Resenting new equipment is very familiar to me. Currently I am resenting my new Canon R5, as well as my new iPhone, both of which can’t seem to stand up to their predecessors. I think the resentment comes from knowing you didn’t need the equipment but caving to the pressure. Sure there are positives, at least to the R5, but I love the comfort of an old piece of equipment, and honestly most equipment made after say… 2015, didn’t improve my images, just made them more complicated to make. I prefer to use my second-hand Bron Grafits, my 2015 DSLR, my 2014 Speedlites, and I basically cannot live without my hot shoe level, because I refuse to get acquainted to the camera’s digital one. On a location shoot just last week, I switched back mid shoot to my trusty DSLR, because my new camera (less than a year old) was showing so many dead pixels it made my stomach turn. It just feels excessive to continue mindlessly upgrading, and like a distraction from the craft. At the end of the day, I can’t think of a better way to say it, it really is the carpenter, not his tools.
And congrats on including the granola bar, so important. Self-care isn’t my strong suit, but I would say bandaids are my essential self-care item. ;)
“A distraction from the craft.” That’s exactly it! And I agree that the new stuff that doesn’t feel as great as the old stuff, that’s a real pit-of-the-stomach annoying feeling.
You know who I envy? Guitar players. The peculiarities of a specific model of guitar, or even a specific guitar itself, can drastically change the “quality” of what they are able to produce. And while yes, a Hassy looks different than an R5, but the 1968 Hassy doesn’t produce appreciably different images than the 1995 Hassy. I should learn guitar because then I could really covet some gear.
I did not know that about Guitars, but yes that would be incredible. I think even with music though, the best guitar in the world can't write a song that connects, and when someone plays it with soul, you can definitely tell the difference.
I always find the most interesting is just beyond the hard goods, ie at the bottom. hands down fave tool is my beloved FOBA camera stand, almost 20yrs shooting, thats the shining star.
Resenting new equipment is very familiar to me. Currently I am resenting my new Canon R5, as well as my new iPhone, both of which can’t seem to stand up to their predecessors. I think the resentment comes from knowing you didn’t need the equipment but caving to the pressure. Sure there are positives, at least to the R5, but I love the comfort of an old piece of equipment, and honestly most equipment made after say… 2015, didn’t improve my images, just made them more complicated to make. I prefer to use my second-hand Bron Grafits, my 2015 DSLR, my 2014 Speedlites, and I basically cannot live without my hot shoe level, because I refuse to get acquainted to the camera’s digital one. On a location shoot just last week, I switched back mid shoot to my trusty DSLR, because my new camera (less than a year old) was showing so many dead pixels it made my stomach turn. It just feels excessive to continue mindlessly upgrading, and like a distraction from the craft. At the end of the day, I can’t think of a better way to say it, it really is the carpenter, not his tools.
And congrats on including the granola bar, so important. Self-care isn’t my strong suit, but I would say bandaids are my essential self-care item. ;)
“A distraction from the craft.” That’s exactly it! And I agree that the new stuff that doesn’t feel as great as the old stuff, that’s a real pit-of-the-stomach annoying feeling.
You know who I envy? Guitar players. The peculiarities of a specific model of guitar, or even a specific guitar itself, can drastically change the “quality” of what they are able to produce. And while yes, a Hassy looks different than an R5, but the 1968 Hassy doesn’t produce appreciably different images than the 1995 Hassy. I should learn guitar because then I could really covet some gear.
I did not know that about Guitars, but yes that would be incredible. I think even with music though, the best guitar in the world can't write a song that connects, and when someone plays it with soul, you can definitely tell the difference.
I always find the most interesting is just beyond the hard goods, ie at the bottom. hands down fave tool is my beloved FOBA camera stand, almost 20yrs shooting, thats the shining star.
Oh man, I’ve always wanted one of those. I’ve got the vintage Arkay stand that is technically fine but certainly nothing to covet.
From a reader email:
“The shoulder bag I use for school to port my 13" laptop and binder always has:
An extra Manfrotto quick release plate
Dedicated Nikon, Fuji & AA batteries
Gu Espresso Love
Small packet of SDHC cards
Lemon Cough drops
Small utility knife and razorblade dispenser
1" roll of black gaffers
And I'm not even carrying a camera.”