On Becoming a Photo Enthusiast

I don't want to be a photographer, I just want to be a photography enthusiast. Becoming one is a commitment, but sometimes it feels like an addiction.

I think there are a few notable points in a budding enthusiast's history:

1. Of course your first purchase (which should be a Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)) is key and that sets it all into motion.
2. But than there is the point where all of your accessories and lenses in total cost more than than the pricey camera itself.
3. Next is the point where you are buying a single accessory (Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras) that exceeds the value of your camera (by a factor greater than 2). I'm not there yet, but that $1800, f/1.2 50mm lens is practically calling my name.
4. And finally is when you've amassed so many accessories and lenses that you need to buy a second camera body simply in order to use them all (fluidly).
   

I'm somewhere between step 2 and 3, dare I say, with 'enthusiasm'.

Feeding the addiction - all of the supplies, accessories and lenses just make the problem worse. Now you essentially have an arsenal of 'weapons' and there are few that you ever feel comfortable leaving behind. You know that once you're out there - you'll realize, 'man I wish I brought my _______' (fill in the blank with that lens that you hardly ever use).

So this all brings me to this moment. Right now I'm on Amazon picking up a new camera bag to hold all of the 'stuff' I have amassed. I saw this bag (Canon Deluxe Photo Backpack 200EG for Canon EOS SLR Cameras (Black with Green Accent)) at Best Buy, and it seems like its a good quality. Its sizable enough to hold alot of stuff, but not too big that its unwieldy. To no surprise Amazon was half the price, literally half the price, and this bag comes in at just under $40.


I'm not really into the brand-name emblazoned gear, and this is a bit bigger than I'd be comfortable hitting the streets with . This is more of a storage/travel bag, rather than a 'shooting bag'. Its something to put everything in, take along and leave in the car. I expect to then be able to assess the lens and accessory selections right for the moment, stow them in my 'shooting bag' and go to town... with my mind at ease knowing if I forgot something, its not far away.