[LauraBean]

I broke a lens. A couple days ago I was packing up my camera to go out, and the camera strap caught my 50mm f/1.8 that was sitting on a counter and it went to the floor. The plastic is broken so the front part pops partway out.

This silly accident has thrown me into a tailspin! It's my only fast prime lens. It's also the cheapest lens I own, so if I had to break one, I guess it was the one, but I'm in a money dilemma, and it has me rethinking all the expenses related to this expensive hobby. The photographer in me says to replace it with a better lens, but I have no income of my own, the camera brings in no money, and it feels so indulgent to be spending $400 on a hobby.

I'm trying to figure out how I could build a little portrait business on the side (which would justify spending on an even better portrait lens), but it's daunting, and how do I justify the expense in the meantime?

I could simply replace the lens I broke, for about $100, but if I really do want to take pictures for money, that approach at this point seems penny wise and pound foolish, because I'll want either the 50mm f/1.4 or the 85 f/1.8 for portrait work.

Any encouragement? It's just so discouraging to have such an expensive passion and at the same time terrifying to think of doing it for pay, even here and there.