I had a good laugh at myself the other day. I was thinking about flashes that I hardly ever used. I had made a vow to start practicing with them, and I have. However, that dormant equipment lust tried to rear its expensive head and seduce me into visiting a number of sites and spending my hard-earned money.
The first thought in my mind was: Hey! I could get a set of those cool Radio Popper thingys. Let’s see, I have 3 flashes, so I’ll need 3 receivers and one transmitter. Should I get the P1 or the new X series. There about $60 difference each. I’ll go read the specs … OK. All told, that would about $1000. WTF? Reality kicked in and I thought: Wait just a darn minute. I’m photographing knick-knacks for goodness sake and the Nikon CLS system works just fine indoors. If I need to move outdoors and photograph people, then we’ll think about being able to shoot up to 1,500 feet away. For now, 40 feet will do. 
I guess that shiny new toys just stay forever on my mind. The system works just peachy without those cool new technological baubles. BTW, I still haven’t purchased a D700! I’m so proud of myself. I’m gonna turn around and allow each one of you to give me a congratulatory pat on the back! LOL!!!
I did buy a Mac, though, so I’m not immune, just lightly vaccinated against some things.
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10 Responses to “Be prepared to stop!”
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pat, pat.
That equipment lust is crazy, and it pops up everywhere.
Sad for those people out there unable to control it. Even if you own a pile of cool gadgets, life must suck pretty hard when you got credit debt way over your head.
Moderating acquisition syndrome is why we have wives, at least that’s what she keeps telling me.
I agree that the lust can really get out of hand. And I think photographers in general can become a bit self-conscious of their own equipment when you read things about the latest and greatest. So I try to stay away from those raves about the D3x! I don’t need a $8,000 monkey on my back.
I don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about gear that I don’t have, but I’m far from being immune. I suppose it goes with the territory. The top of the line cameras don’t tempt me as much as some lenses that I would love to have.
Way to stay strong!! *pat *pat
My dad just got his radio poppers. Maybe when the upgrade…and we know they will, he’ll pass his on to me.
my vacination obviously has warn off…this is being typed from my new toy/tool, a Kindle2. Just arrived last night. my experiment to see if I could read your blog from it has worked
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Good on you! Resisting the lure of new gadgetry is tough…really tough and these days one can always justify it by saying “well I’m just trying to do my part for the ailing economy”. Lol…not!
I was recently reading about the radio poppers. I already have 3 pocket wizards so they are not on my list any time soon. I also like the CLS for most things. There are times when I cannot use it because not all my flash units are compatible with CLS.
A Kindle or something similar would certainly be a great new toy. Unfortunately (of fortunately, depending on the perspective), Amazon hasn’t introduced it in Europe (yet).
Let’s admit it, we’re all gearheads to some extent – and as long as I don’t compleltey loose the grip on my financial reality, it’s ok for me…
I keep a lust list. If I find myself wanting some photo gear, I put it on the lust list. I don’t buy stuff on the lust list for at least 6 months. Sometimes by then the lust has worn off or I’m lusting even more for something else.
@Billie: I like that! A “Lust list”.
It takes discipline to wait 6 months! Hmmm, that D700 has been out for more then 6 months and my lust for it hasn’t diminished, either … 