Taoguy
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 p.1 #8 · When is gear good enough? | |
I think you hit the nail right on the head regarding what most people need. However, rarely do we purchase what we need. Your list to determine a photographers needs on paper, looks like a good model. Again most of us, I stress the word MOST, buy what we want, not what we need.
We buy cars we like, homes we like, visit places we like, associates with people we like, etc. Human nature buys a lot of product simply because we can, then we justify the purchase after it is made.
I am not suggesting that is good or bad, a little of both I suppose. The good effect is that it generally keeps things moving forward, the industry keeps growing, $ are pumped into the economies. Call it progress.
I would also suggest that the main reason for the shortened cycle time between new models is due to the computer. Our lives have changed more than most of us realize because of the computer. Our society tires quickly of old models of anything, there is this speculation about the latest and greatest coming out tomorrow, forgetting that today is a tomorrow and shouldn’t we just enjoy today a little more. Just look at the threads on FM speculating about the next release.
The computer has enabled all of us to so many new technologies, so much better than what we had in the past, and break through discoveries happen daily. We are driven looking for the next best, fastest, lightest, etc. This seems to speed up our lives to the extent we are always doing something, whether we should be or not.
How this all impacts us is yet to fully be understood. I miss the days of old, life was slower and I certainly took more time to see and smell the roses. It seems we lived more for the day; enjoyed more of the day, and just plain lived. Probably just me getting old and long in the tooth, but I think anyone older than 55 knows what I mean.
Digital was a big change for the industry, for the better for sure, I still print 90% of my own, have more money in my gear than what I paid for either of my first two houses, in 1974 I bought a new car and felt guilty that I had spent over $5000.00 on it and had to finance $1800 for 2 years, first time I took out a two year loan on a car.
Try that today.. Do I need the gear I have? Nope. Do I like the gear I have? Yup.
Most point and shoot cameras today are more than any hobbyist needs. A hobby has a path of evolving to better and better, or I want it, I buy it. I am guilty of this as well, hobby or profession.
We have long passed the point of buying to fill our needs, especially in this country. As other third world nations line up, I’m certain history will offer to them the same opportunity and they will follow the same path, we all want something better for our kids, right?
As for me, I miss the old days where there was time to do those things I enjoyed without having to look at my schedule, then slot it in and call it spontaneous.
Enough of my ramblings, I can’t wait to see the real specs/cost of the new Nikon D800. Is Feb. 7th still the release date?
Oh well, you see I really need this new body because……….
Cheers,
Gerard
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