The Value of Specialist or Niche Stuff for Your Interest or Hobby

2ndeffort on 08/02/2019 - 16:30

Lots of people have some kind of interest or hobby involving expensive stuff. People involved in that interest or pursuit understand the value of various items of kit or components etc but sometimes that same stuff seems incredibly expensive to people not involved in that hobby. What are some examples of stuff for your hobby that you think is a bargain but you know that people not involved in that pursuit wont understand.

I'll go first with Road Cycling…my hobby. Before taking up cycling I would have thought anything more expensive that the $200 bikes i saw in KMart was ridiculous. I currently ride a bike that cost around $7K and I've bought expensive upgrades on top of that. I spend ages looking at bike stuff and regularly think I've found a bargain because I saw a cool cycling lycra top for $130 etc. Only last week I bought some new cycling shoes for $200 down from about $400 ….. absolute bargain!!!

Other hobbies I imagine would be similar are photography, drones, horses, collecting stuff etc.

General Discussion

Comments

    • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 22:41

      a lot of the pricy ones are limited editions from conventions

      How do you get the convention ones ?
      Do they still start off at normal pricing $20 each or whatever. That would be awesome, to buy for $20 , sell for 1k :)

      • cybapete on 12/02/2019 - 21:07

        some of them are made as limited editions you can only buy at certain conventions like the headless ned stark that was made exclusively for san diego comic con https://www.poppriceguide.com/guide/p/PopVinyl_PopGameofThro… (make sure you are sitting down when you look at the price!)

        popcultcha and zing can get in some of the non-exclusive ones

  • John Kimble on 08/02/2019 - 21:44
    +23

    <rant>
    My retired dad took up golf. Spent hundreds, maybe thousands on golf gear. Gave it up within a few years when he realised he was crap at it. Switched to photography. Has spent at least ten to twenty thousand dollars (my inheritance :p) on gear and photography related stuff (imac, photoshop, etc). Goes and takes photos almost daily. Goes on holidays overseas in places he wants to take photos.

    Initially was terrible at it, now a few years later is slightly less terrible.

    His FB is 99% full of boring/terrible photos he takes and post processes awfully. Whenever we visit, 95% of what he talks about now is photography. and he likes to talk. We will talk about something else, and he will somehow find a tiny segue and change it back to photography. It's funny and painful at the same time. Mum begs/berates him constantly to shut up about photography and talk about something else because no one else is interested.

    We've been honest and told him his photos aren't great, he doesn't have an artistic eye, many are blurry because he's old and can't tell at the time…maybe he should find another hobby. But conveniently he says art is subjective and he likes it, mum likes it and people in his photography class like them, so it's our problem.

    It's actually caused major family rifts in the past.

    Oh well, ar least he's happy doing something he loves…apparently he alway had an interest in it since he was a boy.
    </rant>

    What was the question again?

    • serpserpserp on 09/02/2019 - 14:51
      +9

      Cool story bro.

      It's actually caused major family rifts in the past.

      Maybe go easy on the old guy! He isn't asking you if they are going to win an art prize or he is going to become world famous. Just smile and nod and say "that is a really nice photo dad" he'd probably be talking about it to his wife after your visits for ages!

      • John Kimble on 09/02/2019 - 15:54
        +2

        Thats the thing, people around him are not honest with him and sometimes it makes him thinks he could try and sell his photos because of the false accolades.

        If he does it and makes money/becomes famous, I would eat my hat. But also be happy for him I suppose.

    • wordplay on 09/02/2019 - 15:37
      +8

      support your dad. even if they are truly as horrible as they say at least he has something to do, and if they really are that bad at least it will be something funny for you to laugh about.
      You will probably appreciate them once he is gone.

      • John Kimble on 09/02/2019 - 15:53
        +1

        Well he used to ask for our honest opinion because he knows we would tell him the truth, unlike acquaintances or people on FB just being polite. But when we gave honest critique, trying to be as constructive as possible so he improves, not to be mean, but the majority of the time he would either get offended or argue and say our opinions were incorrect or simply say "art is subjective".

        He hardly asks now.

        We already laugh at some of his bad ones, not in front of him though obviously.

        I am happy he has found something he likes doing and to occupy him in retirement. If he didn't, he'd either have dementia or my mum would have murdered him by now…

    • DiscoJango on 10/02/2019 - 16:08
      +12

      you should actually be very, very happy for your old man. having a hobby that your are literally obsessed about, is a great thing. it gives the person purpose in life. something to think and obsess over, something that makes them want to wake up early in the morning and rush to start doing. most inventors of famous things (light bulb, flight, telephone) were like this. c

      beats being an aimless, lost soul.

