How Addicted to Buying Gear Are You?

How Addicted to Buying Gear Are You?

  • I have one camera and a couple lenses. That’s all Cartier-Bresson needed

    Votes: 23 6.3%

  • I have a small collection (<=3 bodies, <=10 lenses) and I am content

    Votes: 75 20.4%

  • I have a large collection (>=4 bodies, >=10 lenses) and I am content

    Votes: 105 28.5%

  • The addiction is broken… I am looking to reduce the size of my collection

    Votes: 46 12.5%

  • I frequently scavenge eBay or Craigslist for a misspelled or misplaced gem

    Votes: 55 14.9%

  • I do a LOT of looking, but I rarely actually buy.

    Votes: 103 28.0%

  • When I buy new gear, I often sell something at the same time.

    Votes: 65 17.7%

  • I own several versions of the same size (e.g. 50/1.4 or 50/1.5).

    Votes: 76 20.7%

  • Buying a new piece of photo gear satisfies me for less than two months

    Votes: 81 22.0%

  • I moved beyond 35mm gear, into buying MF, a whole new realm.

    Votes: 64 17.4%

  • My addiction transcends cameras into developing/enlarging equipment.

    Votes: 26 7.1%

  • I have spent at least $4,000 on ONE body or lens.

    Votes: 54 14.7%
  • Total voters
    368
chris00nj

chris00nj

Young Luddite
Local time
6:01 PM
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
1,010
Well, it's Friday, and I think a fun poll is in order. Many of us like buying camera gear, but how strong is your addiction?

Recently I found myself wanting a fast wide angle lens and I spent a bunch of time looking at various options of price, size, and quality.... oh and a nice Leica II (D) would be great too. Of course, you need the 50/3.5 Elmar to make that camera complete. If/when I have kids, I'll definitely need a better portrait lens, like a 90/2 Summicron.
 
Eh, I don't buy anywhere near what I used to, somewhat because I have most of what I want and somewhat because the budget isn't what it used to be.

But I always am amazed that those who think it's any of their business. If I collected stamps, no one would say "Say, don't you think you have too many stamps now?"

For some reason, people often feel privileged to tell others how many cameras or lenses they ought to have.
 
I have a serious problem. I don't really accumulate a lot of gear, as i tend to sell something in order to acquire the next thing. But, i'm never content with what i'm using, and it seems like there's always something else i want to try. Usually, for very specific purposes. It's not (just?) that i want new stuff. It's that i keep coming up with new projects to shoot, and each require (not really) a very particular look and/or way of working.... That's how i rationalize it.... Or, i get something, spend a bit of time with it, and then realize something else might feel better/look better/give me better bokeh/etc....

I'm not losing a lot of money in the transactions, though. I find good deals, used, and usually am able to sell for the same price or sometimes slightly better. But, i can't stop. And, the 'satisfaction' of acquisition doesn't last long. I can get something one day, and be looking for something else altogether the next day.

The good thing is that i'm now past needing/wanting the expensive stuff. I have my Hassy gear in place. I have the Ikon+Leica stuff. I'm now looking at manual Nikon SLRs, and wondering if an FE2 or FM3a would be more sensible than the R7 and Aria i already have....

What makes me feel 'better' sometimes is seeing the list or picture of someone else's gear closet. The guy who has a lens to cover every focal length, and four of the same body, and three different systems, and MF and LF and digital.... I'm pretty 'reasonable' in comparison. And, i really only need/want 1-3 primes for any system.

Whatever. I still need help.
 
After spending sometime in here reading about all you "sickies" I don't believe I have it that bad...it's only when I talk to others outside this forum and I happen to mention that I might have 30 - 40 cameras that I get "that" look...granted around 10 - 15 of these cameras never get used due to no film for them, they're too old or not worth the trouble of shooting with them...
I have continued my pledge not to buy another camera body again this year...but I can buy a lens or other gear related to cameras I already own and use...Key word being "Use"...
For now my addiction has moved over towards Film & Paper...a Twelve Step Program is also helping...
 
CK Dexter Haven said:
I have a serious problem. I don't really accumulate a lot of gear, as i tend to sell something in order to acquire the next thing. But, i'm never content with what i'm using, and it seems like there's always something else i want to try.
Click to expand...

What's wrong with that?

Who says you have to be content? Is owning camera gear a marriage? Will you not become as proficient with photography if you're exposed to more than one system?

What if there is a system or format that you discover you really, really, like - would you have found it except by experimenting?

Specialization is for insects. Do what you want and don't feel guilty about it.

You don't need help, you need to relax.
 
thank goodness my addiction has somewhat faded.

it started with expensive gear, then went to cheap gears then went to photo books and now it's a bit stagnant...whew
 
.ken said:
thank goodness my addiction has somewhat faded.

it started with expensive gear, then went to cheap gears then went to photo books and now it's a bit stagnant...whew
Click to expand...

I went the other way cheap to expensive which means I buy less and am now selling stuff but is my addiction broken, that I doubt.

Bought a Mamiya 7 recently and feel I ought to sell my Pentax 6x7 now but will I?
 
I was never addicted to buying gear, but I was very impressionable when starting out in photography. I therefore purchased a lot of gear based on what other pros said or I read in reviews. I remember being laughed at and called a "happy snapper" when turning up for work with my Nikon F2 by one old pro who then went on to explain to me that you just "couldn't get the quality" with 35mm and "had to have" either medium or large format to be a professional.
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
Too bad there's no "The Recession Took Care Of It, Thank You Very Much Dubya" option :eek:
Click to expand...

I find the RFF to be a politics-free sanctuary. I see and hear politics everytime I turn on the TV or the radio. It's nice to be able to go somewhere to get away from it.
 
In 2008 I treated myself to a new 21mm VC finder. The second-hand Leitz 21mm finder with the cracked front glass that I got a few years or so ago for cheap got knocked out of the accessory shoe someplace or another. I had both of my Weston Master V meters rebuilt. I can't recall buying anything beyond film, paper, and chemicals in 2007 or 2008. Oh yeah! I got another funnel and some measuring cups at the dollar store.

I bet that if Leica started marketing genuine Leica brand graduates for measuring chemicals they could easily get $20 for the 500ml size, perhaps $35 for the 1,000ml size.
 
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chris00nj said:
I find the RFF to be a politics-free sanctuary. I see and hear politics everytime I turn on the TV or the radio. It's nice to be able to go somewhere to get away from it.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry you feel your personal freedoms have been infringed upon.
 
Don't you think it was more because of Greenspan more than W? (Note: this is now an economic discussion, not political!)
 
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