Quixdraw Loc: x

The majority of us care for our gear - he does, his cameras are immaculate despite regular use. Buying the best you can afford in pursuit of your interests just makes sense. Good stuff lasts and is a pleasure to use, junk is just junk. Using and using up - as a professional you do what you must to earn your living. As an amateur, I can decide not to go out in the rain (though it is pretty easy to stick a tall kitchen trash bag in some corner), or to go on a boat, or into a mob, or take other equipment and personal risks. I do think about theft when I know a camera will have to stay in the car - I take best that would be least expensive to replace. Life and living a good life, requires risk taking. My cameras share my life.

toxdoc42

I have also been attached to cameras from age 8. I went through a bunch of film cameras, my last was a Nikon F2, purchased when I was in the Navy in 1971. At that time, it was considered a professional level camera and I also had some professional glass, a 50 mm f1/4 among them. I went digital in the late 90s, at work, so I didn't buy the cameras for myself. I then bought some glorified point and shoot small cameras for travel, my little Pentax did me well for a while. Nearing retirement I decided to do it right and went digital, but decided not to spend a lot, so started with a Nikon D3400. When planning for an African Safari that was the trip of a lifetime, I looked to add another body, so I could avoid changing lenses in the field. It wasn't so much the cost, although the idea of spending thousands of dollars on a camera body seemed frightening. I picked up a Z50 and fell in love. Now, I have the Z50 with me almost wherever I go. It is small enough, with the pancake kit lens, to fit in an outercoat pocket. Some consider it a low end, but both at $1,000 and in quality, I get upset when it is called low-end. It is a great little camera, and, takes good enough images for my liking, use. I do have some equipment envy at times, but then say to myself, what will the more expensive camera get me for all that money?

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

My only two concerns about a camera, no matter the price: 1) Is the battery charged? 2) Will it do what I need from it now? Nothing else matters.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

My first dslr’s cost about $400 each. I worked for a newspaper and they both took a beating. One was damaged because of using it photographing a football game in the sleeting rain.
I now have a $6400 camera body and I don’t treat it any differently. It’s just a tool to me. I don’t have any insurance on my cameras or lenses, when something breaks it either goes in for repairs or gets replaced. Thankful that doesn’t happen very often.

User ID

Your friend felt liberated from risk that constrained his behavior. I can empathize.

I know I’m not alone in approaching that feeling from the “other end”. My solution to not buy or use items the loss of which would be intolerable. The three categories for me are cars, musical instruments, and photo gear. The operating environments for these “appliances” are innately risky.

Essentially, it comforts me to to know that the things I depend on are routinely replaceable at reasonable cost and effort.

Occasionally what had been a rather ordinary item becomes a “cult collectible” with a price to match. My policy is to liquidate such surprise assets wherever a functional substitute can be found.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

No. The mix of gear and lenses that I take does, however. I used to go birding, especially in cold weather, with a 600mmF4, a couple of full frame cameras, a couple of shorter lenses "just in case" there was something I wanted to photograph that would be difficult to do with the long lens, etc. The 40 lbs of gear was like having an anchor - and I did tend to stay in one place. Now I just walk around with a 600mm zoom and one body and no tripod, and a Sony bridge camera in the car or around my neck for those other moments. This is an example of my typical winter behavior changes.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

When I first got a DSLR (Nikon D90) I used to have the feeling of not wanting to risk losing my camera. I think the reason I was scared is because I had to scrimp and save for months to be able to buy it, I am now much better off money-wise so the fear is mostly gone, though I don't excessively risk it (I know, everyone has a different idea of what excessive is)

george19

I don’t like using the expensive gear for snapshots at the family gathering, where the kids are going to stick out their tongues and waste the shot. Save those for the phone or P&S.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Not at all!!!!
Cameras are tools, tools are to be used!! I do take care that my camera don't get soaking wet but I don't let that influence my photographs.

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Hmm... in one sense, yeah, I change my behavior when in questionable elements but not so much out of fear of losing/damaging equipment, but rather of being in the midst of good light and subjects with a camera that doesn't work.
I have kayaked with a D850, 400 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8 and 200-500... and a Gitzo tripod: won't do it again because it's just too much stuff. On the other hand, my Olympus TG-4 takes up little room is easily available and perfectly happy dripping saltwater. Thus, no, it's more a practical issue than financial.

tcthome Loc: NJ

I've loosened up a little this past year. But in the past, I wouldn't even change a lens out in the field. I would wait or walk back to do it inside my truck to keep the sensor clean. As far as stolen goes, I don't leave my equipment on the front seat for all to see but, it is insured to the point of an equal replacement of today's prices.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

To answer your question, no. What influences my behavior is weather and environment. There are certain locations I'll photograph but only with others. There are some locations and times that aren't comfortable even without a camera.
--Bob

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Not with Nikon. But with Sony, I will not shell out $6500 for the a1, just over priced. I believe Sony will be coming out with a a9III within a year for around $4500.00. I will wait.
Personally, I have high risk insurance on all of my equipment, so I could care less about theft. I have never damaged any piece of equipment over 40 years of professional photography, but with high risk insurance I could again care less.

ELNikkor

I left my D750 in the tent the first time I went out on the lake in my kayak. Second time, took the D750 on the river and marsh, got excellent photos, only a few splashes from the paddle, no danger of capsizing.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Same with motor cars. Those who can really afford expensive don't worry about loss or damage. Those who cannot afford them but have them never stop worrying.