FOMO

[Satyaa]

After lot of reading on the forums (fora?) I tried to relate them to my own experience/decisions. There are many themes, but one that stands out for me about buying decisions is the "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO).

If I really need something, and can afford it, I will go buy it. When I am not buying but am thinking/worrying about it, that's mostly because of FOMO. Some personal examples...

When reading online reviews/recommendations in the beginning years, I took them seriously. I felt that without a 50/1.8 I could not do general shooting, and I would miss out the 'normal' focal length. I felt that without a fast 85/1.8 I would not be able to shoot proper portraits. I felt that without a flash I would not be able to shoot in low light. I bought all those lenses, and flashes

Many online articles/suggestions convinced me that I was missing out something by shooting APSC and not FF. So, I got a FF. Sometimes, I feared that I was missing something by not upgrading to a newer model. Many online suggestions said that every successive model is not worth it, so skip one version. I avoided those upgrades anyway because it was expensive.

Another classic example was for a trip in Dec '16. I had so many lenses with my APSC DSLR at the time and I could not decide what to take with me. For anything I wanted to leave at home, I feared I would miss a particular shooting opportunity. I used that trip as an excuse to get myself a bridge camera with 24-480mm equivalent zoom. When I reviewed the photos after that trip, I realized that I could have taken the 18-140 zoom with my APSC body and would have missed nothing.

I may be a slow learner, so it took me nearly 15 years to figure out what I was shooting and what I really needed. Then came the realization. I wasn't using half the stuff I had. For few some (like the flash) the need wasn't often. For others, there was no need at all. I prefer the zoom convenience over primes. And I also had the best rated f/2.8 zooms at the time. So, primes were of no practical benefit to me. The APSC and FF bodies I was using had different UI (same brand) and that was constantly bothering me. I was using either one at any time but not both together.

One fine day, I gathered all the unused gear and donated it to local high school's digital arts department. I never missed any of it.

Similar situation happened when I moved from DSLR to ML (the primary goal was to downsize to m43). I was fearing for a long time that I would "miss something" if I let go the DSLR gear. That prevented me from selling the gear when I should have. After using m43 for a year I was convinced. I sold all my DSLR gear and got a second m43 body. I got a set of primes because they are small, and I enjoy shooting those focal lengths now.

The lesson learned for me is to ask before buying, "is it the solution to problem or is it FOMO?" Because a newer model has something better doesn't mean I am missing out on my photography.

Within three years, I gathered more ML gear than I should have. I now use FF ML from 20 to 75mm and m43 from 80mm and above. I don't have anything that I don't use. Some primes are used less, but they are not useless. For gear that I don't have, I am not missing out anything.

What I spent over 25 years is the cost of my hobby and the enjoyment I got out of it. If I knew what I know today, I could have done it cheaper. Today's technology is also a lot better than the beginnings of DSLR. I am glad that I got everything done as the higher prices are looming (in the US).

All the best.

 

[Jaime100]

Interesting read..... Micro 4/3 is a winner in the digital world.

 

[Satyaa]

Interesting read..... Micro 4/3 is a winner in the digital world.

It is, especially for longer lenses. Using the 40-150/2.8 zoom now, I can't think of going back to the FF 70-200/2.8 zoom that I was using on APSC body earlier.

For my purposes, the additional DOF from m43 sensor is helpful when using same f number for exposure. For someone needing shallower DOF, they will need expensive faster lenses.

 

[bmoag]

I think GAS/Retail Therapy is as important, maybe more, for many of us than FOMO. Those suffering from the double whammy are well heeled, have significant credit card debt, or both.

There is more than a bit of self-delusion involved, stoked by marketing, given the end use of most gear purchased by non-professionals.

 

[Mike B USA]

All of your examples are based on realizations AFTER the fact. It was AFTER your trip that you found you didn't need a lens longer than 140mm. It was AFTER 15 years of shooting, you narrowed down your gear to what you actually used.

If you think your want to shoot portraits, it's easy to justify a fast 85mm lens as something you think you'll need, not just a fear of missing out. Only after you've shot portraits (or never shot portraits), can know that you don't need a fast 85mm prime lens.

