How Much Do You <STRIKE>Waste</STRIKE> Invest In Photo Gear Each Year

2010 is coming to a close and we are all starting to tally up our expenses for the year. It's always a shock to me how much I have spent on my photography business. Whether you are a pro or not, how much do you think you spend each year on photo or video equipment? This includes computers and software too as long as you have purchased them for image or video production.


Lee Morris's picture

Lee Morris is a professional photographer based in Charleston SC, and is the co-owner of Fstoppers.com

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6 Comments

Way too much in the last 12 months. I've gone from being a very casual point &amp; shoot happy snap photographer, to buying a DSLR and buying lots of gear (and learning heaps along the way).

This is my business not my hobby, so I only buy what I need and rent the rest. No need to replace any cameras, lenses or computers this year. I just updated some software.

But next year will be different, Profoto has a few new things that will help raise the dollar amount spent 8-0 And I'll take a look at the new Panasonic AG-AF100 video camera, but will probably rent it as needed.

Similar boat as Sam. Bought a better camera (I needed higher ISO and frame rate,) lighting gear, a couple of lenses, and a new computer to help with post processing. Next year should be much, much lower of expenditure for me (in the $2K range.)

As an amateur, I don't get to spend as much as I would like. My only major purchase this year was a 50mm 1.4 lens.

I'd spend more if I didn't have to eat. Or have shelter. :P

As e.d.embrey said, I'm in business so I only buy what I justify owning and rent everything else. I did however have a relatively expensive year because I needed to update a couple of computers for myself and one of my staff.