R U into photography for the gear or the image????

[justaf IREMAN]

Which one are you?

Some of us love the camera cause they are so pretty. Some of us love the images we record with them. Me, I'm a gear head and appreciate a good looking camera but I also spend a lot of time looking at my photos and appreciate the occasional good ones I capture. So I guess I like photography for the gear and the image.

[chauncey]

And the point is...?

[justaf IREMAN]

And the point is...?

just a question for now.....

[SwitchBlade]

I don't really care about image or gear. Just the photographs.

[John_B]

For me its the love of taking the photo, then the prints. I enjoy photography no better with my 40D or 5D vs. my first DSLR the 10D :)
After all they are just tools.

[400dabuser]

I don't get this poll, I am into neither, I never was interested in either...but I do see you POV, while there are those who will go along with all bangs and whistles just to pose in front of everyone.....I merely interested in photography, but don't like to boast about it either

[birdfromboat]

I like big lenses. I use them to compensate for........my aversion to walking all the way over there to get a picture.
After reading a few dozen of these threads, I am starting to doubt my own motivations for buying lenses and cameras, and wondering if I might have some kind of compulsive disorder that makes me want fill my camera bag.
After all, If I really wanted nice images, I would have subscibed to National Geographic or bought a calender like good sensible people do.

[Anke]

Who on earth takes up photography because of the camera? I guess there are people who collect cameras but I'm sure they are in it for taking pictures too.

It's all about the picture for me.

[Silverpenguin]

50/50 for me. I've always loved my gadgets but equally I like to take nice photos as I've always been more creative than academic. So photography is the perfect hobby for me!

[vibin247]

I must admit, seeing and learning about new gear is fun, but in the end, it's the image that lasts longer.

[justaf IREMAN]

I'm actually surprised at the results thus far, there's got to be somebody out there that loves the gear more than the images they record. My father in law has a small collection of canon cameras from film to digital and I've never seen him take a picture. I've never really asked him why since we don't communicate that well. I wonder if some don't care to admit it.

[Anke]

I'm actually surprised at the results thus far, there's got to be somebody out there that loves the gear more than the images they record. My father in law has a small collection of canon cameras from film to digital and I've never seen him take a picture. I've never really asked him why since we don't communicate that well. I wonder if some don't care to admit it.

Just strikes me as odd that someone would buy an object that takes a photograph and not take photographs with it. But on the flip side I suppose some car collectors never drive their cars.
Get your father-in-law to join POTN :)

[dan_bgblue]

Image results is all I care about. If I could build a camera out of an Ipod, a shoe box, some duct tape and get great images I would be as happy as a clam.

[fivegallon]

i certainly wouldn't be carrying my kit all over the globe to look good for anyone...

[mathogre]

I didn't grok at first, but I'm in the middle. Ultimately I like photography for the images. I probably grab my XSi more though because it just feels so good in my hands. The pleasure is almost reptilian in that it feels better than it should for a machine. It fits; it's balanced; it's just right.

I don't bring it for anyone but me. When I use it, it is an extension of me. The 430EX extends it a little further, and too is mostly very natural to me. I'll bounce the flash off of the ceiling, whether in portrait or landscape mode. I adjust the camera and flash to try to match the situation.

I'm in it for the photos. It's just that sometimes it's as if my XSi is calling to me to go play. :D (The G9 gets time too, as it did today.)

[nicksan]

I'm in it for the chicks...

[justaf IREMAN]

I'm in it for the chicks...

so you're the one.

[nphsbuckeye]

Image, baby!

[heyimnick]

Im going to get my camera painted yellow and green and im going to make the lens sky blue just so I can turn heads. I like taking pictures of cloudless skies at night and brick walls, only if I can get that perfect angle to where its blurry in the back.

[yogestee]

I have made a very good living our of photography.. Your call!!

[JCH77Yanks]

I'm in it for the images.... But, with that being said, I love those beautifully wide, detailed images that come out of the 5DmkII. I need to get my paws on one of those!

[brownbugger]

Id say Im in it for the photograph but I need the right tools to accomplish what I have in my mind.

[JCH77Yanks]

Id say Im in it for the photograph but I need the right tools to accomplish what I have in my mind.

My thoughts exactly!

[birdfromboat]

make a comparison between our hobby and the other hobbies people enjoy.
Fishing is all about gear, and the comparisons between your experiences with certain types of gear and that of others, and the pursuit of the best use of the right gear for the best results.
Hunting is all about gear, comparison with others experience, and pursuit of sucess.
Car restoration and collection - same.

Of my two main hobbies (fishing and photography) photography might seem more expensive, but I can go out and look for images when the lakes are closed, I can sit at the computer when the snow is flying, I can relive a vacation or event by looking through my images. The cost is amortized over the entire amount of free time I have to pursue photography.
I have spent thousands pursuing fish. My cost per pound for the fish I have actually eaten would stagger me, I don't care to know what it is. My boat, my rods, my tackle, my 150 bucks worth of licenses per year, gas, even my truck payment and the higher insurance rates as compared to a smaller vehichle that couldn't tow the boat all go into the sum total I pay to be a fisherman.
I would never criticize another fisherman because they have a better boat, or catch fewer fish, or both. Some boats might only get wet once or twice a year, thats OK. Some guys catch lots of fish with just a rod and tackle and a fishing hole, thats OK. We have all chosen the same past time and are hopefully enjoying our pursuit.

I see nothing wrong with finding pleasure in just having the gear you desire, even if you rarely use it, it is all about what makes you happy and fills your life. Everybody needs a hobby. Why criticize anyone for the way they pursue their own version?

[DStanic]

I'm in the middle. I wouldn't have bought a DSLR if I felt that the superzoom P&S I previously had was up to the task. I got into DSLRs for a reason, and it wasn't because I wanted to spend lots of money! :lol:To me I feel like there is an "image" between having a Rebel/xxxD and a xxD camera, cause I know both are very capable for most people. Do I get a little jealous when I see people walking around with an "L" lens when I have my "cheap" Sigma 24-60? Yeah, a little bit. That doesn't stop me though!

[butugly]

If you dont like taking photos why would you buy a camera :rolleyes:

[cohenfive]

i wish i could say i'm a purist, but an honest look at my motivations includes really loving images and taking them, but also loving the gear i'm using!! my wife used to think i was nuts, but as i've gotten better and we put more and more of our images up in the house, she has cut me some slack!

[JWright]

Do you really think people are going to admit to being gearheads? :rolleyes:

[Mike-DT6]

It does appear from reading the forum that there is a significant number of people who are into the look of the equipment rather than what they could do with it.

If they get some enjoyment from that aspect of the hobby then all well and good, but it does seem a bit odd to me.

Having said that, I do like the look of some of my stuff. I really like the little spirit levels that you get in tripod heads. I always feel like digging them out and eating them. Also I'm really tempted to eat the sponge on my tripod's legs.

Mike

:-)

[heyimnick]

I really like the little spirit levels that you get in tripod heads.
What do they fill those things with anyways?

[Mike-DT6]

I think it's ethyl alcohol or something similar. And of course a bubble, but I'm not sure what they make those out of.

Mike