      • John Kimble on 10/02/2019 - 22:25

        I am, and I've said that a couple of times already.

      • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2019 - 16:33

        yeah mine just eats sleeps and shits himself

    • drfuzzy on 10/02/2019 - 22:08
      +18

      and he likes to talk.

      Apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

      • John Kimble on 10/02/2019 - 22:24

        I like to rant and write long posts online. In person I'm socially awkward and don't speak much (unless I'm drunk).

        But yes, my wife did say I have inherited a lot of his bad traits unfortunately. :/

    • Dreamcast on 10/02/2019 - 22:48
      +8

      Finally you answered my question "who is your daddy and what site does he do?"

      Answer: "he's a shit photographer"

      • Macgyver on 11/02/2019 - 12:42
        +1

        Can we see some of these photos?

        • Kangal on 11/02/2019 - 12:55
          +1

          Not even Macguyver could fix these shitshots.

        • John Kimble on 11/02/2019 - 13:26

          Below are a few he has posted on FB recently. These should theoretically be the best of the hundreds of photos he takes on his photo excursions right?

          The main issues I have are how blurry they are and some of the weird post processing colours/effects he chooses. If he was just starting or using entry level equipment I would be more forgiving. But he's been doing it for a while now and using mid range? equipment (I think). He was saying how his newest Nikon could take 10? frames a second, could focus on over 100 points in the frame or something? It could be less or more, I can't remember…

          Now I just want to reinforce that I am exceptionally critical of his work because I want him to get better!

          I've not posted photos he takes of people/family at milestone events (eg Xmas and birthdays) to protect identity; these have been the source of conflict because they are exponentially worse due to the lost opportunity (eg for our daughter's birthday, we hired a photographer, he was 1) slightly offended we didn't ask him, 2) unintentionally blocked the photographer almost the whole time when taking his photos) and more often than not he takes at bad angles and times (subject is eating, talking, blinking), resulting in unflattering photos.

          He then post processes them, often with little consistency between shots. eg some would be inexplicably tinted blue, meaning it would look odd if you decided to print out a photobook.

          His response is he prefers candid/unposed photos…which is probably true for me and my kids, given our posed smiles are terribly fake/forced.

          FYI he puts a copyright symbol and his name in the bottom left of all his photos now, hence I've blacked it out…

          blurry

          weird sun? glare, either real or added

          blurry

          insect blurry

          blurry and not even nice looking birds or "scene"

          blurry

          blurry

          close up of bird foot. why is it cut off?

          • skimp on 12/02/2019 - 16:00
            +1

            @John Kimble: How old is he? I think he has shaky hands. That will kill a photo, and lack of a 'good eye'. But hey, better than my father who has absolutely no hobbies or social life and is just wasting his life away.

          • ankor on 12/02/2019 - 23:08
            +1

            @John Kimble: ok so I thought he was a landscape photographer- I'd found a few photography critiques that can help him 'think' like a pro:

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXZGdmPIOGM
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL0eM4aJizg
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wnURnyRmk0
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu2Aab_j2KM

            But the images here are attempts at some sort of close up bird / bee photography. Those photos take a long time to get right and it's boring as batsh_t if you ask me. You have to go out, patiently wait, and hope to get something that's worthwhile.

            You are right in that there's nothing worthwhile in the images posted. His shutter speed is too low and if he has shaky hands while holding his heavy camera and lenses, then he needs to get some gainz! :P

            • John Kimble on 13/02/2019 - 09:38

              @ankor: He will take photos of anything and everything. Literally. But he will always be fascinated with birds…

          • Ti-au on 13/02/2019 - 01:14
            +2

            @John Kimble: There odd (or different), but not as bad as I thought they would be.

            The one of the birds foot looks pretty unique.

            • John Kimble on 13/02/2019 - 09:37

              @Ti-au: Yes of course they could be a lot worse. But I'm also judging based on how long he's been doing it for and the equipment he is using.

              For me the "best" one is photo 4/the blurry insect, if that was in focus it would be great. I know it would be an extremely difficult shot to get though.

              • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 12:00

                @John Kimble: I think he has decent eye for photos (I find those nature shots quite interesting, but I'm a shitty artistic person so maybe my opinion is not worth anything).

