ever just feel overwhelmed?

back alley

back alley

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...over new gear, the non-stop improvements in the technology, the desire for all the new, the latest and the greatest...the never ending demand on the budget?

do you ever feel like your gear is just old now and out of date even though it was the 'best' about 6 months ago?

if one had deep pockets it might be easy to cope better but needing to sell one to buy another feels stressful especially if one likes new toys!

how do you cope? or is it a non prob for you?
 
You should have stuck to the Canon P and a roll of film Joe.
Those two never become out of date.
 
It's not a problem now that I've finally realised that any camera I touch is capable of far higher quality imaging than I will ever need. It helps that I already have a number of cameras that are an absolute joy to use.
 
Non prob.

I used to concern myself with gear more than I do now, but I realised the interests of camera companies and my interests are not aligned.

I also used to think that new "stuff" was great, all the new toys etc. I still do to an extent, I like a new camera as much as the next man, but I now think a lot more about photos than gear.

As you're committed to digital, not film, then it's trickier to overlook the changes in technology and feel it's the magic bullet. However, just remember that newer is not necessarily better, and even if it is, is the improvement worth having?

I almost never recommend books, but if you've not read it, I think Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an interesting read and covers the role of technology in our lives.
 
It's been a non problem for me. Both because I only buy stuff when I can afford to, and because most of the "new" gear I've bought in the past year is simple and/or "old" anyway.

I don't care much whether what I have is "old" or the "latest and greatest". I only care that it works the way I want and produces results I like.

Looking forward to a fine year ahead using all the great cameras I bought last year. :)

G
 
Joe: simply not a problem for me. I think about the photos I make not cameras I use. The only camera that I have owned in the last 12 years that was currently being built was the Zeiss Ikon rangefinder and apparently it is now out of production.
 
The best cameras were made 40 years ago. "Trading up" is for chumps.

Make that your mantra and experience existential photographic bliss.
 
Certainly not for decades, Probably never (can't remember). Like others, I buy what I can afford and recognize that for the most part it'll only make my pictures easier, not better.

Cheers,

R.
 
I focus on making pictures. I have got to tell you, I bought a D3 when it came out and it is still producing fabulous pictures. The key is that it was over some threshold in terms of IQ. I didn't feel that way about the Canon Rebel or the Epson RD-1. But for now, I'm kinda there. And it took a lot to get there, but I am now actually looking backw ards. The upside, if there is one, of the short product cycle is that eventually a great camera like the Olympus EP-2 is available for $200.

Joe: give yourself three photo assignments. I dunno: 10 good pictures of ice; 10 good photographs (as in: different and interesting compositions) of an egg; 10 good portraits of people you don't know. Or pick a topic near to your heart. Once you focus on creating, you can take a break from acquiring.
 
I need to make a better, dedicated darkroom, and get a better enlarger. Other than that, I'm good.

There's always this voice saying "You gotta get a digital camera", but I am chalking that up to peer pressure.

Randy
 
My main camera is a Leica M8. Over the past few months I have been able to borrow an M9 for about three weeks and a Monochrom for a similar amount of time. While they were impressive, they are both quite out of reach for me and simply made me appreciate my M8 all the more. I'm glad that I am of simpler means because I don't have to worry about the constant need to upgrade. These experiences were helpful though in helping me appreciate what I have. Upon returning the Monochrom, I left my M8 at Leica for a full service that also gives a 1 year warranty on the whole camera; a good investment in a long-term relationship with a fantastic camera. Now to look for another perfect bag!
 
i'm not talking about 'better' images here...not talking about pics at all...talking about the gear only.
i am dedicated to digital so referencing film to me is pointless. i accept new tech easily and have no ties to the mechanical past just because it was part of my past. for all those who spout it's all about the image...is it to you? as it seems to me that you are the ones that make it more about the gear than i do...as long as it has no battery and uses film...sound familiar?
not looking for an argument here...just frustrated at the same tech that i like...and it's ever changingness.
 
No, I long ago gave up on having new or cutting edge gear. Its simply too expensive, even relatively crappy new cameras costs astounding sums of money.

I do often feel overwhelmed, but not because of photography.
 
Benjamin Marks said:
I focus on making pictures. I have got to tell you, I bought a D3 when it came out and it is still producing fabulous pictures. The key is that it was over some threshold in terms of IQ. I didn't feel that way about the Canon Rebel or the Epson RD-1. But for now, I'm kinda there. And it took a lot to get there, but I am now actually looking backw ards. The upside, if there is one, of the short product cycle is that eventually a great camera like the Olympus EP-2 is available for $200.

Joe: give yourself three photo assignments. I dunno: 10 good pictures of ice; 10 good photographs (as in: different and interesting compositions) of an egg; 10 good portraits of people you don't know. Or pick a topic near to your heart. Once you focus on creating, you can take a break from acquiring.
Click to expand...


very good advice for me!
 
I'm more uninspired than overwhelmed. The last new camera I bought was the X100. I've not seen / heard of anything new that is compelling enough to make me want to part with any serious money. I don't need any more pixels or much more than OK performance at ISO 1600 - I rarely shoot much above ISO 400 in any case. My 8/9 year old Olympus E1 is good enough for anything that I do - I'm not a pro and have no desire to be so. I haven't avoided GAS in spite of a valiant attempt, but have concentrated on relatively inexpensive equipment that doesn't have much value to lose or can be switched out without much loss and I get at least as much pleasure from this as I did when I bought the latest and greatest. I'm not done, but close to done chasing new stuff and it is a great relief and quite peaceful :D
 
I know what exactly what you mean, Joe. But I am at the point that I simply cannot afford the newest thing so I suppose that's a solution to the problem. I have a D700 and am content with the image quality it produces and all other aspects of the camera, except size. I would also be content with shooting Portra400 and TriX and having it scanned and developed at this one lab, which happens to be too expensive for everyday shooting. I would like to think that if I had an XE-1 or OM-D as the smaller, take everywhere camera, I'd be content with that as well and would cure gas for the foreseeable future. But, if I am honest with myself (and judging by my reaction to the recent X100s rumors), I probably wouldn't... No solutions here, I guess. Let me know if you figure it out!

EDIT: I do agree with Benjamin's advice as well. I have found that having a photo project (or just time for shooting these days would be nice) does help keep the GAS at bay.
 
back alley said:
i'm not talking about 'better' images here...not talking about pics at all...talking about the gear only.
i am dedicated to digital so referencing film to me is pointless. i accept new tech easily and have no ties to the mechanical past just because it was part of my past. for all those who spout it's all about the image...is it to you? as it seems to me that you are the ones that make it more about the gear than i do...as long as it has no battery and uses film...sound familiar?
not looking for an argument here...just frustrated at the same tech that i like...and it's ever changingness.
Click to expand...

No need to get defensive here. You asked if we feel the same as you and some of us - like myself - said no, because we are happy with our old film cameras. That's it.
 
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