A Revisit to My own GAS problems (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)
A few years after my original post on G.A.S. (HERE), the damn marketing machine keeps churning out new item after new item, always subtly letting you know what you have isn’t quite good enough and this new thing will make your work SOOOO much better!
So how have I managed my G.A.S. over the past few years? Yeah, it’s been pretty ugly if you ask me.
Well, yeah…..I did get the Z9, I also bought the FujiFilm X100V then I sold my Z7II, SOLD the X100V, bought a Z7II (Yeah I know, I know), bought a FujiFilm X100VI, SOLD the FujiFilm X100VI. That’s about all for camera bodies, but I’ve been pretty “stable” since then with camera bodies, and even lenses too. I did pick up a couple, but there were very specific needs met (Yeah the Hype-Train was still a bit involved, but not too badly). Oh but lets not even talk about computer gear!! For the love of all that is Holy……………………….
Do I regret getting the Z9? No, not at all and not for a second. It’s truly an amazing camera for me and checks off some very important boxes that the Z7II (or even the Z8) can’t. I don’t say that to possibly put the bug in your head about purchasing such an expensive camera body. I’m saying that the purchase, as insane as it is, was worth it for me especially with the incredible trip to Kenya last December.
This is a topic I struggle with often and around so many different things, but I was really inspired to make an update in my blog because of a great YT video I just happened upon from John Pattison (click HERE if you want to watch it. And yeah, it kind of did make me want to get the X100VI again :| ). One thing that struck me, specifically around photography for myself is that when I’m not shooting “enough” the excitement of getting that new shiny thing is a substitute for actually grabbing what I have and as John said, “Do A Thing”. Go create something, be out and engaged in my creativity. Not sitting in front of my computer dreaming about the next big thing.
Do I think that this “next thing” will make my photos better? Will they move me to the “next level” of expertise? Will they bring people to my site and some day people will begin purchasing some of my work? The REAL answer is no. Getting out and shooting will take care of the 2 of those 3 items, the 3rd? Well that’s an entirely different topic, maybe for another post. Truth be told, I have the gear I need to take most any kind of photo, except from some SUPER specialized stuff that hold no interest to me (At this moment at least)
I suppose the big thing is that I think I’ll always struggle with G.A.S. to some level, regardless of the topic. I believe that if I can be more aware of WHY I want a thing and WHY am I feeling the need to justify a purchase instead of being aware that, I’ve hit the limit of what my gear can do and I need more from it or knowing that my computer is failing to work properly and only then looking to eliminating a problem instead of looking for something to fill a different problem, a void in myself.
