I have had this ‘issue’ for years/decades even!! Going back to the 1990’s I had a spreadsheet on my Psion organiser of different cameras I was interested in buying. Film cameras that is! But I could never make up my mind, as new models came out so they got added to the spreadsheet that got updated on a regular basis. I did eventually buy a new Canon EOS30.
Roll forward to 2023 and I am back doing it again with digital cameras but using Excel!
But I have four DSLR cameras why do I need a fifth? I really doubt if my images would be that different.
I did a test recently with all four cameras and my iPhone, on a computer screen it was virtually impossible to tell the difference!!
What frustrates me is the emphasis put on video performance by reviewers, I don’t take videos!! But that is a topic for another day!!
Like too many photographers I'm gear obsessed, regularly scrolling ebay, gumtree and FB marketplace looking for and then buying the next/best camera that is going to take my images to some amazing new level.
I've realised that the best images I make are with a couple of cameras that I use all the time ... I think that when you know a camera well, it just becomes a tool and an extension of your process rather than 'gear'. To some extent it gets out of the way and lets you just get on with the job.
It starts to get clear that we are obsessed with gear when you realise that certain type of camera, that you had no previous interest on, starts to catch your eye... 😂
Cameras are more fun than actually taking photos
I have had this ‘issue’ for years/decades even!! Going back to the 1990’s I had a spreadsheet on my Psion organiser of different cameras I was interested in buying. Film cameras that is! But I could never make up my mind, as new models came out so they got added to the spreadsheet that got updated on a regular basis. I did eventually buy a new Canon EOS30.
Roll forward to 2023 and I am back doing it again with digital cameras but using Excel!
But I have four DSLR cameras why do I need a fifth? I really doubt if my images would be that different.
I did a test recently with all four cameras and my iPhone, on a computer screen it was virtually impossible to tell the difference!!
What frustrates me is the emphasis put on video performance by reviewers, I don’t take videos!! But that is a topic for another day!!
Steve in France
Buying vintage gear (on the cheap) boasts my creativity more than “new” gear
Lucy,
Like too many photographers I'm gear obsessed, regularly scrolling ebay, gumtree and FB marketplace looking for and then buying the next/best camera that is going to take my images to some amazing new level.
I've realised that the best images I make are with a couple of cameras that I use all the time ... I think that when you know a camera well, it just becomes a tool and an extension of your process rather than 'gear'. To some extent it gets out of the way and lets you just get on with the job.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. If what is in the frame isn’t interesting...
It starts to get clear that we are obsessed with gear when you realise that certain type of camera, that you had no previous interest on, starts to catch your eye... 😂