Hobbyists

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XEONV2

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Hey everyone!

I'm in no way a pro and have found photography to be my passionate hobby. This brings me to my point, how do other hobbyists justify purchasing more expensive camera gear and specifically do you end up buying the "old" top of the line cameras to save $?
:)




www.vicentep.com
 
That's how I do it: used top end old gear. My last purchase was a Leicaflex SL with 50 Summicron. Before that it was a Canon F1. My main RF cameras are 2 Leica M2's. You get the idea. No M7's, MP's, or digital M's for me. That's just the way it falls with my financial situation.
 
I'm a professional, but I'd say that if you can afford it, you don't need to justify it..just buy it and be happy. If you can't afford it, buy what you can afford.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
I'm a professional, but I'd say that if you can afford it, you don't need to justify it..just buy it and be happy. If you can't afford it, buy what you can afford.
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I think if you have to Justify it your bying the wrong thing.

Im guilty of breaking down a price to realate to something i buy everyday. Like a $4 cup of coffee. If i have 300 of them a year its the price of a nice M4 or a bit of glass yet the coffee only lasts me 10 mins of enjoyment and can't be sold on later ;-)
 
The justification is: Might as well buy photography gear, I can't dance. :)

Most of my photo gear was purchased used, though I have purchased some new items that were not cheap (light meter, DSLR, flash, and lenses).
 
Buy used.
I used to buy all my stuff new, but then realised there are some bargains in the used world. Flagship film cameras are a fantastic example, and as we who also own digital cameras know, the depreciation on bodies is eye watering.
 
XEONV2 said:
Hey everyone!

I'm in no way a pro and have found photography to be my passionate hobby. This brings me to my point, how do other hobbyists justify purchasing more expensive camera gear and specifically do you end up buying the "old" top of the line cameras to save $?
:)
Click to expand...

You can be a "hobbyist" and still be very serious about your photography. I justify my purchases because I will use them and be happy using them. As long as you are not putting yourself in a financial hole that you cannot get out of, I see no harm in buying expensive equipment. Of course, all of that is dependent on how much money you make and what your financial responsibilities are.

I hate the word hobbyist... makes it sound so cheap. Of course, this is my issue and not yours. :)
 
XEONV2 said:
Hey everyone!

I'm in no way a pro and have found photography to be my passionate hobby. This brings me to my point, how do other hobbyists justify purchasing more expensive camera gear and specifically do you end up buying the "old" top of the line cameras to save $?
:)




www.vicentep.com
Click to expand...

Well since I enjoy shooting film, and can't afford a Leica or even a new Voigtlander, I buy used.. mostly in thrift stores, though I am in the process of buying a rollei 35.

Why does one even need an "old" top of the line camera? The way I see it, if someone wants photography to be their hobby, they will find a way. I think quite a few hobbyist photographers are probably getting along like me, with thrift store finds, people gifting them old cameras, etc. There really is no need to justify spending less than $50 on a camera found in a thrift store now and then.

--
Bill
 
There's no need to justify bigger purchases if you set aside some money every month. At least that's my approach. When GAS becomes unbearable, I look into the piggy bank to see what's in there.. and that's what I spend. What also helps, is buying second hand and trading in what's not used anymore. But the main part of it all remains to save-up and only then spend..
 
The Pro needs to get a return on spend...a financial return.
The `hobbyist" needs to get a return on spend also..but not financial, enjoyment instead, and that can be had on any level of expenditure. Spend what you can/like, but your `return' may be no better than those that are happy to outlay a minimum.
Besides..it ain`t really about money...is it?
 
pakeha said:
The Pro needs to get a return on spend...a financial return.
The `hobbyist" needs to get a return on spend also..but not financial, enjoyment instead, and that can be had on any level of expenditure. Spend what you can/like, but your `return' may be no better than those that are happy to outlay a minimum.
Besides..it ain`t really about money...is it?
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I second that, well said.
 
I like the term hobbyist, much better then amateur!

