Anyone else sick enough to track their photography spending?

[zackiedawg]

Never tabulated everything myself...but then again, my purchases of late are mostly driven by any side money earned from photography. Also, because I've been in digital cameras since 1997, I have many expenses that have been spread out over that whole 12 year time - such as filters, camera bags, tripods, and post-processing software. So while those expenses likely total in the thousands, it's over a good 10+ year period.

After purchasing my Sony H5 in 2006, I started getting my first photo sales, publishing requests, and hired shoots. Because it is just a hobby for me and not my primary income, I decided whatever money I made from photography, which could be as little as a few hundred a year, would be my 'play' money for my photography hobby/addiction.

Just in rough estimates, my A300 + kit lens, Sony 18-250mm F3.5-6.3, and Tamron 200-500mm F4.5-5.6 were purchased together for around $1,900. My Minolta 50mm F1.7 was $68. My Sigma 30mm F1.4 was $360. My Tamron 10-24mm was $479. My Kata backpack was approx. $120. And the Topaz software suite was $130ish. Total approx. $3,060. In that time, I've made an $800 publication sale, $500 in photo sales, and did a paid shoot for $150 and another for $400...that's $1,850 back. All in all, not too bad for me!

 

[YesDear]

I don't keep any such records...at least not anywhere that DH would be able to find them. We'll just say it's less than 5k and more than 3.........

...............................

in less than a year.......

................................

Seeing the totals you all have listed actually makes me not feel so bad anymore.

Yes doctor, the above quote fits the classic definition of NAS!!!! Full blow case in fact!

 

[annnewjerz]

Yes doctor, the above quote fits the classic definition of NAS!!!! Full blow case in fact!

 

[Kaigler]

I got into photography just over a month ago and I have already spent $3,500 on gear. Its sad actually....But I love it and am trully obsessed!

 

[YesDear]

I got into photography just over a month ago and I have already spent $3,500 on gear. Its sad actually....But I love it and am trully obsessed!

Just remember there is no cure and you will be fine!

 

[klmall]

My digital photography spending so far (2002 – present):

• 1st camera – a little Canon digital camera 2 megapixel freebie that came with a Dell computer in 2002
• 2nd camera – Canon G5 – still have this wonderful camera and it was a gift from DH in 2004 I think (about $500 I think)
• 3rd camera – Canon S3 IS – a freebie from a rewards program – I think I shot maybe 100 pictures with it and hated it and packaged it up. I should sell it since I never liked it.
• 4th camera – Canon G9 – another freebie from a rewards program in February ’08 and I loved it because it had a self-covering lens but it broke last month and would cost at least $175 to repair.
• 5th camera – Canon XSi –with kit lens and additional lens plus 3 year warranty for just under $1000.

Not included above:
• Various camera bags: Total $150 (recent one is LowePro SlingShot 200 AW); also use Kata bag and others
• Various accessories for Canon G5 such as zoom and other lens which work well: Total $150
• 20 memory cards for 3 cameras (2 types): Total $200
• Personal website to host pictures for Boy Scout troop and family: $8/mo. for 3 years so far
• Software such as PSE, Topaz, Noiseware, Graffi, other filters and plug-ins: $300
• Water safe bag for rafting trips: $30
• Numerous reference photography books: $200+
• Un-reimbursed photography developing, gas expenses etc. for Scout troop later deducted from taxes
• Printouts of photography reference articles: Total $50

TOTAL: $2760

Subtract: Countless hours of enjoyment, skills learned and shared with others. Not to mention the mental acuity that photography has probably sharpened in my AARP brain!!!

Even though I have been a photographer since I was a preteen, digital photography has added a creative and fascinating new layer to everything I do for many years now!

And thankfully, DH never says a word about my spending.

[For those who got heavily into pin collecting and trading, which I did back in 1999-2002, did you ever tally that up? For me that spending was far, far, worse.....Try 2x the total above So I don't feel guilty yet!]

 

[pointandshoot]

Hmmm...last month's tab.

1 Canon 16-35 2.8L
1 Canon 100mm 2.8 macro
1 Canon 50mm 1.2L

Total $3238.95

Making images - PRICELESS.

Gdad has a good point about resale. Sold some of my Nikon glass. I was surprised to learn that the high-end, fast f2.8 zooms that were 10 years old sold for the same or more than what I paid. Covered last month's bill.

Point is, buy quality and it is like using it for free IF you keep it in good condition.

DSLR bodies can have the depreciation rate of used cars once the new model is out. I keep thinking I should buy one generation behind in bodies. But never on lenses.

Chuck

 

[Evad]

Tabulated, hell no, DW would kill me!!!!!!!

 

[jann1033]

no,ignorance is bliss
but my spending should be coming to an end anyway....other than a new macro, a flash and assorted lighting equipment and maybe a longer zoom with IS i'm all set. really i am. that is all i want still. oh and i was thinking i see the need for a second body since i kept missing some wildlife due to have a short lens on the body. but that 's all i need. and maybe a really long for the same reason.

 

[ssanders79]

I put together a spreadsheet on Friday and was suprised by the total. It is under $900 over the last 2 1/2 years. It would be a lot more if it were in the budget, but annual passes in our house take priority over camera gear.

I am glad I spent the time to put my list together. Now, I have an inventory list avaliable.

 

[dmccarty]

My insurance coverage is around $7,000 on the cameras.

I need to go lower it a bit since I sold my D200. So its not so bad now.

But at least the dollars have been spent over one to two decades! Many of the lenses I have today I bought back in the film days. So at least on a yearly basis its not much money. Can you spell RATIONALIZATION?

This does not include OLD cameras and systems that I have sold. Dang. That really hurt. I would guess that would add another 3K to the hardware total.

Who knows how much I have spend on film and processing.

I have about six camera bags and I think I will buy another one for our next WDW trip. I would not be surprised if I have close to 1K in camera bags. Then there is the tripod, monopod, and ball heads. Plus software and the monitor calibration hardware I just bought. And dont forget memory cards but I got them on sale!

I know I have spent a bunch on prints the last few months. Looking at frames is hurting.....



Why did this thread start? Why did I have to read it? WHY did I have to post in response?

Later,
Dan

 

[YesDear]

Bags! Do not mention Bags! I also have almost 1k in bags and I am only at 4!

That reminds me I need to sell stuf on Ebay!

 

[dmccarty]

Bags! Do not mention Bags! I also have almost 1k in bags and I am only at 4!

That reminds me I need to sell stuf on Ebay!

Have asked permission from the one to whom you answer with "Yes Dear?"



Later,
Dan

 

[DawnM]

Oh, what are you selling????

Dawn

Bags! Do not mention Bags! I also have almost 1k in bags and I am only at 4!

That reminds me I need to sell stuf on Ebay!

 

[TestTrackBoy]

Lets see... I still have to dig up all my receipts to find an exact total, but here is what I can remember spending on some of the gear with some help from Amazon.

Nikon D3 - $4,999
Nikkor 14-24mm - $1,829
Nikkor 24-70mm - $2,039
Nikkor 70-200mm - $1,899
Nikon SB 900 - $500

Bottom line - $11,266

I'm not even sure how much I have spent in bags, accessories and CF cards. It adds up quick!

 

[kaffinito]

I don't feel so guilty about my photography spending anymore.

I should tally everything up for insurance reasons though - that's a good point. We have a lot of lenses and bags, etc since DH got the photography bug. We have one whole cabinet devoted to just our gear.

Now I've started a new (but cheaper) photography obsession - making pinhole cameras, so I might have to do two spreadsheets just to see how they compare.