Camera Equipment Acquisition Syndrome

S

Sean

[H] for Life
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Nov 16, 2000
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Camera Equipment Acquisition Syndrome: My name is Sean, and I am addicted to the acquisition of camera equipment.

What do you guys do to keep this under control? Mine is money, don't have enough to get more.

I've been looking at the new 5DII and some wide angle lenses (10-22 EF-S for my 40D) and the new 24mm 1.4L (Even as a "normal prime"). The 5DII is WAY out of reach (saving for a 1D body) but the lenses are within reach! Mostly what pushed it was my recent trip to Germany. 17mm was good, but I'd liked to have a bit wider.

Blah,
 
Welcome and for me I have Nikon Acquistiton Syndrome or NAS. But I dont feel having it is much of a problem.
 
I have been on cold turkey for some time. Because........I am saving up for a Canon 500L F4 IS.....$5500. :) I figure that if I decide not to get it, I would have saved 5 grands in my bank account. I so want the 1d MarkIII. An used on is only $3000. What a bargin....:eek: I can sell my MarkII to fund the purchase too. I figure that the lens is more important in the overall scheme of things.
 
Well more hit me today. I was looking at some studio lights, and a tripod. Bloody money. Still job interview that looks very promising in a few weeks, so having an income will be nice.

1DsIV or it's equivalent when it's released, will be my next upgrade, plus some extra glass (24-70L replacement maybe). However this is a few years off.
 
Meh - I kept trying to write some little pearl of wisdom when I realized I'm the last guy that can give advice on resisting NAS!

The only thing I will say though is don't settle. If you've got your mind set on an f2.8 don't let your pocketbook talk you into a f3.5-5.6. Just wait a little longer and get the one you want - otherwise you'll regret it and still lust for the original
 
PS-RagE said:
Meh - I kept trying to write some little pearl of wisdom when I realized I'm the last guy that can give advice on resisting NAS!

The only thing I will say though is don't settle. If you've got your mind set on an f2.8 don't let your pocketbook talk you into a f3.5-5.6. Just wait a little longer and get the one you want - otherwise you'll regret it and still lust for the original
Click to expand...

Great advice there with the don't settle thing. 2.8 is NOTHING like 3.5-5.6 as an example. No I learned a little while ago; buy once, keep forever.
 
I just stopped visiting POTN (photography-on-the.net ;) )

Seriously, its just too tempting. I spent all my time over there and my pocketbook was starting to really ache. I am now very happy with my setup and how it performs so I just have to cut myself off. Camera bodies get upgraded so often it is impossible to stay latest and greatest!
 
I try to set limits and be mindful of my goals. There's always something else you can focus on / move on to.

I assure you that once you acquire everything that you want, you will move onto something else. :D I'm looking at medium format digital now. :eek: Curiosity has no bounds.

Let me hold onto your credit cards then. ;) :D
 
It's a problem. More of a problem for my wife, but definitely a problem.

I'm actually selling some lenses to fund a new body.
 
I stopped going to photography websites. Every time I visited one, I would pull the trigger one some small purchases (or some really stupid large purchases that got me in hot water with the wife unit).

 
Seems like the wives are a problem. How about getting a new model of those? :D
 
I have self control, and I don't let myself get into the upgrade cycle. Didn't get a $30 tripod, went straight to a $150 Manfrotto/Bogen with a $350 Markins ballhead. My only lens purchases have been the 50/1.8, Nikkor 80-200/2.8, and 90 mm Tamron macro, no need to mess with intermediate stuff like 70-300 3.5-5.6.

I like having good gear, but I don't need to buy a lot, just enough to get the shots I want. I might get a new body though, cameras dSLRs have come a ways since my D70.

Also, no wife/girlfriend so really, only thing stopping me from splurging is my financial common sense. :p
 
Sean, nothing fancy...getting an XSI to replace my aging XT. i toyed with getting a 40 or 50D but I don't really need the frame rate and, unfortunately, my play budget is limited.

BillLeeLee, there's nothing common sense about not splurging on camera equipment. If you have money in the bank, its earning a pittance. If you had it in the stock market, it's losing value faster than good camera equipment depreciates. Real estate, same. One would be foolish NOT to invest in good camera gear if they have the funds to do so.
 
BillLeeLee said:
I have self control, and I don't let myself get into the upgrade cycle. Didn't get a $30 tripod, went straight to a $150 Manfrotto/Bogen with a $350 Markins ballhead. My only lens purchases have been the 50/1.8, Nikkor 80-200/2.8, and 90 mm Tamron macro, no need to mess with intermediate stuff like 70-300 3.5-5.6.

I like having good gear, but I don't need to buy a lot, just enough to get the shots I want. I might get a new body though, cameras dSLRs have come a ways since my D70.

Also, no wife/girlfriend so really, only thing stopping me from splurging is my financial common sense. :p
Click to expand...

My tripod I'm looking at Gitzo 2541 and a RRS BH-40 Pro II. Now to convince the wife unit.
 
Sign me up. I'm trying to screw up the courage to buy a telephoto like the 300 VR or the 200-400VR
 
PS-RagE said:
2541 is a bit of a lightweight don't you think?. You don't ever plan on getting telephotos? Plus, with four leg sections it may not be quite a sturdy as you'd prefer when fully extended.
Click to expand...

Really? I'm looking for height, I'm 5'8" and don't want an extended center column. I am aware of eye point being a few inches shorter than your height, and the top of the camera adds some extra height, but I have read that 4 is less stable.

As for telephoto's, maybe 400mm is the largest I would get up too, but right now it's the 70-200 and that will be that way for at least 2 or so years.

My problem is budget, Thom's guide makes a lot sense, but man price hurts.
 
"Series 2" is only rated up to 200mm. Its listed height is with the column fully extended. If you look at their "S" models the height is to the platform (no column).

I use a 1340 right now and it is 153cm to the platform. I stand 6' and that will put the viewfinder higher than I can peer through. Only thing is though, it is an aluminum model - kinda heavy. May consider an upgrade next summer
 
I've been going through this since purchasing a used EOS 5D. My solution is to rent lenses until I decide on the 2-3 I can't live without.

And then I can still rent.

I have a favorite service, but their inventory is limited so I'm reluctant to mention the name. I'll give it up though if asked.
 
I have the same problem :). I bought a Sekonic L-358 because amazon had one as there gold coin specials yesterday for $200. I am still waiting for my 5D Mk II to some in. But I have been tempted by a Sigma 12-24/15-30 and the Canon 100-400 because my 70-200IS does not reach as far when I switched over to my current 5D.
 
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