Justify your spending...!

Daysleeper40

Daysleeper40

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I wasn't sure which section to put this in - so Mod's please move as appropriate...

I have just been browsing a few posts and in several I've noticed the issue of how "good" peoples kit is and the difference more high end kit can make to your shots. I have a modest selection of kit and not being blessed with a lottery win or particularly highly paid job every bit of kit I buy is a big deal for me.

Then I see threads like this one (no offence John - it's just a good example) and I wonder how many other people get caught up in buying lots of expensive kit and whether their subsequent photo's justify the money spent?

So what I want to see is a shot you have taken that justifies a purchase you have made - no matter how extravagant or modest it was. I'll kick off with this justification of my SB-600 flash and off camera lead - would not have got this without them:


Moth on Green by Daysleeper40, on Flickr

Can you justify your spending?
 
I don't spend money on fags and drinking, and carp such as 'glossy magazines' telling me how stick like I should be. I also don't have a flat yet, nor any children or significant others than demand my money :D

For the purpose of this thread, this link will take you to my site, and the best picture I believe I've got from my 70-200
http://www.slwildlife.co.uk/photo5832427.html
 
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I'm not having a go - I just thought it might be nice to see people happy with their purchases rather than looking for the next big thing or regretting what they have bought.
 
Just got my new 1DmkIV week before last. I spend last week on holiday in Norway and the camera has produced shots that would be very hard with some cameras.
For example I went to the Norsk Hydro plant at Vemork where the Heroes of Telemark stuff happened. Inside the museum it was pretty dark but using ISO4000 I was able to get lots of sharp and not overly noisy shots hand-held. Even on my old mkIII ISO4000 was pushing it a bit.
The weather was pretty bad so the rugged weatherproofing of the 1D was nice when out shooting in the forests in the rain.
 
squizza said:
I don't spend money on fags and drinking, and carp such as 'glossy magazines' telling me how stick like I should be. I also don't have a flat yet, nor any children or significant others than demand my money :D

For the purpose of this thread, this link will take you to my site, and the best picture I believe I've got from my 70-200
http://www.slwildlife.co.uk/photo5832427.html
Click to expand...

and a lovely shot it is :thumbs:
 
squizza said:
I don't spend money on fags and drinking, and carp such as 'glossy magazines' telling me how stick like I should be.

For the purpose of this thread, this link will take you to my site, and the best picture I believe I've got from my 70-200
http://www.slwildlife.co.uk/photo5832427.html
Click to expand...

Hmm. I can't afford gear like this, but I don't think anyone has to justify their spending. It could be an issue if someone's family are going without as a result, but that's a different and personal issue.
 
:lol::lol::lol:

No offence taken, I know I've got more money than sense. Although like squizza I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't spend a fortune on expensive clothes.

This shot shows me that the 5DMKII and L lens was well worth it:

4915619881_0edff7d70e.jpg





.
 
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MartynK said:
Hmm. I can't afford gear like this, but I don't think anyone has to justify their spending. It could be an issue if someone's family are going without as a result, but that's a different and personal issue.
Click to expand...

Again - I'm not saying justify your spending to me... it's none of my business. I'd just like to see those shots that made you think "yes - I was right to get xxxx bit of kit" and made you happy.
 
I could never justify purchases financially as I'm an amateur, so my philosophy when buying kit is to buy stuff which gives me a capability I need that my existing kit simply won't deliver.

As I do a lot of low light stuff, I upgraded from a Nikon D70 to a D700, and the ability to hand hold in low light at high ISO's is justification enough for the huge outlay.

This was shot at ISO6400, F2.2 using a Sigma 24mm F1.8
3297426246_f009025182.jpg
 
Nope.
 
gingerweasel said:
:lol::lol::lol:

No offence taken, I know I've got more money than sense. Although like squizza I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't spend a fortune on expensive clothes.

This shot shows me that the 5DMKII and L lens was well worth it:

4915619881_0edff7d70e.jpg





.
Click to expand...

Lovely shot - does it make you sad not to still have that set up?

EDIT - Sorry, got confused. This is your current kit isn't it?

viewfromthenorth said:
I could never justify purchases financially as I'm an amateur, so my philosophy when buying kit is to buy stuff which gives me a capability I need that my existing kit simply won't deliver.

As I do a lot of low light stuff, I upgraded from a Nikon D70 to a D700, and the ability to hand hold in low light at high ISO's is justification enough for the huge outlay.

This was shot at ISO6400, F2.2 using a Sigma 24mm F1.8
3297426246_f009025182.jpg
Click to expand...

Yep - looks like that does exactly what you need it too. Well worth it :thumbs:
 
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fracster said:
Nope.
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I like the honesty ;)

specialman said:
Do I have to? I can't justify it other than to say I'm a photographer so I need photography equipment....
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I think you may have missed the point of the thread - as I keep saying I just think it would be nice to see people celebrating the kit they have bought and showing off how it's changed their photography.

Justify probably wasn't the right word to use... ho hum.

In answer to your post - no you don't have to.
 
