I think I'm missing photography...

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martyp

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Marty
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First of all, hello again and happy new year to you all! :wave:

Here is my photography history: about 3 years ago, I decided to buy a dSLR - it was an impulse buy if I'm honest, a Canon 500d. One weekend later on its first run, I took this shot:

5195158295_d54b26c666.jpg

Got this printed onto an A2 sheet of acrylic and is in the dining room. Everyday I see it and everyone who's been at the house always comments on it.

Anyway, about a two months later, the upgrade bug set in. I got a Canon 5D w/28-135 lens, then 70-300 IS, then caught glass 'L'ust. I think late 2009, I had a Canon 1D Mk III, 24-105 f/4, 70-200 f/2.8, 35mm f/2.

Coming back from a random outting with a photograph that was print worthy was a fantastic feeling.

Then someone key'd my P&J, I sold everything (got just over 2k from eBay :bonk:) and refocused - excuse the pun - on the car. To be fair the car is now 'mint' but I could easily spend 6k on it without trying and still want more, but I wonder should I give photography a go again instead...


I borrowed a 500d from work over Christmas and never left the house with it - to be fair second week I had the flu, but at work dealing with photographs, taking them etc, I really enjoy it! Even if it is dull subjects at work.

Buying camera gear makes more sense than sinking money into a car so I am thinking about saving for a few months and getting back to where I was. I 'think' I have the eye for it and gives me a way through training to raise some extra income down the line too.

I'm looking at a Nikon D3 or a Canon 1D4 with a 24-70 and 70-200. Which would suit my main interests; street, landscape and equestrian. Along with anything inbetween.

I'm probably looking at March/April before buying anything and using the dSLR I have at work to get out with a camera again - also the 1Dx and D4 will be out then, so D3s may fall in price!

So with a kit lens, polarising filter I'll be limited to landscapes but should see if a spark still exists.

Thanks for reading my random thoughts and current predicament, if you made it this far, and I'll hopefully post some pics in the next few weeks. Any advice if you've been in this spot before would be appriciated, as would some inspiration!

TIA and sorry if this is in the wrong area...
 
I would go for it Marty, I fall out with my camera now and then,but never had to sell it.
The main thing is I keep coming back to it.
It is only for personnel pleasure,but Hell,I do enjoy it now and then when ,as you said ,get a belter.:thumbs:
 
Should I give photography another go after a year, or just forget about it?

The bug lingers, although during the time I've never thought, I really, really wish I had my SLR. It's a great release just to escape from everything by going on though.

I suppose after a few outings with a SLR I'll find out, right now I'm wishing I had it this weekend. :D
 
Just go for it, get yourself all DSLR'd up and you'll more than likely love it. If you decide you don't, sell it all!

I think the fact you're even asking yourself means you want to do it deep down... Do it!

Good luck with it all matey
 
i'd say P&J is 'Pride and Joy'

and why does there have to be a question? Its a discussion forum, not a Q&A forum ;)

back to the topic:
i have a 'great shot' that everyone loves, from my first run too... amazing how that can really bite in and take hold.
That shot of yours, martyp, is fantastic!!!

Give it another shot, if the bug isn't there anymore, at least you'll know :)
 
joxby said:
the question is...what the hell is a P&J
anyway, buy cameras, cars are pretty shallow
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Nah cars aren't shallow, sometimes not very tall ;)

The question isn't...what the hell is a P&J, the question is - what is it and lets see some pics.

If it's your pride and joy, try taking some outstanding pictures of it. Try with different lighting such as sunset, daytime, in the dark and light painted. They look different animals with different lights.

Then pick out detailed areas. Always plenty to take with a vehicle, different locations etc.
 
Hi Marty

I'd go for it and purchase some new equipment and go from there - not sure if I was doubting it like you at the moment, I'd be paying out for a 1D4

Good luck and hopefully the bug bites again
 
P&J does mean pride and joy yes. Sorry for any confusion caused! I don't really have any decent photographs of it to be honest, I did take one with my Canon compact which made it into a forums calendar but it is nowhere near my best. It's a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.7 V8, sounds fantasic and goes. I have never had to 'fix' anything on it just spent money on upgrades - I think I may need help!!!

