Kit Whore?

Nick Owen

Nick Owen

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Do you suffer from GAS? There is even a web site for you to indulge in gear envy. http://shotkit.com/emin-kuliyev/

Perhaps members would like to show their kit collection on here as they do on ShotKit? By all means post them up on this thread. (nicely presented pictures please as befits dedicated togs!)

Discusion time: Do you really need what you have? (This is aimed at the pleasure snapper, not working pros)

Personally speaking, my cameras are simply tools for getting the shot I have pre-imagined in my head. This comes I suppose from a lifetime of professional photography, and applies just as much now as it did when working with clients. This doesn't mean I don't suffer from GAS... I too, am weak in this regard as I can convince myself pretty easily that the latest wiz bang lens/camera/ I just HAVE to have. But budget considerations have always been a strong break on my temptations. So if I needed a certain lens or camera, I'd usually rent. But now that I'm simply pleasure snapping, what do I really need? Not a lot it turns out. I should really let go of my babies...

When I'm out and about snapping stuff, my gear invariably consists of just two cameras, each with its own prime lens, one medium wide and one medium long. (M9 + 35mm f2, and d90 +50 f1.4) This means two important things - I don't need to faff about changing lens and I don't carry much weight. Everything fits into a tiny shoulder camera bag and is ready to shoot immediately. So wtf am I doing with all the other stuff? Not a lot is the answer. But I hang on to them 'in case' they are needed. But rationally, they should go. And now they will. I am further seriously considering downsizing. To just one small simple camera, an XT2 with a general do-it-all long zoom, and one prime wide.

After all, do you really need big fast primes and FF and super megapixel sensors to ensure the best results? You have to question the meaning of 'best' here. Technically. Sure. Of course. Maybe. But stats are GAS bait. Look at some of the finest pictures, and what they were taken on is often irrelevant. Never blame the camera for poor pictures, and expensive kit doesn't necessarily ensure great pictures. (note that I am not including specialist photography in that statement, like wildlife and sports, they DO need top notch stuff!) No, I'm talking about the jobbing tog, taking general non-specialised pictures. That's me, that is. And maybe you. So it's rationalisation time. Wish me luck!

So show me your own kit rational.


(This is not me in case you were wondering! Just a GAS of a picture I found on-line! No idea who he is...)
GAS-Whore.jpg
 
I have a Fuji X-T2 and invariably it has an 18-135mm lens in place. I have just purchased an 10-24mm lens and intend just using these two lenses though I do have a 18-55mm lens I can use (Om my partners Fuji X-T10 normally) when wandering around towns etc. I hope to use the 10-24 in its place. I appreciate primes offer better IQ but I am not a great fan of carrying a bag full of lenses. I am happy to compromise IQ slightly for a lighter load. When I had my Nikon I tended to just go out with the one lens for the day and maybe switch to anther the next day. I will probably do the same with the Fuji kit. It just suits me not fretting about which lens I should have on and makes me work at how to using the existing lens more. I can't see the point of a bag full of lenses and not using them. Having said that I am considering a 35mm F2 for my street photography :)
 
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I suffer from GAS! Last time I took a pic of my kit was before I had another (severe) attack and bought a couple of 1Dxii's.

11707618_1023154027704339_3503775920828834138_n.jpg


I am beyond help!! Some of my lenses (eg 70-200L) have seen less than a dozen shots through them. My wife doesn't help much either as she bought me a 14mm last Christmas. None of this makes me a better photographer either. :(

What am I to do? :whistle:
 
FourRingCircus said:
I suffer from GAS! Last time I took a pic of my kit was before I had another (severe) attack and bought a couple of 1Dxii's.

I am beyond help!! Some of my lenses (eg 70-200L) have seen less than a dozen shots through them. My wife doesn't help much either as she bought me a 14mm last Christmas. None of this makes me a better photographer either. :(

What am I to do? :whistle:
Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^^
OMG!
At least you have understood the concept of "All the gear, but no idea"
I may have a solution to your quandary...
To ensure this expensive equipment is put to good use, please send it to me at the following address...
 
A little while ago I was asked for a picture of me, to accompany an article in a magazine. I didn't have any, so I grabbed some kit that was lying around and one of my colleagues took this quick snap.

