do we get carried away

rickj

rickj

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rick
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do we get a little bit carried away when it comes to our cameras and kit ? do we really need all these lens's and kit , the first section I go to is the for sale section to se if there is anything I want but do I really need??, how many of us have lens's that hardly if ever get used ?

or is it just me that feels I need more and more :cuckoo:
 
It's just you :lol:
The rest of us are perfectly happy with what we have and only add extra equipment when it's really needed. Most of us probably only buy new kit every couple of years. :D:lol:
 
:lol: welcome to the world of empty pockets, a glum bank manager and a shopping list longer than the average 14 yr old girl in Boots.

Do we need all that kit? In a word, no [unless you are pro and genuinely do need it because using it pays the mortgage and puts food in the kids mouths] but dont you dare tell Mr LL that :suspect: ;)



However, ask yourself this - it is your hobby and like every other person with a hobby, its what you spend your spare cash on [and then some], would you really deny yourself some luxuries after working your ass off all week to pay the important stuff? Afterall, unlike many hobbies, its even one that might earn you a bit a pocket money one day if your pics are good enough ;)
 
As soon funds allow I'd like to buy a macro and 500mm zoom lens. Trouble is the more equipment I buy I have to keep changing the camera bag!! Presently got a Lowepro Commercial AW bag.
 
Northstreet1 said:
As soon funds allow I'd like to buy a macro and 500mm zoom lens. Trouble is the more equipment I buy I have to keep changing the camera bag!! Presently got a Lowepro Commercial AW bag.
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:shake: tell me about it - I got a huge backpack for 2 bodies, 4 lenses and a multitude of cards, cables, etc, as well as being a woman, so all the usual handbag extras [purse, ciggies, make-up bag, kitchen sink, and so on ] and at 5'2", I look like a worlds shortest, widest hunchback :lol:
 
LadyLens said:
:shake: tell me about it - I got a huge backpack for 2 bodies, 4 lenses and a multitude of cards, cables, etc, as well as being a woman, so all the usual handbag extras [purse, ciggies, make-up bag, kitchen sink, and so on ] and at 5'2", I look like a worlds shortest, widest hunchback :lol:
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I thought you had the accessory called The Husband to carry stuff for you!
 
Northstreet1 said:
I thought you had the accessory called The Husband to carry stuff for you!
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Noooo, I unfortunately made an error in purchase and got 'the husband that would rather sleep on a bed of nails than trek around with anyone with a camera' - it'll teach me to read the small print next time :'( :lol:
 
Hehe,
ive been in the DSLR world for about 4months and have already changed my kit bag 3 times!

Ken Rockwell makes a good point on his website where he says do you really need to spend thousands on gear when togs in the 30's and 40's were taking awesome, sharp pics with cameras made out of wood and cheese!

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm

Although i see his point, i still cant help myself with upgrades and the like!
 
I suspect that many people do get carried away...human nature dictates that most of us should get carried away in all facets of life.
An extra 25 bhp in the car, another pint at the pub, another 2" downstairs (gents) or upstairs (ladies), bigger house...whatever you're looking for.
Why should camera gear not fall victim to the same ambitions or desires?

Bob
 
I'm perfectly happy on a daily basis with my 10-20 and 24-70. I've got the 70-200 for those times when I need a little more. I never crave a 600mm lens or any other lenses really.
 
I am a diver aswell as dabbling with photography so know expensive hobbies. Yes i get carried away surfing the www looking at all the shiney bits i could get for both hobbies. But before ordering i make sure the bills are paid after that Im not sure you can get carried away with the little bit of truely spare cash left. So if you get enjoyment out of spending the little bit you got left on whatever you like to spend it on it doesnt matter. The enjoyment you get out of buying that lens you dont really need but have wanted for ages is worth it.
 
rickj said:
do we get a little bit carried away when it comes to our cameras and kit ? do we really need all these lens's and kit , the first section I go to is the for sale section to se if there is anything I want but do I really need??, how many of us have lens's that hardly if ever get used ?
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My short answer is YES. It seems very fun and exciting to have the latest and greatest everything. So many photographers (amateurs and pros alike) simply HAVE to have everything everyone else has, even if they have no need for it and have no idea how to use it. It's insanity.