                I'm not sure whats causing the blurryness but for some of them definitely the shutter speed is too slow (exposure time too long).

                All of those were pretty nice things to capture.

                Could he join a photography group that might be able to help him out?

                My dad is a semi-pro (could turn it into a job but his full time work pays way better) and loves photography, he has a group of friends who go out nature watching with their gigantic lenses regularly, it might give your dad an added sense of belonging too.

                • John Kimble on 13/02/2019 - 12:17

                  @[Deactivated]: Yep, he has a club he goes to nd another's retired photo guy he goes "birding" with regularly. He's more than happy to got out by himself for hours though.

    • magic8ballgag on 11/02/2019 - 20:07

      I read this in the voice of the narrator from The Castle for some odd reason.

      • John Kimble on 11/02/2019 - 20:10

        Not sure if that's a compliment or not ha

    • Banj0 on 12/02/2019 - 09:06
      +1

      Sorry…I don't want to laugh at your pain, but your story cracked me up.

      I have seen some fantastic (intentionally) blurred photographs mind you.

      • John Kimble on 12/02/2019 - 09:17

        Thanks, if you don't laugh, you cry, right? My rants are cathartic ha

        Yes, "bokeh" is great. Blurry subjects is usually not.

        My dad constantly looks at his photos and says "Wow, look at this bokeh! John, come look! I really like this lens! Worth the money!"

        Sigh.

        I used to shit stir and say my Pixel 2XL and other new phones can do this…but he would go on a rant how DSLR do it better. No shit, unlike a phone camera it's specifically made to take photos, and costs a buttload more.

        • DarwinBoy on 12/02/2019 - 09:51

          Maybe photography classes as gifts? Say he has to do the basic classes before he can do the advanced classes if he thinks he is to good for the simple ones.
          See if there are any local groups in the area he can join. They might also be a little more honest and give him pointers he may listen to.

    • lddv04 on 12/02/2019 - 19:01

      Your inheritance i.e. his money?

    • esty on 13/02/2019 - 12:16
      +2

      a hobby is an activity you do for fun to boost morale, help you unwind and take your mind off things. Dont need to be good at said hobby.

      • John Kimble on 13/02/2019 - 12:23

        That's true I suppose. But then don't bore us all by talking about it 95% of the time, ask for opinions (then reject them) and the worst part, impact others eg as described in the example previously posted:

        I've not posted photos he takes of people/family at milestone events (eg Xmas and birthdays) to protect identity; these have been the source of conflict because they are exponentially worse due to the lost opportunity (eg for our daughter's birthday, we hired a photographer, he was 1) slightly offended we didn't ask him, 2) unintentionally blocked the photographer almost the whole time when taking his photos) and more often than not he takes at bad angles and times (subject is eating, talking, blinking), resulting in unflattering photos.

        He then post processes them, often with little consistency between shots. eg some would be inexplicably tinted blue, meaning it would look odd if you decided to print out a photobook.

        His response is he prefers candid/unposed photos…which is probably true for me and my kids, given our posed smiles are terribly fake/forced.

        After many years, it's become slightly less bad in terms of impact to the rest of the family. But it is still a touchy subject and one tiny incident has the potential to be blown out of proportion (yet again).

  • Sirlofty on 08/02/2019 - 23:27
    +4

    I collect 1/6 scale figures, mainly Hot Toys. At between $200 and $1000 they aren't cheap, but I enjoy collecting them. I have about 70 in my collection. If I find any for under $200 and I've been wanting it I would call that a bargain. My favourite is probably by 89 Batman batmobile.

    • ankor on 13/02/2019 - 22:24

      Pics to show your awesomeness plz

  • macca9123 on 09/02/2019 - 10:28
    +7

    It was astronomy for me. Buy a telescope (Celestron C8) for a few thousand back in the day, add an equatorial mount and motors so it can track the sky and be used for photography (another few grand), then you're onto eyepieces ($500-$1000 each for the imax-like Naglers and PanOptics), digital setting circles (for finding objects) and a variety of other accessories.

    I count myself lucky that I stopped before I really got into digital CCD imaging as that is just a bottomless money pit to get better and better images. In the end I decided to swap from astrophotography to panoramic landscape photography instead. Apart from planetary imaging, deep space objects don't change very quickly and therefore photos of them are significantly defined by the equipment that you have (telescopes, cameras, filters, etc). Landscapes on the other hand can be unique by their perspective, lighting, clouds or other weather conditions.

