Justifying New Lenses

So I approached my wife about my idea to purchase a few new lenses - Only 14k for a 300 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 28-70 2.8, 100 macro plus tubes and extenders. (hey I don't have kids to spend on) She asked how can I justify spending that kind of money on a hobby?

I quickly replied that other people spend money on boats, expensive golf clubs, etc. Not sure she bought into the idea.

How do you justify the purchase of photo equipment?

It's a hobby for me as well, and I don't justify purchases to my wife. We both have an amount of money we call hobby money or fun money and we spend it as we see fit. If she wants to spend her fun money on an expensive pair of shoes or a purse, that's entirely up to her. If I want to spend my money on a lens or a giant inflatable ball pit, that's entirely up to me.

As to if 14K is too much or too little to spend on a hobby, entirely depends on how much you make and save. If you're putting thousands in savings every month, it's probably not too much. If you're putting nothing into savings then it's obviously is.

Though, I will say, you might break it up to a single lens at a time. You'll likely get a much less push back. Also, you're spending what, 2-3X what you've already got invested in the hobby? That is kinda a big jump.

Just buy it and take it home if you can afford it.... I've got a friend with $100mil in airplanes... Its all relative...

Mark H

I get a little at a time, usually as a Christmas present from my wife to me, or from Santa to us both. A body here, a lens there. Two years ago it was a 5DIII, this past Christmas a Tamron 150-600 (Although I got it well after Christmas), one year a 100L, another a 70-200L. Hopefully a Tamron 24-70 Di VC USD this year I've been good, Santa. I promise.

Makes it easier to justify, not only to her, but to myself. And it gives me something to look forward to. Without a new toy, it ain't Christmas... just like when you were a kid.

vengence wrote in post #17120610
It's a hobby for me as well, and I don't justify purchases to my wife. We both have an amount of money we call hobby money or fun money and we spend it as we see fit. If she wants to spend her fun money on an expensive pair of shoes or a purse, that's entirely up to her. If I want to spend my money on a lens or a giant inflatable ball pit, that's entirely up to me.

As to if 14K is too much or too little to spend on a hobby, entirely depends on how much you make and save. If you're putting thousands in savings every month, it's probably not too much. If you're putting nothing into savings then it's obviously is.

Though, I will say, you might break it up to a single lens at a time. You'll likely get a much less push back. Also, you're spending what, 2-3X what you've already got invested in the hobby? That is kinda a big jump.

I agree with what you said, purchase them one at a time by saving up money, and that is seriously a huge jump, i would never spend that kind of money unless if i won the lottery and make really really good money. The lens i want is a Canon 200-400 F4L one lens cost more then all the lenses that you want. but i came to the conclusion that i will never own this lens, it's not reality for me But i would keep the Canon 24-70 F4 the 28-70 is that a tamron lens ?

I've been married 25 years, and never had an issue with "justifying" any purchase. We are both good about managing our money, and only buy what we can afford. When I want a new lens, golf clubs, etc., I do let her know what I'm buying, but it's never a problem.

It comes down to trust and knowing what your financial limits are. And don't go into debt for non-essential items.

EricTober wrote in post #17120579
So I approached my wife about my idea to purchase a few new lenses - Only 14k for a 300 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 28-70 2.8, 100 macro plus tubes and extenders. (hey I don't have kids to spend on) She asked how can I justify spending that kind of money on a hobby?

I quickly replied that other people spend money on boats, expensive golf clubs, etc. Not sure she bought into the idea.

How do you justify the purchase of photo equipment?

You went about it the wrong way, first buy her a nice LV purse or something expensive as a gift to her, then say you are buying something for yourself while she is on the high of the gift !

Works (almost) every time !

only buy the lens when there are rebates, push over the rebate to her after you get it.....you get what you want, and she can buy something she wants #winning

Would you let your wife drop 14K on her hobby?

pig pile wrote in post #17120657
only buy the lens when there are rebates, push over the rebate to her after you get it.....you get what you want, and she can buy something she wants #winning

Yeah rebates are nice, it's just hard to wait till they release them

I sell photos so my hobby pays for my gear.

If I didn't make money off of it I'd have a hard time justifying numbers like that.

Saying that other people throw their money down the toilet doesn't mean it is a good idea.

But, it is your money. Just don't complain when the wife spends $12K on a purse.

If you bought a convertible to drive on your days off and it cost $14k how would you afford it??

The large SUM of money spent on photography as a hobby is not spent all at one time, it is done over time. Few people buy a house and pay for it all at once, if you get my drift.

EricTober wrote in post #17120579
I quickly replied that other people spend money on boats, expensive golf clubs, etc. Not sure she bought into the idea.

I've used that line (logic) many times with my wife. Even justifying it to myself. I know people that spend that much, at one time, on their hobby. Classic muscle cars come to mind.

With that said, I agree with most. That's a lot at one time, unless you've won a lottery or something. My hobby purchases came slowly over 35 years. One at a time would be my recommendation.

In the end, it's your (and your spouse's) money. Do, as a team, as you see fit.

EricTober wrote in post #17120579
She asked how can I justify spending that kind of money on a hobby?

"because I want to and we can afford it"

there

Unless you can't really afford it, but then you'd probably not be looking at spending that much at once.

Considering that you'll most likely have those lenses for many years, the per year cost is certainly cheaper than a fancy gym, golf, hunting, travel, and so on.

Hobbies are for your spare time, your relaxation, your reward for working and as long as one does not go into debt for them or only heats ramen to afford the hobby, there's nothing wrong with spending on it.

If you buy used or wait for deals and refurb you can prob cut the price on your estimate significantly. I'm also a hobbyist and only buy gear that way.

My wife is cool regardless and she likes my hobby. And we both make decent money. But I take it upon myself to save where I can.