Gear Value Anxiety?

[Doug]

I would love to own an M246! (Side note about reluctance to walk around with gear worth as much as a car: I might still not own an M246 even if it were *easily* affordable)...

I use the quote above only as an introduction to the topic, and intend my question as directed toward RFF members in general, not specifically to the one quoted. 🙂

Do you feel nervous about carrying expensive gear? This issue is mentioned from time to time, so it appears there are a number of us who share this concern.

What is your feeling about this? Are you inhibited from buying expensive yet affordable gear because of a sense of vulnerability or risk?

 

[MarkoKovacevic]

Some may collect cameras, but the cameras I use are meant to be tools. I buy the best gear that's still reasonably priced and superbly built. Whats the point of having a camera if you're not going to push its limits? Still, you need to be smart about it.

 

[JP Owens]

Cameras should be used up in the process of shooting photos, not become shopworn by constantly changing hands. I park a $30,000 dollar car in a crowded supermarket shopping lot. Why should I be concerned about carrying around a $7,000 camera?

 

[ww2photog]

My years of lusting after the latest greatest anything are long gone. I want something well built that suits my needs, if it's got some brassing, wear marks etc, it just adds to the mojo. I only use vintage equipment and I don't baby anything.

 

[xenohip]

You didn't ask me (the one quoted) so I'll refrain from saying too much :~)

But I will say the comment had more to do about feelings regarding the creative process, and less to do about security/risk or financial analyses...

 

[Doug]

You didn't ask me (the one quoted) so I'll refrain from saying too much :~)

But I will say the comment had more to do about feelings regarding the creative process, and less to do about security/risk or financial analyses...

Thanks for the quote, and the clarification... I thought it expressed pretty well what others have said along the same lines. Don't feel inhibited to respond, I just didn't want it to look like I was targeting you in this new thread. 🙂

 

[daveleo]

I bought a Leica Digilux-2 when it first came out (2004 I think). Paid about $2000 for it which was by far the most expensive camera I owned up to that point.
Shortly after I got it, it fell off my shoulder onto a concrete sidewalk while we were on vacation.
While I sat on the bench waiting for my heart to settle down, I came up with a slogan I've repeated many times .....
"Never buy a toy you can't afford to throw away". 😛

I live by that rule when I'm buying new stuff.

 

[Doug]

Sorry to hear that, Dave; there are so many ways to lose gear. I think about dropping it in deep water, for example... it's just gone. Would that risk cause expensive gear to be left in the cupboard?

In addition to anxiety about theft or loss...

Any embarrassment about being seen with expensive gear that some might think marks a dilettante?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Cameras should be used up in the process of shooting photos, not become shopworn by constantly changing hands. I park a $30,000 dollar car in a crowded supermarket shopping lot. Why should I be concerned about carrying around a $7,000 camera?

That's funny. Never thought about it that way. But, maybe because I'm new to car ownership after 25 years in NYC.

I've always had different feelings about gear value, depending on he specific component. I wasn't comfortable carrying a nikon F6, because the rear screen seemed vulnerable, but it didn't bother me to carry a Canon 5D2 which cost me twice as much. I think the F6 just seemed like more of a risk in comparison to he F100 I had owned just prior. Didn't bother me to carry Leica M7s with a 35 Lux-asph, but it did concern me to carry a canon 85L. Maybe because of the size/weight, and the huge front glass element. I don't think it's really the cost. It's the way it's made and or how cumbersome it is to use. A Hasselblad or my Mamiya Rz, even though they cost less than other cameras I have, I'd be more protective of. But, I'm really careful with gear. I baby my stuff. Or, rather I'm gentle with it. Probably because I respect what went into making it, but more practically because I don't buy any of it 'for life,' and I like being able to resell without losing any money.

 

[Richard G]

Cameras should be used up in the process of shooting photos, not become shopworn by constantly changing hands. I park a $30,000 dollar car in a crowded supermarket shopping lot. Why should I be concerned about carrying around a $7,000 camera?

