Funding

[Welland]

As per my other post Ive been saving for a long time and finally bought my set up (M4+35mm biogon f2) Ive sold things, been gifted and saved to purchase this. Its a bloody expensive hobby, Im presuming unless you are extremely well off you too find it an expensive hobby. So how do/did you fund yours? Do you find you cut back on things such as drinking/smoking? Part time job/over time? Did you down grade your car or did you just set about saving for a long time?

 

[skibeerr]

On the never never.

 

[Steinberg2010]

I used a bit of inheritance money from a deceased grandparent - makes it a nice significant reminder for me.

~S

 

[sanmich]

What hobby?

Film photography? it's cheap, specially if you shoot B&W and process yourself.

Playing and trying gear like lots of us do? That's the expensive hobby.
Stay away from that one, use your (great) camera, and you'll be ok.

And about your question: I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't pay for haircuts, and I don't have any expensive vice other than shooting a camera now and then.

 

[enero]

The rule that I have for myself is, I have to sell something in order to buy something. I've been a "semi" professional photographer for years, and have a lot of equipment, But as digital started updating itself so quickly, I found myself with more work cameras then I need, so I decided to sell one off with a few other things and got myself an M6 and M8 to play with. They werent in the best condition, so I traded up those two for a M6TTL Millennium...which turned out to be waaayyyyy too pretty to use. So I sold that off and recently got a mint Japanese Market M6 TTL which is at the moment, "Just Right!" plus with the money left over, I got some lenses that Ive always wanted 🙂

I find leica stuff a lot easier to trade/sell. All these digtal cameras out there drop in value so quickly, that you'd be lucky to get enough money to buy a cheap point and shoot with the money you get.

I know in a few weeks or months im gonna want something else. But thanks to Leica's solid value, I dont think I'll have a problem trading up 🙂

And if there is any question about film and processing, most film is cheap and develop in your bathroom, you'll save a ton!

 

[sleepyhead]

In my case, I have held a steady well-paying job for a long time. I started buying Leica M gear in the 1980s, several pieces of which I still have. Through buying (low) and selling (high) lenses, I have managed to slowly accumulate about 10 lenses and 2 bodies (M4-P and M3) that I love. Including some great ones, such as a 75mm Summilux.

I could NEVER afford to buy these today. Prices have just gone up and up, especially in the last 3-5 years.

I don't have a car, don't smoke, and generally don't waste my money on things I consider silly. I don't have any other hobbies. Lastly, compared to some other people I know who sail boats or alpine ski, photography isn't that expensive.

 

[btgc]

Film photography? it's cheap, specially if you shoot B&W and process yourself.

Playing and trying gear like lots of us do? That's the expensive hobby.

This 😀 couldn't agree more.
Digital also is dirty cheap if one buys two gen old camera and don't obsess with glass.

 

[Joosep]

The secret to my gear ? Its noodles. And alot of them. Years of noodles.

 

[mfogiel]

The rule in life, is to earn more, and not spend less. Look around, try to figure out, which job will be going strong even 50 years from now, get passionate about it, become one of the best, get paid well. This can be a rocket scientist, a cook, energy saving specialist, even the next Damien Hirst ( read: PR man).

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Oh dear! I think it's what you spend and not what you earn that makes you poor. I'd be poor if I bought a Noctilux, f'instance...

But, my serious cameras were bought years ago when I'd found (saving, windfalls or selling) the money and buying took place, usually, months or years after the decision. It's best to decide, IMO< when you've no money and won't then be rushed into something. That saying that money burns a hole in your pocket is very true.

Nowadays, I only spend cash that's in my pocket and that means looking around flea markets. charity shops and so on. And ebay, of course, there's a lot goes for the opening bid of a few pennies.

BTW, I think digital is expensive, my printer eats ink and digital cameras are expensive and, generally, not repairable; unlike my FED 1, XA2 etc.

Regards, David

 

[Rick Waldroup]

The key for me is that camera bodies come and go, especially digital, but really superb lenses will always serve me well. I do what enero does, I usually sell something before I buy something. This way, I have kept my expenses down. I spent more money many years ago than I do now.

However, my only real weakness is I am tempted to buy really high-end lenses that I want but do not necessarily need.:bang:😀

 

[thegman]

If you insist on Leica gear, then it can be expensive, if not then, it's the cheapest pastime I have. I spend more on takeaways, gym membership, alcohol, travel etc. than film/processing.

I suppose it depends on your definition of well off, and how much film you shoot, but it can be a pretty inexpensive hobby.

At least with your Leica and Biogon, it'll hold it's value. I was in a London dealer a few days ago, they had a used Leica X1. It was £490, although missing the box and some bits. We're talking about a camera a few years old which used to be £1300. On the other hand, I bought my favourite film camera for £250.

