How Much Have You Spent on your Equipment?

[Pro Image]

I too, tt's why its "if possible".

If anybody did check out Eikin's posting, he's just using a coolpix 4500!!! Really remarlable shots. :embrass:

Yah saw some of his shots......

 

[2hwang]

Not true lar bro.....

Do you prefer to use a D2X and photos turn out average or have your D70 and churn out fantastic results? Which would you choose?

Looking like a pro does not mean he/she is a pro. If you are so frighten/intimidated by a them, then you better quit photography. Great masters churn out beautiful artistic results with normal cameras. I have attended weddings myself and seen someone using a Canon 1D MkII with a couple of L lenses. My friend actually wanted me to shoot for his wedding but I had another job during that day.

Guess what, he was paid $1,000 to get all the gems shots but he did not. My friend was so hopping mad as 50% of the shots turn out underexpose. His wife was so upset that she was loss with words. The photographer tried to change the brighness of the photos but it was so bad that the highlights and shadow details were lost. At the end, he apologise for his mistakes but my friend still paid him a token of appreciation, $300.00.

I know one of my friend who still uses a FM2 with MD-12, a 20mm, 50mm and 85mm only to shoot actual day wedding. And guess what, he is being paid a minimum sum of $1,200-1,500 per wedding. Some of his client asked him what system he use. He just say it a manual camera. At first many have doubt but after looking at his samples, they were astonish what he can do. It's not that he is lousy in using a autofocus camera or a digital but he does not see the need too at the moment. Never failed to deliver.

So I am sure you know the moral of the story. This is also not to target Canon users as I respect all of them. As I mentioned, it's the person who holds the camera, not the fanciful equipments.

How fast do you need to focus? Unless you are talking about sports photography, then maybe a higher frame count camera is needed to get just one nice shot. You can make someone to shame if you can churn out beautiful results thru a budget camera like yours.

As I said many times, camera is just a recording tool. If I have the money, I will prefer to spend on good optics rather than a fanciful camera body. Even optics also you do not really need the top of the range. As long as it's has good contrast, then it's well spend.

Do you know the only function I use is Manual mode. Sometimes i wish the camera manufacturer will just put out a dial mode of only M mode. Hehe....of course sure kena bombard by consumers!

I have seen results coming out from a Canon 300D from some of our members. And it is so much better than those who use a more ex range of cameras.

Again, it's you who control the situation, not your expensive tools.

....long thread....& the short story is the one with expensive equipment (not always canon, please) are not taking good pictures.
Sure, happening all the time and at sometime we (I for sure) are trapped in that situation. Can't blame them because of his/her deep poaket, can we?
For sure too, better equipment will get you better pictures. Buy within your affortability. 4 me >>15k also sure.

 

[kitkat]

....long thread....& the short story is the one with expensive equipment (not always canon, please) are not taking good pictures.
Sure, happening all the time and at sometime we (I for sure) are trapped in that situation. Can't blame them because of his/her deep poaket, can we?
For sure too, better equipment will get you better pictures. Buy within your affortability. 4 me >>15k also sure.

True.... :think:

 

[Pro Image]

....long thread....& the short story is the one with expensive equipment (not always canon, please) are not taking good pictures.
Sure, happening all the time and at sometime we (I for sure) are trapped in that situation. Can't blame them because of his/her deep poaket, can we?
For sure too, better equipment will get you better pictures. Buy within your affortability. 4 me >>15k also sure.

That was just an example.....I am not targetting at Canon. Just happen that I saw one person using it. I believe you are a Canon 10D user? I am talking about how to use the equipment wisely and how to fully use towards your advantage. Again I am not blaming them at all as I have mentioned on my other post. Please read again, thanks.

That is what I meant, from the start. Buy within your budget. Again I did mentioned that I am not stopping anyone who have deep pocket on buying expensive equipements.

I have a friend who is using a 1Ds MkII and all the famous L lenses such as 35mm f1.4, 85mm 1.2, 135 f2 and so on. Guess what? Although he is not a full time photographer but some of his photos will put some pros to shame. Just a casual hobbyist who loves to shoot. How come he can shoot well? Well that's because he understand how to take advantage on his equipments.

