nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

If you earn money from your photography it's a different story. A pro with a real business can weigh benefits vs. expense, deduct equipment costs from income taxes. Whatever he/she thinks is "needed" is a business expense. Fine. My original issue is with the GREAT majority of us who do it for personal enjoyment with limited funds.

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

Expensive gear allows the photographer to capture images not possible in difficult circumstances. Shutter speeds in the thousandths of a second, ISO numbers also in the thousands, for example. But if you look at images from the early 1900s and even before, you will realize that under "normal" conditions current images are no better, IMHO.

quote=nadelewitz]Is it not possible that "good" photography, whatever that means, can still be done without having a fortune to spend?

$500.00 tripods, $160.00 L-brackets, editing software that you have to pay for, the "top" Nikon cameras, Canon "L" lenses, $150.00 filters....on and on.....

Seems like ANY question asked about what to use/buy quickly turns into endless suggestions to spend tons of money, and that you are foolish if you don't. Those who have it think that everyone does.

Give us ordinary non-professionals a break, please.[/quote]

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

With equipment, it depends on what you want to do and will the equipment do that. If you want a lens that is water resistant, takes very sharp pictures, and can handle tough handling, you may need a more expensive lens than cheaper models. Is build quality important?
I have found that I don't need the most rugged lens available. Also, some of my plastic body lenses work very well. It does depend on how you use them. I have no regret about buying a $600 tripod recommended by Gene51. It may not be a Gitzo; yet, it works just as well and it will last a lifetime.

It is the artist making the photograph that counts. On the other hand, if one is doing very specialized work, the equipment is critical.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

Bronco, I'm curious, what are the bells and whistles that made it worthwhile, to you, to upgrade from the 3400? I've been using a 3100 for several years now and can't think of an instance where the camera wasn't able to do what I wanted. The same has not always ben true of the operator. :)

Bill_de Loc: US

I haven't earned a dime from photography in over 45 years. I used to get some nice jobs, but decided I liked it better as a hobby. I worked and played hard and retired at 55. I buy what I want and can afford. Then I give away what I don't need anymore. So for anyone who thinks I shouldn't have 'this year's model', there is somebody out there shooting with 'last year's model' and is happy to have it. Of course I don't get new gear every year, but you get the point.

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ncfilly22

Me too!

wetreed

I disagree. I don’t think I will ever have a full frame camera, but that does not make people who have full frame cameras absurd. It just means they have different priorities than I have. I think some people should stop being so very judgmental. If you don’t like the subject matter of a thread, don’t read it, but don’t criticize other people for being interested in it. That is all I have to say about that.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Yeah!

That's what I was going to tell my wife. But then I woke up.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I'm another non-pro who owns pretty good stuff. It's mine, I paid cash for it, and I didn't miss any meals due to the expenditure (although I could probably well afford to miss some meals, particularly in the winter time). I have fun with it and that's about it.
I have a friend who bought a boat. He paid more for it than the sum total of all my gear. He uses it for fishing. He occasionally catches fish and eats them. That's about it.
The expense isn't the important thing.

I believe it's possible to take great photos with moderate gear. It does take some skill on the part of the camera operator. I seriously doubt whether I will ever possess that skill.
I believe it's possible to improve my photography with capable gear. The capability of the gear offsets some of my lack of skill. (Unfortunately that is currently limited to the technical details of the photo and does not yet extend to composition or color balance).

In computer matters, the term "PEBCAK" is often used (Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard). A similar term might be used for photographic matters. Maybe something like "PEBEASR" (Problem Exists Between Eye And Shutter Release). (I just thought this up, so someone could undoubtedly improve on the phrasing).

wetreed

Wives very often just do not understand and can very often be a problem. What town are you in ? I grew up in Connecticut.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

If someone can afford the gear, the money was honest and the bills are paid then ... outside the family unit ... the buyer owes no expanation.

I have a ton of luxury goods and buy nearly all of it LN but used ... and ‘getting a deal’ makes it easier to justify.

Stan Fayer

I had a friend that in the film days shot with a Marinda camera with home made extenders made from toilet paper spools and tape. He had a diamond star from the Photographic Society of America. It’s the eye, and the idea , not the wallet.
Stan

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

No problem...she shakes her head and rolls her eyes!

I am north of Norwich up in Windham County in Plainfield. Nice and rural and referred to as the quiet corner of the state. The bad news is there are no real camera store closer than Warwick, RI. Perhaps that is a good thing!

N4646W

Right on!! Could not have said it better.

Ron

polskasila

Yes I have to agree! It's like all that expensive equipment will make them great photographers.
I also would say most people buy a camera and never fully comprehend what that camera can do.
Rather than learn by using the camera they are too busy reading articles for a better whatever!
Like any other activity there are those who actually want to buy the peripheral equipment and stare
at it like a treasure and expound on what it will do for them. Get out and take the pictures. Learn
all you can about the camera with practical experience. You will master different steps as you go along.

My very best to you,
Jim K.