Vince, I'm glad to see you figured out the law of diminishing returns. Some GAS is fine but it becomes hard to control. I came to the same realization last year as I:
1-started with a E-PL1
2-added a G1
3-sold the G1
4-sold the E-PL1
5-bought a NEX-3
6-bought and sold 15 manual lenses
7-sold the NEX-3
8-bought Sony A-33 - GASSED out
I think I did all of that in about 4 months. Part of it was educational, part of it was addressing camera weaknesses and part of it was GAS. As my signature states, I have recovered and now settled into a comfortable setup and can focus on "catching light"
So what are you guys putting up for sale?
Hi everyone,
I'm back - completely finished with my exams and assigments at university... forever! Graduation two months away
So anyway here's what I really wanted to say:
The past few weeks I've been doing a lot of thinking, partly due to my exams, but also because of my photography.
It's strange I've gotten to the point where I'm a little fed up of wanting new gear/lenses, I feel as though I just want to feel liberated and just get out and shoot...
Acceptance not denial - My name is Vince and I have a problem.
I have gear buying addiction (GAS, LBA, CBA - whatever you want to call it). Somehow I've become fed up of lusting after new equipment, buying it unnecessarily, then making a loss selling it if I don't like it. Ultimately its just a waste of money but also time - I've spend hours researching new gear, looking at reviews and photos taken from it, time I could have been out taking photos and developing my skills.
Let's be frank. A lot of gear we buy we don't need, we want.
Solution = Confrontation - let's beat our gear buying addictions!
Gear buying addiction is one tough cookie. But I believe we can get over it, and here's my idea:
1) Rationalise your kit/set up:
A. Question your photographic style - What do you take photos of, what 'subject(s)' do you photograph mainly?
B. Ask yourself what gear is essential for this - e.g. insects = macro lenses, sports fast telephoto lenses and quick frame rates.
C. Get this essential kit, dispose of the rest! Send it fully insured to me in the UK LOL only joking. Perhaps sell it, trade it in or give it to someone who may put it to better use (I 'gave' my LX5 to my mum, when I say gave, I mean 'long-term loan' lol).
It'll be interesting to see how much money you could save by rationalising your kit.
2) Prevention - how to minimise getting gear buying addictions again.
A. Avoid following new gear rumor sites, news and review sites - that new shiny, multi-award winning camera which even won an Oscar and Nobel prize, with ISO10million is always going to be tempting ;-)
B. Avoid classified adverts and ebay auctions - It's always too easy to not let that once in a life-time bargain get away from you, even though you don't need it!
C. Stop looking at the EXIF information of stunning photos, for clues about the camera and lens model! If a photo is stunning, then chances are it's the photographer's eye and skill set which has made it that stunning!
D. Finally, I think we should get out and about and take more photos, develop our skills and train our photographic eyes - not only does this stop you from doing the above because you're away from your computer but because that way you maximise the potential you get out of your gear:
In all honesty I'm often feeling unworthy of my K5 and my now sold FA31, I feel my skills don't live up to the full capabilities or potential of my gear. I feel especially embarrassed when I see photographers take stunning photos with dated DSLR's or tiny point and shoots!
Challenge yourself to make the most of the gear!
So my post exam period has marked a new start for me, graduation soon and the 'real' begining of my working life, but also a new photographic direction.
In my case I take snaps of friends or family, food/flower/object photos as well as a landscape/cityscape or two. I'm also trying to get into street photography and I want to slim my gear down so I can travel with a light set up.
So my gear was: K5, FA31 limited, Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4.5 macro, 18-55mm WR and a large amount of manual focus glass.
Now I've sold my MF glass and FA31 and hope to have: K5 and a 4 lens set up consisting of the Sigma and 18-55 WR and Pentax DA21 and DA40 for their discreetness, lightweight and tiny size.
What does everyone think? Is anyone with me?
Disclaimer note thingy: It's not a definative solution and no guarantees of success. Think hard before you sell anything so you don't regret it
I, sir, reject your premise that GAS is in any way dark! I bet we all spend more on food and clothes and think about them more often. Does that make THEM the dark side? GAS is all about finding the LIGHT - cameras don't work without it!The dark side is more powerful than the light ... (feels better too).
I, sir, reject your premise that GAS is in any way dark! I bet we all spend more on food and clothes and think about them more often. Does that make THEM the dark side? GAS is all about finding the LIGHT - cameras don't work without it!
-Ray
I just got one digital cam myself: a DP. I often take a G1 with me which belongs to ...my wife.
Guess I need a wide zoom camera, I'm addicted to ultra zoom, but which one you suggest?
By buying we keep the (Japanese) economy going as well as ours don't we.
No, I'm not a frequent buyer / seller, to me it's much more fun to get out and shoot...even laundry...
Hi Vince
Don't worry - you're just suffering from a little bit of guilt - happens to all of us at one time or another. Especially at this time of year when nothing interesting is being announced.
You'll be fine again when the tiny new m4/3 camera with the built in EVF is announced.
The way I see it, as long as you are not being financially irresponsible (buying cameras instead of paying the mortgage or depleting the kids' college fund) I fail to see the harm in buying camera equipment. The internet has made it very easy to sell 2nd hand equipment, so the loss in many cases is not that large, particularly with lenses. I have, in fact, sold lenses that I bought used for more money than they were bought for.
Enjoy the equipment you currently own, try not to have any illusions that any specific piece of equipment will magically turn you into a better photographer, but don`t be afraid to indulge yourself every so often. And, do it without guilt.
Regards,
Antonio
I'm in sell mode at the moment - let's see how long I can hang onto the cash! Vince congrats on getting to where you are now, but some of us have been there at least once before - stay strong.
I came to the same conclusion recently and sold 3 Pentax camera bodies, 7 or 8 lenses, flash etc and bought an M8, a 24mm and a 50mm. That's it until I can afford a 35mm and possibly way down the track an 80ish. I'm happy. I have enrolled in a 24 week online photography course so that I can pour time into improving my technique rather than my gear.
In all seriousness, I do agree with all who've written about finding the proper fit or match between what sort of camera works best - that has absolutely been my own GAS, in the past.
Hi Vince,
I want you to know that I have bookmarked your post and I intend to come back and live by it in 10yrs or so.
Im new to this photography lark and am looking forward to hopelessly throwing myself into the joys of GAS until I come out the other side broke and alot wiser..
Armando you're not going to break the news that "Vince, I am your father" too are you? haha I've nearly fallen off the wagon, I bought a Sigma 30mm 1.4 instead of the DA40mm - i'm just used to the 31/30mm focal length from my FA31. The siggy is better than reviews have you believe, I'll have some photos up and ready in the next few days, i've uploaded 100-ish and need to do description etc.