1477417548948.jpg
 
viewfromthenorth said:
I have a few cameras, but when going out I just tend to pick the one that looks nicest on the day.
Click to expand...

I have this image of competing cameras in lipstick parading for your attention...


FourRingCircus said:
I suffer from GAS! Last time I took a pic of my kit was before I had another (severe) attack and bought a couple of 1Dxii's.

I am beyond help!! Some of my lenses (eg 70-200L) have seen less than a dozen shots through them. My wife doesn't help much either as she bought me a 14mm last Christmas. None of this makes me a better photographer either. :(

What am I to do? :whistle:
Click to expand...

You have an exceptional wife, don't let her go.


trevjm said:
It just suits me not fretting about which lens I should have on and makes me work at how to using the existing lens more. I can't see the point of a bag full of lenses and not using them. Having said that I am considering a 35mm F2 for my street photography :)
Click to expand...

Slippery slope on that f2, but you make a good point. The fewer lenses you use, and, perhaps as a necessity, the more expert you become at getting the best out of them.

StewartR said:
A little while ago I was asked for a picture of me, to accompany an article in a magazine. I didn't have any, so I grabbed some kit that was lying around and one of my colleagues took this quick snap.

View attachment 76169
Click to expand...

I think as you are renting your lenses, you've kinda missed the point of the thread.
 
Where are all the other shots of members kit? (and by kit, I do photo mean gear, so no sniggering at the back)
 
Andrew Moore said:
Some of my mirrorless kit from a while back. Missing a body or two on there as well as some lenses and my mirrored canon gear but you get the idea..

I have too much GAS :(

View attachment 76198
Click to expand...

I think your diagnosis is correct. I can recommend a therapist if you like. Missing a body or two? I imagine you need a roll call to make sure none have escaped. Get a grip man. (no, not another camera grip...)
 
Wow... SO MUCH KIT! I thought I was bad at one point I had a 450D, 600D, 5DII, 10-22mm, 17-50mm OS, 30mm 1.4, 55-250mm, 17-40mm, 40mm and a 85mm. I was tempted to get a 70-200mm 2.8 as well.
But now.. I have nothing. Literally nothing. But I'm planning on getting an X100T and RX100 at some point.
I hope I don't miss it!
 
I've never owned more than 2 bodies and 4 lenses at any one time. I think less is more in general. The more stuff I have the more i end up pondering on what to take out with me that day .... when you only got one body and 2 lenses there's no faffing about! you just pick up your bag and go shoot
 
I'll play.

30487291261_3d93ba2115_z.jpg


D7100 as my main camera and the one that I pick up 90% of the time. I really like this camera. I have three primes 35mm, 50mm (the 1.8d) and a Tamron 90. Also a Nikon 70-300m. My preferred lens are the primes.

D5100 the only camera I have with a screen that turns all the way around and faces the subject. I only use this one for YouTube videos of me playing the guitar which I do quite a bit of so I need a camera with such a screen. I have the kit 18-55, which I sometimes use on the D7100. Recently tried using the D5100 for "normal" photography and couldn't believe how horrible the handling and viewfinder were in comparison to the D7100.

I have a Panasonic GM1 with a 12-32 zoom (not in the pic as I needed something to take the shot with) . A tiny little combo that I stick in my pocket when I'm walking the dog, or popping into town. It's actually a tad too big for its intended purpose, has no viewfinder, and the buttons are so small I can't even see them half the time) but it gets me a few photos I wouldn't have got otherwise.

I can justify all of the above and, as it was all second hand and mint, total cost for all of that gear incl. the GM1 was <£1000.

But then I also have a Fuji x100s, and an X-Pro1 with 18mm and 35mm primes, and the 18-55 kit. Not sure why other than I was seduced by all the Fuji talk and wanted to try the system. This was before I had the D7100. I really like the Fuji system and, to get back on thread, I am gassing for an X-T1. Well, I'm gassing for an X-T2 but my buying philosophy is to buy when the next generation appears. So right now I'm catching up on all the X-T1 reviews and trying to justify the potential outlay. They're still a little too pricey but coming down fast. That said, I think I'll resist. At least, I'll try...
 
