When I first started out in photography (OMG I sound like I’ve been at this a long time, and as if I’m any good!), I told myself that I really don’t have the money to be spending stuff on fancy gear. I resolved that I would learn about the art/craft first, and then find the gear later. I’ve pretty much stuck to that.

Except that I did spend money on some gear, if you may call them that.

I bought a macro filter. I’ve always just been fascinated by macro photography and sadly, the kit lens wasn’t allowing me much of that. Then on a visit to this photography specialty store near the office one afternoon (wow, it’s exactly been a year since then!), I saw those macro filters. I just had to have one.  Macro filters usually come in sets, and there’s a number corresponding to how many times the image is magnified. Rather than getting a set, I just bought one piece, a +10. Here’s how a set looks like though:

Click photo to learn more about this set

The one I got cost less than ten dollars. Yes, it’s way cheaper than buying an actual macro lens.

Another “gear” I’ve spent on is a second lens. Well actually, since upgrading to a D90, it’s been the only lens I’ve used. I got me a prime 50mm lens. My friend had it for a few months (about three or so) but needed to sell his gear in preparation for upgrading. I have loved using it on my D60 then, and now on my Deena too.

My biggest expense so far? My camera bags. Yes there are two. The first one is a Crumpler bag, part of the Million Dollar Home series.

That’s how it looks like. Not bad, eh? Click on the photo for a closer look. Set me back around 50 USD or so. Here, that’s a lot of money for a bag. I convinced myself that it was necessary. I needed a bag to carry my bag in. The freebie black bag I got when I bought it simply wasn’t chic enough Nah. The black bag wasn’t good enough to carry my other day to day stuff in. I had this brown bag with me a lot, including three weddings I attended in the past year.

But you know what? When I’m on “business attire” for work, or a little dressed up for a wedding, the bag just doesn’t work with the outfit. You know what I mean? So when I read about Epiphanie Bags, I just had to have one. A few months back, I had the funds, and friends who attended a training in the US – perfect combination which afforded me the chance to get my Ginger. She looks like so:

I love having her. I carry her with me all the time, even to the beach! My only worry is that I might wear her out before her time. I don’t have a second camera bag, because the boyfriend is using the Crumpler for Maxine, which he now owns. I would also love to get a Lola, specially since they came out with a black version of the original red stunner. But it’s just too expensive.

Then today, while out blog hopping, I saw this post about another camera bag. It’s a post by Michelle Johnson, co-founder of the site Open Scrapbook and she was talking about her pretty new bag. I am thankful that she included a link to the store she bought it from: Martilena’s shop at Etsy. I’ve had their site open for hours! The bags are more affordable than my Ginger. They have designs well in the range of the Crumpler, but with prints You also get to choose a fabric from the seller’s stash for use in the bags. I checked them out, and I’ve got two top choices already. Sigh.

The bag on sale for $44 is this one:

Photo courtesy of Martilena's Etsy page. (Knox)

The only thing setting me back is that my Uncle is already coming home on Sunday. I have purchased stuff off the Internet before and had them delivered to his house in California. He then brought them home to me when he comes home for vacation. Since the bags take three to four weeks to ship, I can’t count on having him bring it back with him and save on shipping. So I guess I’ll have to wait for another opportunity.

Wait, I almost forgot the point of this post. Don’t let yourself get carried away with talk of photography gear. That includes bags, lenses, flash, and other accessories. If you really haven’t found your own voice, all those things won’t really make your photography any better. A good photographer is more than the sum of all her gear.