PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Do you suffer from GAS? If so why? If you need help in understanding it, possible this article may help you spending needless $$$$Dollars.

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2012/03/04/10-tips-on-how-to-cure-yourself-of-gas-gear-acquisition-syndrome/

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

This is just my take on all this gas attack that seems to be a subject at least once a day on here. Instead of gas attacks ,maybe spend the money on lessons on learning what you have before upgrading and then go on a site and asking all kind of stupid things ,like how to shoot this or that, what setting should I use to shoot a sunset, sunrise, at the beach, portrait, wedding , inside , outside etc. etc. People the top line of camera and lenses do not make a better picture if you don't know how to use it. Forget the gas ,learn your tools that you have first. Also if your at the stage that you feel you are ready to upgrade, you and you alone should know what to purchase for your needs. Not a bunch of people that you probably don't know and never will face to face.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Agree 150 percent

angela k Loc: Long Island

I've never suffered from a GAS attach of the camera kind, but I totally agree with this!! It's not the camera that makes a good photographer, it's the person behind the camera that your have and also you need to know how to compose an appealing shot... knowing how to use it is a big plus!!

jcboy3

I've got the GAS, and it is GOOD!!!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Knowing how to use the camera is kind of like knowing how to ride a motorcycle before buying one, or at least a really big expensive one. You start out small and learn.

Personally, I own a lot of cameras and gear, and a really big expensive motorcycle; a journey that began when I was 15 and had access to a Minolta SRT 101 and a Kawasaki 90. My first was a Canon AT-1 then an AE-1 then an A-1. I learned how to use them and use them I did. Eventually digital came along and a whole new world of photography and gear presented itself and I learned and I acquired more gear. I now have 2 FF digital cameras, and bunch of 1.6 crop frame cameras and a 1.5 crop frame camera, and I know how to use every one of them, although the 1.5 I'm still learning the basics on that one.

Call it GAS if you want, but every one of them, the digitals, are still used and every one of them was purchased with my money, not because of some syndrome but because I could.

I keep reading, better cameras don't make better pictures. They sure as heck do if you have one and know how to use it.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Why should anyone care how much someone else spends on gear, or why they do it?

10MPlayer Loc: California

I admit I do but I'm pretty good at keeping it in check. It happens in every hobby. Just look at all the ads on the golf channel that promise 10 extra yards if you'll just spring for the $600 driver or the $5 golf ball. I own a Nissan 370Z. It happens with car guys. THere are so many things you can do to a car. New exhaust system $2000. Brake upgrade $2000. If you want to boost the 332 hp engine to 550 hp all you need is a supercharger, new exhaust, new computer chip. Of course you need to lower the vehicle two inches and put 30mm offsets on the wheels so they stick out beyond the fender wells just a bit. Afterwards more suspension parts are required along with an alignment. And while we're talking about wheels, well why stick with the OEM wheels when you can spend thousands for something that looks similar but different and happens to have the right brand name. I could go on.

How do I handle it? I think about other things I could do with the money. Do I need a $6300 camera or could I go on a vacation to Europe? It's all about priorities and reality. I know getting rid of my formerly $1200 camera and buying that $6300 full frame isn't going to make me a better photographer. If I made my living with photography then it would be different. I'd get the best I could afford.

Duckfart Loc: Olympia, Washington

Good advice. I'll start just as soon as my 8mm fisheye arrives...and the Sony A7Rii...and the....

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Two suggestions I disagree with on this article are to stick to one lens and one camera only. Sorry, not for me. One camera perhaps. I own two. It was suggested only to buy a film camera. That's OK for film enthusiasts, not me. I owned one of them over 25 years ago. I own several lenses, none over $1000 each. I buy what I need so far. There are times individuals buy something they don't need, but get it anyway. For example buying a $2000+ lens and only using it once or twice a year would not be beneficial to me, but OK for others. If you make a living as a photographer, you buy what you need to get that perfect shot.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I think every one of us suffers whether it's with photo gear, cars, homes, no matter what.