What is with all these beginners with $1000+ cameras?

[TheOtherBob]

It just seems to me that because I own a Nikon D40 and me myself am a noob and learning, it is being made out that I am a fool for purchasing such a "low end" camera and that I cheaped myself out of so much...

Not in the least. In fact, quite the opposite -- people are saying that if you're a beginner and want to buy a D40...good on you. If you're a beginner and want to buy a D80 or D300...hey, have fun. If you're a beginner and richer than G_d and want to buy some $30,000 medium format dealie...hey, you know what, it's your money. (Also, can I borrow it?)

The question here was why everyone doesn't do what you did - buy a (relatively) basic camera to start with. And the answer is that everyone has their own reasons, but if it makes them happy and they can afford it, no one should care -- just like they shouldn't care if someone wants to start with a PnS, or a Holga, or a matchbox with a pinhole in it. If they're happy, we're happy.

 

[danmass]

Not in the least. In fact, quite the opposite -- people are saying that if you're a beginner and want to buy a D40...good on you. If you're a beginner and want to buy a D80 or D300...hey, have fun. If you're a beginner and richer than G_d and want to buy some $30,000 medium format dealie...hey, you know what, it's your money. (Also, can I borrow it?)

The question here was why everyone doesn't do what you did - buy a (relatively) basic camera to start with. And the answer is that everyone has their own reasons, but if it makes them happy and they can afford it, no one should care -- just like they shouldn't care if someone wants to start with a PnS, or a Holga, or a matchbox with a pinhole in it. If they're happy, we're happy.

Bingo, thank you.

 

[skyvue2]

Yes, you are right. danmass...if it works for you, then go for it. Like I said, a thousand bucks really is not the big deal I was trying to point out...it is the total noob buying the $10,000 (body alone!) camera with absolute zero experience...that was my beef...just downright silly. I mean, check it out, I have a D40, SB400 Speedlight and the 55-200mm VR zoom lens, I also have a total set up a little over $1,000.

But the again..I have seen much, much worse.

Seriously though, happy shooting to you too and I wish you that "golden eye" and that all your images come out the way you hope they do!

 

[danmass]

Yes, you are right. danmass...if it works for you, then go for it. Like I said, a thousand bucks really is not the big deal I was trying to point out...it as the total noob buying the $10,000 (body alone!) camera with absolute zero experience...that was my beef...just downright silly. I mean, check it out, I have a D40, SB400 Speedlight and the 55-200mm VR zoom lens, I also have a total sey up a little over $1,000.

But the again..I have seen much, much worse.

Seriously though, happy shooting to you too and I wish you that "golden eye" and that all your images come out the way you hope they do!

Thank you, same to you. :cheers:

 

[skyvue2]

:thumbsup:

 

[Socrates]

Yeah, I get it. If that works for you.

I don't want to pay $500 right now, get good enough to purchase a better model, than shovel out an even more $1,000 or whatever. I don't work in stages like that. I might as well spend the $1,000 now and grow into the camera. The higher end model should undoubtedly offer the same features as the lesser model anyways, right? In the end I'm sure as you grow you'll use all the features accessible to you no matter what stage of skill level you are at. That's what makes sense to me.

Thus this unfortunate thread - everybody projecting what works best for them as the 'right' way to do it. Happy shooting!

I think that it's about time to jump in with a very real comment. My first "serious" (SLR) camera cost me $400 in 1964! Photography has been my primary hobby ever since.

 

[Jon, The Elder]

I'd like to know why all these beginners have super expensive DSLRs.

I don't consider the few handful of newbies that wander into this forum as being "all" of anything.

If they are from the U.S., then they have been trained from birth to buy or whine their way to the biggest/shiniest(?)/most expensive anything. This guarantees success, popularity, envy, local fame,etc..

 

[danmass]

I don't consider the few handful of newbies that wander into this forum as being "all" of anything.

If they are from the U.S., then they have been trained from birth to buy or whine their way to the biggest/shiniest(?)/most expensive anything. This guarantees success, popularity, envy, local fame,etc..

Haha touché!

 

[Socrates]

I don't consider the few handful of newbies that wander into this forum as being "all" of anything.

If they are from the U.S., then they have been trained from birth to buy or whine their way to the biggest/shiniest(?)/most expensive anything. This guarantees success, popularity, envy, local fame,etc..

I have more toys than you have and, if we die, I win!

 

[keith204]

Hey hey hey... I don't really wanna read through all one-hundred-fifty-something posts in this thread... will somebody summarize it for me?

:shock:

 

[CanAm]

I don't consider the few handful of newbies that wander into this forum as being "all" of anything.

If they are from the U.S., then they have been trained from birth to buy or whine their way to the biggest/shiniest(?)/most expensive anything. This guarantees success, popularity, envy, local fame,etc..

You, sir, need to learn idiomatic hyperbole. "All" is simply a modifier used in pointing out the number of people that fit into my example.

No different than saying "what's with all these Canadians that use the word eh?".

I do agree though, people from first world countries (not just the US, don't be so deprecating) tend to want only the latest and greatest. Thankfully my childhood has taught me that it's not always the case.

Hey hey hey... I don't really wanna read through all one-hundred-fifty-something posts in this thread... will somebody summarize it for me?

:shock:

Opinions happened. Tons.

 

[danmass]

Hey hey hey... I don't really wanna read through all one-hundred-fifty-something posts in this thread... will somebody summarize it for me?

:shock:

I'll give it a shot.

What's with all these noobs w/ $1000+ cameras?...

...my way...

...no my way...

...oil...

...golf clubs...

...porsche...

...motorcycle...

...my way...

...if it works for you, my way...

...if it works for you...

...good for you...

...good for you...

..cheers!

Let me know if I missed something. As informative as this community is (which I love), this post is actually what got me to finally sign up.

 

[Socrates]

I beg to differ. Quite possibly this one.

OK. You win.

 

[Socrates]

You, sir, need to learn idiomatic hyperbole. "All" is simply a modifier used in pointing out the number of people that fit into my example.

No different than saying "what's with all these Canadians that use the word eh?".

I do agree though, people from first world countries (not just the US, don't be so deprecating) tend to want only the latest and greatest. Thankfully my childhood has taught me that it's not always the case.



Opinions happened. Tons.

"Eh" is not a word.

 

[SpeedTrap]

Well here is my take on this,
I bought my first DSLR (D70s) one week before the D80 came out. Am I disappointed; not at all it still is a great camera! (Currently my wife uses it)
Was it too much for me as a noob? Absolutely!
But it also pushed me to take better pictures; it helped me develop what has now become a passion for me. If I had gone an bought a lower end camera I could have made it work to create the images I wanted but it would have been much more difficult and I may have lost interest.
When I started out I shot in auto and took snapshots but as I took to time to play and learn, I discovered all of the features of the camera and as I discovered each one I tried it out.
I could not have done the same thing with a P&S Camera.

Just because I was a noob did not mean I had to have the best or the worst, but I did consider that, If I wanted to take some classes that I would want a camera that gave me the most options to explore

"Eh" is not a word.
It is in Canadian