GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is a real problem for most photographers, especially as we enter the holiday season.
It seems like manufacturers are announcing a new camera, lens, strobe, or other goodie on an almost daily basis. As the announcements and reviews roll out, it's easy to think that we need a new piece of gear. That 26-megapixel camera was great for the last few years, but now, all of a sudden, you need 40 megapixels because your gear is dated, and your images will be so much better once you get that fancy new camera or lens.
Professionals as well as amateurs struggle with GAS on one level or another, and in this YouTube video, I detail how I deal with my own case of Gear Acquisition Syndrome by talking about one of my all-time favorite lenses, the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 R, which is 10 years old and one of Fuji's original lenses for the X-Mount system. I've used this lens extensively over the years, including out in rain and snow storms. I've dropped it, bumped it, and sometimes even haul it around in my double bass case attached to my X-Pro1. Using this lens has often helped me relieve a bad case of GAS!
I hope you enjoy this video and the images included in it, as they are some of favorite captures with the Fuji 35mm. I would also love to hear from you in the comments below on how you deal with your own case of Gear Acquisition Syndrome, so please let me know.
It is a difficult subject to navigate. After ten years of a hiatus from photography, I went back in with both feet. Since I was unable to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions, I went ahead and purchased a camera, several lenses and filters. It took me a few months to understand and accept that equipment is only part of photography and due to the quick changes in technology, it is nearly impossible to stay current.
I don’t understand the need to be current anyway. The need to always be using the latest gear and the feeling people’s current gear is somehow lacking is quite an alien concept to me. I certainly don’t believe most photographers must have the latest specs to be able to do their photography and or video. It’s more of a desire to have it dressed up as something that’s holding them back.