I've bought lots of stuff I thought I would use, but ended up not using very much. Each time I really thought I would use it, but for different reasons I thought wrong. Seeing the future would have saved me some money, but I had to live and learn. I could have saved a lot of money if I had the ability to see the future.

 

[MoreorLess]

Interesting read..... Micro 4/3 is a winner in the digital world.

It is, especially for longer lenses. Using the 40-150/2.8 zoom now, I can't think of going back to the FF 70-200/2.8 zoom that I was using on APSC body earlier.

For my purposes, the additional DOF from m43 sensor is helpful when using same f number for exposure. For someone needing shallower DOF, they will need expensive faster lenses.

That is I think one of the most obvious advantages of m43, the smaller format size means you can have long range zooms of a small size without significantly compromising on quality.

I tend to think a big issue here and one which we don't see a ton of real analysis is output, most obviously the print sizes which you might make from a camera. Ultimately besides DOF control thats why most people might benefit from a larger format size, because their looking at making larger prints.

There's no really easy answer there of course as factors like the ISO used and the amount and type of post processing done will be significant factors but I do think theres a kind of general ballpark figure. If your making 12x8 inch prints for example then m43 is very likely to be all you'll ever need, you will need to be shooting at pretty high ISO and/or process a lot for issues to be visible at that size. if your making 30x20 inch prints though then FF is definitely worth considering, even at base ISO with limited processing you'll see an advantage.

Ultimately I would say its probably best to start with more limited gear which can cover you in a lot of situations and then work out were your being limited by your gear or the kind of photography you really end up enjoying or making money from(or both). I tend to think a good guide to buying stuff really is imagining the kinds of images your going to try and create using gear, if you can't do that or the images don't interest you then maybe question potential purchases?

 

[mobi1]

Many online articles/suggestions convinced me

There is the problem Take all opinions with pinch of salt. Only buy what you think is suitable for your need.

--
https://www.instagram.com/holidzf/

 

[PieterB]

I've come to the conclusion that for 90% of my pictures, my talent/lack of talents is the limiting factor and not the equipment. Most of what I shoot are landscapes and cityscapes and they don't require the latest and greatest A.I. autofocussing.

Most of the pictures I share with familly and friends will be viewed on a mobile phone. Therefore, buying the latest and greatest is not necessary. Besides, I have a middle-class income and don't have a fortune to spend.

 

[mfinley]

After lot of reading on the forums (fora?) I tried to relate them to my own experience/decisions. There are many themes, but one that stands out for me about buying decisions is the "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO).

If I really need something, and can afford it, I will go buy it. When I am not buying but am thinking/worrying about it, that's mostly because of FOMO. Some personal examples...

When reading online reviews/recommendations in the beginning years, I took them seriously. I felt that without a 50/1.8 I could not do general shooting, and I would miss out the 'normal' focal length. I felt that without a fast 85/1.8 I would not be able to shoot proper portraits. I felt that without a flash I would not be able to shoot in low light. I bought all those lenses, and flashes

Many online articles/suggestions convinced me that I was missing out something by shooting APSC and not FF. So, I got a FF. Sometimes, I feared that I was missing something by not upgrading to a newer model. Many online suggestions said that every successive model is not worth it, so skip one version. I avoided those upgrades anyway because it was expensive.

Another classic example was for a trip in Dec '16. I had so many lenses with my APSC DSLR at the time and I could not decide what to take with me. For anything I wanted to leave at home, I feared I would miss a particular shooting opportunity. I used that trip as an excuse to get myself a bridge camera with 24-480mm equivalent zoom. When I reviewed the photos after that trip, I realized that I could have taken the 18-140 zoom with my APSC body and would have missed nothing.

I may be a slow learner, so it took me nearly 15 years to figure out what I was shooting and what I really needed. Then came the realization. I wasn't using half the stuff I had. For few some (like the flash) the need wasn't often. For others, there was no need at all. I prefer the zoom convenience over primes. And I also had the best rated f/2.8 zooms at the time. So, primes were of no practical benefit to me. The APSC and FF bodies I was using had different UI (same brand) and that was constantly bothering me. I was using either one at any time but not both together.

