Quote Originally Posted by Sheiky


People buy their gear for personal reasons, and also you might think I'm crazy buying a 5DII and only taking photos in the weekend when I've got time? So only professional photographers and full-time users should buy expensive stuff?


I'm confused...


My opinion: there is nothing wrong with taking family portraits with an expensive gear as long as you enjoy taking pictures. It's not about the gear, it's about the man/woman behind the gear. If they believed they needed an expensive DSLR and could pay for it...let them!! Worry about your own pictures and think positive and think they might use the full benefit of the dslr maybe later in the future. See it as a challenge to make better pictures with your "lesser" gear than people with "PRO"gear.


I have to agree 100% with Jan(Sheiky).


I may have way too much gear for what some feel I need, but it comes down to personal priorities and preferences. Back before I was married and had kids I was really in to photography and had -- still have -- a very good film set of gear. When my kids came along I slowly got away from photography and began using P/S digital as a convenience. However, as my kids got bigger I realized how few quality photos I had of them. I had many better drag racing photographs than of my family. Last year I decided to change that. I am now committed to upgrading to the best gear I can afford and that I will use. For example, I may have too many mid-zooms, but that is the range which I use the most -- and find very useful. I work hard, often six days a week and as long as I am taking care of my family and other responsibilities, why should I not have the best I can afford? I do not smoke or drink, so this becomes my vice.


In addition, I (and some others) would argue that the most important photography I do is of my family. The pictures of my eight year old daughter playing her first basketball game are irreplaceable to me.


So by all means, use the best gear you can afford any way you wish, but keep in mind that in the USA, at least for now, that the rest of us are free to do the same.


Chris