Just add up how much you waste on lunches, drinks, coffee, TV, cell phone plans, other crap you don't need, and I am sure it adds up to a decent kit in only a year.

If you are truly broke, who says you NEED an SLR to enjoy photography. My first year I had a lot of fun with a $100 compact.

[Undispu7ed]

I think you would be surprised how much money even a "poor" man wastes. If there is something you really want to do, you can find the money. Just add up how much you waste on lunches, drinks, coffee, TV, cell phone plans, other crap you don't need, and I am sure it adds up to a decent kit in only a year.

If you are truly broke, who says you NEED an SLR to enjoy photography. My first year I had a lot of fun with a $100 compact.

Well said. The amount of money people waste on going out for drinks, beers, etc.

[Veemac]

It's a rich man's hobby if you let it be.

If you read the online forums and allow yourself to be convinced that you'll never get satisfactory photos with anything less than a full-frame xD and 'L' prime lenses, you're setting yourself up for the poorhouse - as well as a lot of frustration and disappointment when you realize that the person holding the camera has a lot more to do with a good photograph than all that high-end gear.

Nice gear is a good thing to have, but every one of us have different comfort zones as far as budget goes. It's all relative. To a college student working part-time for minimum wage, a used Rebel with a kit lens could be a big investment. For a Fortune 500 corporate CEO, plunking down the cash for a 1DSmkIII and a full complement of lenses with red rings may not even cause him to bat an eyelash.

As cdifoto said, don't confuse "photography" with "gear collecting". The two aren't mutually exclusive, but they don't have to go hand-in-hand, either. Buy what you can afford and enjoy what you have...an experienced shooter with a Rebel will invariably turn out better images than a newbie with a $10,000 rig hanging around his neck.

[chauncey]

This sounds like another one of those "I want it all now", "life is so unfair" posts.

I shouldn't have to bother earning that gear, paying my dues, or putting food on the table for my family.

[tonylong]

I dated a lady a number of years ago who had a "dream car" -- a classic (I believe '57) Ford Thunderbird. I thought it was cute -- she had this little model we picked up somewhere and she would look at it kindof dreamy-like once in a while.

She had a decent job, but not a great one, but her mortgage was low and she was frugal, and had money in savings.

Well, I remember one day she called me, and came and picked me up in her baby blue '57 Ford T-Bird convertible, great shape with original interior, all that jazz. It was a "hobby car" only, but a whole lot of fun. We'd go somewhere, park in the parking lot, do our business and when we came out the car would be surrounded by admirers.

Anyway, she had gone to a classic car show that weekend and seen her dream car sitting there, for sale for a bit more than $30k. She had her savings and took an affordable loan, and off she went!

Now, what were we saying about a "rich man's hobby"?

[weka2000]

My wife said to me "you only live once" we can afford it so go for it. That was me getting a 5D classic a few years ago.

I spent a seson photographing a local club of guys that raced bikes, made my gear look like change.

Its all relative to what you earn

[darosk]

You can get by making awesome pictures with a Rebel and a kit lens, and maybe some OCF. Once L fever hits, though, game's over.

[JeffreyG]

You can get by making awesome pictures with a Rebel and a kit lens, and maybe some OCF. Once L fever hits, though, game's over.


So long as you are not trying to photograph fast action in low light, or needing rapid AF performance, or needing a focal length longer than 55mm.

Look, it's true enough that people can make great photographs using rather pedestrian equipment. But it is equally true that there are some subjects that really do demand more expensive equipment to get usable results.

Even of the easier topics, better equipment can be more pleasant to use and can create better results for the discriminating user.

Stating that being a better photographer is more important is besides the point. For any given photographer of a competent level more expensive gear will probably make a difference. If that person can afford it, great.

If they cannot afford it, they can confine themselves to the topics that can be reasonably covered with what they can afford and they can make the best photos their abilities allow.

[cdifoto]

Annnnnnnd here we are back to the extremes of the debate, when it shouldn't be a debate at all.

Specialist photography like field sports under ****ty lights isn't for the low/no budget shooter. Damn near everything else is fair game. A broke photographer that can't afford L glass doesn't have to give up and go home. He can get a manual focus kit and make do. He can work in purely natural light. Creature comforts be damned. A broke photographer doesn't have the luxury to be a "discriminating user" about the kit he uses, nor should he be.

Hell you can do a lot with just a Spotmatic and a Tak 50 if you set your mind to it.

[HappySnapper90]

There are people with Digital Rebels, the kit lens, and just a pop up flash shooting weddings. You don't need expensive gear to be prosperous. But if you're a gadget junkie, have at it.

[JeffreyG]

Annnnnnnd here we are back to the extremes of the debate, when it shouldn't be a debate at all.

Specialist photography like field sports under ****ty lights isn't for the low/no budget shooter. Damn near everything else is fair game.
Hell you can do a lot with just a Spotmatic and a Tak 50 if you set your mind to it.

I think a lot of people equate hobbiest = some guy shooting landscapes or still lifes. That can be done quite well with some pretty cheap gear.

The vast majority of casual photographers I meet are trying to photograph their own children doing things like playing hockey or competing in gymnastics. The irony is that so much of what these most casual of photographers want to shoot is also the most demanding of equipment.

Quick question....which is easier to shoot, professional hockey or basketball vs. youth hockey or basketball?

The NBA arenas are typically lit to EV9 vs your average H.S. gym at EV5. Professionals here in Detroit shoot the Red Wings using a strobe system permanenently installed in the rafters. Try that at your kid's ice areana.

I disagree that we are talking about extremes here. I lot of what your average Joe wants to shoot is really tough stuff. It's often more challenging that what the pros are shooting.