One fine day, I gathered all the unused gear and donated it to local high school's digital arts department. I never missed any of it.

Similar situation happened when I moved from DSLR to ML (the primary goal was to downsize to m43). I was fearing for a long time that I would "miss something" if I let go the DSLR gear. That prevented me from selling the gear when I should have. After using m43 for a year I was convinced. I sold all my DSLR gear and got a second m43 body. I got a set of primes because they are small, and I enjoy shooting those focal lengths now.

The lesson learned for me is to ask before buying, "is it the solution to problem or is it FOMO?" Because a newer model has something better doesn't mean I am missing out on my photography.

Within three years, I gathered more ML gear than I should have. I now use FF ML from 20 to 75mm and m43 from 80mm and above. I don't have anything that I don't use. Some primes are used less, but they are not useless. For gear that I don't have, I am not missing out anything.

What I spent over 25 years is the cost of my hobby and the enjoyment I got out of it. If I knew what I know today, I could have done it cheaper. Today's technology is also a lot better than the beginnings of DSLR. I am glad that I got everything done as the higher prices are looming (in the US).

All the best.

Probably some relevance to this theory. I think the difference is between how fast we get to the point of understanding what we need and what we don't based on experience. I think you said it took you 25 years, some people get there in 2-3 years. Of course this only applies to people with the mindset you described, people with GAS aren't mentally operating in this spectrum.

Today I own 1 camera body and 3 lenses. In my 20s as a pro I owned basically almost all of the Nikon line available at that time with some duplicates for back up. After I became a civilian again I had already gone through that crash course on what you need and don't need so it was a very fast road to understanding 1 body and 3 lenses works just fine for me.

 

[RetCapt]

My film era, from the mid 60s to 2009 when I switched to digital, informed my photographic preferences/necissities and thus my equipment choices.

My sole photographic subject is scenery - loosely defined. This put me outdoors almost exclusively whe taking photos. Being an outdoor person this often put me into potentially hazardous environments, from SAR missions while working, to fly fishing, cross country skiing, horse packing and back packing.

A seminal event during my film era was the purchase of the then-new Nikonos 5 camera and the above-water lenses. The design of this system necessitated adjusting to its characteristics (no optical focus system, aperture priority only manual metering, prime lenses only). I quickly adjusted, coming from a rangefinder system (Leica/Canon screwthread-LTM).

When we retired we moved to a remote and rugged mountain region which further emphasized my utility for rugged gear.

What I gained from this less than convenient or automated Nikonos system was a camera that could go anywhere I could go, take excellent images, and survive.

That vecame my most used system until I switched to digital.

I had no interest in the passing fad of digital. That changed when I read about the introduction of the Olympus 1030SW camera, a 'tough' camera well before the term was coined.

I decided to give it a try. What I got was a camera I could take anywhere I could take my Nikonos. It was much smaller, but with all the film era advancements I had previously missed out on, such as auto exposure, auto focus and zoom lenses.

We had a Canon photo printer at the time that would go to 8X10". I was given a very early version of PSE.

I quickly learned I could get 8X10" prints of at least equal quality as I could get with color print film. Once I got a newer printer I found that this equality with film extended to (at least) 11X14" prints. This was not usual territory for 35mm film.

That fortunate choice for my first digital camera was (is as I still use it) an ideal fit for my uses and preferences.

I have more gear now for occasions where I need additional features or capability, but not 'tough' camera ruggedness.

The result of this is no FOMO for me.

Needless to say I hold my 1030SW in very high esteem. It started this whole digital journey.

 

[ahaslett]

Interesting.

I only really started photography with the arrival of digital cameras. My budget was limited, so I got used to what I need. When my budget expanded significantly, I tended to think for months, sometimes longer before buying. I try and have a short list of things that might expand my shooting envelope or experience, but not buy any of them until I’m sure.

On the whole, this means that a deep discount is what tips the balance.

For example, I’d brought my old EM1 out of the back of the cupboard to use as my small travel kit with a couple of primes. When the toddler started getting more active, AF wasn’t up to swings, slides etc. I was thinking for maybe 6 months about upgrading to a used EM5.3 and 12-45/4 when OM had a discount on new OM5 kits with the lens that made it cheaper than buying the older body plus lens used.