If I was a student again, then I could never afford Leica gear, but if you've got an OK job, don't spend your money unwisely, then it's not so bad. If you can afford to smoke, you can afford Leica gear.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I live very simply. I do not wear expensive clothes, I do not smoke, drink, use drugs, or chase women. I do not have a smartphone or any other expensive electronics, except my Mac Pro. I bought it used, and justified the purchase because I am a professional photographer and designer. I live in an inexpensive city in a moderately priced apartment.

I also do not buy gear I do not need for my work, and I never buy anything new unless it is impossible to get used.

I have a 15 year old son who lives with me fulltime; his mother is no longer in his life, so I do spend a lot of money on him, both for basic necessities (food, clothes, etc.) and for things that make his life enjoyable. I probably spend too much, but I think he's wort it. He is the only thing I really spend much money for. I live like a monk otherwise.

 

[jsrockit]

No house, no car, no debt...

 

[Frontman]

I started cheaply enough, with an inexpensive SLR and a couple of lenses, but then after visiting forums like this, I quickly succumbed to GAS. But, I found a way to make the malady profitable. I buy and sell gear, some of it cheap, some of it expensive, and this has allowed me to acquire a few very nice things.

I also have a full time job, and I run a small export business specializing in goods for stylists and barbers. The export business bow generates more income than my job, and has allowed me to improve my lifestyle.

Rather than find a way to fit expenses into your budget, you should try find ways to generate enough money to have a budget large enough to buy what you want.

 

[lam]

I dev my own B&W so chems + 100' roll of film a month is roughly $30-40 depending how many rolls I go through.

Gear on the other hand, I try to keep my hobby money in itself, so photography money goes toward photography money, and etc. It's a way to balance the spending.

 

[zuiko85]

Well..........

Been dinking around with cameras for 40+ years. Mostly have only bought when I could get a really good deal. Have stayed away from digital except for a discontinued but new Olympus E-410 with it's kit lens. It will last long enough and was reasonable for a DSLR.

Always wanted a Leica M and finally when I retired 2 years ago I sold some unused stuff bought years ago for about $1100 and then raided my 401 for the extra $500. That bought me a clean M4-2, used but LN 21 f4 and 35 f2.5 CV lenses, and a nice clean 90 f4 Elmar. So, for $1600 I have my basic Leica kit and it will outlast the E-410 I'm sure.

Since then most of the running expense has been taken care of by ongoing income. In the last two years probably $300~400 for film, paper and chemicals.

The E-410 makes a dandy meter.

 

[yossarian123]

Except for my camera gear and a kickass 27 inch iMac I just bought, I live pretty frugally. Yes, I do make more than the average but I also buy my clothes secondhand, very rarely eat at restaurants (more often than not I take a sack lunch to work, I won't even spend the $1 to get coffee in our cafeteria). My wife and daughter drive a nice car, I drive a POS car that is now in its 15th year. I don't drink and I don't smoke.

I think you'll find that if you shoot film, the expenditures aren't really that much. I'm constantly amazed at how low some equipment is selling for. I recently paid a little bit over $100 for a like new Nikon F100. That would have cost $1500 (?) 10-12 years ago. Amazing. Of course, if you get bit by the Leica bug then all bets are off and you better start stocking up on ramen noodles at Costco.

 

[Calzone]

I don't drink, smoke, own a home, nor own a car and overall try to save money when I can. Not owning a car saves thousands of dollars, and to save $2.25 I walk instead of taking the subway or bus. In many ways I am cheap and don't waste money.

I'm lucky to have a secure job that has good benefits that allows me to take advantage of zero APR offers to my benefit. I downsized as if I was going to retire even though I'm only 55, but I have refined tastes: I like nice clothes, expensive shoes, luxury watches, expensive bags... but I wait for great deals.


Bought a Rolex, a Paneria and two Cartiers for the girlfriend taking advantage of zero APR offers that extended over two years paying for one after another over an eight year period, meanwhile there was a housing bubble. I buy my Paul Smith clothes at their outlet store at the end of season sales or at sample sales. I scour stores like Century 21 and DSW for bargains on luxury brands.

I own less, but what I do have is expensive, luxury and is of premium quality. In this way less is more and life is rich. BTW I don't make that much money, but I have a very rich life.

Photographically I buy mostly used, I am known to barter, and I do everything I can to minimize costs like a business.

Cal

 

[boomguy57]

Ultimately we can justify it however we like: the majority of the things we're talking about are frivolous but that's what hobbies are for. If we don't take time to enjoy life, then what's the point? If you can afford it reasonably, then it's not a problem; if photography-related expenses get in the way of the rest of your life, then it's a problem.

Relax, and enjoy life. Getting that Nocti won't make your photos better, but if you can afford it and you derive pleasure from it, then go for it.