Are good images the antidote for GAS?

[Rayt]

I am taking a friend to Bodie State Park (the “ghost town”) and since I have photographed there before in 4x5, 6x6 and 135 formats already I thought I’d do something different, so I bought a Harman Titan 4x5 pinhole camera for the trip. The low tech look should go well with the subject matter. This will be my one camera one “lens” 2 week road trip experiment.

 

[Godfrey]

Heh.

When I carry one of the Leica's (CL or M-D), although I usually carry two or three lenses it ends up being mostly a one-one experience because I tend to just use one lens 90% of the time anyway.

I'm finding this notion of one-one works beautifully with the Polaroids, with the Fuji GS645S that I picked up recently, and is for sure piquing my interests in the new Leica Q2. So sometimes it's not a cure for GAS at all, just another avenue to filling the closet with more nice camera equipment...!

Now if I sell the WATE (which I hardly use enough to warrant its high value), I can probably afford the Q2 right out of pocket from that sale... 😀

Life is complex...

G

 

[chipgreenberg]

While lack of unlimited funds is certainly a factor..this is where I'm at now. I have limited time. So I limit my photography to a camera and a style.

I have tried enough cameras to settle on one that seems to capture most of the pictures that appeal to me. It only makes sense to concentrate my limited photography time using that camera.
GAS lies in the interest in diverse types of cameras, and is a pursuit altogether seperate from photography. I find no shame in having a drawer full of cameras that never hold film.

 

[mich rassena]

I've started trying a "shop at home" project. That is, when I get the urge to buy something, I look browse what I already have. I'm also cataloguing my equipment, so maybe I have a better understanding of what I have and need. No results to report yet.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I'm also cataloguing my equipment, so maybe I have a better understanding of what I have and need. No results to report yet.

If you have to catalog your stuff to know what you have you probably have too much of it.

 

[Godfrey]

If you have to catalog your stuff to know what you have you probably have too much of it.

You know you have too much if you can't even find what you know you have... !!

G

 

[Darthfeeble]

GAS is totally independent from results. If I get a shot I like, well another bit of gear might make it even better. Seriously, I've run into a wall for gear, there isn't anything I particularly long for. Well there is that MF Fuji.............

 

[mich rassena]

If you have to catalog your stuff to know what you have you probably have too much of it.

You're probably right. What I wrote sounded reasonable when I wrote it. One of the benefits of mirrorless is that you can adapter any lens; one of the drawbacks is that you can adapt every lens.

I just find gear to interesting and aesthetically pleasing to give it up. If practicality won out, I'd just buy a superzoom and be done with it. I don't see that happening.

 

[rbsinto]

In answer to the original question, based on what I've seen over the last 42 years that I've been photographing, many people substitute the Acquisition of equipment for the diligence and hard work necessary to become proficient photographers. The former only requires the expenditure of money, which is relatively easy, while the latter requires many, many hours of hard work , which is not.
Robert

 

[zuiko85]

If I ever make a good image I’ll let you know.

 

[chipgreenberg]

Agreed!

When photography paid the bills, and I would talk shop with my friends, we'd usually talk about "How did you do it?" NOT "What did you do it with?"

In answer to the original question, based on what I've seen over the last 42 years that I've been photographing, many people substitute the Acquisition of equipment for the diligence and hard work necessary to become proficient photographers. The former only requires the expenditure of money, which is relatively easy, while the latter requires many, many hours of hard work , which is not.
Robert

 

[olifaunt]

I feel like this is more of a digital thing. Once you have a film camera and lens you like, your equipment will never be out of date again.

 

[Godfrey]

I feel like this is more of a digital thing. Once you have a film camera and lens you like, your equipment will never be out of date again.

That doesn't mean, at all, that you won't want more of it. Otherwise why do so many people on this forum have dozens of film cameras?

G

 

[olifaunt]

That doesn't mean, at all, that you won't want more of it. Otherwise why do so many people on this forum have dozens of film cameras?

I don't know. Materialism? For film photography, once you have a camera/lens combo you like using and like the results of, you don't really need anything more.

 

[Godfrey]

I don't know. Materialism? For film photography, once you have a camera/lens combo you like using and like the results of, you don't really need anything more.

The same is even more true of digital cameras, of course. You don't even have to buy film ... you just have to charge the battery. Nothing says that you *have to* upgrade your digital camera, ya know.

I still use a lovely 2003 Olympus E-1 DSLR, which I acquired in 2007, that makes superb photographs. That hasn't stopped me from wanting, buying, and using a dozen or two other digital AND film cameras in the past decade.

Film vs digital, and having one excellent camera and lens, even making great photographs with what you have, are not the basis or the balm for GAS. Being satisfied with what you have is.

G

 

[jbielikowski]

I buy and sell old cameras for a living, so I own awful lot of cameras, and I wish I can have only one and simply use it. But there is always another one to test it, so I rarely finish a roll with one camera (usually around 3 for 36exp film). Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but it's annoying when instead of going home I try to choose which camera should I take to shoot... in next 12 hours.

What is really satisfying- I take a simple, cheap camera and take better pictures than bloody hipsters with leased Leicas.

Also- ergonomics over image quality, find a camera that suits you, good pictures will follow.

 

[aizan]

running out of shelf space took care of my GAS. 😀