[cdifoto]

Most parents don't sit behind the goal post to get pics of their kids making SI cover-worthy plays in the end zone. They're usually in the stands or audience, so the picture's going to be a snapshot no matter what gear they have. To me that's not "photography" the way I tend to use the word. Photography, to me at least, is the craft. It's not the mere act of picking up a camera, aiming it at something, and pressing the button. With that usage in mind, and the fact that the OP never mentioned any kind of niche, photography is NOT just a rich man's hobby.

[weka2000]

I bet digital photography is cheaper than film photography.
Anyway I always figure buy cheap buy twice :lol:

[JeffreyG]

Most parents don't sit behind the goal post to get pics of their kids making SI cover-worthy plays in the end zone. They're usually in the stands or audience, so the picture's going to be a snapshot no matter what gear they have. To me that's not "photography" the way I tend to use the word. Photography, to me at least, is the craft. It's not the mere act of picking up a camera, aiming it at something, and pressing the button. With that usage in mind, and the fact that the OP never mentioned any kind of niche, photography is NOT just a rich man's hobby.

Most parents are not photographers.

But the ones who are (and there are a lot) are looking to take those shots. I meet plenty.

My point is there are a lot of amateur photographers shooting difficult subjects. Spin it how you wish, but I meet them everywhere. If you do not have school age children then you probably simply never go to the same places that these people are at when they are shooting.

[cdifoto]

There's cheap engineering/manufacturing and there's cheap pricing. The two don't always go hand-in-hand...especially if you're talking film cameras.

[cdifoto]

Most parents are not photographers.

But the ones who are (and there are a lot) are looking to take those shots. I meet plenty.

My point is there are a lot of amateur photographers shooting difficult subjects. Spin it how you wish, but I meet them everywhere. If you do not have school age children then you probably simply never go to the same places that these people are at when they are shooting.
I've shot there. I know what it's like. Point is, a snapshooting parent isn't a photography hobbyist, so you're getting into an entirely different premise than in the opening post.

You CAN get into photography inexpensively and you CAN put out excellent images inexpensively. End of story.

[Stevie@JC]

I do it more as a hobby but have done paid stuff also

[tonylong]

Most parents are not photographers.

But the ones who are (and there are a lot) are looking to take those shots. I meet plenty.

My point is there are a lot of amateur photographers shooting difficult subjects. Spin it how you wish, but I meet them everywhere. If you do not have school age children then you probably simply never go to the same places that these people are at when they are shooting.

Yeah, I'd guess that many of the parents who have snapped up a DSLR kit to "get better pictures of my kids' sports" have gotten themselves into a bit of a pickle, because the kit lenses just don't have the reach that you find on many P&S cameras so you end up with nice wide shots where the action is in a tiny little section of the shot, even if they're shooting from the sidelines. It's hard to give advice when someone wants to shoot sports with a tight budget.

I started out using a 70-300 IS lens for telephoto shooting and even though it's a nice lens for what it does I found myself less than satisfied -- trying to get long shots at f/5.6 yielded, well, less than profound results. Lump birding/wildlife with sports -- you don't have to be rich, but you can't really be poor!

[yogestee]

Photography is cheaper than it's ever been.. Relative to film days when salaries were lower gear is much cheaper.. I remember paying 1,800AUD or there abouts for a Nikkor AI-S 300mm F/2.8 in, I think 1982.. A Nikon F3 was close to 2,000AUD..

Then there was the cost of buying and processing film,,luckily I processed my own B/W..

[Nighthound]

You don't have to spend a bundle to learn a bundle.

You will find like with any task the right tools for the job make things a lot easier. I started in astrophotography so moving to wildlife was a relief.

Learn the most you can with what you have and have fun, that's always been my philosophy.

[HappySnapper90]

Photography is cheaper than it's ever been.. Relative to film days when salaries were lower gear is much cheaper.. I remember paying 1,800AUD or there abouts for a Nikkor AI-S 300mm F/2.8 in, I think 1982.. A Nikon F3 was close to 2,000AUD..

Then there was the cost of buying and processing film,,luckily I processed my own B/W..

Cheaper now?? A new nikon 300mm f2.8 costs $5000 to $5500 And a film equivelant to your F3, is the d3 and costs $5000. So I hardly think photography is cheaper now! Im sure it was cheaper then, with film costing much less and developing costing less too. So I'd say digital photography is more expensive than film photography, unless you take 2,000+ photos every time you use your camera.

I bet digital photography is cheaper than film photography.
Anyway I always figure buy cheap buy twice

Only if you shoot action or little kids. I got myself a used EOS-1v for $500. Top of the line pro film SLR. Digital equivelant? 1Ds3 costs $7,000. And it'll be a long time before I spend $6500 in film and developing :)

[Kiwikat]

Learn the most you can with what you have and have fun, that's always been my philosophy.

+1

Having friends with lenses is nice too. :p

I was barely able to afford my XSi kit as a college student. I am going to slowly acquire some accessories by the end of the year and hopefully can afford my first new lens sometime after tax return time next year. Definitely gotta look for the best bang for the buck. Got my eyes set on the (100mm macro and 70-300mm IS USM) OR (40D body and 100mm macro) OR (70-200 L f/4 IS).

Photography doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. The best thing is to be happy with what you have and save what you can here and there. You will always find others with more.

[Jon Foster]

It's been a hobby for me since about 1982. But it's also a hobby that makes me money. So the money I spend on it seems to come back to me in jobs I pick up because of it. So, I'm a hobbyist, amateur photographer and dare I say semi-pro? It doesn't create the majority of our income but maybe some day it will. If it does, then I'll buy the best equipment needed to get the job done. I don't look at the price point of the equipment as a rich mans hobby or profession. It's just the price for the tools of the trade. When I wrenched for a living I bought all the tools I needed to get the job done. I spent more money on my tools than our first two homes. But I was also the highest paid tech in my shop, had the least amount of rechecks and was able to get any job done and make a huge profit.

Jon.