Good analogy. And if you buy a new car and drive it off the salesman's lot you immediately drop the value of second hand or even a new digital Leica and think nothing of it.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I was standing in the pouring rain a couple of months ago while covering a football game, my gear covered in Think Tank Hydraphobia covers and plastic garbage bags. Someone asked why I had everything covered and after I got to thinking about it, I realized I had $17,000 worth of equipment out there in the rain. As long as I don't think about it, it doesn't bother me. When I start to think about it, I quickly change the subject.

 

[farlymac]

Most of my gear is worth more than I paid for it, but that doesn't stop me from using what I want to when I want to. I got it to do the job. If someone thinks me a snob for the kind of gear I have, that's their problem. And I know that feeling Dave. My first digicam hit the asphalt two weeks after I bought it, but luckily it kept on working. I made sure to use the wrist strap after that.

PF

 

[Mute-on]

Cameras should be used up in the process of shooting photos, not become shopworn by constantly changing hands. I park a $30,000 dollar car in a crowded supermarket shopping lot. Why should I be concerned about carrying around a $7,000 camera?

I used exactly this analogy to help a friend in his decision to buy a very expensive watch.

He bought the watch and enjoys the hell out off wearing it every day. This enjoyment overcomes any sense of fear that it could get lost or damaged,
and any self consciousness he may experience.

I say buy it if you can afford it, and for goodness sake, take off the price tag!! 😛

Most of all, just use and enjoy it! Life is too short .....

Cheers

J

 

[BillBingham2]

I like to think I don't baby my gear, but I do respect it.

I did change systems Leica to Bessa when my kids were younger so perhaps I did.

In High School I used my Nikkormat in the rain many times, lots of plastic bags and a good rain cover and that was my my most expensive camera for almost a decade.

I never worried about my Leicas on the subway or anywhere in NYC, but that might have been because I was a young DINK.

Interesting question.

B2 (;->

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have boat insurance. But it seems no similar insurance for "recreational" use of camera. Only professional use have insurance programs in Canada, it seems.

 

[Pioneer]

It is a good question. Around home it never even crosses my mind.

On the road I take a bit more care and keep things either locked up or in my possession.

But, to be honest, t doesn't seem to matter to me whether I am using my 64 Kiev or something much more expensive.

What does matter are the photos. I worry more about the film or the digital files.

 

[Huss]

I have boat insurance. But it seems no similar insurance for "recreational" use of camera. Only professional use have insurance programs in Canada, it seems.

In the US you can get it covered under your homeowner's insurance policy. Maybe something like that is offered in Canada?

I wouldn't say I get gear value anxiety, but awareness. My stuff is insured but there are times when you have to be smart and aware of where you are going.
Getting mugged or worse because someone took a shine to your gear is something that can happen in many areas:

http://petapixel.com/2015/08/05/pho...era-gear-in-broad-daylight-with-pepper-spray/

 

[Tijmendal]

I used to have this a lot more than I do know. It might be because I'm much better off than I was two years ago, but now I don't really have a problem carrying my M6/Cron around everywhere, whereas before I would only take them out on 'special' occasions. Now I always have it with me.

 

[David Hughes]

Hmmm, if I started valuing my cameras etc by what they cost me, which I don't because I value them for what they'll do, I'd worry that most of the time the film cost more than the camera.

Then someone kindly pointed me to 'Poundland' where I can get an 'Agfa' film and then the film started to cost as much as the camera.

Edit (an hour latr when I'd found what I was looking for), in the Kiev instruction manual on page 27 it says "The camera should be protected from jerks... " That may be a poor choice of words on behalf of the translator but you never know.

Regards, David

PS, and with digital my main worry is dropping the card with several hundred photo's on it, money doesn't come into that worry, either...

 

[bmattock]

One of the nice side effects of being cheap. None of my gear cost that much.