Gear Acquisition Syndrome: please help!!!

[Paolo]

Ok, I am almost sure I got the Gear Acquisition Syndrome...

After a few years with my 40d, last April I upgraded to a 5DMkii. I now use it with 24-105, 70-200 f4 IS and sigma 50 1.4 and love it.

I shoot for fun, when walk around my city or when I travel. During my last trip, I took with me the 24-105 and the 50 only (wanted to be light) and used the former 90% of the time. How did I shoot? like a tourist... (see the Cuba set on my flickr page).

That said, I am looking around for something new. You know, Christmas is coming and it is always a good excuse to give yourself something new (or, better, ask a generous relative to....to be generous).

In any case, I look around, I read review, I shoot and try to understand what I'd NEED...and I am confused. Do I want to go wider and get a 16-35? Do I want an 85 1.2? Who knows...maybe the 85 1.8, or the 135 2.0.....?
Believe me I am doing my homework. I look on Flickr to see what I like and well...I like a lot (from street photography to portraits, from landscape to architecture). I am checking my stats on lightroom: when i use the 24-105, most of the shots are either 24 or 105. When I use the 70-200, same thing, mostly 70 or 200. Both are usually wide open. I love the shallow DoF of the 50, so I know my next lens HAS TO BE FAST.

Anyway, suggestions on how to get cured?
1. Do not tell me - please - that I need to keep on shooting with what I have until my ideas are clearer. I already know that and it's not helping...

2. Do not tell me to buy everything.

3. Do not tell me that I am the only one that can know what I want. Because I do not know

Actually, this topic can be therapeutic by itself. Maybe I don't need an answer...



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

 

[Meh]

Do what I do and convince yourself you need the things you want. It alleviates buyer's remorse completely.

If you love your Sigma 50 f/1.4 then there is no reason not to get the Sigma 85 f/1.4 but you do have that focal length covered, albeit at f/4, so you might want to add something wider than you already have if only adding one lens.

I have the 16-35mm f/2.8L II and love it. Buying this lens will 'cure' you for several months. A permanent cure is not possible. Accepting that will allow full enjoyment of your new gear.

 

[Cnonverbal]

Just my idea: There's only one cure I've ever found for your dilemma. Sit own and spend a few hours meditating on books of photography you appreciate. You'll soon realize that camera gear is about 10% of the result. It's only technology in the service of grounded creativity and feeling. You will find this will will calm down the equipment frenzy and put you back peacefully working in the field. I think most photographer's run into this issue from time to time.

 

[Meh]

@Paolo... just looked through some of your shots on Flickr. Very nice. Actually looks like you have everything you need already! There's nothing wrong with adding to your kit as long as you're not buying things you can't afford but your gear list doesn't seem extravagant so far so you don't need to be cured.

Actually, I'm not trying to be cheeky. Accepting that you love photography and that you enjoy the gear might help you make the right choices and not feel like you have to have everything just because. It's a bit of reverse psychology.

 

[aldvan]

Paolo, I guess you are an Italian fellow of me... My advice is always the same: go for something radical. If you don't abuse of it, if you don't go for the spectacular side of it, it helps to see things in a different way.
I have a good range of lenses, covering from WA to long focals, but my favorites are the old good 100-400 and the 100 IS macro. They force me not being just a witness but to read the World in front of me...

P.S. don't be ashamed for the GAS, there are worse thingaround at the present...

 

[dstppy]

DON'T PANIC

You have a moderate case of Accessoritis. It's not a big deal, but as Chris Rock said "they don't cure anything anymore" -- you can learn to live with it.

Suppression is the key. Go down to your local registry office, chapel or other house of worship "meet a nice girl" and get married.

You'll be forced to make due from thereon out.

;D

Rentals are probably the way to go for a bit. I have a feeling you'll love the 85mm 1.8 you mentioned; I'm dying to get a FF body and put mine on it . . .

Do you still have the 40D around? If so and you can juggle 2 bodies, try your 24-105mm on it, the change in range could be enough to spur your imagination a bit.

Whatever you go with (f/2.8 and under isn't cheap in a lot of cases) get something with a constant aperture across the range.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I've the same Syndrome. I usually buy used equipment locally when I see a deal good enough that I know I can resell it without losing money. I then use it for a month or a year, and sell it to buy a new toy.

When I buy new, its for a specific purpose, and I keep those.

 

[Paolo]

Thank you all for the very appreciated suggestions! much cheaper than going to shrink....

@Meh: I really like your need-want approach and thank you for the nice words.

@Cnonverbal: that's a good one. It looks you speak out of your own experience! I will try that.

@Aldvan: si, sono italiano. But currently living in New York. That does not help because I don't know how long I am staying here and since prices in Italy are higher I only have incentives to buy while I am here!

@Dstppy: sold the 40d. Got a wife (not related to the selling of the 40d i hope). She pushes me to buy. She's soo away from the cure. Guess she's mad ;D

@Mt Spokane: that is another really good one.

