Need a Hug...

Today I am selling my favorite rifle, to support my ever growing photography enterprise. It will be a great business move, as I can make money with the camera, but I no longer get paid for shooting the rifle.

So despite the good desicion, I am pretty sad to see my girl (Dakota, is the name of the rifle) go. It will not be the same without her.

I am sure things will feel better when I get the camera upgrade, and my first L lens, but right now I feel inconsolable.

Just look at it as shooting in a different way. Actually, I just sold off a D60 and a bunch of my consumer lenses that I have had since my first EOS camera (back in 1992). I sure hated giving up those lenses, but I don't use them anymore, and it wasn't fair to just let them sit around in a camera bag when somebody could be enjoying them. Now I've got quite a bit of cash sitting in a savings account as I save up for my next camera (the 1DsMkII replacement).

You'll feel better once the new camera and lens are in hand.

Mark

Just out of curiosity, when did you get paid for shooting the rifle, and what were you shooting?

Steven,

I served in a Foreign Navy in 1992-94. Then I shot FN-FALA1.
I spent the last two years building this special edition of an M1A SOCOM Rifle, with all its tactical accessories, as a prototype for Rural Areas Law Enforcement (from Red dot to Scope, to hit consistently at 300 yards - average Police sniper engagement is 88 yds) and now its going bye-bye.

Although the money is going to a good cause (I need a Canon 200mm with low f/ values, probably an L series), and probably upgrade to a 5D.

It will be great, but sometimes it sucks for a while to give up something you like (other than a camera or lens) in order to invest for Photo equipment. No regrets, but sad nonetheless.

What stuff have you POTNers given up for Photography equipment? Anyone sell a car? Engagement Rings?...Lemonade Stand?

Trading in your membership to the NRA and getting a NCA (National Canon Association) membership? You'll probably miss Dakota yeah but once you get Leslie and KelLy you'll forget all about old Dakota

Buck up.
I once sold a motorcycle to buy my wife a ring . . .
There's a REAL waste of good cash.

I feel your pain. Once I'm out of school I am getting my hands on an M1A and doing a little project...

Until then it's lenses... cameras...

mjgravina wrote:
What stuff have you POTNers given up for Photography equipment? Anyone sell a car? Engagement Rings?...Lemonade Stand?

My 70-200mm f/2.8L used to be a Gibson Les Paul Standard.

I played in a band for about nine years, until the band broke up (on very good terms) last June. Over that time, I'd acquired a pretty impressive collection of guitars.

I had been making decent money with the band, so I tried to think of something else I enjoyed doing that I might be able to make a few bucks on the side with. That "thing" was photography.

I sold off some guitars and put the money towards photo gear. I've now accumulated what I think is a good photo set-up, and I was able to pare down the guitar collection to a pretty reasonable 11 guitars...

I have 4 children and I have to think about what I am going to leave them if anything is to happen to me. Are my hobbies and passions a part of their lives and would they appreciate them? My mother in law has some furniture from her ancestors, some of the chairs are pretty old and paint chipped. When I first went to her home I was unsure why she hadn't thrown those little chairs away. Once I understood their place and significance in my husband's family, I had a totally different appreciation for them. She's leaving one of them to my husband and I'm sure he will cherish it. I let those types of connections stay. If the item is not useful or of any value to me long term, it may be time to get the best sell price out of them.

Managed to get my hands on a 5D, but that involved shaking up my entire system. Let go of my EF-S 10-22, which I had really come to know and love. Definitely one of my top favorite lenses, it was magnificent when it came to cramped interiors or huge outdoors. There are the days when I wish I had it back.

The 17-40 f/4L that it bought though, on the other hand, is superb. That takes away a lot of the pain.

My other car USED TO BE a Ferrari!

[wishful dreaming]

I know the feeling. I once sold a modified Mustang Cobra Convertible to buy an engagement ring. Then we broke up. I am still mad about that one..

Thank's y'all for making me feel better. I am then one more of the bunch who give up something they love, for something they are even more passionate about, as it is the case with photography.

Michael, I'm with you on that one of the Mustang. That topped any other story posted in this thread, IMO anyways.

Once my children grew up, I stopped buying them expensive things for Christmas and birthdays...and I stopped giving them money.
Funny, now I actually have my own money to spend. Feels great, but really weird.

Maureen Souza wrote:
Once my children grew up, I stopped buying them expensive things for Christmas and birthdays...and I stopped giving them money.
Funny, now I actually have my own money to spend. Feels great, but really weird.

You can do that? Dang! I need to work on this.

Mark