What is the value of a thing?

What is the value of a thing, especially a thing you aren't necessarily planning on selling? Or maybe in the case I have in mind, when do I get the value back for the money I spent?

I recently purchased a digital camera, Nikon Coolpix P2. Between mostly myself, and my wife and son, we've take about 300, if not more pictures. Several of those you can check out at my flickr site.

For me it has been a discovery of self, as well as what it means to actually use a camera. Not use as in push a button, but to explore taking pictures for fun!



And more fun...


It's a different experience from that of taking pictures because it's a birthday or some other occassion. The freedom to choose to take a picture on the spur of the moment, a picture of anything or anyone.



So, back to my question, when do I realize the value vs what I spent on the camera? Is it at 100 photos? 200? a thousand? Or is it more of an emotional thing? Some little irrational point at which the joy I've had using it, and exploring myself and the world around me more than x number of $....

I'd say I've gotten my money's worth when I'm ready to move up to a better camera. Not sure if that's a good idea or way to decide, but hey, anyone got a better one?

Over and out,
Tojo

other posts about: photo, flickr, camera