Archiver
Veteran
Ironically, an opposite approach to deal with GAS is to have a lot of gear. With a lot of choices that have been acquired over time, you have many options for when the whim takes you. Out of the many cameras I've bought over the years, I still have almost all of them, with my family getting just three hand-me-downs. The rest have enough character and variation for me to freely wander from one to another over the course of months and years. I haven't bought a 'hobby' camera for years now (work camera is a different matter, but still almost two years ago).
I have two DSLR's, two film SLR's, two film rangefinders, one digital rangefinder, one Olympus m43, three Panasonic m43, film compacts from Contax, Fuji, Olympus and compacts from Sigma, Ricoh, Fuji and Canon, and lenses of all focal lengths and apertures. There is only one camera which does not give me a flush of happiness; everything else is both useful and enjoyable. And I've got enough to be able to shoot personal projects for a very long time while remaining interested and stimulated by my gear.
dee
Well-known
I was a little hasty with declaring the cheapness of the X-Pro 1.
I had played with one in a store when they were Pro money .
I loved it , but it was an impossible dream.
That dream happened to come true - the X-M1 with 16-50 was simply an extension of that comfort zone - the price just made the impossible , possible .
And the Pentax ? Better than my cheap Sonys by far !
dee
I had played with one in a store when they were Pro money .
I loved it , but it was an impossible dream.
That dream happened to come true - the X-M1 with 16-50 was simply an extension of that comfort zone - the price just made the impossible , possible .
And the Pentax ? Better than my cheap Sonys by far !
dee
dee
Well-known
OOPs
Was I really content ?
Enter ... John Lewis Clearance -
I had been watching a Fuji X-T1 16-55 for a year as it was gradually reduced from £1300 past £850 .
If I were so content , would I have been visiting every time we were shopping ?
My X-Pro1 and X-M1 were opportunistic buys .
I appreciate and like them , but wanted the experience of an SLR style Fuji .
It was on at £550 , I considered selling my M8 would be a fair exchange .
With further discounts it was a not inconsiderable £427 but I could not resist.
Maybe I keep the M8 as well ...
... and if the X-T2 at John Lewis goes the same way in a few years ... don't ask !!
dee
Was I really content ?
Enter ... John Lewis Clearance -
I had been watching a Fuji X-T1 16-55 for a year as it was gradually reduced from £1300 past £850 .
If I were so content , would I have been visiting every time we were shopping ?
My X-Pro1 and X-M1 were opportunistic buys .
I appreciate and like them , but wanted the experience of an SLR style Fuji .
It was on at £550 , I considered selling my M8 would be a fair exchange .
With further discounts it was a not inconsiderable £427 but I could not resist.
Maybe I keep the M8 as well ...
... and if the X-T2 at John Lewis goes the same way in a few years ... don't ask !!
dee
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Variety and turnover is a benefit or a hazard. Just ask Gene Smith, who was pretty much the biggest equipment whore but also one of the world's greatest photojournalists (if not the greatest). He shot with everything, even half frame.
The benefit to an ordinary person is maintaining neuroplasticity; as much as people want to "whittle down," there is a lot of value in creating and executing a project that includes a new variable. I shoot 90% of my pictures with an M240/246 and a couple of 6x9/12 cameras, but I also enjoy grabbing a random camera or lens and making a day project of using it.
The hazard is distraction; if the learning curve gets so steep that you can't learn to take pictures well within a short time, cut back.
Dante
The benefit to an ordinary person is maintaining neuroplasticity; as much as people want to "whittle down," there is a lot of value in creating and executing a project that includes a new variable. I shoot 90% of my pictures with an M240/246 and a couple of 6x9/12 cameras, but I also enjoy grabbing a random camera or lens and making a day project of using it.
The hazard is distraction; if the learning curve gets so steep that you can't learn to take pictures well within a short time, cut back.
Dante
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I disagree.
Regards digital cameras, since I acquired the Leica SL and the Leica M-D, I have realized that I am done: I don't need any further 'improvements', I need to make photographs. Any further improvements are beyond my ability to take advantage of and are not worth wasting my energy thinking about.
I really want to believe you, but I don't.
Time and change are a constant of life. Since this discussion in July 2017, a few things occurred:
- The Light L16, which I had ante'ed up for in 2015, was delivered in mid-December 2017.
- By mid-August of 2017, I had pretty much stopped using the SL in favor of the M-D for all but copy work, tabletop, and some long tele work. Turns out I do these kinds of things infrequently enough that the SL and its two spectacular zoom lenses basically sat in the closet unused, turning only about a fifty exposures in almost a year.
- Polaroid Originals acquired The Impossible Project and re-organized the product line, putting much more development effort into the film and offering just a simplified camera. This re-upped my interest in instant film again, I started shooting more Polaroid SX-70 and derivatives again, and I put money into a Lomo Instant Square. I've thoroughly enjoyed that, put money into the MiNT rangefinder instant and also into an Instax Square back for my M4-2 as well. More use for the M4-2*body would be good! It sits too much (as do my Nikon F and Leicaflex SL...)