Nick Owen said:
(This is not me in case you were wondering! Just a GAS of a picture I found on-line! No idea who he is...)
Click to expand...

That's Eric Kim, the street photographer and blogger.

I'm guilty of having more cameras than him and certainly more than I need. Most are in the "should sell" pile but I never seem to get around to it. When I pick one up again I want to keep it!

I'm definitely coming around to the "less is more" argument.
 
Less is more argument working my side too.

Since that pic I've got another xpro2 and a couple of bits of glass.

I've also sold all my canon kit which consisted of 2 bodies and 5 lenses and move a m43 lens and the G6 on to my dad to upgrade his aging Olympus e520.

I'm looking to move one of my Fuji primes out for a zoom and then the entire m43 kit + a couple of X bodies for an XT2. It'll mean I'll be down to 3/4 Fuji X bodies and 7/8 lenses. It'll also mean I can stick to one format more easily and happily moving forward which should save some cash.
 
I had bad GAS and it was killing my wallet and my back, so I took a long hard look at what I wanted out of photography and as a result, replaced all this (and more)

gear_zps0f2a6965.jpg


with this

imag0337_zpsiumo4l6b.jpg


I am now much happier and when a new lens or whatever is released I have no interest in acquiring it, because it doesn't fit on either of these cameras.
 
Seeing some of the pics on here it's made me realise my GAS isn't actually that bad ;)
 
I feel a lot better now as my little collection is nothing compared to some of the GAS victims on this thread :D
I can't wait to buy more gear.... lol
 
Nick Owen said:
Do you suffer from GAS? There is even a web site for you to indulge in gear envy. http://shotkit.com/emin-kuliyev/

Perhaps members would like to show their kit collection on here as they do on ShotKit? By all means post them up on this thread. (nicely presented pictures please as befits dedicated togs!)

Discusion time: Do you really need what you have? (This is aimed at the pleasure snapper, not working pros)

Personally speaking, my cameras are simply tools for getting the shot I have pre-imagined in my head. This comes I suppose from a lifetime of professional photography, and applies just as much now as it did when working with clients. This doesn't mean I don't suffer from GAS... I too, am weak in this regard as I can convince myself pretty easily that the latest wiz bang lens/camera/ I just HAVE to have. But budget considerations have always been a strong break on my temptations. So if I needed a certain lens or camera, I'd usually rent. But now that I'm simply pleasure snapping, what do I really need? Not a lot it turns out. I should really let go of my babies...

When I'm out and about snapping stuff, my gear invariably consists of just two cameras, each with its own prime lens, one medium wide and one medium long. (M9 + 35mm f2, and d90 +50 f1.4) This means two important things - I don't need to faff about changing lens and I don't carry much weight. Everything fits into a tiny shoulder camera bag and is ready to shoot immediately. So wtf am I doing with all the other stuff? Not a lot is the answer. But I hang on to them 'in case' they are needed. But rationally, they should go. And now they will. I am further seriously considering downsizing. To just one small simple camera, an XT2 with a general do-it-all long zoom, and one prime wide.

After all, do you really need big fast primes and FF and super megapixel sensors to ensure the best results? You have to question the meaning of 'best' here. Technically. Sure. Of course. Maybe. But stats are GAS bait. Look at some of the finest pictures, and what they were taken on is often irrelevant. Never blame the camera for poor pictures, and expensive kit doesn't necessarily ensure great pictures. (note that I am not including specialist photography in that statement, like wildlife and sports, they DO need top notch stuff!) No, I'm talking about the jobbing tog, taking general non-specialised pictures. That's me, that is. And maybe you. So it's rationalisation time. Wish me luck!

So show me your own kit rational.


(This is not me in case you were wondering! Just a GAS of a picture I found on-line! No idea who he is...)
View attachment 76165
Click to expand...

The guy in the photo is Erik Kim... I'm guessing that photo is tongue in cheek because he's an advocate of less is more.

@Shotkit ; mark, look what you've started :D
 
I have calmed down a lot over the last couple of years. I seem to have settled with this lot. I only tend to upgrade bodies now. That is usually because I have a buyer for my existing body and it doesn't cost too much to upgrade.