What I'm gonna do is take the camera I use at work home every weekend the weather looks decent and try to get out and about with it. Without driving for miles, I have the pentland hills, forth bridges and some excellent scenery in Fife, <30 mins from home. Or I can take the train to Edinburgh/Glasgow for some street stuff - also have a 35mm f/2 along with the 18-55 IS for that.

Then by the time April comes, I know if I want to go back to where I was or not. As Phil wisely says, I can always sell it all after 6mths and lose a little money, whereas on the car I'm stuffed!

Good advice as always, just need to get out there now and make up my own mind. :thumbs:
 
And what a cracking jeep at that Martin!
I didn't know you'd ditched the photography, you were so into it too.
Get yourself back into mate.
You know you want to.
:thumbs:
 
crofter said:
I hate cars, I've spent about a grand on photo equipment, I wouldn't spend that much buying a car.
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But then you'd throw good money after bad fixing it all the time...

As for the op, do it! It's obvious you want to otherwise you wouldn't have created this thread :)

You don't have to break the bank either, especially if you buy used.
 
crofter said:
I hate cars, I've spent about a grand on photo equipment, I wouldn't spend that much buying a car.
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Me too!

My suggestion would be to get a 5D classic - £600 and a decent lens to suit your interests - perhaps a Tamron 28-75 to Canon 24-70 or 24-104.

Thats a great opening picture and i think you;d get even more for a full frame and give you can get them cheaper than all but an entry level I think they're a steal.
 
If you are anything like me, and probably a lot of other members on here, you're got a bit of an obsessive personality! I have spent (wasted) so much time and energy on cars in the last 3 years, and it's unfortunately just the nature of it; having a half decent car that you care about is just a money sink in every single respect.

Nowadays I just share a car with the missus, a Clio 197 - it's a good bit of fun, but on the whole I don't really care about it, its covered in dirt and is used to cart 2 filthy spaniels around; and it's quite liberating. I'm trying to channel that obsessive car behaviour into photography, it's cheaper and if you look after your kit you can always sell up without losing 50% of it's value in a year or two. I'm going to try & capture some nice wildlife shots this year, there's a good park with plenty of woodland 5 minutes from my door. From a reformed car enthusiast trying to get back behind the lens, I wish you good luck.
 
Jimwah said:
If you are anything like me, and probably a lot of other members on here, you're got a bit of an obsessive personality! I have spent (wasted) so much time and energy on cars in the last 3 years, and it's unfortunately just the nature of it; having a half decent car that you care about is just a money sink in every single respect.

Nowadays I just share a car with the missus, a Clio 197 - it's a good bit of fun, but on the whole I don't really care about it, its covered in dirt and is used to cart 2 filthy spaniels around; and it's quite liberating. I'm trying to channel that obsessive car behaviour into photography, it's cheaper and if you look after your kit you can always sell up without losing 50% of it's value in a year or two. I'm going to try & capture some nice wildlife shots this year, there's a good park with plenty of woodland 5 minutes from my door. From a reformed car enthusiast trying to get back behind the lens, I wish you good luck.
Click to expand...

You really should look after that Clio 197, great little pocket rocket!
 
scottishguy said:
And what a cracking jeep at that Martin!
I didn't know you'd ditched the photography, you were so into it too.
Get yourself back into mate.
You know you want to.
:thumbs:
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How's it going Keith! Yeah, last winter some sod key'd the car so getting two doors resprayed turned into more & went outta control. Yup, nothing like going waist deep in the forth in January to get a shot! :cuckoo: Strangely enough the two years I was doing photography I didn't get the cold, this year I did.

Jimwah said:
If you are anything like me, and probably a lot of other members on here, you're got a bit of an obsessive personality!
Click to expand...

I'd say you've got it in one! :lol: :help:

I got myself another car to drive so I can keep the Jeep nice and clean and do some larger projects on it without hassels of getting to work etc. But the thing is, I am constantly thinking about what to do next and so I need to do something else to do alongside it to appriciate it more. Awesome to hear someone who's been here and made it free! :thumbs:

So rather than plow into the car I'm going to get back into togging - decided. It was always my intention to get back into it (kept the tripod and flash) so being a new year what better time. I know I'll get my enthusiasm back anyway!


Thanks for all the helpful and friendly replies. The members really make a forum and this site has some of the best! :)
 
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