rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

This "read the manual" thingy gets hairy sometimes.
It works great if you have a comprehensive dedicated book on that particular model camera written by someone whos native language is English.
I have a factory manual and a box of different colored paper clips to keep places in pages that refer me to other pages. And seven different colors is not enough for all the flashbacks on just one question.
Factory manuals are frustrating for a first time user.
Aside from the camera specifications, I've learned more about my camera on UHH and attached links than my camera manual, even though my camera is none of the brands discussed.
...A big thank you to Roger, and all those other fine people that take the time to respond to questions and give valuable advice.

davejann Loc: Portland Oregon

Would depend on how much time and money you spend :-)

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

I recently upgraded from a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 purchased in August 2005 to a refurbished Nikon D5000 with "kit" 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses. I could have gotten a 70-300mm Tamron lens instead of the 55-200, but figured the 55-200 would meet my needs. Maybe I'd have been better off with the 70-300, who knows? I like being able to zoom in from a distance. In any event, I upgraded for two reasons: inability to control focus, particularly in manual mode, and inability to shoot RAW. I'm finding that RAW really does let me improve an image with less effort than doing it in Photoshop (I have no problem with using Photoshop, it's just like any other component of photography, and I don't expect perfection right out of the camera). And the ability to control focus is much improved, so I'll have many fewer rejects.

In other words, I actually did have reasons for upgrading, and I've satisfied them. I'm far from familiar with the settings, and it will take me a long time to outgrow the D5000. I think these lenses will do for quite some time, though maybe I'll find cause to upgrade some time down the line. But I haven't begun to find the limitations of what I now have.

As it is, I exceeded my "budget" (if I waited until I could REALLY afford a DSLR, they'd be burying it with me), but kept it in line with my past camera purchases, so my conscience is (reasonably) clear.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Equipmentitis is a common affliction in Photography.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

Wants, overcome needs all the time. If we learned everything about the system we are using we would probably never have to spend another dime.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Nonsense. "Intelligence and self-control come from the same area of the brain..." Intelligent people don't buy on impulse. No reason to ask yourself anything.

flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA

Also known as GAS(Gear Acquisition Syndrome!)

clicktime Loc: Yucca Valley Ca.

OK Roger tell us the truth. I know you are one of the pro photographers on this site. I have some of your books. Do you use old outdated equiptment or do you use up to date pro level stuff? Better yet, does your buisness buy you the best stuff out there? If you could have the best would you turn it down? I would like to see a list of your photo equiptment. I bet it's to die for. I would never suggest someone buy more they can afford, but get the best you can and lean how to use it properly before getting more. You are correct when you say people over buy. We all want to acheive the level of succes you enjoy but few are willing to do the work it takes to get there. Ps: your books are great.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Factory manuals are challenging for me after 35 yrs. in photography and owning a half dozen high quality cameras in 3 different formats. And after having been a photo equipment technician.

Roger Hicks Loc: Aquitaine

Believe it or not, the only current, modern digital camera I use is my Leica M9. If I'm not using that, a lot of my basic illustration for magazines is done with a Nikon D70, though that's now getting sufficiently unreliable (refusing to recognize cards) that I'll probably buy a D800. The lens I use most on the D70 is a manual focus Vivitar 90/2.5 macro.

Why a D800 instead of a 'pro' model? Because it doesn't get used hard, so there's no sense in spending the money. Bear in mind that 'the company' who 'buys it for me' IS me, so another $3000 (say) on equipment is another $3000 off my travel budget. As I write and take pictures to fund an agreeable, semi-retired lifestyle, I'd rather travel. With any luck, I'll be in the Pyrenees next week.

For the sort of application for which I use the D70, the megapixels don't interest me much: the D70 shots are rarely run as big as half page. If I want quality, in B+W I use film (in numerous formats) and in colour, there's the M9. The M9's 18 megapixels are OK for a double page spread for the sort of things I shoot nowadays. If I were still in advertising (which was where I started, but which I've not done for 30 years or more) I'd buy or hire either Leica S2 or Hasselblad gear. I'm idly looking forward to trying some HDR food photography if and when I get the D800, though.

Sure, I'd not turn down a top-of-the-line Nikon, or an S2 for that matter, but equally, there's no need to spend the money on one, so I don't. It wouldn't get me better pictures, or earn me more money.

Thanks for the kind words about the books, but if you look in them, you'll see that often, I was using 10- and 20-year old kit (and older) to illustrate those, too: Nikon Fs, old Leicas, Linhofs from the 60s to the 80s. Though admittedly I used Alpa too and I'm idly wondering about a digital back for those.

Cheers,

R.