I suspect for most folk in the dlsr market, what they buy usually lasts them a few years. Now compare the cost of other hobbies on an annual basis, golf yearly memberships, tennis subs, going to the movies, pub etc and I am sure you will arrive at similar expense or even more.
 
Good timing this thread, as I just bought a D700 today. I've not long gone into business and I was using my D90, but after a newborn session in terrible light (no way round it as I don't like using flash with newborns) last weekend I realised I needed something much better for low light.

I managed to save the session and the parents are delighted with what they've seen so far, but I could have done so much better and saved myself a lot of PP too if I'd had the D700 there. The money to pay for it comes entirely from profits I've made so far, so for the first time in forever I don't feel guilty about a purchase!

I can't show you a shot to justify my purchase because I've not received the camera yet! ;-)
 
Nothing to show for it yet, but I wanted a decent zoom with constant f2.8 to isolate the subject from backgrounds etc..... And also also more creativity with DoF.

Sigma 50-150 f 2.8 at £399 new was a steal.



Also likewise wanted something long for wildlife / airshows etc....... So a s/h 120-400 sigma at a bargain price. Admittedly doesn't get used loads but have some nice pics from it.
 
Jeeeez you're a touchy bunch of Mary's!

I totally get what the OP is asking. He's not asking you to prove that you're worthy of the kit, he's asking you to show us something that you wouldn't have got without a particular bit of kit, thus making you think "I was right to buy that, or I wouldn't be able to do *this*......voila"

Me? I can't justify my kit. Cos the crap I get, I can get with an etchasketch :p
 
Daysleeper40 said:
Lovely shot - does it make you sad not to still have that set up?

EDIT - Sorry, got confused. This is your current kit isn't it?
Click to expand...

That's right, this is my current setup. In all honesty I can't justify having spent over £3000 in the last month of camera equipment knowing that it will not return an income. However as I've said further up the thread I don't have many vices and in terms of the enjoyment I get out of it it's worth every penny.

If I was making a living from this things would be different. As someone who's run a business before I know that ever cost must be justified in terms of time saving or return on investment - if the new kit didn't fit into one of those categories then I wouldn't buy it.

Thankfully as a hobby I can say sod it :naughty:
 
I picked this one because I happen to like the colours, but to be honest I could have picked any image from the past five years.
My kit works when cheaper stuff or even expensive stuff from other manufacturers doesn't: that's all the justification I need.
I accompanied the Marines for a three week period, only returning to Cafaretto twice in order to charge batteries and file images.

US Marines from 2nd Platoon, Lima Company based at FOB Cafaretto, Nowzad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, take a five-minute break during clearance operations during Operation Khareh Cobra, December 2009.
4172058236_250722be18_z.jpg
 
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I have a personal policy which is that I buy new stuff from money which I've made from my photography so it doesn't eat into the household budget. It's going ok at the moment with the money coming in just managing to cover my costs of new stuff. Therefore, the incentive to get cash coming in is quite strong, and the real plus side is that I get to have some beautiful equipment that I love owning and using.
 
Marcel said:
Jeeeez you're a touchy bunch of Mary's!

I totally get what the OP is asking. He's not asking you to prove that you're worthy of the kit, he's asking you to show us something that you wouldn't have got without a particular bit of kit, thus making you think "I was right to buy that, or I wouldn't be able to do *this*......voila"

Me? I can't justify my kit. Cos the crap I get, I can get with an etchasketch :p
Click to expand...

:thumbs:
 
To me, this image:

4630126978_c9053d318d.jpg


Shows that it was worth me getting a Bigma and a 1D Mark II.

I tend to buy new stuff I have a particular need for it(i.e. I'm finding the limitations of the stuff I have at the moment), or if I just fancy it for a bit of fun (i.e. 8mm fish eye)
 
Having fun with my daughter and some newly acquired studio gear. It might not get used enough to justify the cost but this shot reminds me it's not about the money.

4717650645_7e2eed08a4_b.jpg
 
I like others here dont have a lot of spare cash so I have to choose wisely what I spend on. My 10-20 lens was deffinately my greatest purchase yet though, it has opened so many avenues for me.

Abbey11.jpg
 
Daysleeper40 said:
.....I think you may have missed the point of the thread - as I keep saying I just think it would be nice to see people celebrating the kit they have bought and showing off how it's changed their photography....
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I was being a bit tongue in cheek there - apologies if it sounded blunt. Forgot to add a cheeky emoticon :) ;)

I bought a D200 and a kit lens a few years ago because I was fed up with the performance of my works Canon kit (although I do miss the 17-40mm). Then it was a case of getting back the love for photography that had been drained out of me since leaving Uni some seven or eight years previous. I was a jobbing togger, a shutter presser without an aim.

Then I really took hold of myself photographically (kind of teamed up with getting involved with TP) and made an effort to stop just taking shots that were sufficient for work, and try to do stuff that was a step beyond, something I could be proud of and something I could be proud of seeing in my magazine.

Anyway, sme of it was a bit too 'out there' for an instructional angling title but most of it was within the realms of normalcy but with an artistic touch that I just kept on going.

