She caught me.

[KerrKid]

My wife’s response to any photo purchases was a resounding “No.”
Using my business account and off-site storage I amassed enough gear to launch an motion picture camera rental company. When I brought it all to the garage to start renting it (and using it myself), boy howdy, was she pissed!
She calmed down after a decade or so. Now when I bring something new home I just say, “oh this old thing? I’ve had it for years.” She doesn’t have enough fight left in her to go further.

Lol. I did the same thing with motorcycles.

 

[Les Sarile]

Wife looking at bank statement: What are all these charges to San Jose, CA?

Me with head down looking at the floor: eBay.

Wife: There are a lot of charges!

Me continuing to look at the floor: I know. I won't do it anymore.

So, my GAS is GAS-X now. No more 35mm goodies for awhile . I'll just have to live vicariously through the rest of you.

Let me get this straight. The only way she found out was because of a bank statement? Good job hiding the hard evidence as she apparently never found them. I would have said it must've been a case of stolen identity!

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

Lord help you if you start shooting a roll of film each day and pay to have it developed and scanned.

I think I found KerrKid's youtube channel

 

[Moose22]

Lord help you if you start shooting a roll of film each day and pay to have it developed and scanned.

If you're doing a roll a day, just dev at home. At that point it is definitely justifiable. If I was that prolific, I'd do c41 at home, too.

If you mean justifying it to the spouse -- that's a different story.

But I will plead ignorance here. I'm not married, and I never understood why people hide anything from the wife. You should have an agreement on budgets, if you agreed not to buy something just don't do it. If you agreed your budget is open, then you're just fine. Something's wonky when you are hiding finances from each other.

Does take tough decisions sometimes. Like, if you run into a non-starter. I stopped dating a girl once for asking a question like "Why do you have more than one guitar?" That's not a long term prospect. I mean, that's like asking "Why do you have more than one pair of shoes?" Even if they pretend to understand, it'll be a sore spot in the future.

My art budget is my art budget, I always have to make something (photos, music, woodworking) and that will never change. So I set aside money to do these things. Not that I expect to get married at this stage in my life, but any reasonable girlfriend would understand that.

 

[jwd722]

My GAS started in earnest about ten years ago and since then has swelled to over 50 cameras in every format from 35mm to medium format to 8x10, numerous lenses, flashes and every accessory known to man.
My wife is understanding but still when seeing a box on the porch I get the "What did you order now?" grilling. She shakes her head and says I have an addiction to which I deny by telling her it's more of a need.

We started dating in 1967, she was 15 and I was 17. Married in 71, ages 19 and 20. It will be 51 years in June. We worked together as painters for 4 years and in a private residence for 30. She is still there, I retired 2 years ago. She knows me very well as I her, no secrets. I was lucky to marry my best friend who is very understanding of my addiction, I mean needs.

Still though, she says PayPal is my mistress...

 

[KerrKid]

Lord help you if you start shooting a roll of film each day and pay to have it developed and scanned.

I think I found KerrKid's youtube channel

Lmao. I really hesitated to click on that link.

 

[KerrKid]

Let me get this straight. The only way she found out was because of a bank statement? Good job hiding the hard evidence as she apparently never found them. I would have said it must've been a case of stolen identity!

Believe it not, all the cameras are in plain sight. She just didn’t know enough about them to realize I’m creating the photographic version of Trouble With Tribbles. Not until she saw the line items, that is.

 

[KerrKid]

My GAS started in earnest about ten years ago and since then has swelled to over 50 cameras in every format from 35mm to medium format to 8x10, numerous lenses, flashes and every accessory known to man.
My wife is understanding but still when seeing a box on the porch I get the "What did you order now?" grilling. She shakes her head and says I have an addiction to which I deny by telling her it's more of a need.

We started dating in 1967, she was 15 and I was 17. Married in 71, ages 19 and 20. It will be 51 years in June. We worked together as painters for 4 years and in a private residence for 30. She is still there, I retired 2 years ago. She knows me very well as I her, no secrets. I was lucky to marry my best friend who is very understanding of my addiction, I mean needs.

Still though, she says PayPal is my mistress...

Believe it not, all the cameras are in plain sight. She just didn’t know enough about them to realize I’m creating the photographic version of Trouble With Tribbles. Not until she saw the line items, that is.

As I read this it reminded me of another forum member who said he had 55 cameras. Hey, wait, it’s you! Ha. Hope you’re on the mend and back to 100% soon.

 

[KerrKid]

If you're doing a roll a day, just dev at home. At that point it is definitely justifiable. If I was that prolific, I'd do c41 at home, too.

If you mean justifying it to the spouse -- that's a different story.

But I will plead ignorance here. I'm not married, and I never understood why people hide anything from the wife. You should have an agreement on budgets, if you agreed not to buy something just don't do it. If you agreed your budget is open, then you're just fine. Something's wonky when you are hiding finances from each other.

