How Addicted to Buying Gear Are You?

[tbarker13]

Just bought a Canon 28/2.8 on ebay.
It is the third time I have made this particular purchase.
I really want to get to a point where I stop buying and selling - and just use what I have.

 

[Al Patterson]

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.

You came to the wrong place. I've been saying that for quite a while, and the "usual suspects" continue to post their tired anti-Bush horse droppings. I thought things would get better after the election, but alas...

 

[Al Kaplan]

Don't we have any folks here that are in the financial markets? We could set up a new form of camera exchange, one where you could buy and sell camera futures, bundle sets of first model 35mm Summicrons, run the trading price up to over $10,000 a lens before it gets discovered that there really were no lenses...

 

[Al Patterson]

Don't you think it was more because of Greenspan more than W? (Note: this is now an economic discussion, not political!)

Beware, don't bait those with "Bush Derangement Syndrome". It's easier to blame the guy in office than to educate yourself about economics.

And yes, Greenspan deserves some of the blame, along with many other people inside the beltway.

 

[Al Patterson]

Don't we have any folks here that are in the financial markets? We could set up a new form of camera exchange, one where you could buy and sell camera futures, bundle sets of first model 35mm Summicrons, run the trading price up to over $10,000 a lens before it gets discovered that there really were no lenses...

Even in the worst cases, there would always be at least one lens that existed. It was just that 30 people were betting on whether or not the owner could actually pay for the item in question.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I guess that I'll stick with selling sub-prime LTM to M adapters...

 

[MCTuomey]

get yer camera default swaps right here, one-time pricing!

 

[Al Patterson]

I guess that I'll stick with selling sub-prime LTM to M adapters...

The problem is that you'd do better in the long run to sell quality adapters, rather than sub-prime. Same as in real estate...

 

[nikon_sam]

Here we have a thread related to buying mass quantities of our favorite toys and it's on the edge of getting shut down because we can't stick to the subject or play nice...
As for me I'm getting tired of the constant selfish rantings that at times have taken over a decent thread...maybe the ones in charge should create a safe and separate place for those who want to vent their frustrations over past or present political office holders...a place where your views don't get shoved down someones throat unless they want it to...
I apologize for my short rant but I get tired of seeing threads closed even if they're not of the world's most shattering camera related subjects...

 

[Frank Petronio]

Or you could purchase every single one of a certain niche item for a year or two -- no matter what the cost -- perhaps a certain lenshade -- then you'd have control of the market -- make a few posts in the forums about how "you needs to have the proper lenshade" -- quadruple the price on eBay and "Bingo!" you're rich!

 

[peterm1]

I have it bad for lenses, but fortunately I find it to be relatively easy to satisfy myself with the previous generation of lenses or older. I see no reason to pay big bucks for the latest and greatest in most cases. I also love the mechanical quality of the old MF lenses that can be used on digital SLRs as well of course as the lenses for rangefinders. There is something about using an old lens to get a great shot. But like all addicts the fix does not last long following which I need a new one.

 

[aizan]

i have little interest in lens signatures and i know what focal lengths i use, so that's not a problem for me. it's more about getting cameras of different types and formats, and setting up a good darkroom.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Here's a timely quote from a non-photography related mailing list I'm on.

I admit it! I'm a junkie addicted to buying gear :bang:

What I mean is, humans like beads and trinkets because it delivers dopamine to their pleasure centers. We are all addicted to "dopamine." Dopamine is a drug produced by our body which makes us "feel good." We buy things because the "buying" (more than the "owning") gives us a dopamine rush. That's why we never get enough stuff. It's like an orgasm. No matter how many orgasms we have, we want to have at least one more.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

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.

Thanks for the reassurance, but my GAS is a distraction. I spend too much time researching cameras, finding deals, looking for sample imagery.... I could put that time to more constructive use, if i were content with what i have. I truly admire the guys who shoot with one camera (type) and one lens, and their signature is all over their work. Those people who shoot with worn, beat-up cameras.... Well, you know the 'type.' I admire that. And, while i don't necessarily want to be so single-minded of purpose, i do believe one gets more done if one isn't chasing TWO different objectives at the same time. One objective, is the image. The second objective is the means of arriving at that image. If you truly have confidence in the means, and don't need to work on that aspect, your concentration can be ever greater. At least, that's how it would work in my ideal scenario.

But, i'm getting over it. I think. I just ordered an old SLR not an hour ago. But, i'm comforted by the post above.... Someone has 40 cameras? Thank you, sir. I will have about 8. Not so bad on one hand, but on the other hand, each of those eight is a completely separate system. So, not so much 'efficient' or practical....

Owning gear is certainly no "marriage." But, it does seem a bit like 'dabbling' with women. When you do that too much, you lose the ability to find a passion with One. I'm just looking for that camera (and the woman) that creates/instills/cultivates a passion.

 

[chris00nj]

Don't we have any folks here that are in the financial markets? We could set up a new form of camera exchange, one where you could buy and sell camera futures, bundle sets of first model 35mm Summicrons, run the trading price up to over $10,000 a lens before it gets discovered that there really were no lenses...

That would be funny. There could be a Leica ETF. Definitely need options. I could buy a put on the D3X.

 

[kievman]

Don't we have any folks here that are in the financial markets? We could set up a new form of camera exchange, one where you could buy and sell camera futures, bundle sets of first model 35mm Summicrons, run the trading price up to over $10,000 a lens before it gets discovered that there really were no lenses... Touche!!!!!!!!!!! and we could be the Madoffs of the camera world!!!!!
Quite funny. Al
Hey Al I saw your stuff up here in Mpls at Icebox Gallery a few years ago. Great Stuff! I love your vintage photos, Too Bad Icebox Gallery/Framing is closing up part of it s besiness - the gallery side, another victum of Bush's Crash/Depression.- M

 

[kievman]

In Regards to Gas, I recent bought a Canon 7 and a very sharp CV 35mm F2.5 to go with it. which I have wanted for years!!! (Hows that for deferred gratifacation!) But I must admit that I will definitely have to trim my gas this year, (We all suffer from it to some degree, except the Buddihist monks among us!) due to the depression were going into, I am sorry to say. And the blame for the current state of the economy goes squarely on the back of past 2 administrations (who also nominated Greenspan to his post) and their economic and market regulatory policies, or the lack of them!!!!!!! So maybe there should be a - Too bad there's no "The Recession Took Care Of It, Thank You Very Much Dubya" option- I certainly would of chosen it!!!!!!!! - Michael

 

[johannielscom]

Done!

Done!

I'm done. Two reasons: I love the gear I have, used to sell something to buy something new, but will not let go of anything I currently own. Second: I used to buy second hand gear and sell it for a profit, which I'd then invest in nice gear. The buy and sell market is all but gone because of the economic crisis, so it's a no-go there as well.

Apart from the stuff in the signature, I own a Nikon F100 and a D300 with lenses.

The 100mm FED viewfinder is the only thing I'm looking for, and possibly a lens if it's in very nice condition.


So, I'm done.

 

[Photog9001]

Or you could purchase every single one of a certain niche item for a year or two -- no matter what the cost -- perhaps a certain lenshade -- then you'd have control of the market -- make a few posts in the forums about how "you needs to have the proper lenshade" -- quadruple the price on eBay and "Bingo!" you're rich!

oh crap... there goes my plan ,-]

 

[David Murphy]

Just bought a Canon 28/2.8 on ebay.
It is the third time I have made this particular purchase.
I really want to get to a point where I stop buying and selling - and just use what I have.

How much would you take for the 28/2.8? (I'm an enabler)