30495842781_0fc4bf94a1_b.jpg
Untitled[/url] by kas10, on Flickr[/IMG] Untitled by kas10, on Flickr
 
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Glenn Surtees said:
I had bad GAS and it was killing my wallet and my back, so I took a long hard look at what I wanted out of photography and as a result, replaced all this (and more)

gear_zps0f2a6965.jpg


with this

imag0337_zpsiumo4l6b.jpg


I am now much happier and when a new lens or whatever is released I have no interest in acquiring it, because it doesn't fit on either of these cameras.
Click to expand...
Whats the smaller camera Glen?
 
niko said:
what about including your, pro kit? i take it there's a bit more!
Click to expand...

What do you think I took this on? :banana:

I am actually properly cleaned out in the pro department too. 1x D4s 16mm fisheye, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 and 300 PF. SU800 and flash units and a 1.4TC oh and a tripod.

It all goes in opne bag that I can fit in the right hand pannier on the bike....less kit, more time riding and taking pictures. :beer:
 
This was most of it as of a month or so ago.


14191906_10157359518080006_7528297740338964602_n.jpg

I've now sold a few manual lenses but also bought a Fuji X-E2, 23/1.4 & 56/1.2 to give Fuji a go hoping it'll let/allow/make me slim down.

My Yashica stuff I've had since the mid 90's & I have 10 rolls of Agfa in the drawer so I can't see that going anywhere :) I'm also going to keep the Helios 44-2.

I'm then considering selling the whole Canon FD set up [Av-1, FD28, FD50, FD85..... Which will then leave....

The A7, FE 35/2.8, Voigtlander 40/1.4 & Leitz Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 ~ The Leitz 90/2.8 can go I think & I'm thinking the X-E2 will replace the A7 & FE35 plus CV40 so maybe those three can go also.........

No real rush ;)
 
I have degassed to just a Fuji XT1 and 18-55 or 55-200 and an XPro1 and a 10-24 - the latter is really just an indulgence but gives me a lot of pleasure for some reason. I keep thinking of buying more but now apply a strict rule - 'How would it replace something I already have'. If I can't answer that one easily, then I don't buy. But it is difficult sometimes and I do agonize.
 
An oldish photo, purely for hobby with little activity recently. Only a D3 to add and about to aquire a 85mm f/1.8.

Greed by Scott, on Flickr
 
You guys don't have it so bad.

It's gotten way out of hand in my kit cupboard. This is just a few pictures of some of the kit. (missing the canon, olympus and zeiss lenses)

Main cameras (there are 3 canon FD bodies, 4 Canon eos bodies, a pentax, a franka, a voigtlander and another mamiya 645 missing from this shot)


Nikon Primes (missing the 80-200 zoom and tokina 100 macro)


Tamron adaptall 2 collection (missing the 90 macro)


Mamiya 645 lenses (missing the 80 f2.8 C, 210 f4 C, 2x TC and extension tubes)
 
Rosedalelad said:
I have degassed to just a Fuji XT1 and 18-55 or 55-200 and an XPro1 and a 10-24 - the latter is really just an indulgence but gives me a lot of pleasure for some reason. I keep thinking of buying more but now apply a strict rule - 'How would it replace something I already have'. If I can't answer that one easily, then I don't buy. But it is difficult sometimes and I do agonize.
Click to expand...


Pretty much all I want to have right now. Hoping to buy an XT-1 this week, still pondering on what lenses. The 55-200 looks sweet. It's the shorter end I can't decide upon. Loving what I've seen of the 35 f/2, but the 18-55 2.8-4 is tempting also, for some wider shooting. I might opt for the 35 and save on the side for the 10-24
 
Cagey75 said:
Pretty much all I want to have right now. Hoping to buy an XT-1 this week, still pondering on what lenses. The 55-200 looks sweet. It's the shorter end I can't decide upon. Loving what I've seen of the 35 f/2, but the 18-55 2.8-4 is tempting also, for some wider shooting. I might opt for the 35 and save on the side for the 10-24
Click to expand...

Samyang 12mm may well be the one on my shortlist ;)
 
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