I have a range of kit, so I’m used to being decisive what I take on any outing, and then composing around what’s in my bag.

I have a list of maybes at the moment but no purchase in mind. I’ve resisted upgrading my 40-150mm R to a 40-150/4 for 3 discount cycles so far. If I really want top IQ, I have the 40-150/2.8. I might not carry the 40-150/4 because it’s 382g to 190g for the R. So FOMO on both sides of the decision.

I guess my possible FOMO is not taking one or two bodies with big expensive tele lenses when I might need them.

Andrew

 

[MoreorLess]

Honestly when I get this is buying used stuff, something interesting appears at a lower price than normal and it becomes very tempting to view it as a great one off deal you might not see again which honestly sometimes it is.

I tend to try and resist this unless its something I'v had my eye on for a good while beforehand, something I'v decided I want but only at a certain price keeping an eye on stock at places like MPB looking for reductions.

 

[F786]

After lot of reading on the forums (fora?) I tried to relate them to my own experience/decisions. There are many themes, but one that stands out for me about buying decisions is the "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO).

If I really need something, and can afford it, I will go buy it. When I am not buying but am thinking/worrying about it, that's mostly because of FOMO. Some personal examples...

When reading online reviews/recommendations in the beginning years, I took them seriously. I felt that without a 50/1.8 I could not do general shooting, and I would miss out the 'normal' focal length. I felt that without a fast 85/1.8 I would not be able to shoot proper portraits. I felt that without a flash I would not be able to shoot in low light. I bought all those lenses, and flashes

Many online articles/suggestions convinced me that I was missing out something by shooting APSC and not FF. So, I got a FF. Sometimes, I feared that I was missing something by not upgrading to a newer model. Many online suggestions said that every successive model is not worth it, so skip one version. I avoided those upgrades anyway because it was expensive.

Another classic example was for a trip in Dec '16. I had so many lenses with my APSC DSLR at the time and I could not decide what to take with me. For anything I wanted to leave at home, I feared I would miss a particular shooting opportunity. I used that trip as an excuse to get myself a bridge camera with 24-480mm equivalent zoom. When I reviewed the photos after that trip, I realized that I could have taken the 18-140 zoom with my APSC body and would have missed nothing.

I may be a slow learner, so it took me nearly 15 years to figure out what I was shooting and what I really needed. Then came the realization. I wasn't using half the stuff I had. For few some (like the flash) the need wasn't often. For others, there was no need at all. I prefer the zoom convenience over primes. And I also had the best rated f/2.8 zooms at the time. So, primes were of no practical benefit to me. The APSC and FF bodies I was using had different UI (same brand) and that was constantly bothering me. I was using either one at any time but not both together.

One fine day, I gathered all the unused gear and donated it to local high school's digital arts department. I never missed any of it.

Similar situation happened when I moved from DSLR to ML (the primary goal was to downsize to m43). I was fearing for a long time that I would "miss something" if I let go the DSLR gear. That prevented me from selling the gear when I should have. After using m43 for a year I was convinced. I sold all my DSLR gear and got a second m43 body. I got a set of primes because they are small, and I enjoy shooting those focal lengths now.

The lesson learned for me is to ask before buying, "is it the solution to problem or is it FOMO?" Because a newer model has something better doesn't mean I am missing out on my photography.

Within three years, I gathered more ML gear than I should have. I now use FF ML from 20 to 75mm and m43 from 80mm and above. I don't have anything that I don't use. Some primes are used less, but they are not useless. For gear that I don't have, I am not missing out anything.

What I spent over 25 years is the cost of my hobby and the enjoyment I got out of it. If I knew what I know today, I could have done it cheaper. Today's technology is also a lot better than the beginnings of DSLR. I am glad that I got everything done as the higher prices are looming (in the US).

All the best.

I think more often than not, it may not be FOMO but rather a lack of knowledge in a certain field that one may be starting to become involved in.

The same thing happens with timepieces, fountain pens etc.

Once one has spent enough time doing something, the individual personal preferences then make the sifting through much more logical and therefore easier.