Did you ever start to doubt your purchases before? (lens/cameras)

[Vulpix0r]

Any of you have this feeling that you are overspending on lenses or something? I believe I am having that feeling because I am still not shooting enough, and the quality of my shots do not justify the purchase of DA* lenses. Doubts are starting to hit me and make me wonder why I purchased those lenses...

Those who understand what I am saying, how do you justify it?

[overdodo]

I have doubted my purchases, or rather spending on photographic equipment in general.

At the end of the day, your equipment is only worth the shots you take. For example using a setup that costs $10000 but if your pictures are no better than a $500 p&s camera, then your equipment is only worth $500...

This is how I motivate myself to shoot more and do skills upgrade so my equipment will not be limited by me... (seldom are we limited by our equipment !)


cheers

[creampuff]

One's photographic accomplishments are only as good as the tools (and the ability to use) that one has. It's nice to have lots of nice gear but if it's under utilised, I find two things tend to happen.

Firstly the proportion of keepers go down. Less familiarity > Shoot less > Less keepers
Secondly with less keepers, we'll start thinking along the lines that it ain't suitable, paid too much money/wasted my money or worse we'll start looking for the next miracle lens to acquire. In other words either buyer's remorse or LBA.

The solutions is simple. Shoot more, lots more. You'll get to know the lenses better, you'll get more keepers and it will in turn justify the initial purchase.

[fengwei]

To me it's not about just taking photos w/ those fine glass. Actually I look at those lenses more than the photos I take w/ them Just like watch collectors, or any other kind of collections. We don't need them all, but we want them all, don't we?

I wish I were rich, so I don't need to sell some redundant but nice lenses ...

Don't think much, just enjoy using whatever you have. If you get one keeper w/ any of your lenses, it's worth the cost imo

[flowerpot]

yes all the time...but only at the beginning...every time i bought something...after trying always fail to meet my expectations probably due to lack of experience...since buy liao no choice just used lor...but guess what, most of the time after extensive usage, slowly you realize that things start to work better...for every equipment there is always a learning curve...i always though i have master my equipment, until i see what others can do with the same equipment then i realize i know nothing

[nouffer]

Hi,

I have doubts about my purchases even before buying them.

The desire to buy new gear is always there because of some unhappiness with the current images I'm trying to take, but I usually take a few days to come up with workarounds/ reasons not to buy the specific gear before taking the plunge. If I can think of a more economical workaround, then I would proceed with that rather than go on a spending spree.

It would also help to go out with shooting kakis more often (preferably those who are shooting Pentax ). They might have some tips to help improve your photos..... and at the worst case, you can just borrow their gear to see if it is what you really need before making the purchase.

[Zenten]

The solution is very simple (At least it looks simple). Buy what youi need and not what you want .........

[creampuff]

Originally Posted by Zenten The solution is very simple (At least it looks simple). Buy what youi need and not what you want .........

Er, what if you don't know what you need but still want to buy?

[NoMoney]

How I wish I can have this "Doubt" as I do not have enough $$$ to spend on lenses to expand my collection. Everytime I saw the lens catalogue, I am attracted by the colour of coating on different lenses. They are so nice...

[flowerpot]

Originally Posted by NoMoney How I wish I can have this "Doubt" as I do not have enough $$$ to spend on lenses to expand my collection. Everytime I saw the lens catalogue, I am attracted by the colour of coating on different lenses. They are so nice...

now ns pay is very good...2 yrs of saving can easily buy a good collections of lens...

[art2d2]

I used to overspend a lot when I was using Canon, the L lens are addictive. After switching to Pentax, I spend 50% less, reasons are

1. Not a lot of lens choices to buy. (this will change since Pentax announced so many lens this year dammit !)
2. Not a lot of lens FROM the local shop that I can buy. (blessing in disguise if our local distributor is not bringing in 1/2 of the new lens being announced !)
3. I always looking out for cheap lens, because I don't want to spend too much on a single lens anymore, no justification at all.

Even my wife helps me in clearing my doubts when I buy a lens, she will ask, "Are you going to use it often or just gonna be collecting dust in the dry box ?" So this will impact my decision and help me clear my doubts also.

Since most of us are not using our gears to make money, there is definately no justification for return of investment (ROI). So my only comforting thought is that, this is an expensive hobby. Some people spend tonnes on their cars, some on aquariums with exotic fishes etc. So don't regret of what you have bought, if not happy, then sell your purchase 2nd hand, that will make someone else happy also.

[creampuff]

Originally Posted by NoMoney How I wish I can have this "Doubt" as I do not have enough $$$ to spend on lenses to expand my collection. Everytime I saw the lens catalogue, I am attracted by the colour of coating on different lenses. They are so nice...

Seriously, I'd change your nick for a start.
Think positive instead of reinforcing the negative circumstance you're currently in.

[Zenten]

Originally Posted by creampuff Er, what if you don't know what you need but still want to buy?

Then must do reality check liao ........ check your bank account

[NoMoney]

Originally Posted by creampuff Seriously, I'd change your nick for a start. Think positive instead of reinforcing the negative circumstance you're currently in.

Haha... This nick is suggested by my friend who was beside me when I was thinking what to call myself.

I guess majority of the students are in the same circumstance as me unless they got came from a rich family. Anyway, I am always wear a smile

Thanks for the encouragement.

[billitone]

I never have doubt and also never have the money

[istDeS]

Don't think too much. It is just a hobby for most of us here. So important we must ENJOY. Just carry your gears out more often, shoot more and just enjoy.