How much have you spent?

[IkarusJohn]

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When I had a sailboat some years ago, I once added up what it cost to buy it, moor it, outfit it,nec., and divided it by the number of times I was able to sail per year. The answer was appalling - but I didn't go out and sell the boat. There were nonmonetary benefits that outweighed the costs. Same goes for camera gear.

 

I'm sensing a bit of fear there, Alan. You sure you don't want to spend a bit of time talking it through with your wife?

[Guest stanjan0]

Alan, hooray for your wife, I'm all for that "spend what you want you earned it". My wife said the same thing but, she paid for it. Isn't marriage great.

[ismon]

A true believer, I have found it appropriate to tithe each year for the last fifty years. Since all of the Leica (only) equipment supports itself, it has cost me nothing. All of it has appreciated in value over time. Don't confuse cost with value.

[sblitz]

how much have you spent on hamburgers or candy bars or scotch or vodka or wine?

[jaapv]

Hamburgers - nothing

candy bars - nothing

Vodka - nothing

Scotch - nothing

Wine - too much:o

 

[IWC Doppel]

how much have you spent on hamburgers or candy bars or scotch or vodka or wine?

 

Too much on wine over the years

[Printmaker]

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I just don't see the correlation between total gear and one year's income. ... When I had a sailboat some years ago, I once added up what it cost to buy it, moor it, outfit it,nec., and divided it by the number of times I was able to sail per year. The answer was appalling - but I didn't go out and sell the boat. There were nonmonetary benefits that outweighed the costs. Same goes for camera gear.

 

True, very true. My first real boat, a 60 year old Tahiti Ketch, was a bargain only because I lived aboard and cruised it around the Pacific for 5 years. It was far cheaper than living on land. I tried to repeat the experience 20 years later and suddenly the saying about sailing being like taking a cold shower while tearing up $100 bills made sense. Oh, but she was a beautiful mistress - a 1969 Cheoy Lee Offshore 40. Unfortunately my wife convinced me to end the affair. However, I think my cameras are safe.

[rramesh]

how much have you spent on hamburgers or candy bars or scotch or vodka or wine?

Actually on cleaning aids to wipe the occasional spills onto my M9. Most recently ice-cream off my hot shoe.

[IWC Doppel]

Actually on cleaning aids to wipe the occasional spills onto my M9. Most recently ice-cream off my hot shoe.

 

Family pack of wet wipes ?

[rramesh]

It was hard to get the Leica branded ones, though.

[philipus]

When I saw the title of the thread my first thought was "both too much and not enough"

[danedit28]

~10% of my earnings this year.

 

Leica M9 + 4 Leica lenses

[sblitz]

Should we count film and sd cards?

[SJP]

Camera bags as well?

 

Anyway the question makes no sense, unless on an average per year of ownership basis, in that case only a few percent.

 

Moreover Leica stuff usually increases in value over time - so the word 'spent' is not appropriate. If I take money spent and estimated current market value I probably have gained about 3000 euro, i.e. negative cost. Not a very good investment, but certainly not a drain.

[leicanut2]

I was amazed a few years back when I looked at my house insurance and found that it was almost double because of the camera gear on it. I sold everything in the last two years I had to. But really going to look into the new Leica m next year and after owning lots of Leica glass over the last 20 or so years I know I only want or need two lenses.

 

Jan

[Messsucherkamera]

I have spent enough to have a nice, well rounded Leica kit.

 

Some guys buy motorcycles. Some buy vintage cars. Some buy saliboats. Some guys buy airplanes. Some guys buy watches. And then there are those of us who buy Leicas.

 

There's more to life than food, shelter, clothing and medical care. A guy (or a gal) has to have something that brings them satisfaction and enjoyment. For me it's my Leicas.

 

Since I spend money on neither motorcycles, vintage cars, sailboats, airplanes, a collection of fine watches - or mistresses - my wife can see my point regarding M cameras and lenses when I tell her "Leicas are a quality of life issue."

 

Moral of the story: Always marry an understanding, intelligent and insightful woman (or guy, as your gender may vary) who is not controlling and does not obsess over money.