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How much do you spend on lenses vs camera body? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by [email protected] to c/photography

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Hey everyone, I'm new to photography and wondering how much people spend on lenses compared to the camera body they're mounted on? Does it make sense to buy a higher end lens for a mid range camera, or would you be better off getting a slightly cheaper lens and spending some of the money on a nicer camera? Mainly wondering about used gear...

Currently shooting with my SO's D3500 when she isn't using it, and thinking of buying my own. Considering a used Pentax since weather resistant lenses seem easier to find for them than other brands...

Edit: how practical is it to use a Pentax lens on a Nikon with an adapter, and vice versa? I assume the electronics like AF and VR won't work?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That makes sense, but at what point should you think about a nicer camera? If I'm looking at $450 used lenses should I spend more than $150 on a camera? Those numbers are somewhat arbitrarily based on a Pentax K50 and a 200mm/2.8 prime lens.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

Think about a nicer camera when the camera functions themselves limit your ability to take the photos.

Action/sports photography is a good example. A mid range camera can do a decent job of shooting sports and action, especially when coupled with a good/fast telephoto lens.

However, you might find that the camera’s focusing system isn’t fast enough or accurate enough when shooting action, then you’d start looking at camera’s that have faster and/or more accurate focusing systems.

The most important thing to NOT do is upgrade the camera body just to upgrade because of FOMO and youtube photographers telling you how great the CaNikony 5DAlpha Mk 10,000 is.

Upgrade the body because it’s actually limiting you, and upgrade to something that removes/reduces those limitations.