I feel I want to go UWA or very fast because of the different perspective i can get out of it. My 24-105 is wonderful but at f4 i find it somehow boring. I know, it's only my lack of skills....


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

 

[distant.star]

Get thee to a monastery!

Renounce material goods, become a monk and pray constantly.

But first, send all that iniquitous photo equipment to me. I assure you I will sell it (eventually) and give all money to the poor.

It's the only way!

Actually, on a serious note, the lure of making images is so strong, the famous Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, couldn't resist and published a small book of his pictures. Merton wrote of his camera (a Canon, of course):

"It is fabulous. What a joy of a thing to work with.The camera is the most eager and helpful of all beings, all full of happy suggestions. Reminding me of things I have overlooked and cooperating in the creation of new worlds. So Simply."

So, blessings on you, my son. Go in peace -- and take pictures!

 

[Meh]

Get thee to a monastery!

Renounce material goods, become a monk and pray constantly.

But first, send all that iniquitous photo equipment to me. I assure you I will sell it (eventually) and give all money to the poor.

It's the only way!

Actually, on a serious note, the lure of making images is so strong, the famous Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, couldn't resist and published a small book of his pictures. Merton wrote of his camera (a Canon, of course):

"It is fabulous. What a joy of a thing to work with.The camera is the most eager and helpful of all beings, all full of happy suggestions. Reminding me of things I have overlooked and cooperating in the creation of new worlds. So Simply."

So, blessings on you, my son. Go in peace -- and take pictures!

And to you sir, +1

 

[AaronCR]

There's nothing like the 135 f2 on a 5D Mark II.
Check the flickr groups.

 

[Meh]

Actually, on a serious note, the lure of making images is so strong, the famous Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, couldn't resist and published a small book of his pictures. Merton wrote of his camera (a Canon, of course):

What's the title of the book? I'm a photography book junkie particularly photos from inspiring/spiritual photographers.

 

[distant.star]

While there are several Merton books that contain some of his photography, the one I'm referring to is "Woods, Shore, Desert." Not entirely a classic photo book, it's Merton's images taken in the western U.S. -- as I recall since I haven't looked at my copy in many years.

I suspect it's out of print, but used copies, I'm sure, can be found.

Actually, on a serious note, the lure of making images is so strong, the famous Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, couldn't resist and published a small book of his pictures. Merton wrote of his camera (a Canon, of course):

What's the title of the book? I'm a photography book junkie particularly photos from inspiring/spiritual photographers.

 

[Meh]

Thanks @distant.star

 

[Paolo]

yes, thanks distant.star. it's good to end the week on such a spiritual note



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

 

[Flake]

I'm going to suggest something which you haven't said you have, the Canon flash system. Personally I'd reccomend you buy two 580EX IIs and the Yongnuo ST E2 remote. Without a flash you can't over come daylight, you can't shoot backlit, and the 5D MkII doesn't have a pop up.

There are so many aspects to flash photography that it's almost a subject in itself, photography is all about light, you miss a whole load of opportunities if you can't control the light. Oh & buy Syl Arenas book to go with it all. Certainly a whole load cheaper than most lenses!

 

[Paolo]

Flake, I thought about a flash but i am not convinced. I tend to prefer natural light and i guess i need to learn how to take good photos with natural light before moving to a flash.
thanks for trying to broaden my disease though



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

 

[Caps18]

If you take pictures of people in less than perfect light, than a flash will help. But, the flash system on the 5Dm2 is complex (you really have to try stuff to see how it turns out).

I have the 16-35 f/2.8 and it is my favorite lens for landscape photos. The 17-40 would be good too (although I like the f/2.8 and faster 16-35 now that I have used it)

I haven't looked at your pictures yet, but I would recommend reading some books and getting some tips on different techniques. A tripod might be a good investment or extension tubes. Although I need to practice my macro skills a lot more...

 

[elflord]

Rent some lenses and buy whichever you like. For a fast tele, I'd suggest Sigma 85mm f/1.4 or the 135mm f/2. You could try a wide angle zoom also. Rent a few and decide which one you want to buy.

 

[JR]

Hey Paolo, I have the same syndrome you have! I think you could have a lot of fun with some fast prime lens. Depending on your use, you might want to try out the 135L f2 or even the 85L 1.2 II depending on your budget. The 135L can be a great walk around lens and it is not very heavy so that's a plus.

I completely here you wanting to expand your gears to shoot differently. I spent the last year shooting only with a 50mm 1.2L and a 85mm 1.2L II and althought this helps get better with each lens, I had the same craving to try something else. Since I love portraits I decided to add some longer focal lenght to the collection but I am also looking to add wider lens later (waiting for the 35mm 1.4L II hopefully!).

For the money, you cannot go wrong with a 135L f2. If you are looking more for inside shooting, then you should consider the 85mm...finally, someone suggested you add some flash to your gears and I would also agree with that. No need to become an expert with a flash to have fun with it. If you do any shooting inside given you have 2 f4 zoom lens, I consider adding a flash a muct to increase your fun and fuel your addiction! 8)