It's important to remember that buying new equipment will not only not necessarily make you a better photographer -- a lot of times it will actually impede your progress. It's much easier to blame one's equipment than to accept that you need to learn how to use what you actually have.

- CJ
 
I think it is a process we all go through. I used to spend absurd amounts on kit when I was learning, and I still enjoy the unique buzz you get from a new purchase, but ultimately the kit only goes so far and it is the photographer that uses it creatively and cleverly which is where it is really at.:naughty:
The temptation and compulsion to purchase is a strong one but a decent camera, a couple of lenses and a good quality flash is really all that is needed. Jane Bown for example, uses the same old Nikon she bought 40 years ago, and takes along a desk lamp with a 60 watt bulb for any dark areas. If you think about her great image of John Betjeman laughing his head off with his trousers at half mast kit pales into almost insignificance. It depends what you're shooting ultimately but keeping it simple is the rule for me these days. And I still cant produce anything like Jane Bown does:bang::D
 
I'm trying to cover every focal range from 10mm to 400mm maybe 500mm with decent glass if funds become available. then an MP-E65 macro lens.

Is that excessive?
 
wez130 said:
I'm trying to cover every focal range from 10mm to 400mm maybe 500mm with decent glass if funds become available. then an MP-E65 macro lens.

Is that excessive?
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Depends what you shoot. I can't see myself going over 200mm for a while, but then I photograph people and places. Not wildlife, cars, planes, anything at great distance. One of the things I hate is having too much kit. Do I take it all? Do I take some and get annoyed on a shoot because I forgot some? Do I learn to see better shots with the kit I have? Its the last answer for me. If I'm out with just the 24-70 then its all I have. Get closer, move about, treat it like a prime. I have to find good shots not regret a lack of kit. The funny thing is that I've wanted a 135mm for the past few weeks because I've had the chance to buy it, and because I was inspired by someone elses photos. As Hoodi said, thats a bad reason to want a lens. I got the 70-200 and went out. What I found was that I just don't see the world like the guy who inspired me, so my shots were nothing like his. They were my shots and I loved them. So now I don't need the 135.
 
Any shot I've ever done has been achieved with my two lenses.

a) 14-45mm
b) 40-150mm

The only thing I really want that I don't have is a fish eye and a macro.

Is there an effective way of adding fish eye effects to photos? I've tried using photoshop but it's pretty awful (Or maybe that's just me).
 
Like Pete, having recently purchased the 70-200mm I dont see myself yearning for anything longer.

While I drool over CT's bird captures, and I do attempt to snap some wildlife with 70-200mm ... at full frame ... Im not expecting miracles in that area!

Next on my list is a light meter and a flash & Im done... really I am!!! :suspect:
Time to work on the confidence & getting models through the door as for the most part, its people that interest me too.
 
Stevo said:
The only thing I really want that I don't have is a fish eye and a macro.
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Fish eye is really a bit of a gimmick. Fun for a bit but you'll probably get bored of it.

InaGlo said:
Next on my list is a light meter and a flash & Im done... really I am!!! :suspect:
Time to work on the confidence & getting models through the door as for the most part, its people that interest me too.
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Aye. I think I might get a light meter too one day, but for now the one in the camera is doing a good job. As for flash, I've made the decision to leave it at home unless its very dark. I'm in a real learn how to use light better mood. So I don't want kit, I want to change myself to get better shots with what I have. Lots of people do it and have been for decades before digital.
 
You know youre right Pete ... I might forgo the flash or look into the cost of hire as I only really want it to go to Venice with in a few months.

Last year I noticed a lot of the pro togs at the masquerade were using fill flash to bring out the masks.
Also I was kind of stuck with the people shots when evening came.

But, I cant help wondering how much use it would get after that though :thinking:
 
I don't doubt that you could get some great shots with fill-in flash. I've seen some stunning shots of masked people where it brought out their eyes.
 
longest i have is 200mm but have a 2x tc too. I do like to dabble in wildlife so 400mm would (is) be handy and 400mm from the 100-400 is going to be better than from the 200mm + 2x tc
 
I sold my 300mm & really thought I'd miss it but I find that I'm most comfy at either 24-70 or 70-200 for my portraits.

I do however find that I use my flash a great deal to bring out details (useful base for my processing) & would like to get another soon :p
 
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