Man photography is getting expensive!!

digirebelva wrote in post #11986420
It's simple supply & demand (well okay it's a bit more than that but).......so many are convinced they HAVE to have the latest & greatest as soon as it comes out..(see Ipad, Ipod etc...)

This is completely true of the used market, particularly in regard to ebay. I often wonder just how large and rabid the photography market is. I believe 100% that if I listed one million used 85mm 1.8's and one million used 5D mkII's they would all sell.

I dont think its expensive at all. You could have a pretty professional setup for 15000. I know auto mechancis who have spent well over double that for all their tools.

15,000 is chump change to you?

No. Im just saying that if you want to use the same equipment that professionals use, youd have a hard time finding ANY hobby affordable. Its not like cheaper equipment doesnt exist, it just isnt as nice.

philwillmedia wrote in post #11985961
You guys in the US think it's tough.
You should see what we have to pay in Aussie even though our dollar is almost (and has been) at parity with the greenback

Phil, you reckon it is tough here, last Time I was in Auckland I wondered into a camera shop to browse and came out stunned! I just thought you've got to be kidding!

I'm just talking about nice mid-tier stuff that is moving into crazy land. Like the 15-85, that's now a $750 lens for what is clearly a consumer product that replaced a $400 lens. The 70-200 F4's have both jumped 25%. The new 70-200 f2.8 is $2500 instead of $1500 like the old one. The budget primes are all up about $100. Add it all up and the average Joe is paying $500-2000 more than they did 2-3 years ago for a mid-level setup. At a certain point, you can't justify taking that money away from your family for a hobby.

except you are not taking into account your so called mid level set up is leaps and bounds ahead of what the pro level set ups were just a few years back - the same time frame you are quoting a $1500 70-200

if you want the new and improved - you are going to have to pay - do you want it or not - entry level is improved - mid level is improved and pro level is improved - you just need to decide if you want to pay for the improvements and to what level

As far as taking money away from your family for a hobby.....that's you call - can you justify or not - not for me to say or anyone else - but **** because a new top quality lens goes for $2500 when it sold for $1500 8 years ago does not meet the smell test. If you think it is too much, then do not buy it....pretty simple to me. Again you need to decide if its a hobby or not and what type of tools or toys you want to play with

I will say what I tell my wife... Just be happy I'm not into boats, cars, or any other "normal" guy hobbies. They're MUCH more expensive than photography.

Yeah, she never buys my reasoning either.

Plus, you never have to pay for really nice family photos!

Redfish wrote in post #11989090
If you think it is too much, then do not buy it....pretty simple to me. Again you need to decide if its a hobby or not and what type of tools or toys you want to play with

Yes, it is simple. 2-3 years ago I could afford it, now I can't. That sucks and it's my thread so I'll whine if want to!

Todd Lambert wrote in post #11989119
I will say what I tell my wife... Just be happy I'm not into boats, cars, or any other "normal" guy hobbies. They're MUCH more expensive than photography.

Yeah, she never buys my reasoning either.

Just buy it when it's on sale/refurbed/used and tell her how much money you saved by buying it then as opposed to later. Usually works for them, why not try turning the tables.*

*Disclaimer: It's never worked for me but you may as well give it a go.

JakAHearts wrote in post #11988801
I dont think its expensive at all. You could have a pretty professional setup for 15000. I know auto mechancis who have spent well over double that for all their tools.

Yes, but how often do they buy new tools simply because something NEW comes out...when they ones they have will outlast them (plus get a lifetime warranty)plenty of time for a ROI...photogs on the other hand generally upgrade what...every 12-18 months..or as soon as the next new model comes out...camera body or lense...

What I've noticed is that in the past few years it became much easier to get into photography, money wise, esp. if you frequent deal sites. There were a few deals last fall where people got a T2i kit with a 55-250mm lens for ~$500. Add a 50mm f/1.8 and you could have a good beginner kit for $600-$700. But once you master those beginner level lenses and think about an upgrade the cost of the hobby jumps up pretty quick and there're not that many lens deals in comparison with electronics products.

tkbslc wrote in post #11988936
I'm just talking about nice mid-tier stuff that is moving into crazy land. Like the 15-85, that's now a $750 lens for what is clearly a consumer product that replaced a $400 lens. The 70-200 F4's have both jumped 25%. The new 70-200 f2.8 is $2500 instead of $1500 like the old one. The budget primes are all up about $100. Add it all up and the average Joe is paying $500-2000 more than they did 2-3 years ago for a mid-level setup. At a certain point, you can't justify taking that money away from your family for a hobby.

The 10-22 has jumped roughly 60% in a little over 2 years. When I first started looking at it, it was around $550-$600...now its around $800...give or take...and thats for the same lense...no upgrades here...

You have an 11-16 and 24-70. Are you trying to fill in the 8mm gap? Based on your comment about the mechanic never needing new tools, you probably dont NEED that lens.

I just looked at your site and your black and white shots are amazing! Are they HDR black and whites? (really off topic, I know)