Ways to deal with GAS, and anguish related to "selecting what to sell"

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Vickko

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Ways to deal with GAS, and anguish related to "selecting what to sell"


1. get out and shoot. Works very well.

2. set up rules to live by, especially in times of weakness and temptation.

Rule #1 - NEVER sell Leica.

Corollary to Rule #1: every generation of Leica is unique.
Therefore, it is okay to have dozens of 50mm Leica lenses.
In fact, it is perfectly normal.

Rule #2 - if it isn't Leica, it can be sold, to fund Leica items

3. when looking at other people's work, NEVER look at what gear or lens they used. Learn to figure out what focal length and f-stop was used, from the image.

4. in times of extreme temptation, get off the computer, take out a loaded camera, and shoot photos with the lens that you think you might want to sell. If after seeing the images, you still want to sell, then sell ruthlessly, quickly and don't look back. The item has gone to a better place.

5. if you sold and then find yourself buying the same thing back, then, fate has decided that you were meant to have that item in your collection.

5a. Don't regret that you probably will pay more for the item, than what you sold your previous one for. That is fate, punishing you, for your folly.



Remember - shooting overcomes GAS, just about all the time.

:)

Vick
 
Cute. But won't work for me. Actually, I have decided to thin out my inventory. I hope to do so in the next year. Or five. Or ...
 
there's another way...

there's another way...

I'm just flat broke. Unemployed. Had to recently sell a lens and a bicycle so I could eat. That takes care of GAS real quick. And lets me know what I really can & can't live without.

Phil Forrest
 
And this is why Leicas cost so much - those of you sitting on a dozen 50mms drive the prices up. :p

Not broke, but too cheap to casually drop $500+ on a lens, so I'll be sticking with the J8 indefinitely.
 
Vick,

I think that dealing with gear obsession or gas is something that is very interesting to me. For your 50mm comment, why not just ask: why do I need more than one 50mm lens regardless of brand?

3. when looking at other people's work, NEVER look at what gear or lens they used. Learn to figure out what focal length and f-stop was used, from the image.

I dont really think that learning to do this will bring any benefit. I think more benefit would come from studing underlying themes in the images. Although, I can see why this question would cross your mind.

Jim
 
My rules:

1. Sell Leica.
2. After you've re-bought Leica, because the BS romanticism and forum talk got to you yet again, Sell Leica.
3. Find the most important lens you need to shoot in each format, and get the most efficient camera body for it. Disregard prestige.
4. Resist, resist, resist.
5. No multiple lenses in the same focal length per system. No 'specialty' lenses i need to find/contrive an occasion to use.
6. When the GAS gets too intense, find something a bit obscure, but CHEAP to buy. Just waiting for a new package can ease the pangs. And, if you've only spent $80 on a camera that will actually be used, you're still on track.
 
jsrockit said:
1) Don't collect ...
2) Keep only what you use on a consistent basis ...
3) Make photos ///
Click to expand...

Amen to that.

I think I'm slowly getting over the "I need a new lens or camera to be happy and take better photos" phase. I sold my Leica gear because I hardly ever used it. I still have the Canon P and a small collection of Canon lenses because I use them all the time.
 
Vickko said:
Ways to deal with GAS, and anguish related to "selecting what to sell"



2. set up rules to live by, especially in times of weakness and temptation.

Rule #1 - NEVER sell Leica.

Corollary to Rule #1: every generation of Leica is unique.
Therefore, it is okay to have dozens of 50mm Leica lenses.
In fact, it is perfectly normal.

Rule #2 - if it isn't Leica, it can be sold, to fund Leica items


Vick
Click to expand...

Rule 1 - Cant disagree more! (weren't you selling your M5 in classifieds? ;) )

Rule 2 - same - ANYTHING can be sold and not to fund Leica . Having had a bunch of Leica gear at one point, I can tell you - it's not all that special. Matter of fact - I only have one Leica left now - M5. All my other lenses and cameras are other brands. Do I want any leica - sure - 2-3 items - Noctilux, 21mm Summilux and maybe M9. All else made by leica - is no interest to me. Actually, I think that Konica, ZM and Voigtlander are far better value and optics in most cases. Mind you - I'm not a collector. The way I see leica is - old lenses and cameras - well built but outdated designs and coatings, newer leica - updated 9in some cases) designs and technilogies, at the cost of the built quality. Thats why other brands make more sence to me.
YMMV.
 
My version:

Rule #1: I only need one Leica M body (or Nikon-S, or Zeiss), and one lens (does not have to be a Leica). Unless you are very wealthy, or just want to become a collector (nothing wrong with it), most likely you'd do well to adopt this rule.

Rule #2: Holding out on your GAS completely will only hurt you in the long run because it will be back with a vengeance, just a matter of when. Instead, set aside a monthly amount that you can trade vintage cameras in and out. Mine is $30-40. This lets you control your GAS without feeling depraved. Also, it's amazing what you can get for $40 these days if you're patient :)
 
HA!
i love how rangefinder photographers have their own different way of saying and doing stuff but its still photography.

we used to call it LBA (lens buying addiction) when i was around SLRrers
 
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