affording lenses

[kitacanon]

I got into photography when prices were reasonable, or so it seemed to me when a Nikon F cost under $150....and the basic Nikkor primes from 24mm to 200 all cost well under $200 new in the late 1960s when I was a professional....

Now I'm an amateur...and...
....shooting primes, MF primes, is my cheap thrill, and it is a thrill, and it is cheap....
I replaced most of them in the past few years (see my sig)...only the 200 was mine new in 1970, and except for the 180, I paid no more than $80 for any of them (the 180mmED was $140 and it replaced an older version I got for $60 and sold for $125, making the ED under $80 too)...actually the 28/F2 was $3 because it's stuck at F2, and the 50AIS was $15 after selling the body and another lens that came with it...

[Woodworker]

Digital photography can be an expensive hobby if you make it such.
If you can't or won't afford to make it such, either make do with a P&S or nothing - simple as that.

I can't afford to buy and run the latest Jaguar car but I don't whinge about the fact or begrudge those who can have one. When I see a really nice car on the road, I might admire it but I'm really not jealous of the owner.

I'm really not trying to be nasty but I do think you need to develop a mature outlook.

David

[NYC2SOCAL]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

I can't afford to buy and run the latest Jaguar car but I don't whinge about the fact or begrudge those who can having one. When I see a really nice car on the road, I might admire it but I'm really not jealous of the owner.

I'm really not trying to be nasty but I do think you need to develop a mature outlook.

+1

I'm in the same boat, whenever I see a Ferrari or 911 Turbo, I'm thinking "nice car.. What sacrifices must I make to afford to buy and drive one of those.". At this point in my life, those sacrifices would be too much. Maybe when the kids are off to college.

[msowsun]

I get paid a tax-free per-diem for meal expenses on the road, and every month I manage to pocket about $300 that I don't spend. This goes into my "photography fund" and allows me to buy some nice equipment periodically.

I also sometimes make a small profit from buying used lenses, using them for awhile, and then selling them later. I always seem to at least break even. The only one I lost money on was a Sigma 50-150 2.8 (I thought I bought it at a fair price of $550, but had to let it go for $400 because no one seemed to want it)

[tkbslc]

Originally Posted by kitacanon

I got into photography when prices were reasonable, or so it seemed to me when a Nikon F cost under $150....and the basic Nikkor primes from 24mm to 200 all cost well under $200 new in the late 1960s when I was a professional....
.

You know what $200 in 1969 is worth inflation adjusted to today? $1150. So I don't think it has ever been a cheap hobby. You could get a decent body and any of the basic primes from 24-200mm for under $1150 each today.

[bohdank]

Never be envious or jealous of anyone. There is always someone better off financially or happier with their life than you.

If I am greatful for anything in my life, it is that I do not have an envious or jealous bone in my body. Never had and I don't really understand those two vices. I may not be completely content with my lot in life but I am where I am because of MY decisions. So, if I have to blame someone, it would be me. This seems to be a rare trait in people, these days, from my experience. It bugs the hell out of me.

I also do not look down at anyone solely because of their posiiton in society. Much like respect, derision is earned. I have very rich friends and very poor ones.

I have almost been destitute twice in my life. I learned something very valuable... "things" don't matter, at all.

Now, if I wasn't so humble I'd be perfect

[trinh]

Originally Posted by bohdank

Never be envious or jealous of anyone. There is always someone better off financially or happier with their life than you.

If I am greatful for anything in my life, it is that I do not have an envious or jealous bone in my body. Never had and I don't really understand those two vices. I may not be completely content with my lot in life but I am where I am because of MY decisions. So, if I have to blame someone, it would be me. This seems to be a rare trait in people, these days, from my experience. It bugs the hell out of me.

I also do not look down at anyone solely because of their posiiton in society. Much like respect, derision is earned. I have very rich friends and very poor ones.

I have almost been destitute twice in my life. I learned something very valuable... "things" don't matter, at all.

