Gear Acquisition Syndrome: please help!!!

[Halfrack]

Since you're semi-anti-flash, check out the 35mm f1.4 or the 24mm F1.4 II. Either that or move up your 70-200 from F4 to F2.8 IS. The 135mmL is an amazing lens, most people I know shooting FF use it more than they expected.

I have no room to talk - I picked up a body, 3 flashes and a lens in the last 72 hours

 

[Loswr]

I know of only one way to stave off GAS. WILLPOWER. This past April, I purchased a decent home studio setup (a second 430EX II, an Einstein monolight, a set of PocketWizards to trigger them all, an assortment of softboxes, grids, etc., light stands, a background support and several backdrops). But since then, nothing (ok, not counting the S100). Willpower. I've simply told myself, over and over, that enough is enough. Rebate on the 70-300 L? No. Really want a 24-70/2.8 for shallower DoF in the general purpose range? Nope. Willpower. Now, thanks to my staunch will and resistance to GAS, I've got $7K saved up - in cash.

So c'mon, B&H - open up the damn preorders for the 1D X already!! This willpower crap is for the birds - birds I want to take pictures of at 12 fps on the new flagship body!!

 

[JR]

I know of only one way to stave off GAS. WILLPOWER. This past April, I purchased a decent home studio setup (a second 430EX II, an Einstein monolight, a set of PocketWizards to trigger them all, an assortment of softboxes, grids, etc., light stands, a background support and several backdrops). But since then, nothing (ok, not counting the S100). Willpower. I've simply told myself, over and over, that enough is enough. Rebate on the 70-300 L? No. Really want a 24-70/2.8 for shallower DoF in the general purpose range? Nope. Willpower. Now, thanks to my staunch will and resistance to GAS, I've got $7K saved up - in cash.

So c'mon, B&H - open up the damn preorders for the 1D X already!! This willpower crap is for the birds - birds I want to take pictures of at 12 fps on the new flagship body!!

+1 on the WILL POWER ... or lack thereoff for the 1DX when B&H allow pre-orders...

 

[Jettatore]

There is a cure if you really want one. I found it after a lot of studying lenses, and I continue to heavily study the equipment that is available.

I decided to build a minimal kit, that has as little as possible and some variations inherent. So when I leave the house I can pick 1 body and 1 lens out of a pool of 2 or 3. Go out with 2 bodies and 2 lenses, or go out with 2 bodies, 3 lenses with the third in a minimal bag. It becomes an even neater way of doing things if the one body is a crop, and the other is a FF and you can switch which lens goes on which body for a slightly different effect.

Now, while you build your 2 body and 2 or 3 lens kit, you thinking what/how you want to be shooting. You cannot cover every possible situation without owning a ton more stuff, but you can figure out what you do most, and what is meant for a special occasion. Now you can either supplement some extra stuff for those occasions where it would make sense, or just rent for those days which is altogether more affordable. This means, you always own a very good base, that suits your style and you are never limiting yourself because you have full access to everything else that could be useful on a rental basis. If your style/needs change, then switch around your base kit.

You might choose to only have 1 body, I'm just eluding to the kit I'm working on. You could do a 1 body with 3 or 4 lens kit and save days you might want to go out with 2 bodies, to rent the 2nd body. This is all personal decisions that you have to make to suit you. I really would spend your time figuring what you want to shoot most, and what setup would work for those scenarios, paying careful attention to what you are going to bring with you in the situation and how you plan to carry it all and effectively use it. It's important to be realistic and come up with a plan that doesn't have you switching lenses in the field all day and lugging around a massive backpack. So look into carrying/harness gear as well and figure out what you think will work best for you.

Now this will not stop you from studying equipment, I love that, it's a fun distraction. But knowing that you have a full permanent base kit that covers you're main uses in photography, and can easily be supplement by a 3-day or longer rental at affordable prices, and all of a sudden you no longer feel the need to buy it all, you just want to know it all and have access to it.

Remember, at the end of the day, even if you have 1 of everything Canon makes, that you can't just bring it all with you and use it effectively in any given situation. Making important decisions before you leave the house preparing in advance to be versatile, mobile/nimble and well prepared for the situation you are going into.

 

[briansquibb]

I have ended up with 4 bodies and a load of L lens.

For a days shooting I usually go out with 2 bodies hanging on the Black Rapid twin straps and a small bag with a couple of spare lens. Probably more lens in the truck 'in case' along with the tripod (which I dont use much)

I have 2x7D, 5DII and 1D4 all of which have their strengths and weaknesses. Same with the lens too. However the number of combinations available usually means I am OK (I sometimes end up with the 17-40 as a kit lens on the 1D4 or the 400 f/2.8 on the 5DII for pooch portraits)

When buying maximise the number of options from your kit and you will be surprised how little you need (as opposed to want)

 

[TexPhoto]

You have a great camera and think you're taking amateur photos. You think you need some other piece of gear. A lens, a flash, another camera.

