Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS)
Derek Smith • 17 May 2021
I, in common with many other photographers are often affected by Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS), looking at, and researching, the latest cameras or lenses.
To counter pressing the “buy” button needlessly, and impoverishing ourselves in the process, I would ask the reader to consider these three little words, “like”, “want”, and “need”, you may like a new camera, but does it fulfil a need? As an example; a photographer has a good camera with a respectable kit lens, but wants to take photos of birds, and wildlife, he therefore has a “need” for a telephoto lens to be able to take those type of photos.
My own path in GAS is an abject lesson in point. Migrating from a simple “point and shoot” camera to an interchangeable lens mirrorless camera the Olympus PEN E-PL1 was a good choice, but I sold it after only a year because I was moving to Spain, and bought a Nikon Coolpix camera as a travel camera, fair enough. When I left Spain though I bought a Sony NEX 3, then a Sony A5100, replacing that with a Panasonic GX7, and all the various Panasonic lenses, macro, wide angle, and telephoto. Following on I bought an Olympus OM-D E-M10 ii, with which I took some impressive photos on holiday in Australia. Feeling that the 16 megapixel sensor was limiting my photography I sold the Olympus, and bought the Sony A6000, which was quickly replaced with the Sony A6300, and supplemented with a full frame Sony A7 ii. The reviews of the Sony A7 ii gave this camera very high praise, but the ergonomics of both Sony cameras did not suit me, and the lenses for full frame cameras are much more expensive, and heavier than the APS-C, or micro four thirds lenses.
Selling all of my Sony gear I now have the Olympus OM-D E-M5 iii, with the 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens, and the 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro lens. The Olympus camera is weatherproof, as are the lenses, with full IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation) and I feel like I’ve now “come home”, my camera equipment is light, and takes excellent photos. I believe that my images have improved, and this is not because this camera is the “best”, but more because this camera, and the lenses are the “best” for me.
My final point is that “image quality” may depend on the camera, and associated lenses, however “photographic quality” is a product of the photographer, and use of the camera equipment, as I think the recent competition using smart phones, and compact cameras decidedly prove. The “megapixel wars” do not necessarily make for great photos, there is no discernible difference between the 16 megapixel sensor on my Olympus PEN E-PL7, and the 20 megapixel sensor on my Olympus OM-D E-M5 iii, as a user though the hybrid autofocus on the larger sensor is faster, and more accurate, which is the reason I bought into the E-M5 iii once the sensor was updated.
Photo of sand racing on Skegness beach taken with the Sony A7ii, and 75 -300mm f/4.5 – f/5.6 lens. Detail: 198mm, ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/800.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All We have just come back from a week in Northumberland, staying at Newbiggin by the sea. I took plenty of coastal photographs including many of the area's wildlife. Last week while I was away it was the monthly print competition. There is a blog on the website as well as all the results on the competition page. I really just need to congratulate Dave Turner who won both the subject and Open competition. I am not sure if Wednesday night's studio evening is going ahead yet but will let you know. Entries for the local competition, Local Events and Open need to be sent to Harry by midnight next Sunday. We judge this competition in house; I am happy to judge one subject if anyone else would like to judge the other subject? Regards Graham
We held a print competition at our meeting last night with the categories of "Curves" and "Open". Our judge for the evening was the very competent, and accomplished Diane Seddon. Diane gave excellent critique of the prints, and one of the main themes that Diane highlighted was the presentation of the prints, siting print sizes, mount sizes, mount colours, and more thoughtful cropping of images selected for printing. Definitely food for thought, and addressing those issues will improve members points scoring in future competitions. All the prints submitted into this competition were of a very high standard, however, it was Dave Turner who swept the board with 1st, and 2nd placing in the "Open" category, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placing in the "Curves" category, it was a well deserved placing with some stunning prints. The Competition page of our website has been updated with the full results. Thanks to Diane Seddon for judging the competition, and Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Dave Turner, and I attended the LPA Fosters Challenge at Nettleham. The judge for the competition was Sue Wilson from Clay Cross. Axholme took first place with 19 points, Grimsby 2nd, and Cleethorpes 3rd. Louth was awarded 13 points, consisting of: Damselflies Mating – Graham Harrison 4pt Saltwick Bay – Tony Gaskins 4pt The Thinker – Keith Rossington 3pt Muted Swan – Harry Kerman 1pt Pier Number 9 – Dave Turner 1pt It was an interesting competition with some amazing images, a big thank you to Dave Turner for selecting the prints and submitting our entry into the competition.
