Are there any positive benefits to GAS?

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Vickko

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Are there any positive benefits to GAS?

i.e.

- become aware of street value quickly
- get to read all sorts of reviews on items that you didn't know about before
- might cause you to sell some unwanted gear
- might create a bit more shelf space

....Vick
 
It's good for those who buy used stuff. Some people always need the newest stuff and then they sell the almost new stuff. I like to buy the almost new stuff.
 
Good answers. I typically don't buy new. My GAS attacks tend to end up on mostly Leica, but sometimes Zeiss items, with some sort of mythical reputation.

I can't afford the losses due to GAS on new items.

...Vick
 
It keeps us mentally engaged, studying photographic equipment.

(how many of you have gone out and purchased an item WITHOUT studying a manual, or technical reivew. not I, self-admitted "study-aholic" ).
 
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Well, I wouldn't have tried rangefinders for one thing... or TLRs or folders.

I grew up surrounded by Canon SLRs and small point and shoots. I transitioned to Nikon but only shot SLRs for a while.

I wouldn't have discovered rangefinders, TLRs or folding cameras. I wouldn't have realized how much I appreciate small cameras. I'd probably be photographing mostly found objects and not people. Heck, I'd probably still be shooting exclusively digital. I wouldn't know anything about camera repair or made a bunch of good friends.

Exposure to everything above has improved my photography. I just organized my camera exploration on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/collections/72157624633077030/). Taking a quick count, I realized that I've shot a new camera every two weeks. Some were brief experiences to test a camera I picked up cheap before selling it like the CX-2. Others, like the Zenobia and IIIc are new core users.

More importantly, I've been out shooting twice a week a so on average since the beginning of the year.
 
Vickko said:
Good answers. I typically don't buy new. My GAS attacks tend to end up on mostly Leica, but sometimes Zeiss items, with some sort of mythical reputation.

I can't afford the losses due to GAS on new items.

...Vick
Click to expand...

Indeed. GAS and new purchases can really hit the pocketbook...
 
FrankS said:
GAS injects money into the economy.
Click to expand...

ferider said:
It's good for ebay, Paypal, Don, Sherry, Youxin and others :)
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Good answers, but you forgot carpenters for the new shelving, interior decorators to tell us what kind of shelving and where to put it.

Oh, and there are the medical bills for treatment for the lumps from our better half (can't hide everything you know).

It's good for stimulating conversation as well; "What, you got another camera, and just like one you already had? What were you thinking?"
 
ferider said:
It's good for ebay, Paypal, Don, Sherry, Youxin and others :)
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You pretty much hit the nail on the head. :D

Some of GAS can be considered (in my twisted mind) a small saving account for emergency. It's better than using the cash on drinks or digital toys Right? Right??
 
coelacanth said:
Some of GAS can be considered (in my twisted mind) a small saving account for emergency. It's better than using the cash on drinks or digital toys Right? Right??
Click to expand...

I tried that argument at home, Sug, and failed. Compared to jewelery, cameras always loose :)
 
I think GAS is ultimately good, because it forces you to accelerate the process of selection of gear that you really need and like to use. Of course, there is always a risk , that you will become a collector in the meantime...
 
mfogiel said:
I think GAS is ultimately good, because it forces you to accelerate the process of selection of gear that you really need and like to use. Of course, there is always a risk , that you will become a collector in the meantime...
Click to expand...

That seems to have been my problem.
 
Yeah, I tend to keep them.

Even if I don't like a particular item at first, and maybe regret the purchase, someone will say how wonderful it is, and that will motivate me to pull it out and try again.

And most of the time, if I sell something, I'll regret it, and hunt for another one, at typically a higher price.

But lately, I find it a bit easier to divest, but it means to divest the whole line. i.e. no more Nikon SLR, no more Alpa, except for one body each. One body. Not "one of each type", not "one of each generation". One.

And it is for a higher good - I have cash to fund ongoing GAS.


...Vick
 
It is good for the body too and i didn't just make this up.

Research shows that if you satisfy your cravings (or in our case GAS), you body releases a natural endorphin and gives you some kind of a high and also it creates a happier you.
 
GAS keeps us mentally fit - both because of searching of bargains and at the same time having less mony for alcohol and cigarettes :p
 
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