Photography Gear that never caused you GAS

[oldhaven]

With one exception, an M645 1000S with several lenses, anything costing more than $500

 

[raydm6]

APS cameras - but do like the form factor!

I still have my Canon ELPH stowed away somewhere.

 

[38Deardorff]

135mm lenses for 35mm format cameras....

 

[JeffS7444]

Jeez, what haven't I wanted at some time or another?

2025 was a pretty slow year for my photo GAS, and I expect 2026 to be more of the same. Sometimes I think my biggest photo spending years are behind me, not out of necessity, but because I've gotten better at figuring out what makes me happy. But I shall stop short of saying "Never" to the possibility of a Fujifilm GFX100RF.

Film photography: There hasn't been much on my wish list for some time, and I mostly stick to the bargain end of the spectrum anyhow: It's amazing what you can get for very little money if you're willing to buy it in "Parts/As-Is" condition.

But lighting is off to a strong start in 2026! Until yesterday, I didn't know the correct name of the thing which allows me to clamp a boom arm to a light stand, but now I've got a couple of Matthews grip clamps on order, along with a speed ring which will allow me to fit an existing softbox to my new Nanlite FS300C monolight.

 

[KoNickon]

I don't get the Canon antipathy, frankly. I will say the electronics (AE-1 and descendants) are not my favorites, but cameras like the FT, TL, FTb, TLb and EF are classics, beautifully made and work really well. The same goes for the FL and FD lenses.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I don't get the Canon antipathy, frankly. I will say the electronics (AE-1 and descendants) are not my favorites, but cameras like the FT, TL, FTb, TLb and EF are classics, beautifully made and work really well. The same goes for the FL and FD lenses.

I didn't say my antipathy towards Canon SLRs and DSLRs made sense.

Off topic, but I see you're in Hartford. I'm going to be there for a few days next month. Any photography museums or galleries or camera stores I shouldn't miss?

 

[KoNickon]

I didn't say my antipathy towards Canon SLRs and DSLRs made sense.

Off topic, but I see you're in Hartford. I'm going to be there for a few days next month. Any photography museums or galleries or camera stores I shouldn't miss?

LOL, I know you said it didn't make sense. No worries.

When in Hartford, be sure to visit The Camera Bar on Asylum St. in downtown. Welcome to Camera Bar They've been around since the late '60s. A goodly amount of used gear, mostly 35mm, including some Leica. Not sure how many bargains there are but check it out. Full range of film, and new digital gear as well -- OM System, Nikon, Canon, Fuji. Full lab services.

You really should check out the Mark Twain House if you can, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center right next door. (Yes, they were neighbors.) Those are a little way outside downtown. And the Wadsworth Atheneum in downtown is the city's art museum, one of the country's oldest. Not sure how much in the way of photography in their collection, but I think you'll be impressed at their permanent collection of paintings.

Hope you enjoy the visit. I live in Hartford now; grew up in a suburb.

 

[chuckroast]

What about "No GAS but I'd buy an incredible deal I found at a garage sale" like:

$25 Deardorff V8 8x10

$100 Leica M3

$10 Mamiya C220

$25 50mm LTM Collapsible Summmicron

IOW. non-GAS opportunistic buys you keep in the back of your mind

 

[Coldkennels]

@chuckroast, not quite on that level, but I picked up a Zeiss Contaflex for dirt cheap in a thrift store in Romania a year or two ago. SLRs and Zeiss: two things I normally avoid like the plague, but at the price on the label, it'd be a shame to leave it to rot.

Of course, I bought it back to the UK to find that the lubricants that worked fine in Romanian summer heat did not like the British climate, and the shutter doesn't work properly over here. Go figure.

Sometimes you need to stick to your guns and stay away from things you know you don't like, no matter how good the deal is.

(I'd definitely take up large format photography if I found a $25 Deardorff, though!)

 

[Out to Lunch]

The newly released Ricoh GR IV Monochrome at $2,200 leaves me entirely underwhelmed.

 

[Prest_400]

Joining @Out to Lunch! The very well price increased latest digital camera releases. I still have a pre inflation price anchor in my mind, then also it's decreased returns on improvements this decade.
Then the newest "fun" Fuji releases: X-Half and Instax Mini EVO.

Items I had some slight GAS but afterwards just realised I am not into:
Flashes and Camera Bags

Never had GAS for Straps! Used whatever branded one for even my medium format. I have a couple or more Olympus ones that are rather discreet and 1-1.5" wide.

What about "No GAS but I'd buy an incredible deal I found at a garage sale" like:

Became a bit of a pet peeve after seeing it in other social media. All the "christmas posts" and humblebrag.
OT but nice amounts of fresh film are nice! Akin to these YT/social media posts where they are off to travel with a Leica + Hasselblad / Mamiya 6/7 and just a bunch of film. Bring one system and nice generous amounts of film!

 

[jiun88]

- All SONY products : just electronics
- GR series : I've owned the GR1 and 3, but I never understood why people were so excited about this camera.
- Canon DSLRs : I remember being tired of pin correction.
- Barnacks : A small pinhole-like finder
- Contax T3 : Ridiculously expensive
-

 

[Nitroplait]

Digital equipment doesn't spark the slightest GAS.
In the past I have bought digital cameras to fulfil a specific purpose, but I have no joy in selecting and later using time on figuring out how to use them.
I may drool over a Leica M3 but a Leica M11 leaves me cold.

 

[ellisson]

The Leitz (original, 1934) or Leica (re-issue) Thambar lens. I'd be happy to try one out, but I'd never invest in one for limited use. It would be like....uh oh... what can I get for this now that I’m not using it.

 

[rick oleson]

Yashica Electro 35 rangefinders, and Canon A series SLRs. And most Polaroids and Instamatics. And wide camera straps.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Half-frame cameras. Any of them. I did try to want a Pen F for a while, but that never came anywhere near GAS status.

 

[Dogman]

GR series : I've owned the GR1 and 3, but I never understood why people were so excited about this camera.

I have a GRII and I like it a lot. But it's also the last camera I ever bought new. I thought it was overpriced at the time but somebody has to explain it to me how it is now being sold used for about twice what I paid for mine new. I do think it's a nice camera, good lens and excellent imaging ability but uh-uh. No GAS for another one at the prices they're going for today. That's nuts.



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[seany65]

Yashica Electro 35 rangefinders, and Canon A series SLRs. And most Polaroids and Instamatics. And wide camera straps.

What? NO Instamatics, even though there's the Rollieflex SL26 - probably the best instamatic ever?

 

[johnf04]

Leica cameras...Nikon cameras...

 

[rick oleson]

What? NO Instamatics, even though there's the Rollieflex SL26 - probably the best instamatic ever?

I do have one … it’s a Kodak Instamatic 500, made by Nagel with a collapsible Schneider Xenar in a Compur shutter. It’s kind of cool. But I only have it because it was $15.