How Addicted to Buying Gear Are You?

[marcr1230]

My camera count is 10 of which 5 I use regularly and 3 I need to sell.
I have way too many 50mm lenses.

Last month I got my first Leica, and my son asked loudly, "Daddy, how much did that cost?". I quickly grabbed him by the ears and whispered to him,"It cost a lot and Mama hasn't asked me, and as long as she doesn't ask, we don't need these numbers floating around the house, so STFU".

 

[al1966]

I was addicted I think, but I bought two compact digis and have a Bessa r2 and just do not feel the need for anything else. So I must be cured or I have found what works for me. 🙂

 

[ampguy]

me too

me too

I had to go through 10 or so 50's before realizing the Lux v2, and Noctilux are the only 50s I need. Bud I do need to check out the v3 pre-asph...

I use the same excuse. Lets buy a whole bunch of 50mm lenses, use them all, keep the best one and sell the rest. The selling part never happens because there is no such thing as best, only different characteristics. Now repeat for all the other focal lengths and various formats. 😱

 

[raid]

"addicted" .... ????
Maybe it is "blessed"?

It keeps me happy. I work harder to be able to be able try out more lenses.
In this sense, it is very useful.

So, in a summary, GAS makes me happy and it makes me work harder.

 

[NickTrop]

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.

Agree 100%. Plus - while I have a fair number of cameras, I stuck to - and am completely content with, Japanese fixed lens rangefinders. (Not incuding some MF stuff...) I can buy as many as I want, they're fun, take great picks... etc. Most of the time when I sell or give something away I later regret it... Who cares? I like your stamp analogy.

 

[KM-25]

If I did not do this for a living and if it were not tax deductible, I would not have 1/4 the gear I do now....and I have a ton due to several formats.

 

[LeicaTom]

Everytime I see Grey paint, my heart quickens.......

It all depends on condition, serial numbers and of course price, but luckly for me lately all that`s coming together party well 😀

Tom

 

[Sonnar2]

It's kind of searching for the Holy Grail (lens or body)
It's inherent to men
For me it has a reason: I try out all my stuff. Making pictures
Many people don't even care about it.
The bad thing is buying "bargains" one don't actually needs. The bad ebay trading habit. "You can sell it better". Usually you can, when it's not a dog. But you can spend your free time solely for one thing, either photographing or trading equipment.
On the other hand, without ebay I wouldn't have anything.
I have too much stuff at the moment to use, but the market is low to share something.
I would cut my camera bodies to the half which have seen some use in the last 2 years.
That means, keeping the Bessa's, Canon RF's, Pentax SLRs and Olympus Pens. Sell the Rolleis (except for one body with the Planar 50/1.4), Zeiss Ikons, Nikon and Kowa SLRs. The Contax/Yashica stuff too (need to find a better home for my Zeiss 85/1.4 where it sees more light).
Even the Graflex with the Apo Lanthar.
I'm not patient enough for the MF/LF stuff.

 

[JohnTF]

Cameras will get you through times of no money, better than money will get you through times of no cameras.

My dinner date last week tried to tell me "I had" to get rid of cameras, and I had to tell her three times she does not understand me, or anyone who collects. Then I had to repeat it to myself all the way home.

I would be embarrassed to count them, and if you get enough, you discover old friends, albeit a bit dusty, anew from time to time.

There was a discussion about some lens in LTM for a Zenit SLR, and I was able to dust the camera and lens off and see what all the fuss was about. ;-)

And if some neat camera is a great price, would it not be foolish to pass it up?

Should have been one more category, "Depends on when the auction closes and UPS delivers"

Regards, John

 

[Oculus Sinister]

My name is Ben, i'm an Addict and i love it 🙂

 

[BillBingham2]

Hi Ben.

B2 (;->

 

[kuzano]

Wish I had time for this nonsense...

Wish I had time for this nonsense...

But I'm currently watching 14 cameras, on eBay. Haven't yet looked at the camera section on the local Craigslist today, and I have to work in two visits around town today to look at a couple of cameras.

Carry on folks.

