I just wonder where some of you people get the money, wow!!

Sometimes I am in awe when I see some of the equipment some of you have. I see beautiful pictures and I am sure your occupations allow you have items like this and may be necessary but I must say you are so fortunate.
There are many people out there that cannot afford a car for the price of some of your cameras, lenses, or even lights individually.

I am grateful for all I have and I am grateful that you all share what you have.

It is beautiful and I cannot afford it all in my wallet but I can afford to see it all right here.

Thank you

from work and hard saving

Little bit of sweat never hurt nobody. Bust ass working, save and watch for the unbeatable deals. It pays off in so many ways and you'll appreciate the fruits of your labor even more

I sell bodyparts online, see I can still type with 1 finger!

Money laundering.

My secret

I find I just save and sacrifice on other hobbies. Instead of going out drinking with friends, I'll put that towards some gear and in a matter of a few months, I can get a nice new purchase.

I appreciate what you folks are saying. I work and work and work hard and we are saving but we are saving for these dependants that live in our home right now, they call themselves children, haha.
I use my photography equipment for work so I do buy what I need to get my photos for work but I am managing with my XS and just bought a 580EX II and canon 50mm 1.8. Next will be the canon 70-300 IS and that will be it for awhile I think, I hope cause if I just keep on buying there will not be any saving, aghhh!

I have been going through bing.com and I am a great bargain shopper.

10megapixel wrote in post #10483643
My secret

Well, it's not your secret anymore

work hard, save, plan, reduce some expenses (like a few beers with friends @ home is cheaper than a beer in the pub),sell & hunt in 2nd hand market. The list goes on....

I liked about photography as a hobby is that there is very little recurring cost of running the equipments and this hobby, onec you owned the gears. Perhaps for replacement parts like lens tissue, worn out batteries.

My SX100IS has been with me for 4 years now. Only thing that changes is the rechargable batteries. Still take good photos.

Wow, you all have some fascinating ways of saving:p

ladywonder wrote in post #10483669
Well, it's not your secret anymore

Doh!

Holy moly Lensmen, you have got a lot of gear!

For some of us it's also a hobby/business, so it's more easy to justify when you make a living from it.

I also made friends, got deals, got free stuff from companies in return for marketing materials and so on, helping them out, giving them feedback...you'd be surprised what a little asking can get you.

mikekelley wrote in post #10483704
For some of us it's also a hobby/business, so it's more easy to justify when you make a living from it.

I also made friends, got deals, got free stuff from companies in return for marketing materials and so on, helping them out, giving them feedback...you'd be surprised what a little asking can get you.

Wow..Lucky you! My mama always told me to ask and that the worst I could get was a no. I will have to try that in the future.