Does the cost of your camera influence your photo behavior?
Nov 28, 2021 15:51:01 #
Having a phone talk with my oldest friend this morning. He has switched from Very Expensive cameras to mid price range and also smaller camera size. He has been greatly enjoying the change and the photos. The phrase that stood out "I wish I had done it years ago, I think I would have gotten a lot more pictures." His point, though he can afford nearly any camera he wants, is that concerns about loss, damage or theft constrained him from taking photos with the expensive cameras sometimes, but not with a $900+ camera. The most expensive camera I own is a DF, bought new. I've always been careful with gear, but don't recall that kind of feeling. What about you?
Nov 28, 2021 16:03:20 #
317tman
Loc: Indianapolis, In
Only limitations i have is not going out in heavy rain as my camera is not weather proof and would not take it or expensive lenses in a canoe or kayak. I have left equipment at home because of weight and bulk.
Nov 28, 2021 16:06:20 #
I'm not a good enough photographer to think about why one camera costs more than another. If I am satisfied with what my camera does and still realize that I can easily make a terrible picture with the best camera made, I just keep trying to do better with what I have. I already know I should stick to painting pictures but I cannot stop my love for photography...so I guess my answer is no.
EDIT! I should have read closer! YES, I am more careful where I hide the expensive ones when I leave the house! LOL...and a lot more careful with them around water.
EDIT! I should have read closer! YES, I am more careful where I hide the expensive ones when I leave the house! LOL...and a lot more careful with them around water.
Nov 28, 2021 16:09:27 #
quixdraw wrote:
Having a phone talk with my oldest friend this mor... (show quote)
I am very careful when I travel with any of my camera systems. They are also fully insured for replacement value if stolen or damaged, so there's no loss. I also travel with a main DSLR or Mirrorless, and a Sony RX100 as the fall back just in case.
Nov 28, 2021 16:24:34 #
therwol
Loc: USA
quixdraw wrote:
Having a phone talk with my oldest friend this mor... (show quote)
I'm not influenced by cost as much as size. I took a Nikon D810 and some lenses to England three times. I took a Canon pocket sized camera as well. (Currently use a GX7 II). I didn't take the Nikon to London. I could afford to replace it, but theft did cross my mind, and what concerned me was that the camera is so conspicuous. I also couldn't see jamming into a subway/underground car like a sardine with that thing against my body pushing against someone else. It would have happened. The Nikon worked out well when driving around in rural areas and visiting various heritage sites. The Canon was always in my pocket as well, but I generally used one or the other depending on circumstances.
Nov 28, 2021 16:46:18 #
Not really. My 10 year old camera was not "expensive", but it does not affect the way I take pictures - it's a camera.
Now when the need to replace it comes due, I probably will not replace it with a $3,000+ camera.
(But if I won the lottery...)
Now when the need to replace it comes due, I probably will not replace it with a $3,000+ camera.
(But if I won the lottery...)
Nov 28, 2021 17:25:32 #
I am careful about how I handle my equipment and how I keep track of it. To me the cost is important but not as important as what loss of my cameras and accessories would mean for me as a photographer. I am not a professional making a living with my gear, just a slightly advanced amateur who enjoys photography. I carried my first film camera with me on liberty in several cities in Europe and in many places in the US. I also carried that same with me while performing maneuvers on land with a Marine battalion. In all that, I handled the camera carefully and kept it fairly well protected against the environment. My current gear is digital and much more extensive but I treat it as if I will not be buying any more soon, I want it to last.
Nov 28, 2021 17:27:51 #
quixdraw wrote:
Having a phone talk with my oldest friend this mor... (show quote)
Good subject.
I do not worry about the cost of the gear as far as having an effect on taking photos.
I will confess that I do have a beach camera and 3 lenses. The 10D is very old but works fine and the 3 lenses were bought very cheap (Relatively). So in that sense I guess I do consider expense sort of. But mainly I do not take a cell phone or anything else to the beach.
Otherwise I never consider the cost of lenses or cameras as they are meant to be used, so outside of the beach I take it with me everywhere.
Nov 28, 2021 17:28:29 #
I only have one camera, a D7200, I treat it like the expensive (to me) tool it is. I use it within its design limitations just like I do my my hammer 
Nov 28, 2021 17:34:59 #
It's a tool and goes where I go.. Several years ago I fell into a lake from a boat and it happened in a split second. About a $4000 investment went in with me. Cost about $1600 to repair as this type of damage was not covered. I brushed myself off and returned to the lake. Why would I show up to a job with inferior tools and leave the best tools at home. I purchased for the reason to get the job done with the best possible results.....
Nov 28, 2021 18:40:32 #
I have a couple of 7000 series Nikons and a multitude of lens. I take them everywhere because you never know what you might see. Both my grand kids, 10 & 14 use them also as well as their D200 & D300 which they started with when they were about 5. At 76 with bad knees I find myself lugging the gear around while my 14 yr old has his smart phone with all kinds of photo apps on it, knowing full well that Grand Pa has good stuff with him should he need it! I do have to admit that he has taken some great PICS with the phone, the 10 yr old usually asks to use one of my 7000s
Nov 28, 2021 18:58:33 #
Paul Diamond
Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
Photography has been an important part of my life since the age of 8 or so. I always treated my camera as I did my binoculars, my telescope, my microscope, etc. - carefully and respectfully. I still do treat all my much more expensive camera equipment the same then as I did in the 1960's with my Hasselblad, my Topcon Super D, etc.
I did learn from experience that my D800E is incredibly weatherproofed against an unexpected rainstorm when I held it under my armpit as the only 'protection' I could give it. I kept most of the rainfall off of the camera, but not all. It was a champ - in the 'real world' test of a sudden torrential rainfall. Do I act without caution and care when taking my cameras around water, especially salt water? Absolutely with caution, not otherwise - price is not really an issue to how I treat my photo equipment or my cars.
I did learn from experience that my D800E is incredibly weatherproofed against an unexpected rainstorm when I held it under my armpit as the only 'protection' I could give it. I kept most of the rainfall off of the camera, but not all. It was a champ - in the 'real world' test of a sudden torrential rainfall. Do I act without caution and care when taking my cameras around water, especially salt water? Absolutely with caution, not otherwise - price is not really an issue to how I treat my photo equipment or my cars.
Nov 28, 2021 19:01:52 #
I'm very careful with all of my gear. I don't think about what something cost me to determine what care I should impart.
Nov 28, 2021 19:54:45 #
I am also equally careful with all my gear, regardless of price. My MO is to buy the best quality of anything (cameras, cars, woodworking tools, ham radios) that I can possibly afford, take excellent care and maintain the hell of it and keep it forever. What is a bit liberating is using my smaller crop Fuji system. I originally bought it for more casual/travel use, but it is so competent and half the weight that I’m using it more and more, but I will never get rid of my Canon FF - it’s a familiar old friend.
Nov 28, 2021 20:15:36 #
cahale
Loc: San Angelo, TX
I'm with you. Whatever camera, and I tend to stay away from low-end, I bought to take photographs, not baby it.
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