Does buying a Leica stop G.A.S. ?

BradS · Apr 4, 2019

Does buying a Leica stop G.A.S. Or does take it to a whole new level?

(Feel free to substitute your favorite ridiculously expensive camera thingy for Leica)

What’s you personal experience?

Sirius Glass · Apr 4, 2019

I had G.A.S., I bought a Hasselblad and a lens. Then another lens. Another lens. ... I have after a few years my G.A.S. disappeared and I have not had G.A.S. in over five years. So perhaps you and others can reach that state with a Leica.

Ko.Fe. · Apr 4, 2019

Every thingy is ridiculously expensive with Leica.

Depends on the level of your income and how sick you are. Or suck...
My current income sucks, I can't afford even CLA with parts for film M.
While income was better I had something like three film M and two digital M. And I was buying, trying, selling Leitz lenses.
Now I'm down to one digital, one film M and two M lenses. I might sell some non Leica stuff to fix my film M issues.

Those with deep pockets, some never stop, Leica, Hassel, Rollei doesn't matter. They keep hoovering it all. If you want buy and try, it is nothing wrong, just not related to photography, IMO.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 4, 2019

Yes, yes, I think it does. As you can see, in 1987 I bought a Leica - an M3 DS ST PV. Nice camera.

there's a Leica III and IIIf that you don't see, and some Nikon's, Canons, Minolta, Pentax, Hasselblad, Mamiya, Rollei...

So, to answer your question, yes.

guangong · Apr 4, 2019

Leica is not a camera system, but a plumbing system. So many interesting accessories and lenses that your present GAS will be carried to a totally different level. As long as you can convince your better half that you are actually saving money by acquiring Leica stuff since it keeps you away from the ponies and football pools and loose women, you will be o.k.

Arklatexian · Apr 4, 2019

BradS said:
Does buying a Leica stop G.A.S. Or does take it to a whole new level?

(Feel free to substitute your favorite ridiculously expensive camera thingy for Leica)

What’s you personal experience?

While owning M3 and M2 Leica Cameras stopped my G.A.S. for Leica cameras, it did nothing to stop the G.A.S. for accessories for those two cameras i.e. Visoflex outfits and such. Whatever you want to do with a 35mm camera, Leica made an accessory that allowed you to do it with an M as well as earlier cameras. The list seems endless. Everything from telephoto to macro-photography, to photomicrography, photo-copying (whatever the subject), almost anything you can imagine doing. A true professional's camera, no matter what your profession is. And it will do it year after year after year!. The only camera close is a Hasselblad 500cm, etc. though I do believe a Leica will outlast it. I realize we might be talking about "apples and oranges"............Regards!

blockend · Apr 5, 2019

If you prefer using a rangefinder camera to take photographs, the choice is limited. If you want a well made RF it narrows again. Add the ability to have the camera repaired in 2019, and the options point towards Leica. For me the asking price for a good Leica in sound condition with a Leitz lens or two is too great for the benefits offered, compared to the alternatives. The pleasures of a fine camera aren't lost on me, and if I'm playing with the controls in a favourite armchair I definitely prefer some over others. In an exciting shooting situation, where I can happily get through three or four rolls in an afternoon, I barely care which camera I'm using. It's all about the shot.

Born2Late · Apr 5, 2019

No, it is like a drug addiction, it only makes it worse. You must go cold Turkey. You must give away all of your gear. I can help you with the disposal.

Ces1um · Apr 5, 2019

The only thing that stops GAS is a sudden downturn in one's economic prosperity. That or a newfound, almost Olympian strength of will and resolve.

Besk · Apr 5, 2019

C Henry · Apr 5, 2019

I've not bought a camera or lens in the last 10 years. Not to say that I don't spend money... film, paper, chemicals, none of it is cheap per se.... Think that letting go of wanting more/different/better gear has given me the freedom to just concentrate on making images.

scheimfluger_77 · Apr 5, 2019

guangong said:
Leica is not a camera system, but a plumbing system. So many interesting accessories and lenses that your present GAS will be carried to a totally different level. As long as you can convince your better half that you are actually saving money by acquiring Leica stuff since it keeps you away from the ponies and football pools and loose women, you will be o.k.

Oh, I am so going to use that one. And yes my GAS would only be further stoked by a high end camera. It’s kind of like when the histamines get in your nose and the more you sneeze the worse it gets.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 5, 2019

BradS said:
Does buying a Leica stop G.A.S. Or does take it to a whole new level?

(Feel free to substitute your favorite ridiculously expensive camera thingy for Leica)

What’s you personal experience?

takes it to a whole new level but gets you off drugs; no more money for drugs!

summicron1 · Apr 5, 2019

Of course it doesn't. Geeze... (says the guy getting into nikon rangefinder a bit too rapidly for his own good.)

jim10219 · Apr 5, 2019

Does scratching an itch make the itch go away?

faberryman · Apr 5, 2019

As with any camera, I think you need at least two bodies and a three or four lenses to get started.

4season · Apr 5, 2019

Yes if you run out of money.
Otherwise no.

With Leica, there's always the danger of becoming accustomed to things costing a whole lot more, and it can be a shock to realize that in the real world, $3500 can still buy a lot of stuff.

macfred · Apr 5, 2019

It doesn't - I got R4, R4s, R3 and Leicaflex SL during the 80's and 90's; later on a dig.... X1 and a Digilux 2.
Some of those are long gone, others I still use today. Anyway, you'll need a Rolleiflex 3.5F to be complete ...

Luckless · Apr 5, 2019

I always assumed that buying the more expensive cameras really just raised the bar on existing GAS for those who have it.

Now instead of wanting 'more gear', you want 'more expensive gear'...

I'm happy with my slowly growing collection of cameras I pick up now and then for less than $150. [But given that I aim for gear that I actually Use, I like to declare that it isn't GAS, but rather investment in tools... And that's Totally different. Right? ... Right?]

Theo Sulphate · Apr 5, 2019

C Henry said:
... Think that letting go of wanting more/different/better gear has given me the freedom to just concentrate on making images.

Wait... are you saying we can actually get film for these cameras???

macfred · Apr 5, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
Wait... are you saying we can actually get film for these cameras???

Jerevan · Apr 5, 2019

No to me, it does not. All it has offered is a new way of wasting time (and money) finding the "perfect" lens, etc, etc. Going from one 35 mm system to another is not going to change much for me. I still need to get off the chair - that's a bigger issue than "Summicron versus Nikkor".

mshchem · Apr 5, 2019

I tried selling mine off, it didn't work. It's like an alcoholic pouring a left over bottle of booze. I found it much easier to quit booze, it just gives me more time to cruise around looking for photo deals.

Sirius Glass · Apr 5, 2019

I do not know what your problem is, once I bought my 503 CX, 903 SWC and a bunch of lenses I became satisfied and my GAS stopped. Maybe instead of Leica, you should have been buying Hasselblad.

4season · Apr 5, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
I do not know what your problem is, once I bought my 503 CX, 903 SWC and a bunch of lenses I became satisfied and my GAS stopped. Maybe instead of Leica, you should have been buying Hasselblad.

If only!

Does buying a Leica stop G.A.S. ?

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