I too know better equipment you get you better photos IF you fully utilised it. Hope you understand.....

 

[FiveIronFrenzy]

Hmmm.... photography really keeps the wallet slim.
Anyway, just my 2 cents on equipment. When I was studying, I was so tight that I can afford a roll of film but have to save up so I can get them processed. I had been using a dirt cheap set of manual 35mm gear since I started out.
Used them until sticky stuff start oozing out of my 1 touch zoom and the mirror fell off its hindge in the body while shooting. I really dunno how it happened, but I did not bother to send them in for repairs. The ten years of use is worth it already.
Lucky I had just started working when it happened. So I need to get a new set of gear. I went AF and was amazed when I tried my friend's Pentax MZ50 :sweatsm: I thought that thing was soooo fast!!!! ( Yup, mountain tortise ) As budget constrain at that time, the 'Most Camera' I can get out of it was a Canon EOS30. So I went with Canon. If I had abit more cash I would have gone Nikon, life's like that. Anyway, I was used to using a 70~200mm zoom lens so since I had black sticky stuff oozing out of my 10yr old sigma, I had to look for something Canon. And I discovered what a large aperture can do for portraits. So? Wah lau eh, there's only 1 such lens (at that time) for canon. 70~200 f2.8L. How? Buy the lens and buy bread for a few months. Then I went digital, so need a wide angle as well. So how? There's only 1 choice again (at that time) 17~40mm f4L lor. How? Buy the lens and buy bread for a few months again lor.
Wondering why I'm saying these here? Because I get sick when everytime I get out my gear ppl start to think I am very good because I have little red rings around my lens!!!
I went AF gear not because it looked cool or professional. It's bloody because manual gear not in production liaoz and FM3A is beyond reach. I went digital because my pro/vel-vias are also not cheap. I want whatever I buy now to last for years and years and the brand i use like to use plastic for their consumer grade items.
Really, I rather a stranger walk up to me and ask me why the hell I am standing/crouching/lying at that angle and shooting whatever it is I'm shooting at than how much I spend on the white thing I'm holding. You ppl know where I'm comming from? Jeeze, like when you really see a ferrari drive pass do you really think that bloke can really drive any better than you can? Come on guys.

 

[rainman]

Obsession is not a hobby..it is a habit.

Seriously, I think the market for photography is not growing as much, even if there are more photographers now.

 

[fWord]

....long thread....& the short story is the one with expensive equipment (not always canon, please) are not taking good pictures.
Sure, happening all the time and at sometime we (I for sure) are trapped in that situation. Can't blame them because of his/her deep poaket, can we?

Nicely put. I'm sure there are photographers out there who wish they had photographic brilliance to match the depth of their pocket. The term 'equipment wanking' does not always apply to a person who has expensive equipment but cannot produce results to match those produced by much cheaper equipment.

Such photogs may buy expensive equipment because they can afford it, not because they're trying to show-off, or because they believe that spending $10K on equipment will give them a winning shot despite their lack of skill.

To put it frankly, I think that photography, like many other skills involves aptitude, which is latent or natural talent that is already present when a person is born. Some people just 'see' better than others, learn faster, and are more artistic. That also explains why some people are great artists whereas I typically struggle for days on a piece without even getting 10% of the quality. That aside, my photography is poor compared to a lot of what I've seen even here.

That is not to say that a skill cannot be learnt, but to put it brutally, if you don't have an aptitude for something, you'll need to spend more time and effort, work harder, and in some cases spend more money (on classes, tutorials, practising etc). This doesn't mean that we should automatically quit photography because we cannot produce first-class results despite being in the hobby for a number of years. In fact, it is only with passion and persistence that such people can and will improve to first-class results in time to come.

Just my thoughts.

 

[fWord]

Really, I rather a stranger walk up to me and ask me why the hell I am standing/crouching/lying at that angle and shooting whatever it is I'm shooting at than how much I spend on the white thing I'm holding. You ppl know where I'm comming from? Jeeze, like when you really see a ferrari drive pass do you really think that bloke can really drive any better than you can? Come on guys.

Agreed. And I'd prefer they actually ask me why I'm in a contorted position rather than just stare at me and snigger from a distance, asking each other questions like, 'Wah lao...down here got what to photograph?'