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Chris Birchmore took us back in time with old photographs and a very interesting talk on one of Louth's old shops Platts stores. Platts stayed traditional for many years but as like most of the old shops eventually disappeared along with it's upside down sign. There is a blog on our website as well to look at. This week, Wednesday 16th April, we will hold our Print competition with the categories of "Curves" and "Open" to be judged by Diane Seddon of Cleethorpes. Harry is also now taking entries for the local PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Events" and "Open". Regards Graham
Our member Chris Birchmore gave an illustrated talk last night titled "The Shopkeeper and his Assistant". Chris related details of his family origins, and family history in Louth, in particular his connection with Platts Provision Store in Eastgate. It was a very interesting talk which evoked many memories with those members who had themselves been raised in Louth. Many thanks Chris, the preparation, and talk was excellent.
Good Morning All With all this warm weather some insects are out and about to photograph, I took this photograph in our garden with a Sigma 105mm lens to get close in on the bee. It is another month now, so you need to think about your "Prime Time" project, if you are taking part. Last week at the club Brian McCarthy FRPS showed us his personal journey in photography, Brian takes most of his photographs in his shed building models with lighting and creating photographs that most of us would never think of. This week, Wednesday 9th April, our member Chris Birchmore who will be presenting a historical talk entitled "The Shopkeeper and His Assistant" specifically talking about a relatives memories of working for Mr. Platt the Shopkeeper. For those who have prints for the next competition, with the categories of "Curves and Open", you need to send Dave Turner a list of your entries and bring the prints in this week. Regards Graham
Good morning, All Last week we held our spring committee meeting, we discussed many topics including the new program which will be available to you all soon and did some preparation for the AGM. This week, Wednesday 2nd April, Brian McCarthy FRPS will be coming along to show us some more of his work. Brian is an ex-member of our club but has more recently been a member of Grimsby Photographic Society. You can also now start sending your print titles for the Curves and Open competition to Dave Turner. Regards Graham
This year’s project is “Prime Time”, simply one photo taken each month with the same prime lens. The resulting 12 images will be shown to members on our “Project Night” next January. Why a prime lens? Well, a lens with a single focal length, a prime lens, provides a photographer with creative options. Composition of the image when using a lens such as this is essential, a photographer must choose a subject and move around that subject to obtain the photo. Every photographer should have a prime lens in their bag, and it doesn't need to be expensive. I recently switched from Fuji cameras to the Olympus / OM Systems camera ecosystem. Now, I use the OM Systems OM-1 camera with two zoom lenses and three f/1.8 prime lenses. For the “Prime Time” project, I'll creatively use the Olympus 45mm (90mm full-frame equivalent) f/1.8 lens, this lens is typically employed for portraits. This tiny, sharp lens, which captures beautiful portraits, was bought used for £149 from a reputable dealer.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our PDI competition for March, with the categories of "Including the Moon" and "Open" judged by Mike Bennett. It was a very good night with some excellent photographs entered in the competitions, especially the Open. There were three twenty points awarded out of twenty photographs in each subject, Tony Gaskins had a very good night winning both the subject and the Open. All the results are on our website under competitions. The NEMPF PDI Inter - club competition went ahead recently, not so many clubs entered this year, I think there were only three LPA clubs who had entered, Louth came 11th, I'll leave it there. Thank you to Harry for organising our entry. This week, Wednesday 26th March it is a committee meeting for committee members only to attend. To keep you busy though you could prepare your prints for the next print competition, with the categories of "Curves" and "Open". Regards Graham
At our meeting last night we held our Projected Digital Image (PDI) competition with the categories of "Including the Moon", and "Open". The judge for the evening was Mike Bennett. Mike skillfully judged the 33 submitted entries in the "Open" category, providing excellent feedback on the various images. After the break Mike appraised the 18 images in the "Including the Moon" category, this had been a difficult subject for members to photograph, and was also challenging for the judge. Congratulations to Tony Gaskins for his first placements with "Moonbell, Mablethorpe" in the "Including the Moon" category, and "Dawn, Whitby" in the "Open" category. As is usual, the Competition page of the website has been updated with the top three placements in each category, and full results. Many thanks to Mike Bennett for judging the competition, and Dave Mann for providing the refreshments.
