So is this how "Gear Fever" Starts? - New guy question

I was finally able to acquire my first DSLR body - 40d in perfect condition. A couple good starter lenses, tripod, bag etc, and I'm well on my way. Getting to understand my way around the camera for a newbie pretty well.... Then it happens. My friend introduces me to his 7d II! Wow! What a very nice camera. It hits me..... I just got my first new to me camera, and already I have new body acquisition fever. So my question....... Does it only get worse from here??

Yes and no. Buy a 1Dx and then the new body fever will subside. Of course then the G.A.S. will really kick in when you start looking at different lenses. 10 lenses later the fever only gets worse as you start buying lights. . . . . . .

Yeah, you're screwed. LOL

that's tame. I got my brother into photography with a little rebel. One photoshoot later, and he had a 5D3, 70-200ii, 85L, 100L, 24-105L all in a month. Fast forward a few more months, 16-35L, 11-24L, 200f2L

crazy roller coaster for me as well, probably since I got the 5D2 years ago. My gear list is pretty much out of control.

Gear Fever?!?! I must be almost dead. I've had 6 Canon DSLRs. I've gone from apsc to full frame, back to apsc and now have both. I've been through about 30 lenses. I've had the 55-250 II 3 times. Oddly, I didn't think much of any of them. I am on my 3rd 18-55. I had the original, the II, and now the STM, which is good enough to keep. I've had the 100 macro and 135L twice. I finally have the gear I want, I think. I do keep considering the 7D Mark II, but the focus issues scare me, and my 70D does what I need it to do in AI-Servo. I also consider the 5D Mark III from time to time, as a one-body solution (IQ and AF) to my 6D & 70D combination. With my current cameras I get the best IQ when I want it, and adequate AF when I need that. No sense spending money to fix what ain't broken. For now.

Moto4SK wrote in post #17820654
I was finally able to acquire my first DSLR body - 40d in perfect condition. A couple good starter lenses, tripod, bag etc, and I'm well on my way. Getting to understand my way around the camera for a newbie pretty well.... Then it happens. My friend introduces me to his 7d II! Wow! What a very nice camera. It hits me..... I just got my first new to me camera, and already I have new body acquisition fever. So my question....... Does it only get worse from here??

yeah, that's a pretty good starting point for GAS. Just try to focus on enjoying your 40D. Great little camera that one

Scatterbrained wrote in post #17820656
Yes and no. Buy a 1Dx and then the new body fever will subside. Of course then the G.A.S. will really kick in when you start looking at different lenses. 10 lenses later the fever only gets worse as you start buying lights. . . . . . .

LOL my exact story! I finally had to turn pro to make money so that my wife wouldn't kick me out of the house. Just take your time so that you can justify the things that you buy. Identify a need before deciding what you need to get the job done.

Oh, crap! I forgot about lights. I have been getting by with umbrellas for a few years. Too much uncontrollable spill. I just bought two soft boxes yesterday. Now I need two more light stands. It never ends.

It does kick into high gear until you start getting into lighting.

Moto4SK wrote in post #17820654
I was finally able to acquire my first DSLR body - 40d in perfect condition. A couple good starter lenses, tripod, bag etc, and I'm well on my way. Getting to understand my way around the camera for a newbie pretty well.... Then it happens. My friend introduces me to his 7d II! Wow! What a very nice camera. It hits me..... I just got my first new to me camera, and already I have new body acquisition fever. So my question....... Does it only get worse from here??

Heya,

That depends on you.

Like anything with equipment, especially starting out and unfamiliar with everything, it's easy to see other more experienced folk with different gear and thinking it would be a good idea to get gear like that too. Thing is, you'll also find tons of folk with really high quality photography equipment mulling about, who take some snapshots on the weekend and otherwise aren't producing the kinds of shots you see on the web or in magazines, etc. Then there are others with the same equipment, better equipment, or even lesser equipment, who are out there shooting all the time and are producing those stunning images you're accustomed to seeing on the web, etc. They may both be experienced, but one is putting more time and effort into the process.

Try to keep yourself grounded. New gear won't make you better at photography. New gear helps to do things, but it will not fix your skill, creativity, etc.

If your gear is holding you back, then it's a good time to get new gear. If you actively are doing something that would need a certain camera, lens, accessory, etc, then that's a good time to get that item. If you're not sure about that or even know what you want, that's a good sign to just hang back and spend more time shooting. Get more experience with photography, learn how to expose, compose and make photographs and not just snapshots, how to process, how to display, etc. The more you do this, the easier it will be to determine what equipment you actually need.

You can spend thousands and end up walking around with your iphone instead. So just take it easy and let it be a fun journey.

Shoot more. Buy less.

If you really want to understand what I'm saying, go look at the images in the 1DX appreciation thread. There's some absolutely stunning photographs in there. But there's also some straight up "snapshots". Put those snapshots into the context of a $3000+ camera, likely loaded with a $1k~12K lens. Put it into perspective. There's a lot more to photography than the gear. Gear helps.

Very best,

"https://www.youtube.c​om/watch?v=k6tuT6cPvi0​"
For sure

windpig wrote in post #17820836
It does kick into high gear until you start getting into lighting.

Oh, no. Please tell me that isn't true. I my 6 years of DSLRs, I've burned through about $20,000 in bodies and lenses. Still own most of it. Sold other stuff for a loss. Leaned my lesson: BUY USED. BUY L. It really is cheaper than renting. And now I have start down the yellow brick road with lighting. Someone, please help me.

Bassat wrote in post #17820884
Oh, no. Please tell me that isn't true. I my 6 years of DSLRs, I've burned through about $20,000 in bodies and lenses. Still own most of it. Sold other stuff for a loss. Leaned my lesson: BUY USED. BUY L. It really is cheaper than renting. And now I have start down the yellow brick road with lighting. Someone, please help me.

With lighting, don't buy cheap, but you don't have to buy the best.
Keep it simple.
There are lots of great lighting options that weren't available three or four years ago.
Yongnuo and Godox come to mind.
Fotodiox EzPro softboxes

You are very definitely screwed mate, you will have camera and lens envy for a long time to come
Buy the best you can afford

I just got my first 1D body.... the 1D IV (used, of course). I'm pretty well screwed too.

If your friend is shooting a 7D2, it's likely he's into wildlife and birding.... if that's where you are headed, hold onto your wallet... it's gonna be a fun ride.