Anyway, sold the D200, bought a pair of D2Xs and have built up an adequate lens collection (well, big enough for me to lug around the UK on me back) and have really got into the off-camera flash lark because it adds impact, which is something we were crying out for in our titles.

Shots that sum up and justify the spending of several thousand pounds.... there are loads I like but fishing isn't everyone's cup of tea so i suppose it's all about the individual take on the subject and what it does for you aesthetically.

Here are a few I like from over the years (most from the last two years)....


Fighting To The End by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

This would never have been possible without the investment in a 10.5mm fisheye. It's not to everyone's taste at work - it's one of those novelty lenses that can be overused - but it allows shots to be taken that just wouldn't be possible any other way.


The Grayling Fisher by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

This is the kind of shot that's totally no-frills; no fancy gizmos, no flash, just a beautiful scene that epitomises the kinds of fishing I am privvy to experience doing my job. Think this was my 80-200mm, which was deffo a good buy at £600, and a piece of kit that I really miss when I forget it on the odd occasion.


The potato behind the mask.... by Pat MacInnes, on Flickr

This was totally personal shooting when I had some time free at work. I suppose if anything, this is where I'm wanting to be all the time; bold, brash and techy in terms of using multiple flash. Of course, I think I have some way to go in terms of becoming a good storyteller in a studio environment but this kind of shot is one that I like because it's one of those "wow, did I take that?!!" shots.

Ask me one day which piece of kit is my fave and I'll tell you something totally different to the following day. Suppose i just like owning kit that allows me to get the shot :)
 
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Without my EF 100 f/2.8 macro and Sigma ringflash I wouldn't Have managed to get shots like this.


Scorpion Fly by Mike Jackson1, on Flickr


Without getting that sort of shot I feel my interest would have dwindled and I wouldn't have become a volunteer photographer for the woodland trust which has got me into photographing the odd event and expanding my horizons.
 
Marcel said:
Jeeeez you're a touchy bunch of Mary's!

I totally get what the OP is asking. She's not asking you to prove that you're worthy of the kit, he's asking you to show us something that you wouldn't have got without a particular bit of kit, thus making you think "I was right to buy that, or I wouldn't be able to do *this*......voila"

Me? I can't justify my kit. Cos the crap I get, I can get with an etchasketch :p
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Thanks Marcel - spot on... apart from the one small correction I've made above ;)
 
Arkady said:
I picked this one because I happen to like the colours, but to be honest I could have picked any image from the past five years.
My kit works when cheaper stuff or even expensive stuff from other manufacturers doesn't: that's all the justification I need.
I accompanied the Marines for a three week period, only returning to Cafaretto twice in order to charge batteries and file images.

US Marines from 2nd Platoon, Lima Company based at FOB Cafaretto, Nowzad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, take a five-minute break during clearance operations during Operation Khareh Cobra, December 2009.
4172058236_250722be18_z.jpg
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I'm thinking you could justify most kit with your day job - but then I don't think you should have to buy any of it yourself.

Matblack said:
4336_92989436355_623516355_2435862_6636174_n.jpg



Well worth my 40D and 17-55mm :)

Oh and the 70-200 f4

and.......... the list goes on :D

MB
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Really like this last one :thumbs:

Big_Ham said:
To me, this image:

4630126978_c9053d318d.jpg


Shows that it was worth me getting a Bigma and a 1D Mark II.

I tend to buy new stuff I have a particular need for it(i.e. I'm finding the limitations of the stuff I have at the moment), or if I just fancy it for a bit of fun (i.e. 8mm fish eye)
Click to expand...

Don't see any problem with that philosophy - as long as it all gets used at one time or another and you enjoy it :thumbs:
 
Wow, it's a little question with endless answers!

Married 23 years:help:££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££
Three wonderful kids :thumbs: :thumbs::thumbs:££££££££££££££££££££
An unexpected grandson :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: ££££££££££££££££

A little bit of self indulgence “because I’m worth it” :bang::bonk::thinking::thumbs:
 
Easy one for me, without my first DSLR I wouldn't have been able to get such a nice shot of our much missed old moggy. Printed this one off a few times and has pride of place in my daughters bedroom
Can't put a price on that really

IMGP1221_Large_.JPG
 
I don't need to justify my purchases to myself, although I do understand where you're coming from. If anything, I do have to justify spending thousands on gear to my wife, but that's easily done with a few pictures of the kids. This one alone made her concede that the D700 was a good purchase, even if I have done better with the D90!

15mix4y.jpg


I haven't yet managed to justify the £1200 I spent on the 24-70 last week, but that's because she still doesn't know about it...... :whistling:
 
Arkady said:
I picked this one because I happen to like the colours, but to be honest I could have picked any image from the past five years.
My kit works when cheaper stuff or even expensive stuff from other manufacturers doesn't: that's all the justification I need.
I accompanied the Marines for a three week period, only returning to Cafaretto twice in order to charge batteries and file images.

US Marines from 2nd Platoon, Lima Company based at FOB Cafaretto, Nowzad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, take a five-minute break during clearance operations during Operation Khareh Cobra, December 2009.
4172058236_250722be18_z.jpg
Click to expand...

Were you in Afghanistan?
 
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