[FinalCut747]

try watch collecting...

[SOK]

I think everyone is too busy arguing about different things that you all missed this;

It was a "hobby car" only, but a whole lot of fun. We'd go somewhere, park in the parking lot, do our business and when we came out the car would be surrounded by admirers.

Tony, I'm sure you had plenty of admirers!! :D

But the real question is; did you get any photos?? :p:mrgreen::lol:

[Link64]

wow - so many replies!
thank you guys :)

I do agree with most of the points stated here; for now i'll try to make the best out of my stuff and be satisfied with what i have (kinda difficult as its quite easy to know what's available and their quality thanks to the internet!)

[nemo man]

Impossible to answer!

Last year I bought a new car. It cost £16,000 ($27,000). I bought it because it was fast, and had good features. I'd still be here today, the same person, having done the same stuff (including in the same car!!!) had I bought a car for £10,000 ($16,000). But I do not regret spending £16,000 instead of £10,000. The car has not earned me any money or other advantage. In fact it has cost me more in fuel having a faster engine.

Enjoy the world - reach out with your wallet and feel life! (caveat: but be careful about the environment).

Have you thought of taking up race-horse owning?

[matonanjin]

Impossible to answer!

Have you thought of taking up race-horse owning?

Race horse owning is about the only thing I can think of potentially more expensive than show-horse owning:lol:

[yogestee]

Cheaper now?? A new nikon 300mm f2.8 costs $5000 to $5500 And a film equivelant to your F3, is the d3 and costs $5000. So I hardly think photography is cheaper now! Im sure it was cheaper then, with film costing much less and developing costing less too. So I'd say digital photography is more expensive than film photography, unless you take 2,000+ photos every time you use your camera.


Time to sit down and do some maths Happy.. In the mid '80s I was earning around 15,000-18,000 AUD a year before tax.. When I resigned from the newspaper mid 2007 I was on around 60,000 AUD including expenses..

[neil_r]

Race horse owning is about the only thing I can think of potentially more expensive than show-horse owning:lol:

Buy a yacht and then come back on that one :-)

[Veemac]

Buy a yacht and then come back on that one :-)
...or start collecting ex-wives. I know a few guys with such "collections", and I'd love to have their monthly outlay to spend on my photography hobby!

[nemo man]

So... there it is.... photography is cheap!

Buy a 5D (£2,000), and three lenses to suit your needs at about £1000 each - total £5,000 (US$ 8,400). Add £1,000 for accessories, and £1,000 for CS4 and upgrades - total £7,000

Divide by 10 years life expectancy and you have the princely sum of £700 ($US 1,170) a year.

And that's for the good stuff. Or do you have a better budget?

BTW - the question posits the view that its a 'man's' game, and it does often seem to be boys that are keen on 'gear' and getting the latest and greatest. Discuss.

[skywalkerbeth]

I think photography doesn't have to be a hobby for the rich, in fact, given that I have some pretty expensive hobbies (flying little airplanes and traveling) I'd say photography is one of the cheaper ones.

It does depend on how much gear you feel you need. You don't HAVE to continually upgrade. A decent camera with some good lenses and a good tripod will set you back initially.... also the computer and post-processing gear... but after that it's time more than money.

[captainpenguin]

do you all afford to get the new (better) equipment just for a hobby? and how much do you like photography?

I like it ok so far (just started), but I would like it more if I have more equipment :lol:

if its ONLY a hobby (and not doing it for a living) do you kind of see it as a hobby for the "thick wallet" ppl?

With an slr kit only, the average photographer wont go far; you need more pro tools to make more pro photos (otherwise they wont be on the market :P)

ok some guys do miracles with an auto point and shoot film camera, but im not one of those :p

if one wants the best, he/she needs a good tripod, good flash, luggage and more (not to mention computer software for editing!) Funny thing is that all photographers (strongly) suggest to get the GOOD ones and to avoid the cheaper stuff as they wont last long.

How are your settled with your stuff?
So far i only have an eos kit and Kelby's book!
I do wish for a tripod but I can't afford a manfrotto so i'll prolly go for those china-pencil legs tripod lol
I mean, as long as it does the job its ok right?

cheers :)

Its the photographer that takes the picture not thousands of pounds worth of kit

[powerslave]

Try Motorcycles.

[chauncey]

...or start collecting ex-wives
:lol: Are you really sure you want to go there? :lol:

Three ex-wives and the nine kids I've raised...can anyone beat that? :lol:

[johnaengus]

I've got a lot wrapped up on my gear, but I think any hobby is expensive. I have a good job and can afford it. So why not have fun?

[TooManyShots]

I don't see photography is a hobby. As a hobby like some expensive toys you can play with them and have fun. Worst, a status symbol....:) Photography is an art form that expresses you and what you are able to capture. If what you want to capture, let's say wild life animals, would require you to use certain gear, that becomes a necessity. Expensive or not and I am sure there would be a cheaper way to get there.

[butterfly2937]

Or horse showing!:rolleyes:

Oh yeah I think this is the most expensive hobby of all, been there done that. Loved it but it really consumed my life and my $$$! Photography can't compare no need to feed the equipment or hire trainers and huge transportation costs just to get to the event and on and on...

[butterfly2937]

My other expensive hobby.. 210g saltwater reef tank. :) Fish/corals can easily run into the $100's each!
Wow that must be gorgeous! Post some pics!

[Bunny]

What kind of a hobby is a hobby that doesn't drain you of all your spare money?
That's why it's a hobby :lol:

My former hobbies include stuff like downhill skiing, golf, scuba diving and kendo. If you'd want to you could blow all your money in anyone of those.

But you don't have to.

[nemo man]

What kind of a hobby is a hobby that doesn't drain you of all your spare money?
That's why it's a hobby :lol:


LOL!