The painful truth... You need knowledge and practice. What books about photography did you read today? Which instructional websites and youtube videos did you study? Photoshop magazines poured through? Photography club meeting attended? How many thousand shots did you shoot this week? How many of those did you post and seek critiques of? (not ridicules flickr awards)

Actually, I liked your Cuba shots. But my point is, the photographer is more important than the equipment. There are an insane amount of resources for learning, most of it free. Tap in.

 

[Paolo]

TexPhoto,

you points make a lot of sense. When I can rationalize the problem, I see it the same way. I should stop reading lens' reviews and should go out and shoot, or read a book with good advices on how to improve my technique.

That said, sometimes the irrational side takes over and I get into troubles: 1. I like the lens itself and don't see it as an "instrument"; 2. I believe that a better lens would mean better photography (sometimes true, others not).


http://www.flickr.com/photos/paolofontana/

 

[branden]

If TexPhoto's comments aren't enough, I'll share my own personal revelation: that travelling with just one or two prime lenses makes it much simple for me to compose shots in my head, and to quickly identify a good composition, before the camera has even left the bag. Basically, my mind's eye starts "seeing" like the lens, and ultimately I get better shots because of it. When I used to carry around 6+ lenses, I was always wasting time switching back and forth, as if when later reviewing the photos, I'm going to notice any difference between a 35mm and 28mm composition.

 

[Cregg Annarino]

Hey Paolo,

Why don't you attack this in this way....Buy gear that will allow you to be prepared for any situation you come across in your travels. Even if you don't need it, it's better to have it than wish you had it if needed. Maybe get a wider angle lens than the 24 zoom.....Maybe add a flash, or reflector for people shots or when you need more light......Lenses you seem to be covered except for really wide, you could upgrade to faster ones if you feel you love shooting with a certain lens.

 

[branden]

"Buy gear that will allow you to be prepared for any situation you come across in your travels."

Just my two cents, but that's too much gear.

 

[briansquibb]

I was a believer in Tex's approach, until I bought a 1D4 and a 400 f/2.8. I am now born again L kit buyer

 

[goodmane]

@ Paulo

You don';t mention flash. My first suggestino (one that may result in buying several different kinds of flash and accessories, umbrellas etc. would be to visit strobist.com and read strobist 101: i.e. learn how to use flash off camera and create your own light. This will keep you entertained for a lifetime.

Secondly, I know what you mean about trying somehting new lens wise. I would suggest not going for fisheye as I think on full frame the 15mm looks too wide and specialist. I sold my 15mm fe when I got 5d from 10d.

Instead consider getting a macro e.g. 100m 2.8 used. Play with it. Then if you don't like it - or use it much after a few years - sell it and you won't have lost much if anything I donn't have the macro but will probably get one for a few years just to have a play at some point.

The great thing about most lenses is that you can buy and sell used and you don't lose much, it's like putting your money in the bank, or better sometimes

 

[DavidM]

"Buy gear that will allow you to be prepared for any situation you come across in your travels."

Just my two cents, but that's too much gear.

I agree!

 

[Paolo]

I believe I have found my (temporary) cure in a 16-35. Ordered it a few days ago and should get it next week. I feel much better now ...even if I realize that sooner than later I will feel the pain again.

At that point I will start asking myself questions regarding my 70-200 f4 IS and the "need" to upgrade to the f2.8 II vs the other path of pairing the f4 with a 135.

Ok ok, I will keep that aside for a while and will enjoy my 16-35 as long as possible. I will follow your good advices and practice, read, study and enjoy taking pictures.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/paolofontana/

 

[danski0224]

I also have a 16-35, and it is probably my most used lens (5DII).

I rented the Canon and Zeiss 35mm f1.4 primes.

The Canon is nice, so is the Zeiss, but I can't get good focus with the Zeiss, even with the Eg-S screen. I have to use live view. Not sure if one of the aftermarket split screens would do the trick.

 

[TexPhoto]

I was a believer in Tex's approach, until I bought a 1D4 and a 400 f/2.8. I am now born again L kit buyer

Hey don't get me wrong, I have 3 bodies, 11 lenses, and 4 flashes. I love new gear, and pine over what I can and cannot buy. I just wanted the OP to know he can't let that stop the learning or shooting. We all have very different budgets, but I doubt any of us have every camera and piece of gear we want, and you can't let that dominate your photography experience.

 

[briansquibb]

I was a believer in Tex's approach, until I bought a 1D4 and a 400 f/2.8. I am now born again L kit buyer

Hey don't get me wrong, I have 3 bodies, 11 lenses, and 4 flashes. I love new gear, and pine over what I can and cannot buy. I just wanted the OP to know he can't let that stop the learning or shooting. We all have very different budgets, but I doubt any of us have every camera and piece of gear we want, and you can't let that dominate your photography experience.

Just selling my 2 7Ds to make room for another 1D4