Now, if I wasn't so humble I'd be perfect

[coirchlid]

Some people I know buy $50,000 luxury cars for their kids as their first car. Some lower-middle class people can spend just as much as we photographers do on home theatre and other audio equipment (I have some very close friends like this), or putting a lot of their income into turning their cars into noise machines. Now a $50,000 college education is one thing, but a $50,000 car for your kid's first car? A car is fun while you have it. But after your car breaks down all you have is pictures of it, memories, and maybe an emblem or wheel cap. Also many people (not all) who drive Mercedes', Lexus', Jaguars, etc. don't even use their turn signal when they cut in front of me. If it makes you happy, then go for it. I'm not saying people with nice cars should be spending it on other things. If I could afford it, I'd definitely go for a Porsche 911 turbo, and a few other cars. But of course that's after I build the gear list of my dreams. I'm sure the truth is, even with the gear list of my dreams and a garage full of expensive cars I'll find myself no happier than I am right now. I get satisfaction just by looking at my 7D with those red-ring adorned lenses on it, because I know I worked for it... Actually my beautiful girlfriend was the one who worked and saved for my 100mm f/2.8L IS macro, but that makes me even happier!

Speaking as an amateur
I think there's probably some addiction involved in expensive hobbies like photography (especially with lenses), especially when you really don't need several $xK lenses. But the way I see it is that every photograph I take becomes a priceless, satisfaction-bringing possession that will outlast the equipment used to take it and will even outlive the photographer who took it. I think that's one thing I always tell myself to justify spending so much on each purchase. Hey, I'm no pro but this stuff makes me happy.

[kitacanon]

Originally Posted by tkbslc

You know what $200 in 1969 is worth inflation adjusted to today? $1150. So I don't think it has ever been a cheap hobby. You could get a decent body and any of the basic primes from 24-200mm for under $1150 each today.

That's why I said "seemed" reasonable...the thing is, at the time the difference between a cheap SLR and the Nikon F was only $25 ($100 for a Kowa with a fixed 50mm lens, iirc, vs $125 for the Nikkormat FS and another $25, $150 for the barebones F)

[terbear]

Well, I'm a 17 year old jobless high school student. All my camera stuff has been paid for my parents (indirectly cuz they give me money and i save it) and my sister (who wins national recognitions for dancing). I haven't sold any pictures and haven't really "merchanted" anything. To be honest, I get really envious of those who have a really nice lens, but then I look at my situation, I have 3 lens now - some people only have one. I was talking to a photographer and he said that the pictures he took with the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM paid for his 300mm. I wish I can someday be able to sell that many pictures to get that type of money (or get a job at some local store).

[stover98074]

Originally Posted by Buggie

not sure if this is ok to post, but I am wondering about how amateurs afford multiple lenses. I got into photography about 8 years ago with a film slr with one kit 35-70 mm. Film processing got to be too difficult to organize and pay for so I kind of got out things for a few years until I could afford a digital slr and made due with a powershot until then (I got the rebel xsi a couple years back). The kit included the 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6. Last year for Christmas my parents bought me the 60 mm f/2.8 x1 macro because I really like close up nature photography. I feel like I am so limited though. Many of friends have commented that I should get into things more seriously and shoot weddings or things like that, and I'm supposed to photograph a band this weekend, but I know I just don't have the equipment. I recently lost my job so I have even less money to afford equipment. I see young kids out with these awesome telephoto lenses and stuff that I know cost almost as much as my road bike. The difference is I only need *1* road bike, but I feel like you need so many different lenses, and they're all priced so high.

So I guess my questions are; how many lenses do amateurs usually own? What is the minimal set of lenses most people can get by with? Why don't cameras come with more versatile lenses? Am I missing a source for good deals on this stuff? I just feel limited in what I can shoot.

I have sold my AF lenses and purchased MF lenses. Regarding macro, I use enlarging lenses on bellows.

With MF you loose out on fast moving subjects. But for now, I am content with the older MF gear.

Through about nine months of horse trading all of the equipment I own - with the exception of the camera body - has been paid for - in essence it only cost me my time.

I have Takumar, Nikkor, Yashinon, Mamiya/Sekor primes from 18 through 300 and for macro a range of enlarging lenses from 50 to 135.

[Blackdeath]

Never had kids (not for lack of fun trying!)

Don't have vices like smoking and drinking.

Buy secondhand on eBay.

[xcel730]

I have a few lenses that I accrued over time.

I used to have to pay about $350 a month for my college loans ... after I was done paying it off, I started putting the same $350 a month away in an ING direct account. I figure I got used to living without this money anyway, so might as well put it away for my hobby.

Sometimes I feel the same as many people do ... too many fancy equipment that I want to get, too little money. As much as I want to get Profoto or Broncolor or even Elinchrom lighting equipment, I settled with Alienbees instead.