[Mintie]

The great thing about the digital frenzy is that you can pick up some fantastic film stuff for dirt cheap. So no, photography doesn't have to be expensive.

[tonybear007]

The great thing about the digital frenzy is that you can pick up some fantastic film stuff for dirt cheap. So no, photography doesn't have to be expensive.

There are four 35mm analog SLRs around the house right now. I am about to get rid of 2 + accessories on eBay. There are still a few places that process 35 mm film like Chromatek Photo Imaging in Ft Lauderdale.

[jacobsen1]

I got myself a used EOS-1v for $500. Top of the line pro film SLR. Digital equivelant? 1Ds3 costs $7,000. And it'll be a long time before I spend $6500 in film and developing :)
right, but you need the same quality lenses for a 1V as you do for a FF DSLR... If you compare that to 1.6 croppers with crop specific lenses and don't buy brand new you'll save a ton of money. Plus, film is ~$.25 per image after all is said and done (before printing) so if you're shooting a few hundred frames a day that adds up quicker than you think. Also, the 1Dsiii is hardly a good example. Either go 1Diii or 5Dii but either way it's ~$3k tops. That's a $2500 price gap and if we go with $.25/image for film and processing that's 10k images.

Guess what, I put $10 images through my 5Dii since January. Plus, my last 2 DSLRs before this (5D and 1D) I owned for 18 months total and resold for $400 less than I paid for them. Granted you can resell your film bodies as well, but you're still paying for film, my "film" is all accounted for in that $400 loss. In both cases my per image cost was around a $.05 each, or ONE FIFTH the price of a film frame BEFORE buying the film camera. ;)

not that I've done the math and looked at this closely or anything. :lol:

[CJinAustin]

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.”
- Ansel Adams

[elbeasto]

Sailing, Polo, motor sport, these are truly rich man's hobbies but photography isn't cheap granted, not if you want decent gear anyway.

[fotoworx]

Re: Photography - rich man's hobby?

It's cheap compared to a lot of other hobbies.

[Big_Tyke]

I don't Drink, I don't Smoke or Do Drugs and I don't chase other women. But I do play Golf and Photography is it and buy only what I need in equipment.:cool:

[czeglin]

I got seriously into photography hoping to achieve higher IQ images in low light. Having spoken to a number of P&S friends, this is their main gripe as well. I you had told me then that I would be buying a 5D2 and eying a 35L...and how much that gear costs...I would have probably thrown in the towel. Having built up incrementally is a little more bearable. Still pretty expensive. I cut down on eating out at work to save money, as well as a number of other personal luxuries.

[darosk]

Sailing, Polo, motor sport, these are truly rich man's hobbies but photography isn't cheap granted, not if you want decent gear anyway.
IT'S ALIVE!!!

[tonylong]

I don't Drink, I don't Smoke or Do Drugs and I don't chase other women. But I do play Golf and Photography is it and buy only what I need in equipment.:cool:


Well, dang -- watch the paint dry and take pictures while we are at it:)?

[Ultimate]

Work Work Work
Save Save Save
Buy Buy Buy

[birdfromboat]

used 10D- 150 dollars
craigslist nifty fifty- 45 dollars
bootlegged copy of photoshop esssentials- pizza and a 6pack
signing onto POTN and finding a year old thread resurrected and getting a half dozen hits in 3 hours-priceless.

[The Framed Life]

try paintball, at least with photography you can keep using the stuff you spend your money on for as long as you want, where I live one case of paint (2000 balls) is $80 for low to mid grade paint and $10 for entry for the day to the field, that's $90 every weekend..more in the winter because of travel, and I'm not counting the cost and time off work to travel to tournaments all over North america

[whtchocla7e]

Photography does not have to be an expensive hobby. It's only as expensive as each individual makes it to be.

[birdfromboat]

try paintball, at least with photography you can keep using the stuff you spend your money on for as long as you want, where I live one case of paint (2000 balls) is $80 for low to mid grade paint and $10 for entry for the day to the field, that's $90 every weekend..more in the winter because of travel, and I'm not counting the cost and time off work to travel to tournaments all over North america

Man is this correct. I was amazed at how fast we went through the paintball budget. I noticed that every one of the large organised capture the flag all day tournaments I was in ended in a tie with a grand finally open feild shoot out between the two 25-50 man teams. I bet there was at least fifty bucks worth of paint in the air at all times during the ten minute "tie breaker" shoot out. Money in the bank for the organisers.

[The Framed Life]

actually, it's harder to make money owning a paintball field or store than it is to be a photographer..I'd say 5% make an impressive living at it, maybe another 15% stay afloat..all the money is going to the manufacturers.

[Spacemunkie]

Of course it's a rich man's hobby. Anybody who can afford any new camera is in the top few percentile of earners worldwide. Put into perspective, if you earn GBP 10k per year you're in the top 11.5% of earners. This is not considered a livable wage in the UK.

The average UK wage of around GBP 25.5K would put you into the top 1.1%. Being able to afford to spend thousands on cameras and lenses whilst still keeping rooves over our heads and food in our mouths makes us all very, very lucky people ;)

[number six]

Of course it's a rich man's hobby. Anybody who can afford any new camera is in the top few percentile of earners worldwide. Put into perspective, if you earn GBP 10k per year you're in the top 11.5% of earners. This is not considered a livable wage in the UK.

The average UK wage of around GBP 25.5K would put you into the top 1.1%. Being able to afford to spend thousands on cameras and lenses whilst still keeping rooves over our heads and food in our mouths makes us all very, very lucky people ;)

Scott, you're right. We are. And yet we still whine...

;)

[birdfromboat]

Scott, you're right. We are. And yet we still whine...

;)
Human nature is a constant, not affected by income or posessions. In fact, I have heard that some studies show an inverse proportion of happiness and sense of well being reported by higher income earners.
Oh well, working hard and having more to show for it beats the alternative in my book.

