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

[Alex_B]

OK guys, then let's get out shooting! After all, this is what it is all about

And then we can discuss the images, and composition, techniques and give advice and learn.

 

[Alex_B]

BTW, I just had a very nice dinner.

 

[Christie Photo]

OK..OK.

It seems as though my opinion is not worth a cent, but everyone else's is.

No. There's a BUNCH of us. It's a pretty big club. You're in good company, Don.

-Pete

 

[tygersclaw]

Another reason many beginners have expensive cameras is they are dealing with salespeople who are all on commission (Future Shop for example). These sales people need the commission to survive and would obviously put a person into a $1000+ camera over a $500 camera.

And many digital cameras are touted as "beginner friendly" which makes selling them to beginners easier for sales people.

 

[Bruce_h]

Another reason many beginners have expensive cameras is they are dealing with salespeople who are all on commission (Future Shop for example). These sales people need the commission to survive and would obviously put a person into a $1000+ camera over a $500 camera.

And many digital cameras are touted as "beginner friendly" which makes selling them to beginners easier for sales people.

Ha! That's how I ended up with my A100. Except it was Best Buy.

 

[usayit]

Not most Americans are selling their houses due to jobs.

Not sure how this is on topic... but this is such a wrong assessment.

People move towards opportunities. Its a big country and opportunities are spread throughout.

People sell homes because they no longer can afford it.

even more tragic...

Retirees are forced to sell a home they worked hard to pay off due to the rising costs of ownership and taxation.


You only need to look at both the west and east coast to see examples of this. New Jersey is ranked 10th in the Union for tax burden.

 

[usayit]

Living here in Germany...there are far more economy issues than the States have. 60% tax immediately from your paycheck, then 19% tax on everything you purchase, I am frankly amazed anyone in Germany owns a camera.

Unless I'm missing something here...

Try 15% to 45% for income tax:
http://www.worldwide-tax.com/germany/germany_tax.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Germany#Tax_use
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/germantaxes.html

Not sure about sales taxes... but it too might be an over estimate.


Personally... there are many foreign countries that seem to have a more straight forwards taxation code. In the US, taxation is all spread through several layers of complexities. The typical American will simiply look at Federal income tax.... but they are missing the taxation that comes from

- sales
- fuel
- local/city
- property tax
- state ( for most states)
- federal

are just a start.... I haven't seen a document that totals up all the taxation for individuals but I'm sure it isn't all that pretty. (Some would say that it is intentional to keep the typical tax payer in the dark when it comes to taxation) Until recently, a large chunk (growing every year) of middle-class Americans have had to pay AMT because of the original tax code written in 1969. They help alleviate the situation as of Dec 2007 but sheesh... sure took way too long.

skyvue2, if people didn't think your opinon was worth anything they wouldn't be responding to your posts. OP just made an observation and wanted to discuss....

 

[Stratman]

It's actually not that different. Golf is about having sound mechanics...for you. Not everyone's swing is the same, however lots of people could have the same handicap. Golf is more about what you put into it for practice etc than the clubs you have.

Graphite shafts are going to give you a little more distance yes, but not 25-50 yards. Graphite shafts are probably also more for accuracy than distance. It's about what's right for you as a golfer.

Why did you buy Callaway clubs? They are more forgiving. Callaway is a fantastic brand, however the clubs that you bought are probably better for you as they are more forgiving.

If graphite is so great, why do pretty much ALL pros use steel shafts on their Irons? because they get better control with steel.

By the way, I went the cheap route on my first DSLR, then upgraded when the price dropped dramatically on the K10D, no regrets, and now I have 2 DSLRs for about $1,000 total :thumbup:

 

[Fally]

If graphite is so great, why do pretty much ALL pros use steel shafts on their Irons? because they get better control with steel.

The graphite reference I made was in relation to a woods, I believe. I agree and acknowledge virtually all pros have a "steel" shaft. I say steel because even the steel is so teched up right now, who knows how they compare to steel of 15-20 years ago!

Even an extra-stiff graphite shafts are not as stiff as steel, hence why they will go in the irons. That and the variance is probably much less as well, where I seem to find a much greater variance in shots with my woods. Irons are more for precision shots than distance. The distance in iron shots will generally come from technique, not technology.

If you have the luxury of having a copy of Tiger Woods' 1997 Masters victory, even he had steel in the shafts of his driver. But, as the technology of graphite shafts has improved, they are able to make them stiffer and closer to that of steel. There is something about kickpoint differences in graphite vs. steel too, but I'm not that well versed in that.

Back on topic!

Fally

 

[CanAm]

Myth perpetrated by folks who dont ride or simply buy into the basic "poopooing" motorcycle snoobs put out. The SIZE of the engine (those magical CC's) is meaningless compared to how much HP/torque the machine is putting out. But please - continue on thinking otherwise. Try telling any "noob" riding a SV650 that its "TOO MUCH BIKE!" for them to start off on.

Excuse me? I DO ride and I don't buy into any of that crap. I've ridden to the point of countless stitches, burns, and one very costly reconstructive surgery.

Sticking a motorcycle newbie on something with more than 650cc's is suicide for them. Would you ride a bike you couldn't even pick up?

 

[JerryPH]

Let's bring this back on topic. Discussions about a motorcycle and the inherent dangers of an overpowered bike for a less experienced rider has LITTLE to do with purchasing a D40 over option #2.

(though my first motorcycle was the first production motorcycle to come out in 1982 with a turbocharger from the factory... and I had never touched street bikes before... and I survived just fine, thanks).

The big factor here is that people get all personal and look at themselves and their needs, and equate that to mean that everyone has those same needs.

News break... we are all different and have different needs.

To push your needs on someone else is not a fair way to gauge if a camera is good for someone else or not. Let them do their own homework and define their needs... and then buy what THEY want. You don't even have to respect their decision... what you DO need to do is be respectful of their right to choose what they bought... good or bad.

 

[LaFoto]

Thanks, Jerry!
Well spoken.

 

[Lakewood Photography]

I'm waiting for the D800000.

I'm on the waiting list...

 

[domromer]

That's it, I'm selling my D80 and shooting nothing but my TLR!

 

[Sw1tchFX]

People spend thousands of dollars on bodies and a couple hundred on zoom lenses because they think the camera does all the work.

I've seen way too many people with D300/200's and 18-55/55-200's on them.