Does take tough decisions sometimes. Like, if you run into a non-starter. I stopped dating a girl once for asking a question like "Why do you have more than one guitar?" That's not a long term prospect. I mean, that's like asking "Why do you have more than one pair of shoes?" Even if they pretend to understand, it'll be a sore spot in the future.

My art budget is my art budget, I always have to make something (photos, music, woodworking) and that will never change. So I set aside money to do these things. Not that I expect to get married at this stage in my life, but any reasonable girlfriend would understand that.

I had to laugh at “I’m not married” and “I stopped dating a girl for asking a question...” Sounds like a Seinfeld episode. Wifey just turned to me and asked why I was laughing. I dunno. Just struck me as really funny.

It is important to be equally yoked. It’s a drag when you’re with someone who doesn’t share, understand, or support what makes you happy. Better to be alone.

 

[Moose22]

I had to laugh at “I’m not married” and “I stopped dating a girl for asking a question...” Sounds like a Seinfeld episode. Wifey just turned to me and asked why I was laughing. I dunno. Just struck me as really funny.

It is important to be equally yoked. It’s a drag when you’re with someone who doesn’t share, understand, or support what makes you happy. Better to be alone.

It sounds like Seinfeld, but it is not. I just say it in a flippant manner, just like how I'll tell you how to raise your kids and the discussion generally comes around to how loud to yell or what size cage to put them in.

In fact, this is serious business for a young man (as I was when this happened) and something I'd learned the hard way. If you want to spend your years with someone they need to accept and cherish who you are, not who they think they can make you become.

There are some things I will always do. Even if I don't participate at any given moment, they will hold my interest and define me. I have enjoying photography on and off since I was a child. I've been a musician since I was 10 or 11. I always come back to these things and a few others. Always. I have had more than one guitar playing friend who ran into real trouble with relationships, where the woman became jealous of the music, of all the time it took, of the guitars. It doesn't end well. It is the same

A woman who doesn't understand that is best kept as only a friend, for her sake as much as mine. And the best women I've had in my life have loved what's weird about me. Which is most everything.

Besides, it wasn't like two electric guitars, it was an electric and an acoustic! And she couldn't fathom why one of each. That's like having running shoes and work boots -- they're different things! Could you imagine having to explain to her the difference between a 35mm and Medium Format? That would likely be impossible.

 

[KerrKid]

It sounds like Seinfeld, but it is not. I just say it in a flippant manner, just like how I'll tell you how to raise your kids and the discussion generally comes around to how loud to yell or what size cage to put them in.

In fact, this is serious business for a young man (as I was when this happened) and something I'd learned the hard way. If you want to spend your years with someone they need to accept and cherish who you are, not who they think they can make you become.

There are some things I will always do. Even if I don't participate at any given moment, they will hold my interest and define me. I have enjoying photography on and off since I was a child. I've been a musician since I was 10 or 11. I always come back to these things and a few others. Always. I have had more than one guitar playing friend who ran into real trouble with relationships, where the woman became jealous of the music, of all the time it took, of the guitars. It doesn't end well. It is the same

A woman who doesn't understand that is best kept as only a friend, for her sake as much as mine. And the best women I've had in my life have loved what's weird about me. Which is most everything.

Besides, it wasn't like two electric guitars, it was an electric and an acoustic! And she couldn't fathom why one of each. That's like having running shoes and work boots -- they're different things! Could you imagine having to explain to her the difference between a 35mm and Medium Format? That would likely be impossible.

Lol. Cages for kids. I used to joke when I was teaching middle-school that we needed more cages and shock collars.

My first wife and I were equally yoked or so I thought. When you're young and in love, it's easy to disregard the warning signs. Hardships brought out those differences, though, and that marriage ended after 30 years. We are still very good friends, but I could not live with her.

My "new" wife was my girlfriend back in college in 1975. Being with her is a dream compared. She likes what I like and vice versus. Are we the same? No. But we are compatible. Life is too short to be with someone who cannot share your joy.

 

[jwd722]

As I read this it reminded me of another forum member who said he had 55 cameras. Hey, wait, it’s you! Ha. Hope you’re on the mend and back to 100% soon.

Guilty as charged.

Luckily most of my purchases were done before the prices started to climb. My total investment is probably the price of only 3 top end cameras that I could never have had when they were new. It may be time to unload a few dozen.

As far as mending, I have a habit of doing things my doctor said I shouldn't do for another 7 months. I can't sit and vegetated, it just gives me more time to "browse" ebay.

 

[KerrKid]

Guilty as charged.

Luckily most of my purchases were done before the prices started to climb. My total investment is probably the price of only 3 top end cameras that I could never have had when they were new. It may be time to unload a few dozen.