[Nighthound]

The therapeutic value far outweighs the cost of gear.

While I've found wildlife photography to require pricey gear it pales in comparison to astrophotography. Both hobbies are worth every penny.

Work hard, play harder. :)

[snyderman]

Or, compare photography to high-end guitar gear ... my other hobby. At least I earn money playing guitar and singing in my hippie 60s show band.

Next year, I intend to turn photography into a 'paid gig' so the gear already purchased begins to pay itself off.

dave

[redjamesg]

As mentioned earlier, photography isn't that pricy compared to other hobbies.

How ever, photography hides several branches, - you want to get into photography, the gear for that has a pricetag.
Once you've found you like macro, theres a pricetag to excel within that branch.
Same with lights for portrait photography.
Same with gear for birding/aviation.
Same with gear for astro photography.
Same with video.
- the list goes on.

So if you want to excel within all branches and want the best of the best, then you might want to compare photography along side motorboat racing as a hobby, else photography isn't that exspensive, you set the exspenditure yourself.

But the reward here is that phtography expenses are limited, once you reach a certain point it's only if you want the latest/greatest mkII of the gear as it arrives, and at that point all you've become is a gearhead.

Other hobbies as motorboat racing, will remain highpriced as the maintenance, fuel, storing of the "gear" has a hefty pricetag on it.

[friz]

I consider Polo and off shore power boat racing as "Rich Man" hobbies.

[birdfromboat]

I rationalise the money I spend on what is purely a hobby for me like this:

When I go fishing, I have the time I spent getting to the water invested, the gas in the truck, the payments, maintenance, storage building and gas for the boat, the life jackets, radio, fishfinder, trolling motor(S), rods and reels and tackle, and insurance on the whole show. Why would anyone question my choice when I buy the best hooks I can find when all that investment comes down to the point of a hook?

Photography is like that too. I invest my time learning the skills, getting to a location, waiting for a shot. I invest my money in classes and seminars, computers and software, setting up my workstation.
Alot of the time I use my boats to get to where I want to be, so that cost is included too, and there is alot of photographic equipment that is pretty much standard wether you are using a rebel G or top notch DSLR's like a decent tripod, adequate bags, cases and backpacks. So once I have all that money invested in getting a great image, why would anyone question my choice to have L glass and a decent Camera?

Besides, if you invest in low quality stuff, eventually you will be trying to sell used low quality stuff. If you invest in the high end, you will be selling or trading high quality stuff that has seen some use but was built to stand it. Most of my L glass was used when I bought it, and will be used when I sell it. I have actually turned a profit on some of it. Can you do that with a 30D and a nifty fifty or a 75-300?

[White.Lightning]

This is a good thread. I am a novice photographer who is looking to get more involved in it as time goes on. I, like most of you, have other expensive hobbies. I own a 1998 Pontiac Firebird which is the cruiser/hot rod. I already have $20k into that car. Another hobby is playing guitar. I have a nice amp, an electric guitar, and an acoustic guitar. There is probably $3-4k sitting there. Next is photography. I have the XTi and 50/1.8. I plan on buying an EFS 17-55/2.8 to be a good all around lens. My main purpose of photography is to take pictures of: family/friends and car shows. I also like to walk around the city and such snapping miscellaneous photos. So right now I don't have much into the photography hobby. Add the EFS lens and theres another $1k. Where will it go from here? Who knows. My last hobby is firearms. I own a few pistols/rifles and that is another expensive hobby! I don't even know what I have into those. I just built a $2k AR-15. Haha

I like how people are saying.....
'it doesn't have to be a rich mans hobby'
'the user is equally part of the quality as the gear'
'some collect gear to show off, others buy one-two lenses and use them a LOT'

Like ALL hobbies, its only worth it if you get something out of it. I enjoy cruising in my Trans Am on a nice day/night with the lady. So that' worth it in my eyes. Since I go to car shows, and like seeing other nice cars, I choose to photograph them. So my hobbies include: cars, guitars, guns, photography. All are expensive in their own regard.

[DL.Photography]

I have about 8k worth of gear and out of that and I've only earned about $2000 from photography. It does seem like a lot of $$ but I don't smoke or do drugs or spend hundreds a week barhopping like some do.

I think most if not all hobbies are expensive. Heck, my friend just paid 7.2k for a bike...wait I should clarify, a bicycle!!! The cost is justified if its something you enjoy.

[tkadrum]

All I can tell you that photography is like drugs!
You constantly buying accessories for your camera to feed your hobby. For me, I have lens envy, but luckily, I could control my addiction. :lol:

[Rivest]

I could throw in a small comparison between me and a friend. His hobby is playing hockey and mine is photography. I have over 2.5K of photography gear and he also has over over 2.5k of hockey equipment. I, for my part, would never buy more than 100$ of hockey equipment. He would never buy a camera over 100$.

Different people, different perspective.

[jasonleehl]

I don't want to remind myself how much I spend in this hobby. In fact, my bank account will be a few thousand poorer when 1DMk4 comes end of the month. I don't need many of my gears to take good photos and I don't make money out of this.

I grew up with many fond memories and travel, but I regret not capturing it in photos. Now I shoot my children growing up, landscapes of places I went and birds - they are lovely. They are really priceless and you don't need to be a rich man to own a decent camera / lens today; it's just that we have this 'poisonous' forum here.

So - not a rich man's hobby!

[neilwood32]

This hobby is only as expensive as you let it be.

You can shoot most things with basic gear - its only when you start shooting difficult or speciality events (sports, weddings etc) that you really need to upgrade.

I survived perfectly happily for about a year with my 400D, kit lens and sigma 70-300mm (all in cost about £450). I only needed to buy additional gear because I wanted to expand my horizons.

[fotoworx]

......now children....they ARE expensive!

