How on earth do you juggle two expensive hobbies: audio and photography?

I agree with Uncle Eric- unlike building computers where you are constantly fighting the increasing amount of data that needs processing, the audio and photography deals with a relatively static environment. You don't have any objective reasons to upgrade because audio and photo are technologically mature.

The hardest thing for me is finding time for both.

It's different for some people. Some people find a headphone they like in the $20-$500 range and stick with it for years, while others obsess endlessly over minute details, desperate to find their dead-end "holy grail" perfect sound. Me, I'm sure I can settle for less than most Head-Fi-ers, but if you find yourself itching to cash out your IRA to buy some HD800s, or skipping meals to save up for an LCD-2, just try to remember that it's all about the music, and that you were enjoying songs on ****ty Coby cans and i-buds before you even knew what "Studio Monitor" meant.
 

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Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 

It's not too hard as long as you're not constantly upgrading or collecting.

I cut myself (mostly) off audio about two years ago. I decided it was time to enjoy what I have. Some temptations have come up, but I'm happy with the setup. I do allow for new music.

I bought into photography about four years ago and haven't upgraded since. The old D70s has features beyond my skills and I'm pleased with its images. I lust for a full-frame sensor, but that will have to wait. Maybe in another year or two.

Mostly, it's becoming content with what you have. If I get bored with audio, I go find some used discs (black and silver) and that makes me happy on the cheap. Maybe $10 will get some records and CDs, then I enjoy them. With photography, I go out and find somethig new to take pictures of. That's always fun and I actually like having an old, familiar camera that is second nature to use.

Man, ain't this the truth. I love my mid-range PC to death, but I kinda dread the idea of putting up $500 to upgrade it a year or two from now. Meanwhile, I'm playing love/hate with my old ****ty Canon Powershot, hoping to God that a DSLR will fall out of the sky and into my lap.

Well, I usually sell my equipment within 2-3 years, since I am able combine this cash with my savings to upgrade to an even more expensive gear. This way, I will own more or better equipment over time as I save more and more money. However, this doesn't work for Hobbies like Gaming since you won't be able to sell the old hardware when the new one arrives or you either have to sell it and lose like 80% of the price you purchased it. :)

Gaming wise the tech race has stopped a little, outside of Metro 2033 and maybe BF3 everything else is tied to console tech. Therefore most 3 year old machines that could run Crysis well shouldn't have much problems. Though nVidia is predicting the return of PC gaming as a trend setter... Well predicting may mean hoping.

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Originally Posted by RudeWolf 

Gaming wise the tech race has stopped a little, outside of Metro 2033 and maybe BF3 everything else is tied to console tech. Therefore most 3 year old machines that could run Crysis well shouldn't have much problems. Though nVidia is predicting the return of PC gaming as a trend setter... Well predicting may mean hoping.

You shouldn´t listen to a word the market tells you. nVidia say this because they have no hardware in the upcoming consoles. If they had they would sing a different tune mark my word on that.

It´s just propaganda. Also the new trend is sadly facebook games and non games I believe in todays over commercialised world.

Consolification is evilness but yes the fact that there is just no point upgrading anymore is very welcome lol.

As I said, they must be hoping that the PC gaming will pick up, from where I stand it doesn't look that way. For one when we look at AMD they released the 6XXX series that were not a leap forward in processing power. And you are right about casual gaming, most of the profit goes to facebook games, mobile games. Also they are much cheaper to produce.
 

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Originally Posted by oqvist 

You shouldn´t listen to a word the market tells you. nVidia say this because they have no hardware in the upcoming consoles. If they had they would sing a different tune mark my word on that.

 

It´s just propaganda. Also the new trend is sadly facebook games and non games I believe in todays over commercialised world.

 

Consolification is evilness but yes the fact that there is just no point upgrading anymore is very welcome lol.

 

When the WiiU comes out next year, and the new PlayStation/Xbox the year after that, PC graphics standards will go up with it.

...not that that's the greatest thing, however. I kinda like this era of cheap PC gaming.

If you want to save up for a really nice camera and lens, you just have to be patient and wait for your allotted time to come until you have enough money. Thats what I did with both my camera and audio gear and to make things even more complex, I also save money for other hobbies too. 

I also believe that getting caught up with gear or being too obsessed with it is counter productive. Many musicians for example use the same gear they have had for many years and focus on their art, not the gear. I once read a funny comment from someone at one of  photography websites stating that you have these guys who talk up about all this hype of their favorite latest camera gear with some of the highest specs but in the end, they take boring crappy pictures.

Audio rigs tend to be more expensive but a nice camera rig shouldn't be that over the top. Personally, most of my best pictures were taken buy a used $80 35 mm film camera. I do plan on getting an Olympus Pen hybrid camera with a flat pancake style lens because they are smaller than the typical DSLR cameras and for traveling, they make more sense to me and a decent compromise (even though I do love those huge fat lenses). Plus those older models are getting to be cheaper and the picture quality is outstanding. 

X2
 

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Originally Posted by Spareribs 

If you want to save up for a really nice camera and lens, you just have to be patient and wait for your allotted time to come until you have enough money. Thats what I did with both my camera and audio gear and to make things even more complex, I also save money for other hobbies too. 

 

I also believe that getting caught up with gear or being too obsessed with it is counter productive. Many musicians for example use the same gear they have had for many years and focus on their art, not the gear. I once read a funny comment from someone at one of  photography websites stating that you have these guys who talk up about all this hype of their favorite latest camera gear with some of the highest specs but in the end, they take boring crappy pictures.

I recently started photography. Problem is I only have the 35 mm equivalent of a 28 mm right now, so I need to get a lens or two for longer distance shooting. At least I'm not going to spend big in audio for a while.

I'm gainfully employed so, that helps.

My last purchase in audio was a Cowon X7 about a year ago.  Before that, it was a Samsung solid state PMP.  That purchase was made in 2007.  I made the bulk of my audio purchases in highschool.  There are things I want to purchase but, my current system works well enough for me.  I probably will not revise my setup until after I move out of my parents house.

Photography is my new hobby and, it's significantly more expensive.  I've bought a crop sensor body and 4 lenses within the past month and, I'm looking to go FF already......  I'll likely keep what I have until I feel my skills warrant the cost of a current FF body.

Anyway, balance is had because, while I make expensive purchases, I purchase items and intend to keep for years to come.  $400 dollars was a lot to spend on headphones 5 years ago, when I was 18 but, I'm still using them today.  Same goes for the speakers and amp I built, the stereo receiver I bought and the PMPs I've got.  Photography will be no different.