Camera Investing


stussy

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Oct 30, 2010
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Do you guys invest on Camera body or Camera Lens? Which is more important and why?
 

You last time got d90 still must ask this question for what? Is it you got the d90 but no lens so cannot take picture? Of course 2 also important must have then can take picture one.
 

I don't think of a camera as an investment because it usually depreciates from day one.

Of course there are exceptions, but generally for DSLRs, this is the case.
 

stussy said:
Do you guys invest on Camera body or Camera Lens? Which is more important and why?

My opinion is that lens lasts longer in terms of value since the product cycle is longer than bodies. In that view, it is a better investment as it depreciates slower. In terms of importance, I think both are, and it depends on which factors affect you most. For example, lens cannot change iso performance.
 

My opinion is that lens lasts longer in terms of value since the product cycle is longer than bodies. In that view, it is a better investment as it depreciates slower. In terms of importance, I think both are, and it depends on which factors affect you most. For example, lens cannot change iso performance.

Investment should be the last thing you think about la , especially as a hobbyist. It's about getting what you want out of your hobby, can you place a value to that?
 

 

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So actually I do not know why we keep seeing this type of questions popping out now and then when they could either just continue the discussion in whatever thread it was started on...

Because people keep thinking that they are the first person to think of their question so don't even bother to search...

Then the people who have seen too many such discussions get slammed for telling these people to do a search first, as many people have already made great contributions and given insights, and not doing a search means all these insights have gone to waste...
 

Do you guys invest on Camera body or Camera Lens? Which is more important and why?
how to invest on camera and lenses? their price straight away drop at the moment we walk out the camera shops.

you want to invest, unless you are buying some cameras decorated with diamond, or stones and metal, and not gonne use them.
 

Well, we can look at it another way. Investment means we expect returns. But returns don't necessary mean money. It can be the enjoyment we get out of the hobby. :)
 

Well, we can look at it another way. Investment means we expect returns. But returns don't necessary mean money. It can be the enjoyment we get out of the hobby. :)

in this case... precious moment for me =x
 

how you calculate ROI on these? ;p

It's priceless.

For everything else, there's MasterCard. :bsmilie:

On-topic: the best investment you can make is not in your camera or lens, but in education. Learn and experience to take better shots, it'll improve the quality of your pictures a hell lot more than buying all those cams and lenses.
 

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Do you guys invest on Camera body or Camera Lens? Which is more important and why?
You don't invest, you spend. And if you don't use it then you waste.
Define your needs, compare features, read reviews, get what you need and can afford.
Something to ponder: an older camera can still produce great images, which can (not must) be even better when used with newer lenses. But a mediocre lens from 10 years back is able to degrade the image, regardless which expensive body you put behind.
 

stussy said:
Do you guys invest on Camera body or Camera Lens? Which is more important and why?

Cameras are not investment instruments.

As a consumer commodity it is designed to separate you and your money, nothing more.
 

how you calculate ROI on these? ;p

It should not be too difficult to calculate the ROI if a person take photos for a living. However if the person is just a hobbyist, relating ROI and investment to photography actually kills everything. That's what I think.

Personally I have 1-2 lenses that I use less often. If I talk about ROI, I think there is really minimum return. However, everytime I use the lens and the photos taken are well-taken to my liking, I will feel satisfied. In economics term, I think the MU is high (and it can get higher anytime).. :)
 

It should not be too difficult to calculate the ROI if a person take photos for a living. However if the person is just a hobbyist, relating ROI and investment to photography actually kills everything. That's what I think.

Personally I have 1-2 lenses that I use less often. If I talk about ROI, I think there is really minimum return. However, everytime I use the lens and the photos taken are well-taken to my liking, I will feel satisfied. In economics term, I think the MU is high (and it can get higher anytime).. :)

Well you know what they say about diminishing returns...
 

I don't see it as an investment. Because the camera bodies and lenses value will only depreciate when you bought it. So it won't gain any cash value but what you gain is your photography knowledge, skills and experience if you use it wisely.
 

Do you guys invest on Camera body or Camera Lens? Which is more important and why?

I would use the word spent instead of invest in this case.
Since you already have a D90, probably you will want to look into what lens to have.
Depending on what and how is your process of capturing and presenting the photo.
 

buy a F3H or a black F2AS in mint condition can invest liao.. or get a bunch of nikon tick-marked lenses. haha.

on a more serious note, i think the lenses you get make more of a difference than changing body. try out some fast primes. if $ is an issue, get AIS lenses, they dont depreciate much and they re really good.
 

You last time got d90 still must ask this question for what? Is it you got the d90 but no lens so cannot take picture? Of course 2 also important must have then can take picture one.

you misunderstood TS.

TS is asking: should he keep the lens and focus on every new body that comes out? or purchase lenses while retaining the same body.

of course, Lenses are made to last longer, while camera bodies are always improving every few months. so TS should as himself, is he willing to change camera bodies every few months? or use that money on lenses, while at the same time save up for camera bodies with major upgrades and not just the minuscule ones that camera manufacturers these days release like hotcakes