[ChasP505]

......now children....they ARE expensive!


Yeah, I know 4X over. The trick is to not actually ENGAGE in the activity, but only practice for it.

[cynergie23]

Yeah, hearing about how much things cost prepares me for having to save up for equipment and being very selective on what I buy. Good advice on getting extensive experience first. Kinda pointless to buy pricey items and have no clue how to use it to full potential..or produce poor shots due to lack of experience.

[SteveELP]

Yeah, I know 4X over. The trick is to not actually ENGAGE in the activity, but only practice for it.
My gear = my kids.:D

[elbeasto]

IT'S ALIVE!!!

HuH? :confused:

[jetcode]

Photography is a lot like golf and boating. You'll forever work your game and Break Out Another Thousand .... not true some of the best known photographers shot and printed with less than $100 worth of gear.

[DStanic]

Photography is not a "rich man's hobby".

Yes there are other hobbies that are cheaper, but there are also many others that cost much more. People have mentioned cars and certain sports as examples. You can still take mind blowing pics with a sub-$1000 entry level DSLR kit. I have accumulated the gear I have over the past 3 years and have bought used and sold bodies/lenses to upgrade and broke even (what other hobbies can you break even on stuff you don't want anymore??) Sure there are lots of expensive things I would like to buy (5DmkII, 135L, etc) and I may or may not get them in time. I just get what I need and if I don't use something enough I sell it.

[versedmb]

do you all afford to get the new (better) equipment just for a hobby? and how much do you like photography?

I like it ok so far (just started), but I would like it more if I have more equipment :lol:

if its ONLY a hobby (and not doing it for a living) do you kind of see it as a hobby for the "thick wallet" ppl?

With an slr kit only, the average photographer wont go far; you need more pro tools to make more pro photos (otherwise they wont be on the market :P)

ok some guys do miracles with an auto point and shoot film camera, but im not one of those :p

if one wants the best, he/she needs a good tripod, good flash, luggage and more (not to mention computer software for editing!) Funny thing is that all photographers (strongly) suggest to get the GOOD ones and to avoid the cheaper stuff as they wont last long.

How are your settled with your stuff?
So far i only have an eos kit and Kelby's book!
I do wish for a tripod but I can't afford a manfrotto so i'll prolly go for those china-pencil legs tripod lol
I mean, as long as it does the job its ok right?

cheers :)


The thing that's nice about photography is that, at least in terms of lenses, I almost consider them like a money market account - I buy my lenses used and typically sell them for pretty close to what I paid for them. You can't say that about most other hobbies.

By the way, I've got a cheap tripod and I've taken countless landscapes with it.

[dalebmartin]

Competitive or recreational shotgun shooting is very expensive hobby also. Just like any sport or hobby, you can spend almost in any range that you can afford or not afford.

[Organic Treats]

It's been very expensive for me so far.

[tonylong]

Heh! I bought all my photo gear before the '08 crash, which pretty much decimated me, so I can safely say that photography is a poor man's hobby:)!

[bheard1836]

It has just been a long slow process (with occasional growth spurts) for me to put mine together. The wish list is always long but I do not generate and $ with the hobby so...

[Gomar]

do you all afford to get the new (better) equipment just for a hobby? and how much do you like photography?
So far i only have an eos kit and Kelby's book!
I mean, as long as it does the job its ok right?
cheers :)

on a scale 1-10? ok. I like it 8.27
I'd suggest the Pentax K-x kit w/300mm. What more do you need?

My bro hired a so-called "pro" photog for his wedding. He "could not make it" for what he was paid to do, and sent his 22 year old son to shoot the wedding with a Canon with a macro and a kit lens. So this kid attached the macro for formal shots, and then says oops wrong lens.

[DigitalSpecialist]

Rich Man's Hobby???? Yachting would easily trump photography, but I know where you are coming from. As for an ex-girlfriend who often pointed out that I had an expensive hobby. I pointed out that at least my hobby wasn't complaining about other peoples hobbies!

[Rivest]

I pointed out that at least my hobby wasn't complaining about other peoples hobbies!
bw!

[vansplic]

Honestly any one of my "run of the mill" pets cost more in the long run than my camera. As long as I take good care of my camera and lenses, shop smart and demonstrate self control. The last one is the one that gets me every time!
BTW... I have a pic taken with an HP Photosmart point and shoot 5MP that in small prints is just as good as shots taken with my Xt or my T1i... go figure!
However the key is HOBBY. I still have a day job!

[number six]

Honestly any one of my "run of the mill" pets cost more in the long run than my camera. (snip)

Yeah!

What's important? Money? Or what?

About 10 years ago I spent $4500 for emergency surgery for one of our kitties. He's still here, meowing along with us. Except he spends most of his time with his other family, who (apparently) feed him. But we get the vet bills when he's sick.

But he's still with us and we love him. Money well spent.

Last summer our lovely, sweet Emily got really sick and the combination of the emergency room and the surgery cost us $2800.

Money well spent!

I'd be glad to sell my camera gear if we had to so we could take care of our loved ones.

-js

[Stealthy Ninja]

Ask Tareq

:p

[redjamesg]

Last summer our lovely, sweet Emily got really sick and the combination of the emergency room and the surgery cost us $2800.

Money well spent!Not to get on the wrong foot with everybody, but over the last year, I've spent 9 month in hospital, getting my tibia replaced with a steel pipe.

At this point I consider my photographic excusions as a tribute to what I'm capable of, and it might be a further expenditure for me, but as I'm regaining the use of my leg, and beeing forced to explore my surroundings, I find it a valid expenditure in order to keep myself focused on the physical longing, as I would have been if I were to focus on my PhD in Comp Sci.