- I returned to riding bicycles and motorcycles a great deal of the time, which means that I no longer have any will to carry heavy, bulky gear other than on very special occasions. The smaller, the lighter ... the better. The Light L16 plays into this beautifully, along with a very small light tripod.
The lack of use of such valuable gear as the Leica SL and its lenses is, to me, a waste of resources. I checked current pricing and found that the depreciation of this gear is such that if I sold it now, I'd have spent only a reasonably modest amount of money for its use in the two-and-some years I was using it. So: the SL system is now up for sale on consignment. That will return a hefty chunk of change to my bank account, but it leaves the gap of what to use for the infrequent macro/tabletop/copy work stuff.
One option is to switch those activities back over to my Olympus kit ... I have sold off a good bit of it, but I still own both the E-1 SLR and the E-M1 EVF bodies, a nice complement of lenses for the SLR (perfectly usable on the EVF as well), and a couple of EVF only lenses as well. That kit is more than competent enough for the niche uses, despite that I've grown accustomed to the 24 Mpixel standard as a baseline for my work. I might just stick with that.
Another option, because I've got the Leicaflex SL and a small remaining complement of Leica R lenses, and the Leica M lenses (for the M-D), is to use part of the SL returns to buy a Leica CL body. I've kept both the M Adapter L and R Adapter M mount adapters too. So I might just sell off all the Olympus gear, buy a CL body, and stick with just that and my R/M lens kit.
As said, Time and Change are a constant in life. Life changed a bit, I'm responding. My photography has changed a whole lot and is beginning to find a new footing, using mostly the same equipment I've been using for the past year or two (Leica M-D) and with the new Light L16 and instant film.
When Change stops, you're dead. Let's keep things changing for a while yet.
G
iPhone 8 Plus
ISO 400 @ f/1.8 @ 1/120 @ 3.99mm
Sounds like a decent plan... looks like a great camera.
dee
Well-known
Goodness - how do I justify the Fuji X-T 100 I have just acquired ?
Actually in Champagne finish , but the lightweight zoom has been useful .
i can't justify except that it's jewel like , nothing to do with photography - the X-T 1 is more than suitable .
Actually in Champagne finish , but the lightweight zoom has been useful .
i can't justify except that it's jewel like , nothing to do with photography - the X-T 1 is more than suitable .
Archiver
Veteran
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
I predict you will buy an Ansco 116 Box Camera and fall absolutely in love with the fuzzy huge negatives. You’ll rejoice in rerolling bulk 70mm film onto 116 spools in the dark. You’ll enjoy photography much more as you’ll spend time in making the image, composing in a manner the camera can handle. Oh Yes, other photogs with an M6 on a neck strap will wonder .....”hmmmm....what does This guy know??”. You’ll only need to go out to take photos on a nice sunny day.
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Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
You will be content only when you find the perfect camera bag, the just right strap, the does everything perfectly camera. Yep, GAS can be overcome then.
zuiko85
Veteran
At least for myself, finding that age and the desire not to kick off and leave the missus with my pile of photo junk to deal with has really damped my GAS.
My more recent photo interest is seeing what oddball lenses will cover a home made 4x5 camera. Cheap fun as most of the stuff was either free or very cheap.
My more recent photo interest is seeing what oddball lenses will cover a home made 4x5 camera. Cheap fun as most of the stuff was either free or very cheap.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
i don't think we are ever Truly content...
there is always something egging us on
Just when we think we are,
something comes along, it may whisper, a pebble or an avalanche gets thrown in our path
there is always something egging us on
Just when we think we are,
something comes along, it may whisper, a pebble or an avalanche gets thrown in our path
Henry
Well-known
I have always viewed contentment as a transient emotion. We have it and we don't, maybe in unequal measures, all through our lives. When I am content I do my very best to enjoy it, knowing that it must eventually go, and that we cannot force it to stay.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Yes, Agree with You Henry
Like the Wheel of Life going up and down, cyclic, lots of ups and downs
just learn how not to react...
Joy is ever here, ever fleeting
benlees
Well-known
I agree; dare say that it is true. Watching my dogs, this maybe an affliction of all living beings! There is no cure; it just is.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
Wouldn't another word for content be stagnant?
dee
Well-known
Ouch - stagnant bites a bit !
I had a moment wondering if should indulge in a Fuji X-T30 , but it was only a moment , brought on by concerns about the lack spares and prohibitive repair cost for my ageing X-Pro1 and X-T1 .
Luckily, I resisted , if the worst happens , the X-T100 is more than OK for my modest means and I have the short zoom lenses I prefer .
Just would like a 35mm lens though - I am restricted to the Pentax K-S1 with 35mm f2.5 , which gets minimal use . but it's OK
dee
That I am STILL pondering another body is concerning though .
dee
I had a moment wondering if should indulge in a Fuji X-T30 , but it was only a moment , brought on by concerns about the lack spares and prohibitive repair cost for my ageing X-Pro1 and X-T1 .
Luckily, I resisted , if the worst happens , the X-T100 is more than OK for my modest means and I have the short zoom lenses I prefer .
Just would like a 35mm lens though - I am restricted to the Pentax K-S1 with 35mm f2.5 , which gets minimal use . but it's OK
dee
That I am STILL pondering another body is concerning though .
dee