How can you afford it?

I spent much more than the cost of a 1DX on a Robust American Beauty woodturning lathe because being a woodturning artist is where my true passion lies. Photography, on the other hand, is just serious a hobby. If you look at the cost of sailing, golf, amateur radio, skiing, owning a bass boat, ad infinitum ... it becomes apparent that photography is not all that expensive considering that it has a very wide price range when you realize that like the Robust AB lathe, it really isn't necessary to get the most expensive (but is sure is nice).

The 1Dx isn't all that much in comparison. Look up how much it costs to own an M9 plus a Noctilux. I dare say most people who own them don't make money off those particular shots. It's almost purely an enthusiasts camera. When I do see them in person, it's usually around the neck of someone who's retired, had a successful career and was smart with his retirement savings. In my retirement, I hope to enjoy those indulgences, too.

As someone said, it's not really any of our business asking or speculating why people own what. That thought process presupposes judgment. People here come from all walks of life... A lot of us would love something more and only a few of us can comfortably spend. There are people here whose only hobby is photography... others have two or three or more expensive hobbies/habits to boot. Good for them.

The only people I'm really insanely jealous about are the ones who have an old Rebel EOS body and a nifty fifty and consistently take photos that blow me away.

A decent sportsbike costs about 5-8 grand USED. Just to put things into perspective. Each time you see a person riding a motorcycle, think about another person in a parallel universe having chosen to buy the 1DX instead.

This thread makes no sense.

I can buy 1dx if I wanted. Don't need it for what I shoot. 5dmk3 would be enough. Had to sell it when we bought the house. Now going back to much cheaper 6d.

How you can afford, all priorities. Where I work lot of hrs folks who make say 1/3 to 1/4th of what I make drive around is much expensive cars, have $600 phone with $100/month plans. I got a nicer car but 10 yr old now, have basic phone with el cheapo monthly plan. And these guys look at my $$$thousand lens and say "You must me nice money" and I say "Yes".

I remember in my car club there were barely out of high school kids with $10,000 turbos on their 350z. Probably parents pay for lot of stuff but some would eat ramen noodles for months but still spend that kind of money on $30,000 car.

Well, if this is a hobby, and you want a 1Dx, I'd advise seeking a profession that pays well. Maybe a career as a lawyer or CPA. . . . . .
If you're a pro and you need it then you just finance it while hoping your 15 year old Honda Civic holds out until you're done paying off the camera.

The market for lawyers is pretty saturated. There are other ways to make money ... and the more you make as an attorney, the less time you'll have to actually enjoy your hobby.

powerslave wrote in post #16110863
A decent sportsbike costs about 5-8 grand USED. Just to put things into perspective. Each time you see a person riding a motorcycle, think about another person in a parallel universe having chosen to buy the 1DX instead.

Agreed, then when you decide to take that same sportbike to the track, you go through the equivalent of a 24-70L at the track every weekend, once you factor in track day fees, a set of tires, gas, lodging, etc. You have to pay to play!

adamo99 wrote in post #16110925
Agreed, then when you decide to take that same sportbike to the track, you go through the equivalent of a 24-70L at the track every weekend, once you factor in track day fees, a set of tires, gas, lodging, etc. You have to pay to play!

This is what I always maintain in my head. Photography is a CHEAP hobby. Yes.

I mean you can buy a flagship body for 5-7 grand, and top of the line pro level lenses for another 5-7 grand and there are very few places to go from there.

Compare that to collecting watches or sportsbikes or cars (rather a sportsbike or a car) or boats or even your fancy tile kitchen countertops.

At least photography allows you the option to make some of that money back by selling your work*.

*ignoring corner case pro racers/cooks/auction houses in case of the other hobbies mentioned.

adamo99 wrote in post #16110925
Agreed, then when you decide to take that same sportbike to the track, you go through the equivalent of a 24-70L at the track every weekend, once you factor in track day fees, a set of tires, gas, lodging, etc. You have to pay to play!

I remember race weekends when I did that. My wife was shocked how much it cost when we got married. I was dropping major coin to race on weekends.

now I race bicycles.. it doesn't cost much less ..

aliengin wrote in post #16110662
I don't care about the 1DX all I wanna know is how my neighbor can afford a BMW M3 with her nursing job???

People do lease nowadays. I certainly don't beleive in financing anything. I pay everything in cash.

This thread makes perfect sense, socially. Someone sees something that doesn't makes sense and is asking why. The reason cameras and not houses or cars is separation. People who buy a $1M car have already spent much more on separating themselves from those who would not. What's odd here is that the Rebel and the 1D are made by the same company and the owners of both inhabit the same message board, exposing each group to the other. People on Honda boards don't inadvertently see posts from people on Ferrari boards.

The question of how has been answered, because they can. I would add one economic lesson. My father was one of 14 children. It was a dairy farm and children were economic assets. Their presence added to the strength of the business and he more less paid for himself growing up. Forward one generation and he had 3 children. My sisters and I did not pay for ourselves. While I helped with assembly from time to time, there was no daily activity we could do to make 11 more siblings easily affordable.

So to with cameras. One that contributes to it's own expense and that of other gear and eventually to its own replacement, does not require personal income to exist. I bought a 20D with personal income, used it to make money and bought a 7D. Used it to make money and bought a 6D. My current setup is the most economic value I can produce with my current work, so this is the most camera I expect to buy (more camera does not make more valuable photos for my style of picture).

Make your next purchase outside of personal income and get away from its constraints.

Amen

Bent you're probably better off spending the money on getting better glass first...

"Phase One IQ260, Cambo, Rodenstock Digaron, Nikon D4 X 2, Nikon D3s, Nikon D800E, Nikon D800, Nikon D600, and Canon 1Ds MK III"

That's a lot of cash

I could buy a 1D X but, my two D4s' and D3s are doing just fine. I do a bit of paid work on the side.

aliengin wrote in post #16110662
I don't care about the 1DX all I wanna know is how my neighbor can afford a BMW M3 with her nursing job???

Could be wrong but I thought nursing jobs paid well. And one can always lease. Too many M3 here in the valley.