 

[Cabron]

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

I don't see any point in getting much gear. Unless you're a professional, is there any reason to own a lens at virtually every focal length?

People have a right to focus on whatever part of their hobby that they want to. I find getting gear to detract. Many are worried about what kind of bag to get, what sort of insert to put in it, what type of lens hood to have, or camera strap to attach.

What's the point? None of that sh*t helps you take pictures better. It makes you look cooler, sure.

I'm reminded of an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," where one of the main characters, Mac, wants to be a musician. Instead of focusing on the music, he's concerned completely with how to better look like a rocker.

When being helped with a guitar in a music store, and having the functions of the guitar described to him, he pushes the salesman aside, so that he can better look at himself in the mirror with a guitar around his shoulder.

I will admit, though, that he did look pretty cool.

 

[btgc]

Lately I've come to simple idea about minimal kit.

And today I bought another SLR - to make a gift to niece who has expressed interest to film photography. Imagine how it is - to open aperture and "get that artistic blur with rounded light bubbles". Mon amour, it's something new after automatic digicam.

 

[peterm1]

I used to be addicted to rangefinder equipment and was constantly looking for new lenses especially. Love that glass.

More recently with the advent of digital I have moved my sights more to DSLR equipment (Nikon) and am just now planning to buy a $1500 lens - the 17-55mm f2.8 which looks superb and may one day lash out on a similarly priced 85mm f1.4. But maybe my addiction is relenting as I am planning to sell 4-5 older SLR lenses to help pay for these beauties. But I still cannot bring myself to sell my rangefinder (mainly Leica and Canon ) stuff - you never know, this digital thing may only be a "flash in the pan". Or even better I may find an M8 irresistable.

 

[pagpow]

I stopped at 1 body, and again at four bodies, several more times at 10 and 15 bodies. I now have about 90 cameras after stopping several more times. So, you can see, I am not addicted at all -- I can stop anytime and I frequently do.

 

[btgc]

I think I have figured out secret of ebay. When one outbids others - or snatches nice stuff for peanuts - there comes satisfaction of being powerful or smart, which gives temporary sense of satisfaction. And so it goes around.

When one gets satisfaction from getting pictures, good at his own judgment or being "approved" from Net opinion, there's no point holding on gear-o-holia. Process of making pictures can be used to get range of feelings.

I'm not psychologist, though ego is what brings most of troubles.

 

[Tuolumne]

I have finally gotten the monkey off my back. I have decided to sell:

1) LHSA MP3 body
2) Hasselblad Xpan-I kit + 30mm lens kit
3) Noblex 150 Panoramic camera
4) Seitz Roundshot panoramic camera + 28mm PC-Nikkor

All sent to Tony Rose on consignment. I feel better already.

/T

 

[hugivza]

I'm waiting to see a hearse towing a U Haul trailer and then I will know that I can take it all with me. In the interim my wife's gentle (?) chiding seems to be having some affect.

 

[Doug]

...Many are worried about what kind of bag to get, what sort of insert to put in it, what type of lens hood to have, or camera strap to attach.

What's the point? None of that sh*t helps you take pictures better. It makes you look cooler, sure.

I'm reminded of an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," where one of the main characters, Mac, wants to be a musician. Instead of focusing on the music, he's concerned completely with how to better look like a rocker.

When being helped with a guitar in a music store, and having the functions of the guitar described to him, he pushes the salesman aside, so that he can better look at himself in the mirror with a guitar around his shoulder.

I will admit, though, that he did look pretty cool.

Cool story, thanks! A guitar IS a performance item though... 🙂 I think there must be camera users/carriers who place a high priority on appearances. Should one choose a camera from the collection to coordinate with clothing, or vice versa? And Leica owners are often mischaracterized as interested in using their gear mainly to impress others.

After thinking it over I've concluded I don't consider camera appearance except to keep it modest. I even carry in a discreet way, on a short strap over a shoulder with an elbow holding the camera against my side. Whether a little Minolta CLE or the big Pentax 67, the camera doesn't swing around, and it's not "on display".