As far as mending, I have a habit of doing things my doctor said I shouldn't do for another 7 months. I can't sit and vegetated, it just gives me more time to "browse" ebay.

That is good spending and a true investment. I can sell everything I've bought for well more than I paid for it, too. Whether I will or not is another matter. I may give some to friends. I think buying four N75's was a bit excessive and difficult to justify. Four Hasselblads, maybe.

Hey, we're guys. How can anyone expect us to follow instructions? I'm supposed to be on some strict diet, but I just can't follow it to the letter.

 

[Sirius Glass]

It sounds like Seinfeld, but it is not. I just say it in a flippant manner, just like how I'll tell you how to raise your kids and the discussion generally comes around to how loud to yell or what size cage to put them in.

In fact, this is serious business for a young man (as I was when this happened) and something I'd learned the hard way. If you want to spend your years with someone they need to accept and cherish who you are, not who they think they can make you become.

There are some things I will always do. Even if I don't participate at any given moment, they will hold my interest and define me. I have enjoying photography on and off since I was a child. I've been a musician since I was 10 or 11. I always come back to these things and a few others. Always. I have had more than one guitar playing friend who ran into real trouble with relationships, where the woman became jealous of the music, of all the time it took, of the guitars. It doesn't end well. It is the same

A woman who doesn't understand that is best kept as only a friend, for her sake as much as mine. And the best women I've had in my life have loved what's weird about me. Which is most everything.

Besides, it wasn't like two electric guitars, it was an electric and an acoustic! And she couldn't fathom why one of each. That's like having running shoes and work boots -- they're different things! Could you imagine having to explain to her the difference between a 35mm and Medium Format? That would likely be impossible.

A couple needs to be on the same page, have the same or similar values and most importantly the same long term goal.

 

[Moose22]

Lol. Cages for kids. I used to joke when I was teaching middle-school that we needed more cages and shock collars.

Sounds good to me! Especially at that age. 12, 13, 14... rough years for kids, but rougher for the people who have to deal with the kids.

The trick to parody is to be so obtuse, so over the top, that someone would have to think very little of you to think you're serious. Start by telling them you don't have kids, so they know you're an expert, then tell them everything they do wrong. When someone complains their kid is growing too fast, you tell them to keep it in a smaller cage, that worked for your Oscar who didn't get huge utnil you got a 100 gallon aquarium. A three year old has too much energy to sit still? You're not yelling at them enough. It's important to let your kids know you hate them early on.

I have a lot of cameras. Maybe 5 or 6 more than I need or use, plus I have some cheapies -- plastic fantastic Nikons and point and shoots -- that I'll give to a young person who wants to try film. Film is all the rage amongst the post millennials these days.

Actually, maybe 10 more than I need. I could use an F3, Leica, and F6 and pretty much cover everything I do in the format. I cycle through the other 35mms because I enjoy using the FM3a, and the F2 is cool as... etc. But the word "need" certainly doesn't apply to most of my 35mm. I don't "need" my GX680, or my ETRSi either.

I didn't break the bank for any of these. I have a budget for entertainment, and I only buy cameras out of that pool of money. Being single I'm only responsible to myself, but it's all the same. They're all worth at least what I paid for them, still, and I can justify it all in a lot of ways, but I don't need to justify them. I have agreed with myself on a minimum amount to save every paycheck, exceed my savings goal every month, so the few dollars extra is discretionary, and I can choose to go out, or to shoot some rolls of film, or whatever it is I want to do. I've been doing this for some years now and it has worked well for me to meet financial goals without guilt or hand wringing.

 

[KerrKid]

Sounds good to me! Especially at that age. 12, 13, 14... rough years for kids, but rougher for the people who have to deal with the kids.

The trick to parody is to be so obtuse, so over the top, that someone would have to think very little of you to think you're serious. Start by telling them you don't have kids, so they know you're an expert, then tell them everything they do wrong. When someone complains their kid is growing too fast, you tell them to keep it in a smaller cage, that worked for your Oscar who didn't get huge utnil you got a 100 gallon aquarium. A three year old has too much energy to sit still? You're not yelling at them enough. It's important to let your kids know you hate them early on.

I have a lot of cameras. Maybe 5 or 6 more than I need or use, plus I have some cheapies -- plastic fantastic Nikons and point and shoots -- that I'll give to a young person who wants to try film. Film is all the rage amongst the post millennials these days.

Actually, maybe 10 more than I need. I could use an F3, Leica, and F6 and pretty much cover everything I do in the format. I cycle through the other 35mms because I enjoy using the FM3a, and the F2 is cool as... etc. But the word "need" certainly doesn't apply to most of my 35mm. I don't "need" my GX680, or my ETRSi either.

