Hobby - Photography: Only for those with $$$?

[kelvgoh]

I fully agree with every word ClipperSG said. Photography is a passion and you take photos for yourself. People who comment on composition, use of colour, etc are helping one improve in techniques. However, people who comment on number of pixel and blow-up a photo to show a small area of OOF (just like pixel pokers) are just trying to be elitist.

Work with the equipment you have a slowly building up your accessories. I started 15 years ago with a Canon EOS 500N and a kit EF 28-85mm. It took me nearly 12 years to get my 1st DSLR, a Canon EOS 350D with a kit EF 18-55mm. A further 1 year later, I got my Sigma 70-300mm because of my love of close-ups. I recently bought a Canon EOS 50D with a kit EF 17-85mm and an EF 50mm (f/1.8).

Is it an expensive hobby? Yes. Is it a hobby for the rich? No.

Kelvin

 

[michaelongcj]

Although I'm new, I've seen a few of my friends who took up photography and spent very little on it.

Take my scholar friend as an example. Although he's a school photographer (gets to use school's DSLR, dry cabinet and the odd EF lens), he can somehow buy/borrow and maintain his own little collection of lens on his MOE allowance of 2k per year - and that's not even enough to cover textbooks, uniforms, school supplies and pocket $$. Not as nice as some of you here, but he gets by pretty well on it.

On the other hand, any hobby is expensive if you choose to act like P. I nearly became like P buying tools and hardware for my DIY hobby! And tools are a lot cheaper than cameras......

As for me, I'll probably just stick to cheap P&S stuff first......

 

[mrericlee]

You can buy a PNS camera for less then SGD100.

 

[Anson]

You can buy a PNS camera for less then SGD100.

But the IQ of the "less than S$100" PnS, leave much to be desire... :sweat:

 

[Simon_84]

i can only afford to buy kit lens and the cheapest zoom lens available, all at 2nd hand prices :cry:
even the cam bag is 2nd hand...

 

[ClipperSG]

i can only afford to buy kit lens and the cheapest zoom lens available, all at 2nd hand prices :cry:
even the cam bag is 2nd hand...

Sorry...and your point about the above sentence is....?? :dunno:

 

[Leong23]

i can only afford to buy kit lens and the cheapest zoom lens available, all at 2nd hand prices :cry:
even the cam bag is 2nd hand...

At least you still can afford that.

 

[brinkwine]

i think for a HOBBY, it doesn't have to be... u just need to cultivate some discipline, not to get sucked into the BUYBUYBUYUPGRADE:bigeyes:UPGRADE syndrome... that is so easy to fall into...

 

[Anson]

i think for a HOBBY, it doesn't have to be... u just need to cultivate some discipline, not to get sucked into the BUYBUYBUYUPGRADE:bigeyes:UPGRADE syndrome... that is so easy to fall into...

If you are doing it for a hobby... get what you really need first... BBB would just slow you down to explore the potential of what you already have now...

 

[lloh108]

No for the start but it's like drug addict, once addicted, you will begin to spend more and more $$$.

 

[eosandy]

Stuck with kit lens for two years before expanding. I'm now understanding how different optics work (or usually don't!!). Takes time and plenty of effort to get good results. Good composition cannot be purchased, only intuitive or learned and experimented.

Enjoy your hobby.

If you make a living at it then $ made and yr talent will determine what you can buy.

 

[gunawan]

Everyone has a point, albeit a bit different. I am like many other poor blokes, no money, but want the best lenses, so no choice but to use future money to finance current purchase (aka borrow). Later need money to repay then sell camera, sell lens, etc...:sweat:

Life in Singapore is stressful and its gonna be worse for the middle class. Used to play golf during the better years, and can tell u, golf is much cheaper than DSLR photography, esp if u only want the sharpest and fastest lens. In fact, can't think of any other normal hobbies that are more expensive than dslr photography.... :thumbsd::thumbsd::thumbsd:

I believe there is a conspiracy going on: with today's technology, companies can easily produce crystal sharp and super fast autofocus lens at half the price, but they choose to collude with one another to produce crappier lens at higher tiered prices so as to 'milk the consumer'. Think about it, we have much more advance technologies as compared to just lenses, so price-wise, not justifiable, unless another few companies join in the bandwagon and start to give the existing manufacturers a run for their money, and their oligopoly.

 

[ipsum34]

its kinda reflex...how far you wanna go will determine how deep you will make your pocket to be...

 

[kelvgoh]

I think the whole point of a hobby is to enjoy the hobby and not try to keep upgrading the equipment. Cash is always a "problem" for most of us and to say I always want the best equipment (lenses, flash, body, etc) is sometimes going over the top. Buy the best you can afford and work with your equipment. Experiment with your equipment and try to work around the limitations. The best lenses in the world won't save a poor composition.

Personally, I'm still learning about composition and techniques. I work with my kit and 3rd party lenses. I'm still developing my style and I learn sometime new about my equipment everyday.

Kelvin

 

[twisted illusion]

When I started photography as "hobby", I had only 1 manual focus Minolta and the 50mm lens, no zoom, no auto winder, no flash, no tripod, no nothing...

i guess for all those who started with slr film... many set up is like this.. mine was a passed down fm2 with 50mm len too... then i bought more stuff along the way...

 

[rijac]

want to pursue the hobby on a budget? try my path:

nikon d60 + kit lens
nikon series e 50mm f1.8
nikon series e 100mm f2.8
nikon series e 75-150mm f3.5
nikkor tc200 2x teleconvertor
tokina/emulox/vitacon filters
bag, tripod, diy diffuser for pop up flash

total for the above over 6 months or so less than 1.5k sgd. i'm covered up to 300mm dx - only missing UWA.

side benefit of doing it this way? forced to learn about manual exposure and focusing.


answer to the TS question - NO.

now if only i can learn to compose properly!

:bsmilie:

 

[SabaDen]

No, if it's for the long haul ... yes, for fickle minded people or for those follow trends

 

[shunzi]

and for those who camwhore..

 

[findjk]

Of course not! You can have lots of fun with a disposable camera.

 

[Catalyst]

You can take up photography as a hobby using consumer digital P&S cam.. not necessary into prosumer or DSLR.. back in the flim era, I would say it is for those with spare $$.