I think it is easier to justify expensive gear for a hobbyist. Where a pro just needs the thing that allows him to do his job, the hobbyist can buy whatever (s)he likes! Why buy a Canon 85/1.2 if your customers are just as happy with the pictures you took with your 85/1.8? Why buy a professional 24-70/2.8 from Canon/Nikon/Sony if a Sigma works just as wel? Buying anything as a pro means you have to consider the return on investment, if you buy anything as a hobbyist you simply consider your fun (either in using it or in the results it delivers).

Anyway, if you can afford it, don't worry too much. If you can't afford it, don't lust for it. Just enjoy!
 
My last, and final, indulgent purchase was a Leica Digilux 2 (in 2004), but I was making $$$$ at the time.

I don't buy expensive gear (in terms of my budget) any more. I buy older, used gear (mostly lenses) and have rediscovered how I loved them back when and how I can experiment / experience more without going broke..

Also, I am not an "early adopter"; for a new camera body, I will wait for the sell-off when new designs are introduced.
 
I'm a hobbyist, but all my cameras are film and will likely hold value fairly well, so I console myself that it can be turned back into money at any moment.

Also, I don't have kids, a car, or other expenses which other people may have.
 
I buy what I can afford, but try to keep a lid on things. I had a lawyer's bill that was more than double my single biggest purchase. I was able to eat the day after writing both those cheques. I don't drink much at all, I don't smoke, I don't play golf, I catch very few planes and I work hard and long hours. I take my lesson from some of the younger ones here, for whom, relatively speaking, a second hand M6 at $11-1300 is a very big commitment, but they have decided that it's how they want to spend that money. Can I afford an M9? Well, I and my family are still eating. I have really enjoyed it. I have taken lots of pictures, and my photography has improved, a bit further. I find absorption in photography is very important to me. It keeps me healthy. It keeps me fit. It keeps me sane. I don't think there is anything to justify. I would like a Monochrom too, but I am going to draw a line and do without that. Many people who cannot really afford it drop much more than the cost of an M9 in the few minutes it takes to drive their next car off the car seller's lot.
 
I have wanted a Leica for a long time, and I can afford it. But I have come to realize I have a bunch of great cameras sitting on the shelf that don't get used enough and are capable of great results. I need to get out more and practice with what I have to improve my technique. I need to study art from the masters. My father is a concert pianist and I own a Steinway, but that does not make me a pianist. He practices scales every morning and he is nearly 80 years old! He can play a Chopin polonaise on an old upright piano, and it still sounds wonderful. This has cured my GAS for the time being. The camera does not much matter as much as we think it does....

Regards,

Kent
 
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Addy101 said:
I like the term hobbyist, much better then amateur!

I think it is easier to justify expensive gear for a hobbyist. Where a pro just needs the thing that allows him to do his job, the hobbyist can buy whatever (s)he likes! Why buy a Canon 85/1.2 if your customers are just as happy with the pictures you took with your 85/1.8? Why buy a professional 24-70/2.8 from Canon/Nikon/Sony if a Sigma works just as wel? Buying anything as a pro means you have to consider the return on investment, if you buy anything as a hobbyist you simply consider your fun (either in using it or in the results it delivers).

Anyway, if you can afford it, don't worry too much. If you can't afford it, don't lust for it. Just enjoy!
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I agree, though I think nothing is wrong with lusting for something you can't have. Maybe there should always be one camera out of reach. What will you dream about if there isn't? :)
As long as you keep shooting, all is permitted!

But yeah, I am super responsible and careful with the money I spend on Pro Gear (or software), while I sometimes go wild with hobby purchases!

Sometimes I wish I had a completely unrelated job that didn't need investing in purchases. I would just have one awesome M9, 3 kick-ass lenses, and a laptop. Nothing else!
 
I hate the word hobbyist... makes it sound so cheap. Of course, this is my issue and not yours. :)
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I think amateur sounds better. Amateurs just don't get paid for their work, pro's do.
 
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