What to tell friends/family when they ask why YOU need expensive bodies or lenses?

[jaomul]

Most people into any hobby realise once you get seriously iinvolved that costs go up considerably. These people will understand why you bought a d4 over a d3000. If someone has no hobby tell them get one and then they will understand.

 

[SquarePeg]

I have been telling a coworker about the Nikon D3100 (my first DSLR - that I still own and use). I'd been explaining that this model is very affordable and easy to use. The coworker then asked me why I had spent so much on the D800 if the D3100 is good. I was alittle stumped at how to answer this question. I didn't want to just recite camera specs to the coworker as that might not be the best way to explain something to someone who is new....

If the reasons you upgraded were too technical for your coworker to understand then just a general comment about having mastered the 3100 and being ready to step up your game with something that gives you more options should suffice if they are just curious. If your coworker is one of "those" types who is asking questions to passive aggressively scold you for spending your money, no answer will satisfy them.

 

[CycleDog]

I once had a coach who said, "Americans spend too much time and money on gadgets when they'd be better off investing in training." That's equally true in photography. I know people who believe that if only they had this.camera or that lens they'd get better photos. In some cases, another piece of equipment can expand our capabilities, but more often the limitations begin with us.

I've responded to the "what camera should I buy?" question with "Buy the one you like. Take a class or read extensively to learn how to use it and then shoot the snot out of it. Learn about post processing, and when the time comes for another camera, you'll know precisely what you want."

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[480sparky]

I actually buy expensive gear 'cuz it's a chick magnet.

 

[Nevermore1]

If the person just isn't into photography they may just not understand regardless of how you explain it to them. I just purchased a Canon 50mm lens and my husband gave the dirtiest look when I got in the car and he looked in the bag (I pulled the "I just need to run into the store real quick for something small"). I just told him it's small, I want it, it's on sale and it can be my Valentine's day present since he never gets me anything. He has yet to reply...

 

[ratssass]

what was the question,again?

 

[Designer]

Most of my family has no idea how much money I spend nor how much anything costs. Wifey and I have an agreement that we can spend money on things that we want, just bring it in under budget.

The return question of "How much do you spend on (your hobby)?" is an excellent retort. Many hobbies cost way more than photography, and I think people can relate to spending money just because they want to.

 

[Derrel]

A buddy of mine once asked me, "How can you afford those expensive Nikon cameras and lenses?"

"You've seen the car I drive," I said to him.

It's all a matter of priorities. I asked him how much he payed for his truck. "Twenty-severn five, " he answered.

"Well, there you go," I said.

 

[TCampbell]

(a) everyone has their own priorities on how they'd prefer to spend their money and what brings them enjoyment. Cars are a great example... cars do not impress me. I think of them as a basic utility and have no desire to buy a car to impress someone else. I own two cars... both of which are basically "sensible" cars (good fuel economy and basic utility, but not luxury, sports, or muscle cars.) I would rather spend my leisure time behind a telescope, behind a camera, or sailing.

(b) As for why I have an "expensive" camera.... I would rather be "operator limited" than "equipment limited". I can give lots of examples.

 

[480sparky]

.........Many hobbies cost way more than photography, ..........

.

Wait.............




WHAT?!?!?!

:scratch:

 

[Dao]

No one asked me that question yet. But couple people (non photographer of course) did said I must have a expensive camera after they saw some of my photos .:shock:

 

[Nevermore1]

.........Many hobbies cost way more than photography, ..........

.

Wait.............




WHAT?!?!?!

:scratch:

Yes, there's more expensive hobbies... Like my husbands former hobby, racing, just tires alone can cost nearly $600 per week and if he gets caught up in a wreck the cost of a new body and whatever other parts are needed is ridiculous. He's campaigning to get back into it but it's way too much $$$ each week. Even if he wins the prize $ isn't enough to cover the cost of the tires.

 

[bribrius]

hmm. question probably doesn't apply to me, i only have just over five hundred bucks in photography so far, And am limiting myself to three k. which i doubt ill even spend that. I just have serious doubts the fun level will go up for me with the more money i spend on it. And also a long list of priorities that come before cameras. Like i would take a new boat over a new camera any day of the week.

 

[EIngerson]

.........Many hobbies cost way more than photography, ..........

.

Wait.............




WHAT?!?!?!

:scratch:

Yes, there's more expensive hobbies... Like my husbands former hobby, racing, just tires alone can cost nearly $600 per week and if he gets caught up in a wreck the cost of a new body and whatever other parts are needed is ridiculous. He's campaigning to get back into it but it's way too much $$$ each week. Even if he wins the prize $ isn't enough to cover the cost of the tires.

Yup, lol, racing motocross was the same. Multiply that times three because I did it with my sons and its a recipe for disaster.

 

[sashbar]

This is a typical situation that you may also find outside photography. The Golden Rule here is: the answer should be as good as the question is. Never try to come up with the answer that is better than the question. Remember, you are not answering yourself, you are answering a person who knows as much as his/her question.
So if you are asked why do you buy a more expensive camera, tell them "It is a better camera". That's it!!!
If they are clever enough to come up with the next question such as "in what way it is better?", tell them in what way it is better.
If they ask "Is it worth it?" or "Does it really matter?" , say "It does to me, but not necessary to you".
That't it. Do not try to turn them into your religion, and all of a sudden it gets easy peasy.
Try this approach and you will immediately see how effective it is.
The common mistake people make in this kind of situation is, when asked they start talking to themselves, explaining it to themselves rather than to a person who asked.


PS If you are unable to answer your own question "Why the f***k did I buy this expensive body", then this is a completely different proposition.