    Of course, the most effective way to prevent yourself from spending big money on hobbies is to have kids.

    • bazingaa on 09/02/2019 - 11:49

      This! Astro photography will make us bankrupt :D

    • ToeKnee on 10/02/2019 - 18:25
      +1

      I'm on about $15k in to astrogear atm. Over a period of 10 or so years so its not too bad.

  • Showmethebargains on 09/02/2019 - 10:30
    +2

    Fly Fishing. Rods $1000+, reels $300+, vests, waders, lines, fly tying materials and many more ‘essential’ accessories, not to mention fishing trips…..

    • Kangal on 11/02/2019 - 12:56
      +2

      I thought they patched that money glitch?

    • GUYANDSON on 11/02/2019 - 17:55

      Lol, starting to get into fishing now and I can see myself going down this route so easily.

      Successful youtuber smashes x fish time and time again and it is so easy to want to go out and buy whatever lures/rig that they're using.

      Also so easy just drop into a tackle store and browse for awhile, explore and get talking to the staff.

      Don't ever see myself dropping 1K~ on a stella but I am saying that now…

  • exc3113nce on 09/02/2019 - 11:16
    +4

    Music gear easily…

    There's a huge jump in gear from when you start, even what you want changes too. When you start out most people will start with a cheaper squire/cort guitar $300, and a cheapy amp (if needed) for about $200.

    Then what you want expands massively.

    Studio speakers can be $1K, audio interface $1K, Microphones ($500-$1K), Guitars (each usually $1K-$2K easily), Amps ($1K-$2K each), Pedals (usually $2K-$4K for a whole set).

    I have a friend that has spent easily $20K in music gear (9 guitars, 2 fully set pedal boards, 3 amps).

    • bassmaniac69 on 12/02/2019 - 14:18

      ha, talk about it, once you start getting into studio gear the skys the limit….. I'm lucky that most of my expenditure has been slanted towards live gigging!

      That said, taking into account I've worked in the music industry for 30 odd years both in retail/wholesale and as a gigging muso, I conservatively estimate I've spent around $250k or so on gear, accessories etc. over the years. I have however earned about 60% of that back from gigging over the years. So it's not really a hobby as such…. still expensive none the less…

      • Pantagonist on 12/02/2019 - 20:52
        +6

        If it costs more than it makes you, it's a hobby.

  • mikekiwimike on 09/02/2019 - 11:52

    Every hobby has a big sting in the tail. I guess it comes down to economics, to have the hobby you have spare time, if you have spare time then you have money (otherwise you are working to live)…… as well as the difference between necessity and nicety, less niceties are produced and they tend to service the higher end of the market.

  • SuperMick on 09/02/2019 - 13:43
    +3

    I don't do it now as I'm not fit enough, but 30 years ago, free-falling was my thing. I used to live for the weekend, when I could go and free-fall. Costs in those days were high, a sports parachute and reserve, altimeter,suit, helmet, and the cost of the jump, and driving to the airfield. I did it for about 4 years, and enjoyed every minute. I suppose that I spent about $8000 to $10,000, but it was money that I will never regret spending.

    • elgrande on 09/02/2019 - 16:56
      +2

      Username checks out.

    • danyool on 12/02/2019 - 21:09
      +3

      Have you checked out the indoor skydiving places? Still going to cost you a bit, but might be able to relive the feeling.

  • wordplay on 09/02/2019 - 15:46
    +4

    bushwalking, used to be free.
    now got specialist hiking shoes (and even socks), walking poles (carbon of course), hydration stations (used to just take a plastic water bottle), epirbs, gps, got a 4wd to get to the inaccessible places. all this for a bloody walk through the wilderness that only takes 8 hours tops, but each time I feel like i have to try and make the most of it because i have spent so much money. I used to just enjoy the time in nature, now it feels like if its not a new place or a novel situation its been a waste.
    I guess it could be worse, I could be into something boring like motorsport.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 11:25
      +1

      forgot the GPS maps and satellite phone in case you get lost (and machete to chop off the snake heads that try to attack you). RAMBO

      but yeah, perfect example of how everything costs money.

      go skiing once, you need to buy gloves, pants, jacket, socks, goggles etc. - it's why aldi snow sales are so popular. cheap and does the job.

      but do something more than once you need quality.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 22:51

        Snakes you just grab em by the tail and crack like a whip ;)
        The machete is more for if you come by anyone with surname 'Milat' while you're out bush

    • Pantagonist on 12/02/2019 - 20:55
      +1

      Sounds like you're the person who's made it needlessly complicated rather than the pastime itself becoming more expensive.

      • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2019 - 15:38

        This is true, for most 8 hour hikes you don't really need all that, for 5 day+ hikes you do actually need all that stuff.

        • Pantagonist on 14/02/2019 - 15:55

          Even for a 5 day hike it's not really needed.

          EPIRB is a good idea if you're really on your own, but other than that you can do without the expensive shoes and nordic poles.

          Hell, a few years back I did the Jatbula Trail in Crocs with 25kg on my back for 4 days. Lost count of how many people I passed taking off and lacing up expensive boots after every creek crossing.

          • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2019 - 19:38

            @Pantagonist: I guess you're proving the point with a 62km walk over 5 days with plentiful water yet having a 25kg pack. How much faster do you think I'd be able to walk than you if you're carrying 25 and I am carrying 7?

            • Pantagonist on 14/02/2019 - 19:54

              @[Deactivated]: If your objective when bushwalking is to finish the walk as quickly as possible then you're missing the point of bushwalking. :)

              • [Deactivated] on 15/02/2019 - 16:49

                @Pantagonist: Thanks for telling me how to enjoy my hobby, the lighter my pack is with the same amount of effort I can go faster, take less days off per trip, go on more hiking trips, see more of the world, or simply make it take less effort to go at a medium pace.

                • Pantagonist on 15/02/2019 - 18:18

                  @[Deactivated]: No need to get snippy. I'm just saying for the Jatbula, pack weight is a negligible factor. You're talking 8-15km a day which is hardly anything in serious bushwalking terms.

                  I had 25kg because I wasn't concerned about having "ultralight" equipment, packed wet (canned) food and also some booze to enjoy at the end of each stage. Obviously that pack weight had decreased to about 15kg by the end of the trip as a result of the consumption of said food and drink.

                  You tend to wake up at 6am on the trail. After a relaxed breakfast and pack up you're normally setting off before 8am, which means you get to your destination by midday with nothing else to do but swim and read a book. I can't see how doing things slightly faster would improve that experience.

                  All I'm saying is that if your objective while bushwalking is getting from point A to point B in the fastest time possible then you're probably missing out on some aspects of the walk that make it worthwhile doing in the first place, unless you're doing it for competitive reasons.

  • Baniya on 10/02/2019 - 11:59
    +1

    Fascinating thread!

  • highdealer on 10/02/2019 - 14:19

    I collect Whisky as a hobby. I see it as an investment and funnily enough most of the whisky i bought have increase in value quite a bit. It is always a tough choice to drink or save it at this point. Sadly you can't sell alcohol, even privately without a liquor license in AUS.

    • zathras on 11/02/2019 - 13:12

      If you wanted to sell some Whisky in AU, can't you auction it through an online Auction place that has the correct license?
      Like a wine auction house?

      • highdealer on 12/02/2019 - 10:27

        I haven't done a thoroughly check yet but most wine auction house sell mainly wine. I haven't seen many selling whisky or spirit of sort. Even if i do find one, i guess fee and charge my be enough to kill the profit. May be in 10-20 might be a difference story.

    • 10110106 on 15/02/2019 - 20:10

      I collect Whisky has a hobby too, do you mind me asking sort of Whisky do you generally buy for your collection? e.g. I only buy Japanese whisky's with age statements or if I happen to visit a distillery then would like for small batch releases.

  • alikazi on 10/02/2019 - 15:27
    +2

    Motorcycle
    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bod5VZhBnOK,

    Astro/photography
    https://www.500px.com/mdalikazi

    Gaming
    The need for a big screen OLED TV.

  • PAOK11 on 10/02/2019 - 15:34
    +3

    Fishing for me. Have mostly been trying to keep everything on the cheap but constantly feel like I need more and better gear. I guess it can really blow out when you get a boat. I'll put that off as long possible

    • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 22:57

      Depends if a tinny or similar will suffice, for your boating needs. I picked one up cheap with registered trailer and motor (about $650) .
      I also picked up 5 metre catamaran with sleeping cabin and electric start extra long shaft outboard, and all the sails etc, plus registered trailer (for $100) , but that is obviously a rare find. And I have spent probably $200 fixing it up. Maybe need to spend another $200 or so on the roof, patch some leaks with fiberglass and reinforce it to handle weight of standing on it.
      Worth checking gumtree for deals. Many people share cost of a boat with a few mates. Split purchase cost 4 ways or whatever, then also split any ongoing maintenance and repairs (which can be alot I've heard) .

