Is your camera buying driven by emotion?

[CanonAndy]

I've noticed a lot of emotion hidden among the discussion threads lately. We all want validation that our last purchase was the right purchase, and it can create some interesting discussion threads...

I've finally broken down and admitted my problem: I like to think I have the best equipment in my bag. I am truly jealous and mad if I buy a camera body, only to have a newer, very similar body show up on the threads. If I already own the equipment, its ALWAYS better than what is available on the market.

I started noticing my problem a few months ago... (flash to past)

It was the little things...
I rationalized my superior (and better looking) Canon cameras by picking obscure functions that only my cameras could do (like automatic servo mirror custom lockup with 2nd curtain back focusing)
I secretly hoped new camera bodies would have a defect that required a long retrofit program. I longed to read about new cameras with back focusing, just so I could smile while taking my not-brand-new camera out for a day of shooting. (I was one sick puppy)

I also tried spreading rumors... "Did you hear that the metal bodies on 20D's cause fingernail fungus? Its even worse if you bite your nails when the PMA is announcing a cute little brother camera body!"

My breakdown occurred one cold night, when I realized that a serious photographer, a successful photographer, a rich photographer, and a happy photographer are all very DIFFERENT people. Some may enjoy wearing 2 or more of hats above, but most of the time we choose to be only 1 type...

I was too serious.. not successful, definitely not rich, and only happy when someone's hacked Rebel crashed (which still makes me giggle like a school girl)

That night I decided I want to be a happy photographer. A happy photographer that realizes there will always be newer, faster, bigger, smaller, more expensive, and better hardware ahead. I'm happy because I get to watch my cameras become part of history, and if I'm lucky I get to enjoy new equipment for decades to come...

I also want to be a rich photographer. That means less equipment, more glass time. Less time buying, reviewing, arguing. More time pressing the shutter button.

So, is my camera buying driven by emotion? Oh HECK yeah! My name is Andy, and I have a camera buying problem!
------------------------------------
Stay tuned for my easy steps to spread rumors about L Series Lens replacements...

Sincerely,

CanonAndy (the happy photographer that isn't ticked off that my equipment isn't the best in the world although it can kick everyone else's in a one legged butt kicking contest)

[RJSorensen]

Well you stopped by the right place to let this one go . . . but it won't help. The quest for the perfect picture will drive you to do unspeakable things. Leave family and friends to 'shoot.' Little lies at first and then one day you will see your only friends are others with the same . . . dare I say problem?

It is either pay here or to the shrink . . . at least you get to hold the glass.

[kb244]

I think it comes down to people losing objectivity in what they buy, and start using their products as a status symbol more so than a tool, I Think its mainly from alot of us still being computer and gadget geeks at heart, more so than photographers, so the need to have the latest and greatest is a status symbol.

[R1 Kid]

I share you need for having the "best" equipment. But one thing I like about photography. Theres almost always something or some technique that comes along to help you take that "great shot" with the camera you already have. But it's just SO much more fun to buy the new equipment.

[jfred]

Nice one CanonAndy! :)

[Deckyon]

I buy what I consider to be the best I can afford to be the best utilized by me.

I think the "did I buy right" threads are worthless. Instead of wanting a bunch of people to pat you on the back and say "yes you did" (as if talking to a puppy) and validation, those people should be asking themselves "did I buy what I needed to perform the job it was purchased for?"

I bought my lenses so I could go from 16mm through 560mm in the least expensive way with the best possible lenses (with 1.4x II and 2x II teleconverters.) I also needed fast lenses as I do a lot of low-light photography. I do not need others to say "way to go, that's what I would have done." I did not buy my equipment to impress anyone, I bought it so I would have a camera that would challenge me for years, last a long time, produce top quility photos, perform in the top 1% of all the cameras in it's class. I wanted lenses to be the top quality and cover the widest range and zoom. Have I done this? Absolutly, in my opinion.

I bought the best equipment that met my expectations (and goes way beyond) for the type of photography I like to participate in. To hell with what others think of my stuff... I like it and that is all that matters.

[CyberDyneSystems]

A sure candidate for Lchoholics Anonymous

[tim]

One of my reasons for upgrading from the 300D to the 20D was the color, so you could say it was an emotive decision!Of course the features were the main reason, but color was part of it.

[pierrot]

Nice one CanonAndy! :)
+1 ;)

[MDJAK]

I too have become an addict. I find myself sneaking out in the dark,1Ds MK II, 580ex flash in place, searching for the night owls, surprising passing motorists with second curtain synch, reeling in delight as I see the head and tail lights streak across my LCD. I then giggle with delight as I download my now full Extreme III card into my new Epson p2000 photo viewer, only to be immensely disappointed when it gives me a message that the files are too large to view.