It always reminds me of something humorous I read in a book:

All photographers must have been very bad people in their past lives, because while everyone is tucked in bed, warm and sleeping well, a photographer is braving the winds and the cold to get a shot.

In the same way the photog has to brave all the stares that people throw at him/ her and all the suspicion from security guards and policemen.

 

[blive]

Hey, this thread seems to have started since 2002? 4 year old thread?

Is there a time limit to the question? or is it like since I started photography? I work with what I have got so far, working with a F65 and the 2 kit lens ( 28-80mm & 70-300mm) that came with the package for about 4 years, before switching over to Digital, and have spent more getting a SB-800 & a 50mmf1.8 D. I am not so much a sticker for equipment, cause I only use the cameras for travel, shots of my family, etc. Although the 12-24mm and 18-200mm is tempting, it hasn't prompted me to jump in and buy yet....

 

[DT_]

How Much Have You Spent on your Equipment?

more and more everyday...... :cheergal: :vhappy: :cheergal: :vhappy:

 

[Pablo]

Hi,

Can I re-do my answer in the vote ???

My passion has caused me to treble my outlay :bsmilie:

"HEY... no kids, no wife, no..oops, few vices. what else could I do"

I do own a cat, but we have an arrangement. "I buy his meals; he pays for the photo's he sends to his female cat friends"

Oh... he pays for development too. Hence he is not a big cat.

Cheers

 

[SEXiao]

Cannot vote y et, but will be hitting the 5k-10k range soon..... :sweat: :sweatsm: ......

Don't know enough grass for all the bro here....... ;p

 

[DeSwitch]

How do we change our previous vote? I had since doulbled my equipments due to BBB virus.

 

[Pablo]

How do we change our previous vote? I had since doulbled my equipments due to BBB virus.

Hi DeSwitch,

Yeah, that virus got me too.....

I bought a $50 Kodak disposable camera and now I own 3 $50 Kodak disposable cameras.

Where will it end Ahhhhhhh

Soon they might bring out a $300 disposable DSLR and I will have no way to refuse.


Damn these viruses :devil:

 

[hpi3evo]

You guys are either still single :cheers: or you must have very understanding wives! :love1:

Each time i buy something new,eg. lens or body...i will tell my wife a few hundred only..but i wish is really a few hundred...Woosh is thousand plus gear. I hate to tell lies. Ofcourse i had to hide my receipt each purchase.) These type of telling lies is worst than keeping mistress outside...:cry:

 

[espn]

Each time i buy something new,eg. lens or body...i will tell my wife a few hundred only..but i wish is really a few hundred...Woosh is thousand plus gear. I hate to tell lies. Ofcourse i had to hide my receipt each purchase.) These type of telling lies is worst than keeping mistress outside...:cry:

Keeping mistress outside = breaking marriage, telling lies about equipment = sleep in living room a few nights :bsmilie:

 

[Paul_Yeo]

after telling 1 lie, there are situations whereby have to tell another to cover up. thus, best not to tell the first lie.

 

[DeSwitch]

I got the same problem. She just realised that there is a white lenses in the Dry box and she remember that the "white with red ring =more expensive" equation. So let her nag for a while and show her some result from this lenses. Anyway its sort of sponsored by SGPools in a way so she didnt really nag a lot.

The Virus got me again last weekend. another $3++ gone. Time to stop browsing the B&S section.

 

[dragos]

I got the same problem. She just realised that there is a white lenses in the Dry box and she remember that the "white with red ring =more expensive" equation. So let her nag for a while and show her some result from this lenses. Anyway its sort of sponsored by SGPools in a way so she didnt really nag a lot.

The Virus got me again last weekend. another $3++ gone. Time to stop browsing the B&S section.

time to stop browsing consumer corner also..haha

 

[Pablo]

Help me Ahhhhhhh,

I just can't resist it.

Just added another P&S to my range. I had to buy an Olympus Mju720sw.

Great little P&S camera (7mp) and it can be taken to 3mtr underwater (the pool) !

Too interesting to pass up Ahhhhhh

I think I might need a life .... anyone got one spare I can have :bsmilie: