Go one year without buying

[Vickko]

Perhaps so.

A year to focus or clarify goals and activities.

Vick, is this a cry for help?

 

[jsrockit]

I'm going to try to stop buying too. It's a lot harder to sell these days on the market and I'm loosing money. It's not worth it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Yes, but on the other hand, I can find cameras online like Horseman, Fotoman, Gaoersi, etc. which I never would have heard of without eBay or similar sites.

Digital has made the world more bland, but there are still interesting cameras out there, and the internet makes it easiers, for me at least.

Yeah, but in 4x5 inch I can remember finding MPP, Dawe, Linhof; and in MF, Envoy, Graflex, Kowa... All in camera stores. Fotoman and Gaoersi are roughly contemporaneous with the internet, so I wouldn't have found them.

Cheers,

R.

 

[DougK]

I keep thinking about buying a new camera, but I instituted a rule for myself that says I have to sell one or more in order to fund the purchase. The idea of taking product shots, posting ads, etc. always winds up seeming like too much work, and then I realize I'm pretty happy with what I have.

 

[enasniearth]

I have something that works for me ,
If something is purchased , items of equal value are sold .
There is a limit on the total amount in the cameras ,
And I stay within it .
Sure I go over - then sell off enough to be under .

 

[nikon_sam]

I've decided to hold off buying any more camera bodies...maybe motor drives but lenses are okay but only if it's such a deal that it would be crazy to pass on it...Trading is allowed...
I think I could play in this game...

 

[dof]

A couple of years back, I went for about 1 1/2 years without buying any new (or new to me) photo gear. I did however spend a small amount on repairs for things I already own.

Strictly as an anti-GAS exercise, it did provide a chance appreciate how much I can do with what I already have. The answer was a resounding "Quite a bit" actually!

Additionally I'm glad I got issues with a few key pieces taken care of, as I do dislike having broken things around the house. It really is bad Feng Shui. Another factor is that repair prices appreciate alongside purchase prices (especially when we're talking about The L Word). Now is better than later.

 

[pobe]

It's been about a year since my last gear purchase - an old 35 lux. Since then I've sold the other M lenses I had but not bought anything except film, paper and chemicals. Every time I get out and shoot the GAS I might have felt in front of my computer evaporates. I'm liking it and will probably stay with this kit.

My pictures still suck, though... 😉

 

[Kent]

But what if that "Three crowns Leica IIIg in black" shows up at a Sally Ann and I'm the only one there?

I guess that is the perfcet moment to break your vow. 😉

 

[shadowfox]

The satisfaction of getting the deal is part of why I enjoy this side of photography.
Just like everything else, balance is the key.

Buying *must be* accompanied by selling.

Otherwise, either your wallet will become empty or guilt (or the sense of non-accomplishment) will drag you down. Then you'll be miserable *and* miss on good deals.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . .Buying *must be* accompanied by selling. . . .

Why? I give stuff away occasionally, but I rarely sell things. The valuable stuff I continue to use (and of course I bought it to use) and the other stuff ain't normally worth the hassle of selling, given the paltry returns. I buy new stuff only when it does something my existing kit doesn't -- and my existing kit is rarely entirely superseded by new.

Cheers,

R.

 

[CameraQuest]

On my birthday, I am going to try to go one full year without buying.

I may sell stuff, but I will not buy any gear.

I will buy only film.

Let's see if I can do this.

Vick,

I must be mis-reading your post.

It almost sounds like NOT buying new gear would be a good thing. 🙁

Stephen

 

[shadowfox]

Why? I give stuff away occasionally, but I rarely sell things. The valuable stuff I continue to use (and of course I bought it to use) and the other stuff ain't normally worth the hassle of selling, given the paltry returns. I buy new stuff only when it does something my existing kit doesn't -- and my existing kit is rarely entirely superseded by new.

Cheers,

R.

Roger,
I was talking to (and about) mere mortals like myself.

 

[Vickko]

Oh crap, the Montreal camera show is in November.

Hmmm. How do I justify an exemption?

I always go to meet my Montreal friend, who shoots mostly LF, and after the show, we go to Schwarz's for smoked meat. And for the last couple years, I also have a friend in theater school there, and it is a great opportunity to catch up.

Mind you, the last couple years at the camera show, I've walked away with only buying a lens cap and a couple magazines.

 

[Godfrey]

Oh crap, the Montreal camera show is in November.

Hmmm. How do I justify an exemption?

I always go to meet my Montreal friend, who shoots mostly LF, and after the show, we go to Schwarz's for smoked meat. And for the last couple years, I also have a friend in theater school there, and it is a great opportunity to catch up.

Mind you, the last couple years at the camera show, I've walked away with only buying a lens cap and a couple magazines.

Never say never ...

Ok, the Olympus E-M1 took me a little by surprise. I wasn't expecting that until next year, since they just recently released the E-P5. The GX7 looked interesting until I saw the E-M1.

So I've placed an order. Not the last thing I'll buy this year, I'm sure ... I need a spare battery, another 32G SDHC card, need a Leica-R to mFT mount adapter, possibly another mFT lens for it ... but such it is.

The intent is there. Now I will start putting together the stuff that I will sell.

G

 

[Vickko]

Ah, an escape clause.

I rent a table at the camera show, bring a box of stuff to sell and spend only the proceeds. Only hardship is the "vendor walk-around" before the doors open, and fighting the temptation to buy before I have made any sales.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Why not do what governments do? Meaning sign up and then forget it?

Or there's the 5:2 version of not buying cameras...

Regards, David

 

[Vickko]

ha ha ha, my horoscope has a dire forecast on my "fast on camera gear purchasing"

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23):

The best way to change a habit of some sort is to replace it with a different habit – one that is more positive. If you just try to give up on something today it won’t work. You’ve got to be cunning.

 

[Stdon]

Heck, recently I can go a day without getting something. Yesterday it was a Vito II. Today it was a small mount for my single legged tripod and a ground glass for my 4X5.

 

[OlliL]

Sounds like a good plan. 🙂

I'll try that till my bday now...3 months to go.
Should be hard enough. 😀

Update after two weeks:

I've become a professional camera trader! 😱
Haven't put any real money into gear tho.

About two months to go....