Help, room.

[Pyromaniac]

I like what Deckyon said, and thats about the same way I am. I just recently upgraded from a 35mm Rebel to the Drebel. Mostly so I don't have to deal with geting film and them getting it developed. Though not a proffesional I figured that what I would spend just on film and processing in a year would be about what a DRebel cost, plus I get somemore functionalityout of it. In the near future I will start upgrading my lenes, right now I have a 35-80 kit lens from the 35mm Rebel, a 75-300mm II (no USM or IS) and the 50mm macro( which I plan on keeping for a long time). When I got the 35-80 and the 75-300 I thought they where the greatest thing since sliced bread, and the quality of the pictures I could take was limited by my lack of experiance. Now I have come to the piont where I find that the lenses are not as great as I thougt, I have gained experiance and now I wish my lenes where faster and sharper and gave me more to work with. I will eventually upgrade to a better camera once I feel that my ability has surpassed that of the DRebel, the same way I now feel my ablity has surpassed the capability of my lenses. I could have bought newer better stuff a long time ago but it wouldn't have done me any good, now I can IMO use the higher quality lenses to get better results.

[johneric8]

this is a sad post. Look man, who cares what anybody thinks about your gear. My father has some of the oldest dinosaur equipment in the world and takes better pictures then 90% of what I have seen on this forum and on Pbase. He used to shoot for many major publications. He can still capture the moment and compostion without all the fancy programs and state of the art canon 1 SLR's. All you have to do is go to www.pbase.com (http://www.pbase.com) and you will see that just because you have a MK ll or whatever it's called it's doesnt make better shots. It's all in the hands you know that I know that. Be happy you are alive to take pictures and Please dont things for granted. I know it's easier said then done but I believe you can do it... (I do realize there are more capable cameras out there but for heavens sake just be happy for the owner and get over it) Just look at it this way, by the time something better then what they have comes along you will probably be ready to get it before they will because you have time to save some money.

[Vega$50]

I agree 100% with this thread....

I still want the 20D eventually...:)

[Medic1]

Its human nature to want to get the best you can.....it goes that way with anything. I am not saying its right for it to be that way, but it is and society in general allows it to continue that way. Everyone looks at those with money and has envy in their eyes.....same goes with camera equipment.

If I were to go out tomorrow and see someone with a 1200mm shooting pics I would be envious, sure!! But realistically, I know when to draw the line on spending.

Now if I had the money.........oh boy! Might as well not even go down that road...lol!!

[gulogulo1970]

You just like the gear almost as much as taking pictures. That's totally OK, just remember to take pictures and not just collect more and more stuff.

I like to have the best I can afford as well. Do I need all of this crap to take good photographs? No not really. Some of the best photos I've taken in my life have been with a Canon A-1. I too, have to remind myself its really about the photos I produce not the cameras I own.

Good luck with your addiction. ;)

[NickW]

Mine was not...I wanted a smei-nice digi cam for car shooting. I looked around a large honda forum and found great reviews on a the A85, I had used my moms kodak LS743 easy share it was great and easy to use, but i wanted more manual and custom settings, I did some reading, checked my budget and A85 seemed right...although, now the A95 with alittle more quality/resolution would have been nice.

Emotion based = No
Budget, skill level and review related based = Yes.

[marie]

One of my reasons for upgrading from the 300D to the 20D was the color, so you could say it was an emotive decision!Of course the features were the main reason, but color was part of it.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif
jesus

[PhotosGuy]

Marie... :D:D:D
A happy photographer that realizes there will always be newer, faster, bigger, smaller, more expensive, and better hardware ahead.Too true!
" No photographer is as good as the simplest camera."
~ Edward Steichen
And then there's, "Buying a Canon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Canon owner."
~ Unknown

[BearSummer]

[QUOTE=johneric8]this is a sad post. SNIP QUOTE]

Wow serious sense of humour failure.

I have always worked on the principle that "if you can afford it you should be limited by your ability not by your equipment" which means that where possible you should buy the best you can afford and use it as hard as you can. Having said that, if photography is an addiction then of course your purchases will have an emotional component. Dont you get excited when you get a new lens/camera? the excitement may be because of new posibilities becoming available, getting a lens you have wanted for a long time or just because it's retail therapy. Be happy while you can, enjoy your life and remember

He who dies with the most toys wins.

Bearsummer

[CanonAndy]

I definitely appreciate the wisdom and wicked humor that floats through this forum. With Canon's hardware lineup, its like Christmas (or insert your appropriate holiday here) every day.

CanonAndy