I know context is everything, but are you generally buying less right now?
I am -- but it's not so much uncertainty as lack of appealing offerings in what I'm looking for, or just a reluctance having been burned by Canon recently.
I'm not a pro, so when I cut back on discretionary spending the hobby is the thing that goes. But I imagine with pros, equipment upgrades can be sometimes deferred if things seem uncertain, as it's abundantly clear to me 99.9999% of the time the last generation body or lens in the hands of a top flight photographer is going to be better than anyone with less skill and the newest and greatest.
For those folks reveling in the recently released Nikon offerings, as noted above there are ample opportunities to make a contribution to keeping our respective economies going. I've been led to believe that in the United States consumer spending represents 70% of the total economy. Personally, I find it a bit strange that economic well-being is predicated on consumers continuing to buy stuff, especially when so much that is sold is crap. I certainly don't count camera equipment in that category, however. But as an amateur playing with Canon gear, I've pretty much run out of intriguing toys. I muse about the possibility of adding an EF 400 f/5.6L, or an EF 15 f/2.8 fisheye but then remind myself neither lens fits my shooting style. I even bought a used lens and returned it a couple of days later when my lens lust evaporated. I hardly needed an EF 24-70 f/2.8L when I already own AND love the 28-70L. So I'm no longer making my contribution to keeping the economy going, though I won't take responsibility for the slump that appears to be coming. I'll just keep enjoying my very respectable kit and watch as shoppers do their thing. Have fun everyone!
