Coronavirus economic slowdown and GAS

[ulrich.von.lich]

It's difficult for me to have GAS in the analog world, because I already have three M2s, which are in my opinion amongst the finest film cameras.

I would like to purchase some Ilford HP5+ and Kodak D76 or Xtol in case inflation comes. But even without inflation, I don't think their prices will get much cheaper in the near future anyways. Do they have good shelf lives?

As to the coronavirus, I had wished our leaders would put people's lives on the top of the economy. Sadly they did not.

I watched an ARTE documentary last night in which a young Italian man said it was hard for us to fight an invisible enemy. Indeed, the long incubation period and the lack of symptoms, two characteristics which make the virus extremely dangerous, were known to the world since the end of January. Yet, Europeans had done nothing significant, because we would "simply refuse to fight until the day we felt personally the effects of the virus". He said there's another invisible enemy called the climate change. Hopefully some of us can use the lockdown time to think about it.

Be safe everyone. God bless.

 

[robert blu]

helen, I feel very near you. And I learned something from your answer. You really are special, not only bbecause you are an excellent photographer...

 

[Archiver]

The low conversion rate of the Australian dollar, plus the 10% GST that is now put on anything coming into the country, means that I won't be buying anything from America any time soon. I don't have much hankering for anything that would be hindered by coronavirus for the forseeable future; even though I'd like to upgrade a few things for work, what I have does the job just as it has done for the last several years.

My plans for photography have had to change, what with the emphasis on staying home and in the country. Overseas trips have been cancelled, interstate trips are in flux, and I'm even wary about going to the shops to buy food. This leaves driving to places without too many people around, or going out but interacting with as few people as possible. I'm normally a very handshakey kind of guy, so that sucks.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I'm busily turning this winter's teaching content into online classes. Retirement, with greatly expanded photography opportunities, was in sight. Now reconsidering that decision. No gear purchases or sales likely to happen for a while, but I have a good supply of film and online processors are available.

 

[raid]

I'm busily turning this winter's teaching content into online classes. Retirement, with greatly expanded photography opportunities, was in sight. Now reconsidering that decision. No gear purchases or sales likely to happen for a while, but I have a good supply of film and online processors are available.

I am fortunate that my department switched about 10 years ago to 100% online courses for distance students, while allowing face to face students in a synchronous live instruction environment. All it took for me was to email the face to face students to also attend my lectures live online and not come to our regular classroom. No retirement plans for me too.

 

[jarski]

... Yet, Europeans had done nothing significant, ...

agreed, I do think European leaders were sleeping at the switch...

 

[valdas]

agreed, I do think European leaders were sleeping at the switch...

First we elect leaders who don't believe science and experts (and expert almost became a swear word) and are only good at promising unrealistic things and then we expect them to fight pandemic. I am not saying it is applicable to all countries, but there is a worrying tendency.

 

[raid]

I heard today that only 3-4 days ago it was not felt in Berlin that there was a virus spread, and people led their daily lives as usual. Today, grocery stores in Berlin are getting emptied by people. This seems to be a late reaction.

 

[Darthfeeble]

Y'know, we got through SARS, we got through Ebola, polio, measles etc. We'll get through this. One good thing is that the panic has allowed us to identify the idiots.

 

[Henry]

Y'know, we got through SARS, we got through Ebola, polio, measles etc. We'll get through this. One good thing is that the panic has allowed us to identify the idiots.

Panic is a result of mismanagement by our governments, not the people.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Panic is a result of mismanagement by our governments, not the people.

Then why do just a few people panic?

 

[jsrockit]

If I could buy a Fujifilm X100V or Dura-Black X-Pro3 here in Chile, I would do it no problem... but (1) they aren’t available here yet and (2) with a newborn we are limiting what we have delivered to our apartment. Oh well, I’m glad I have cameras I still like... and a new interest in still life photography.

And Helen... great response! Hang in there ... I hope all is well with you!

 

[chipgreenberg]

That post was more than offensive. I was traveling yesterday and just saw it.

Helen is proof New Yorkers can be polite and graceful.

Of course not all of us are. Somebody needs a lesson in civility. Sure everyone is entitled to their opinion. But discretion, which sometimes comes with age and wisdom, dictates often you might be better off just keeping your mouth shut.

 

[Henry]

Then why do just a few people panic?

Many people are panicking. Have you looked at the availability of produce in places with no confirmed cases? It is unreasonable to simply ascribe that to people being "idiots."

 

[phrons]

I want to document everything. But, I think I will mainly do it digitally.

However, I might have to start selling some items in order to help keep finances up and running.

Trying times my friends.

 

[KM-25]

For those whose income isn't directly affected by things shutting down, I don't see the need to avoid spending. Either you believe this will lead to a major economic downturn, then you shouldn't hold onto cash because inflation will rise. Or you don't, and you don't. Spending as usual contributes to the economy staying afloat. And our creative outlet will contribute to keeping us sane. Let's not let fear rule our behavior.

And what you are talking about is not sustainable, people in the U.S. in particular are purposely blind to this, well until now.

I had a record year last year...last time I had a record year the economy crashed in 2008, I should take that as a warning sign. When the last crash happened I had over $100K in the bank and no debt, cheap rent and kept most of my regular clients. This time however is different. I have a big house payment, a 1/4 of that in the bank and some CC debt due to major home improvements last year. On the plus side, I have literally abut ten years worth of film, paper and chemistry to use so I am set on that front.

What is really bad though is that so far, jobs for the Summer have been dropping off fast. I am usually quiet this time of year anyway and relish in that so I can make some fine art prints in my darkroom that serves other markets. So I am going to try to quickly liquidate about $10K in photo related assets to pay down debt and keep as much of the balance in the bank as I can.

My wife works in health care and is pretty solidly placed with a very good income after 20 years....fingers crossed I think we will be OK. But what is about to happen in this country will make the 2008 crash and accompanying fallout seem like a lone dollar bill lost in the wash.

What we do on this planet in per capita fashion in terms of consumption, personal effluent and waste has never been sustainable. Having 70% of the U.S. economy rely on consumer spending is NOT sustainable and this is just one virus of many more to come as our ecology rejects us.

I'll do the best I can for as long as I can, I have had a great run in the photo biz but this is real world stuff and it is here and now, lot later, not for future generations. It's now.

 

[kxl]

For those whose income isn't directly affected by things shutting down, I don't see the need to avoid spending. Either you believe this will lead to a major economic downturn, then you shouldn't hold onto cash because inflation will rise. Or you don't, and you don't. Spending as usual contributes to the economy staying afloat. And our creative outlet will contribute to keeping us sane. Let's not let fear rule our behavior.

That's over-simplification.

I work for one of the largest health systems in the country. We have more work than we can handle. The COVID-19 panic is over-stressing capacity to the point that we may run out of bed space for other emergencies (e.g., heart attacks, car accident, GSW, etc...).

So my current income is not affected by COVID-19. I can continue to spend as I always have. However, my portfolio has suffered significant losses and I have less years to recover from that loss. So while my current income is not affected, I am forced to save/invest more than before to make up for the losses. This results in less disposable income.

 

[rf_smitten]

I also think that this crisis will affect the whole photo industry very badly. It's too soon to make any predictions, we all don't know how long the lockdown will continue.

Personally, i'd say that it does affect my photography and buying behavior, but it doesn't kill it totally. In Austria, the lockdown started 3 days ago and it could go on for months... so I'm certainly not going to make big investments, but getting a cheap old camera or lens here and there (and maybe restoring it) could be some relief in the following months.

I'm more concerned that I will run out of photo opportunities soon. It will be limited to my surroundings and my hometown, and that can get boring. But I will spend more time in the darkroom and for scanning.

 

[aizan]

I'm still GASing for the Light Lens Lab 8-element Summicron replica. That's the only thing really happening these days.

With any luck, people will social distance enough and we'll be back to work sooner.

 

[Ambro51]

The positive here is that there will be more estate sales than ever.