      • PAOK11 on 12/02/2019 - 11:26
        +1

        lol god talk about bargains. regardless of the cost of the vessel the running costs are very expensive plus all the rules you need to adhere to insurance, rego ,licence, life jackets,flares to name a few

        • [Deactivated] on 12/02/2019 - 18:33

          adhere to insurance, rego ,licence, life jackets,flares

          True. Maintenance costs. But no insurance nor licence nor registration required if under certain horsepower motor (I have heard it is more the horsepower compared to the size of boat, ie. 8hp on my 5metre wooden cat goes about brisk walking pace, but 8hp on a 1.2 metre blow up dinghy might fly lol) .
          Cos my cat runs on sail also though, apparently no rego or license required to go fast under sail.

          I think flares and other stuff is dependent on how far you go out also. I would have an eperb and all sorts of stuff if going out further than the lakes. Maybe if I become competent at sailing I would take it out further into ocean.

      • danyool on 13/02/2019 - 00:26

        Was your catamaran really $100, or is that a typo?

        • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 00:38

          Yes. really $100
          The guy had it sitting under a tree in his front yard unused and water had gotten in.
          Fortunately was in great condition once water was cleared and let it dry out :)
          Mostly I think because they used marine grade timber in everything that goes in the water. Just some of the upper parts rotted, like leak in the roof, because cheaper timber used.

          not a typo . The guy used to take it out and enjoy it with his family, kids had grown up so no use to him. He wanted it to go to someone who would make it nice again and used it (he loved his old boat, and wanted it to go to good home).
          I got it about 1 hour after listing, and he said he had already had about 3 people call and want it. But they wanted to scrap it, like keep motor and trailer, sell off rest for parts or take to tip etc.

          Was funny, I was somewhat dirty about the deal as he previously had it listed for free and with a stronger motor lol. A bargain's a bargain, but still, I was thinking about that better bargain I missed when he was giving it away (on jarcat group online he recommended).

          • danyool on 13/02/2019 - 01:15
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Good find! (Well, not as good!!) Hopefully you can do it up nice.

            I've looked at getting into sailing, but the cheap ones usually have terrible interiors, so it would cost a lot to get them fixed up… That, and I'm comparing a $2,000 boat to this beautiful Beneteau 45 I went on a corporate sailing day once. Something like this!!!

            https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/2016-BENETEAU-OCE…

            • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 01:27

              @danyool:

              looked at getting into sailing, but the cheap ones usually have terrible interiors

              You should see the interiors for some of the really expenive Sydney to Hobart race boats.
              My bro has done some races in it. Basically just sleeping on floor :/ . The thing is, they have to keep weight down for racing, so basically every single thing for comfort, gets stripped out.

              Depending on what sort of sailing you want to get into, don't necessarily need something large and costly.
              My bro mostly does 3 person crew sailing races. Has done it for years, and really enjoys it. If not so much wanting to race, there are probably some groups or sailing clubs you could join, meet some people there that are keen for an extra hand on deck (and company for a beer or 2) with the vessels they own. It seems like a real friendly community amongst the sailing groups and clubs.

              • danyool on 13/02/2019 - 01:33

                @[Deactivated]: Was more thinking of sailing as a way to get somewhere for "free" and sleeping in it for "free" - but some of the cheap ones would be uninhabitable in their current state!! - guess I need half a mil, or lower expectations!!

  • nomoneynoproblems on 10/02/2019 - 16:00

    Anything relating to motorsports, both cars and bikes. You can easily drop $20k on car mods and be 1/5 of the way there before you're "done".

    • nse on 12/02/2019 - 21:24

      Agreed, most other hobbies seem cheap compared to the 60k+ I've spent just in parts for my track car.

  • DiscoJango on 10/02/2019 - 16:01
    +2

    i $1200 video card for the pc
    others are happy with the stock onboard card

    sports tyres for my car at $350 a pop
    others are happy with kmart $120 ning nong specials

    have done the whole modded sports car thing. that is one hobby you do not want to keep a tally of costs for. "basic" level mods can easily set you back $15k + the cost of the car/s it/themselves

  • Destin on 10/02/2019 - 16:27
    +3

    Photography also for me, latest camera was $65k… but previously DMX lighting, intelligent lighting for nightclubs etc.