[The Framed Life]

thank the lord I live in Canada...can't imagine the pain of recovering from surgery topped off with trying to recover from the toll of medical bills

[redjamesg]

thank the lord I live in Canada...can't imagine the pain of recovering from surgery topped off with trying to recover from the toll of medical bills

I'm lucky to have full coverage from my insurance, but the part where I got fired during my sick leave, I didn't expect.
Altho it's probably for the best now, that I'm beeing notified theres gonna be 300 people laid off within the department I was incharge of before my accident.

Seems to me like I got a head start in the unemployment line :)

[The Framed Life]

That's okay, I assaulted someone and almost got arrested while I was under anesthetic and undergoing surgery..I'd rather be out a job and free than out a job and in jail (even though charges for breaking a nurses hand by kicking it while I was knocked out would never stick)

[redjamesg]

All I got was a concerned look from the nurse, when I returned from surgery, and during the following 5 hours I constantly requested morphine to numb the pain.

At one point she was bringing it in whenever she appeared in the doorway, and I asked if I would tollerate having the ammount at that point, she flat out told me I was consuming it like it was water, so there was no danger in pumping it straight into my vains.

[redjamesg]

If you want to learn how and why I ended up this way, you might want to check the which hobby did you give up (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=10784637#post10784637) thread.

[KurtGoss]

Any good businessman judges how good a new venture is by how easy can the competition start-up against your business. Let's just round it off, but you could easily start a studio with about $50K of gear, and then have a monthly studio/office expense.

Put it into perspective to start a convenience store, a liquor store or a Dunkin Donuts franchise. All three of those examples would require $200K+ -- which is more than double that of starting a photography business.

The camera manufacturers cater to two markets... pro and consumer. If pro gear was cheaper, everyone would be starting photography businesses -- and the market would crash.

Yes, it might seem like photography gear is expensive... if it is a hobby. But you don't need a $5K camera if it is just a hobby.

[Disturbed UTT]

Any good businessman judges how good a new venture is by how easy can the competition start-up against your business. Let's just round it off, but you could easily start a studio with about $50K of gear, and then have a monthly studio/office expense.

Put it into perspective to start a convenience store, a liquor store or a Dunkin Donuts franchise. All three of those examples would require $200K+ -- which is more than double that of starting a photography business.

The camera manufacturers cater to two markets... pro and consumer. If pro gear was cheaper, everyone would be starting photography businesses -- and the market would crash.

Yes, it might seem like photography gear is expensive... if it is a hobby. But you don't need a $5K camera if it is just a hobby.

I need a $5K camera for my hobby. My wife does not agree :(

[redjamesg]

I need a $5K camera for my hobby. My wife does not agree :(
No you don't need a $5.000 camera, a 5Dmk2 will do it for $2.000 and a 1D3/4 will do it for $3.000 - $4.000 so even though you think it's gonna cost you $5.000 you can allways look for something below your expenditure in the sales section, and walk away with a bargain.

[Zigot]

Any hobby that you're really hooked into it.. is costly.

[EggWhiteS]

Any hobby that you're really hooked into it.. is costly.

Exactly, photography can get expensive if you want the latest and greatest, which has been mentioned you don't really need. But anything can get expensive very quickly in the same way. My wife used to ride horses for fun, and THAT was expensive. If she had wanted to even do a bit of showing then our costs would have been 3-4x. If I took the money she used just for boarding, I would be able to get at least 1-2 new L lenses a year. And that's just to keep the horse around: then you add the initial price, insurance, equipment, vet bills, shoeing,....

[matonanjin]

Exactly. The cost of having horse(s) dwarfs photography. You have to figure the cost of boarding a horse runs $300-400/mo. In some parts of the country a lot more. And as you said that's just to keep one around. That's b/4 vet, shoeing, saddles, etc. That's an "L" lens every 2 or 3 months:eek:

Then talk about showing them. Truck and trailer, motels, entry fees. Forget about it.

Fortunately, my photographing horses has kept us too busy to show them:rolleyes:

[jamesb]

I'm starting to make money shooting weddings, but I basically used my main 9-5 job to pay for my gear. I personally just like having the best gear I can get. If this doesn't work out I can always sell it all. There is always something on my want list though :)

[ChrisSearle]

I spent several years with a Canon A95 that I bought on ebay for fifty quid. Loved it and got a number of gold medals at my local camera club with it. Years later and yes I've spent some money but that A95 has only just died. Amortised, thats cheap photography!

[brian00321]

It's only expensive if you make it expensive. I've owned some top-of-the-line gear before, sold it off, and have long settled with something that suits my vision and puts more money into my pocket. I don't need the best out there to get the shot that I want. One small body and one small, normal prime will do the trick. Sometimes it is nice to play with new toys though . . . :)

[TeleFragger]

well this is a hobby for me... added to my other hobbies.. yall are correct.. it is no more or less costly..

home automation - expensive (but far in and alot of parts in the box to install)
mud truck - same thing.. most parts on the shelf waiting to go on.. dropped $8k into it in 04 to put it back on the road.. it performs well but looked like crap

[irishman]

I spend thousands each year on whores, alcohol and drugs. The rest I waste on photography.

[MP4/8]

You CAN get into photography inexpensively and you CAN put out excellent images inexpensively. End of story.

Absolutely.

Flickr has all kinds of group galleries with people who use inexpensive point & shoot cameras. Some of the shots are great. You'd think some of them are taken with a DSLR.

.

[Voaky999]

My kids play competitive tennis so I end up hanging around with a fairly well-heeled crowd on occasion. They find my photography a quaint little hobby but surely not one with enough dollars invested to provide any prestige, although it certainly keeps me broke.

[rdenney]

But you don't need a $5K camera if it is just a hobby.

You don't need it as a pro, either, depending on the sort of work you get paid doing. I shot weddings profitably in the deep past using a well-worn Mamiya C-3 for which I paid $100 (in the 70's). It was the cheapest camera I owned and the only one that paid for itself many times over. I paid more for the flash, and that was definitely worth the money.

