Originally posted by loco Thanks for the encouragement, Paul! Yeah, the forum is wonderful but then you keep reading about everyone's latest acquisitions and seeing their awesome photos.
By the way, as an aside, the forum really is wonderful. I mean that. I have felt welcomed and everyone has been so helpful and encouraging each time I have posted a question. It's a great place and I'm glad to have found it and to have "met" you all.
In the overall scheme of things digital photography is really not that expensive. I just switched over to digital and I am loving the costs. Being an amatuer / enthusiast I can take as many pictures as I want and there is no cost to see the results. Sure there's always nice new toys out there but once you have your basic set up there is not really any other cost. Just remember there are plenty of people who buy lots of stuff that they never really use - they just like to say they have it. You are using what you have every weekend etc so good for you.
Don't worry about "keeping up with the jones" let other's worry about that.
If you were to look at the set up cost for some other hobbies Digital Photography looks cheap. - Boating, Racing cars, 4 wheelers, Skidoos, RV's, Camping, Motorcycles, Golfing, I could go on but I think you get the point. So there's a few more points to justify your costs with yourself or your signifigant other should you need some!
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The beauty about pentax is long term lens compatability......so save your money for what you really want and don't worry if takes a little time. It's all worth it in the end.