    • lachhelix on 10/02/2019 - 17:05

      Medium format?
      It's goals

      • Destin on 10/02/2019 - 18:48
        +2

        Yeah Phase One XF. Moving to Alpa now though.

      • stanstho on 10/02/2019 - 18:49

        Sometimes I day dream about having one of those Medium format Fuji mirrorless bodies with nice a wide 1.8 or even lower aperture lens.

        It's funny because as photographers we're always told to think about lighting and tbh I only want this so I can go fly in the face of reason and shoot hand held in near pitch black darkness and get clean images.

        • p1 ama on 11/02/2019 - 19:44

          Unfortunately it won't really help that much. Current MF lenses are too slow, e.g. f/1.8 or f/2. You'd get better low light performance with a FF camera with an f/1.2 lens. The larger sensor of digital MF (which is only really a little bigger than FF) isn't big enough to overcome the aperture deficit. I think the crop factor for digital MF is around 0.88, so an f/1.8 MF lens is still "slower" equivalently to an f/1.4 FF.

    • DiscoJango on 10/02/2019 - 18:56

      leica lens?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 11:27
      +3

      i'm glad i actually realised pro photography is actually really fcking boring.

      saved myself $65k

      • Destin on 11/02/2019 - 13:11
        +1

        Each to their own, if you're working for a company you don't like and photographing subjects you aren't interested in you're probably right. On the other hand I get to photograph what I like, get to visit and experience some wild places and could almost say I'm living the dream.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 14:01
          +2

          i like to photograph naked women. unsurprisingly it's hard to find enough of them to pose for me. so i take pictures of myself with prosthetic boobs in the mirror.

          haha

          but seriously. i tried various subjects, from landscapes to animals to a few fashion/attractive model shoots. it was all rather boring for me. the feeling of getting a good photo at the end of it all (and ungrateful demanding people you do favours for) wasn't enough to justify the cost/investment need just to get those few good photos (that everyone else is taking anyway). when i took that great landscape there was always someone out there with a 100x better pic with lightning (phw0ar) and something random happening to make it much better than mine.

          if you're making money from something you love, and subjects you enjoy photographing it's probably like any other job. you get some enjoyment but it's still a job. the enjoyment probably fades with most after a while.

          i think it's got a lot to do with the fact that so many camera phones take great photos there's not really that much need to go out and buy fantastic expensive equipment anymore. i used to make people wet themselves back in 2005, now it's kind of like yeah whatever my phone can do that. seems more of being at the right place and right time now with technology doing most of it for you rather than artistic merit AND ridiculous technical knowledge that old film togs regularly brag about.

          the saturated industry of aspiring pro photographers has also cheapened the profession in many ways.

          i also got sick and tired of lugging around heavy equipment whilst travelling. i was also always 'that guy' with the camera equipment spending forever to setup and get that good photo whilst everyone else were just happy snapping away and waiting for me. travel alone, sure, but sometimes that's boring too.

          and obviously with your profile pic and google tells me you're an award winning photographer little to none of the above applies to you.

          i think videos are the future. will now go and spend thousands on that to give it up after a while as well! wish me luck!

          • armdrags on 11/02/2019 - 20:27
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: You should become a pornographer if you like to photograph naked women.

            • [Deactivated] on 11/02/2019 - 21:07
              +3

              @armdrags: yes i like! my first movie will star my sister

    • Caped Baldy on 11/02/2019 - 11:28

      Thanks, this makes the $1.6k I want to spend on a lens good value.

  • t_c on 10/02/2019 - 16:57
    +1

    Stock market. Entire life savings.

    • Ti-au on 13/02/2019 - 01:20

      What were you doing? day trading, forex, investing, bottom up, macro…

      Entire life savings.

      bugger….

      • t_c on 05/03/2019 - 21:11

        Hodling, should have enough to buy a house when im 88.

  • brendanm on 10/02/2019 - 18:33
    +1

    Mountain bike, photography, jetskis, boats, cars, 1/8th scale truggys. There is so much stuff you can waste $$$ on, but boy is it all good fun.

  • VerticallyIntegrated on 10/02/2019 - 18:45
    +5

    Fabergé eggs.

    That shit is like crack cocaine.

    Bought one, now unable to stop.

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