I didn't break the bank for any of these. I have a budget for entertainment, and I only buy cameras out of that pool of money. Being single I'm only responsible to myself, but it's all the same. They're all worth at least what I paid for them, still, and I can justify it all in a lot of ways, but I don't need to justify them. I have agreed with myself on a minimum amount to save every paycheck, exceed my savings goal every month, so the few dollars extra is discretionary, and I can choose to go out, or to shoot some rolls of film, or whatever it is I want to do. I've been doing this for some years now and it has worked well for me to meet financial goals without guilt or hand wringing.

You crack me up about the kids. I was a long term substitute art teacher in middle school. They were going through subs like water before I walked in. Welcome to your new teacher. The worst kid in school all grown up. Man, did we go to war. The front lines in Afghanistan were probably less contentious. But when it was all over I had kids coming back to the classroom after graduation and thanking me. It was everything I could do to keep from crying like a baby.

Finances...you are more responsible than most. I respect the that you have done so well with this and it gives me the boost I need to start making some changes. It’s not that I’ve spent a lot of money, but I think my priorities have been out of order.

I appreciate your insights.

 

[Moose22]

Finances...you are more responsible than most.

You see, I'm not. That's why I make rules.

I, literally, put my entertainment money aside. It's in a different bank account. No money in that bank? No discretionary spending until the account fills back up again. I don't want to think about it at all. And I don't want any guilty "I shouldn't spend this" feelings, but I do want to see a concert or shoot a roll of film now and again.

And some kids do apprecate your crap. Well, eventually. Even if you have to be tough love on a 12 year old. I remember the few who understood me and helped me get by, and that was nearly 4 decades ago. I couldn't do it, I don't have the patience.

 

[KerrKid]

My last GAS(P) just arrived.

Everything looks brand spanking new. Unbelievable. LowePro bag and strap, N75 with retro strap, and 28-80mm lens and 70-300mm lens. $35. Your husband did good, babe!

 

[KerrKid]

You see, I'm not. That's why I make rules.

I, literally, put my entertainment money aside. It's in a different bank account. No money in that bank? No discretionary spending until the account fills back up again. I don't want to think about it at all. And I don't want any guilty "I shouldn't spend this" feelings, but I do want to see a concert or shoot a roll of film now and again.

And some kids do apprecate your crap. Well, eventually. Even if you have to be tough love on a 12 year old. I remember the few who understood me and helped me get by, and that was nearly 4 decades ago. I couldn't do it, I don't have the patience.

A different bank account? That’s an even better idea.

My art teacher in high school helped me a lot. I found out later that people thought she was helping me out in others ways, but no. I still use the art table she gave me.

 

[Moose22]

A different bank account? That’s an even better idea.

My art teacher in high school helped me a lot. I found out later that people thought she was helping me out in others ways, but no. I still use the art table she gave me.

My art teacher in Jr. High used to let me use his F2 all the time. He also taught me to make a pinhole camera and a group of us took photos with our cameras and developed the film. This was when I was in elementary school.

Want to ask why I have an F2 when I already have plenty of nice Nikon cameras?

 

[KerrKid]

My art teacher in Jr. High used to let me use his F2 all the time. He also taught me to make a pinhole camera and a group of us took photos with our cameras and developed the film. This was when I was in elementary school.

Want to ask why I have an F2 when I already have plenty of nice Nikon cameras?

I would drive my art teacher's 1970's Cutlass. We went to Michigan for a wedding together and I got a speeding ticket on the way. She was nice.

I didn't get into photography until high school. Sounds like you had a great art teacher, too!

Ah, sentiment. That's why I still have my high school SRT-101. Lot's of memories with that.

 

[M-88]

We should start a GASAA or GAS Addiction Anonymous group. Hi my name is Paul, I'm a GAS addict. Please just one more, something small, just a Argus C3, please it will be my last.

Hi, my name is Mike. I used to be GAS addict, but now, thanks to film prices reaching unreasonable mark, I am cured

On second thought, now I have even bigger GAS, which involves digital

 

[guangong]

"but they are investments for the future, this stuff appreciates like crazy"

This, by far, is the best answer!

My wife never complained. However, she did note that after spending $400 to $500 on a chunk of marble, I would proceed to chip it away and make it smaller. On the other hand, I urged her to spend big bucks on a very good cello that became available at a really good price.

 

[Tel]

Want to ask why I have an F2 when I already have plenty of nice Nikon cameras?

No need to ask; I know. (Looking at my F2 shelf...)

 

[KerrKid]

This, by far, is the best answer!

My wife never complained. However, she did note that after spending $400 to $500 on a chunk of marble, I would proceed to chip it away and make it smaller. On the other hand, I urged her to spend big bucks on a very good cello that became available at a really good price.

With the marble, you're just removing the parts that aren't needed for the sculpture. You're doing it a service.

Ah, cello, one of my favorite instruments to listen to.