The Construct by Alex Maximo

I want a digital camera

Alex @ May 10, 2008 | | Personal |

I have a history of falling victim to Gear Acquisition Syndrome but my usual miser self kept that in check. However, now that I am falling into the dark side of spending (since, recently, my being a kuripot has allowed me to comfortably set aside some dough). Compound that with compensation for being deprived of any luxury as a child… Well, the thought just scares me.

I remember getting myself an electric guitar and GAS-ing buying all sorts of pedals and effects even if my finger speed and dexterity haven’t really improved since high school. And now, my guitar is gigging without me, and my effects pedals are just gathering dust.

Well, at least some gear I’ve bought are generating good returns and are very useful. My laptop is my moneymaker. My Nintendo DS proves to be a heck of a gaming machine, not to mention doubles up as my PDA. And the exercise machine I bought is helping me burn at least 250 calories a day. But as what I’ve gone through with my guitar GAS-ing, it’s way too much of irresponsible spending to say the least.

I have been wanting to buy myself a camera ever since, well, our old 1.3 MP Sony Cybershot (from 6 years ago) died 3 years ago. I mean, not that there’s reason to use it still if it’s working, 1.3 MP is something you’d find on a cheap-ass phone. To some extent I could argue that I probably need a camera, doing a bit of spyshot work for my blogs would be great. But I am afraid of GAS.

I know I can always just buy a relatively lower-priced (I’m avoiding to use “cheap” here, as anything with a four-digit or higher price tag for me is expensive) point and shoot camera might disappoint me with its lack of versatility. There’s always the prosumer alternative but I’m pretty sure that since it’s the next step to a DSLR, then I might wake up in the middle of the night having bad dreams of not getting a DSLR instead.

I’ve been working my ass off for the past couple of months (writing a book, teaching special classes, and doing consultancy gigs on weekends) that I just might be able to have enough to consider getting a Nikon D40 at Hidalgo price.

But the problem, as most photo hobbyists would say - is the dreaded GAS bite. Getting even an entry-level DSLR camera will open new doors into an expensive hobby. Sure, the camera might just cost X number of pesos but the drive to acquire lenses, and filters, and other thingamabobs would also cost 2X number of pesos. And those, I can’t readily afford.

I’m desperately trying to save up for other things as well (*cough* *kasal* *cough* *bahay* *cough*) so if it would just cause me greater anxiety, I just might have to defer getting one.

Then, again, I want a digital camera.

Tags: Camera, Hobby, Personal, Photography