Comments on: The hobby of consumerism

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:40:58 +0000

Hi Sam,

You’ve run the course that alot of us enthusiasts run when really digging into photography. When you actually get a good camera and learn how good the pics can come out your so thrilled that you just want to “pick up and run with it”, but then like you found out you have to find the balance of enthusiasm and reality.

I’ve been a photo buff for quite a few years and even now would love to go all out with it but so many factors affect it. Time, the need for the pictures (ie, are they personal or a project or for pubbing purposes) and then the money factor are probably the biggest factors involved.

A few months ago i bought a Canon Rebel XT1 and i have been very happy for it. But at the same time i wanted to get an attached flash with a bracket and a macro lens. Ha! It didn’t take me long to see that i didn’t have the funds. so I have had to “sit” of those “needed” things. Ha! But I’ve seen that I have gotten by well with the build in flash (I will still get the external flash one day when i can) and so far without the macro lens though there have been time i would have liked to have it.

Probably the best thing right now for you is to just enjoy your camera and see where your interests and abilities take you in photography for the time being. Then down the road it will be easier for you to see if you really need or want the other things, which is basically what you’re doing now.

By: Jayman

Jayman — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:02:24 +0000

I went 3 years and 6000 pictures before, well, in my case my camera died for good but I sure got experience and now I’m looking for a new “workhorse”, wanna donate? You do not need to worry about film these days so just shoot the heck out of it, even if you come home and throw them all away instead of filling up your computer with “errors” it is time well spent. Don’t look at magazines and try to do it the same, they’re all touch-ups anyways, portraits can get boring and tedious, just take action pics of everyday actions and activities or your kids, those are the real rewards.

By: Luca

Luca — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:34:01 +0000

I know exactly what you mean. When I start a hobby I tend to want to get the high-end right away, without waiting to see if the hobby sticks and/or is even worth it. I always give myself a month to let the novelty wear off then I make my purchase. I’m totally dissatisfied with the cheap look of the photos I take so am currently looking into getting a DSLR myself, even if I know nothing about photography. I’m gonna get the Nikon D40, which is good and relatively cheap.

By: maria doehler

maria doehler — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:24:55 +0000

I think you’re wise, Sam. Be the master!

By: JM

JM — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:05:28 +0000

Sonialee beat me to it! But I am always open for a camera donation.

But that was a very good observation. I have also caught myself doing more research than actual shooting.

I would wait a good 3 to 5 months before making any sort of additional upgrades. Besides waiting for the novelty to wear off, you get a realistic picture of how much time you actually spend taking photos, as well as what type of photography interests you. That way, when you buy something, you only get what you would really get the most mileage out of.

Just my 2 cents.

By: Sonialee

Sonialee — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 21:34:02 +0000

I’ll have your camera if you decide it’s just a fascination with gadgetry.