Pros buy tools that make their work easy and efficient so they can do more of it for the same investment of time and money.

If you are going to make your living photographing rare birds in the wild, or photographing NBA basketball games, you'll pay the money for the necessary specialized equipment. But, seriously, who really gets paid enough making those photos to really move beyond amateur status? A few, but only a few.

Rick "who has tens of thousands invested in photography equipment, but still much less than your average red-neck bass-fishing boat" Denney

[Stealthy Ninja]

I like bogans (red-necks to you) who spend waaay too much on their cars to ever get back what they spent.

They create some awesome cars for the rest of us to buy at cheap prices... if you can get over their choice of colours that is.

[ejackso1]

You'd be surprised how cheap this hobby is compared to some others. Paintball is a great example here. I used to play, started off slow for a few weeks, but after around a month of playing I got sucked in and bought an expensive high-end marker, loader, and compressed air tank and started to play in tournaments with friends I made. A high end paintball marker will run you as much as a camera ($500-$1500), in addition to needing the loader ($100ish), air tank($200ish), and all of the other miscellaneous gear (nice mask, elbow and knee pads, paintball pants,etc).

Now, here's where they differ. With photography, once you buy the gear, you just use it. There's no additional charge to use the gear. However, with paintball, you need to pay admission to the fields you practice at ($15 average), and you need to pay for paintballs (around $30 for a case of 2000 paintballs). That's at least $45/week, if you're playing at a field with relatively low admission and paint prices. When a tournament comes around, you need to pay for admission (Usually around $200 for a 5-man team, so $40 per player), and the price of paint at tournaments is generally much more ($60/case compared to $30/case) than the paint you practice with.

That's why I no longer play paintball. I work at a paintball field now. I've got a thread in the lenses section where I mentioned that I was considering buying an L lens in around 6 months or so and asking for opinions. People were calling me crazy because I'm just getting into photography. I explained that compared to my former hobby, I actually think this is a somewhat cheap hobby. ;)

[TeleFragger]

i play paintball at a field where i know the guy.. and i get a discount.. but yeah it adds up..
however.. i play with a 98 custom/rt/cyclone/hpa all paid for... not bad... and i agree.. you have to watch as you can spend ALOT!!!!!

so i agree... once you have your gear.. you have your gear.. unless someone wants to take it so you can start over!!!!!!!

[twiggles]

I spend thousands each year on whores, alcohol and drugs. The rest I waste on photography.

HAHAHHA nice!

[footman]

I've just looked at the profile of a member of a UK based photography forum.
He has 4 high-end Canon bodies and 9 L lenses as well as some very good and expensive accessories.
All his posts are about equipment. He has never once submitted a photograph of any kind to the forum nor contributed to any threads about the "art" of photography, and he has a high post count.

I like handling gear as much a anybody with a similar obsession, but I can't help thinking that some folk love the equipment more than the end product.

There, that's all my sour grapes and envy in 1 basket (knew I shouldn't have had that 2nd Gin and Tonic)

[FlyingPhotog]

No different than someone who owns fast cars and spends 95% of their time just dusting them.

I agree though that people who cast stones in a photo forum without the ballz to show what they themselves have captured hold little to no weight really.

POTN has its fair share of them...

[Bang Bang Boy]

I am buying most of my gear from money I have earned from different side jobs considering I am still in school. Right now I have had a break for half a year and has worked most of this time. All my money goes to photography, friends wonder why I won't buy another beer or have that burgert. I tell I am broke and they look at me strangely. Considering I am pulling six day weeks right now... But heck before this I used to buy 200 dollar headsets and stuff for my gaming habit.

[jetcode]

I shoot great gear that cost a fortune but was purchased in mint condition used. This means if and when I decide to move on I will be able to get my investment back and have shot great glass the entire time. Now whether I as a photographer can earn my kibble or do justice by such righteous gear is something else entirely. Photography is a serious sport for me and my taste continues to be shaped and refined.

[Milo08]

lol, been saving up for the T2i for almost a year now. should be getting it by the end of this year!

[Clean Gene]

do you all afford to get the new (better) equipment just for a hobby? and how much do you like photography?

I like it ok so far (just started), but I would like it more if I have more equipment :lol:

if its ONLY a hobby (and not doing it for a living) do you kind of see it as a hobby for the "thick wallet" ppl?

With an slr kit only, the average photographer wont go far; you need more pro tools to make more pro photos (otherwise they wont be on the market :P)

ok some guys do miracles with an auto point and shoot film camera, but im not one of those :p

if one wants the best, he/she needs a good tripod, good flash, luggage and more (not to mention computer software for editing!) Funny thing is that all photographers (strongly) suggest to get the GOOD ones and to avoid the cheaper stuff as they wont last long.

How are your settled with your stuff?
So far i only have an eos kit and Kelby's book!
I do wish for a tripod but I can't afford a manfrotto so i'll prolly go for those china-pencil legs tripod lol
I mean, as long as it does the job its ok right?

cheers :)

I don't really think that photography is a rich man's hobby. Someone can take very good pictures with cheap equipment.

Now...that's not to say that spending assloads of money on new equipment is a WASTE of money. It's not a waste of money if the photographer knows what he's doing and can use the equipment to his advantage. So...it certainly HELPS to be rich, if you know enough to benefit from spending the extra money.

But...people can do photography for pretty damn cheap, and get pretty darn good at making certain kinds of pictures. That might limit the kinds of pictures that they can take, that kind of thing, but being on a very low budget shouldn't keep anyone from making great photographs.

That said, I still spend way too much on photography, I'm probably extending my budget. Still, whenever I do go out and buy something else, I try to make sure that I'm not buying it on a whim. I try to make sure that I know what I'm gonna do with it, that I'm buying it for the specific purpose of doing something specific with it.