I Sold Half of my Equipment, Here's Why - Gear Acquisition Syndrome 🔥🧠

We all want to have the best and newest equipment - but is that a good idea? Find out, why I have sold half of my gear and feel a lot more creative now.
If you're interested in a more scientific explanation, Joshua Sariñana did a great job in his article here: www.joshuasarinana.com/on-pho...
🔴 You like this video? Don't forget to subscribe! :)
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🔍 LINKS
valentinkossenko.com/
/ valentinkossenko
/ valentinkossenko
⭐ MY EQUIPMENT
kit.co/ValentinKossenko
❓ QUESTIONS I ANSWER IN THIS VIDEO
What is GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)?
Why is GAS bad for creativity?
Do you need the best equipment to get a better photographer or videographer?
Is minimalism good for your mental health?
✔️ HASHTAGS
#GAS #GearAcquisitionSyndrome #Tech #Creativity
🎵 MUSIC
Hall of the Mountain King by Kevin MacLeod incompetech.com
Creative Commons - Attribution 4.0 International - CC BY 4.0

[@RhettThompsonFilm]

Bro this was the push I needed to make some changes.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Trust me, you'll feel a lot better afterwards!

[@FigleyCreative]

I second that! My wedding photo business is growing and I need to make some tough decisions. I have been working with two systems and two different mounts. Gotta choose the equipment that will help me get the job done but will also satisfy for personal work… for now anyway haha!

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

You get a like for the intro. The rest is icing on the cake.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thanks. Appreciate it!

[@stefan33uk]

One camera, one prime lens, one mini tripod. As much as I try to fantasise otherwise and have fun researching other lenses/equipment, my best work is always done when I have this minimal set up. And it’s nice not having clutter and makes moving home easier!

[@ValentinKossenko]

Absolutely.. I recently switched from a huge self built desktop PC to a laptop with similar performance and I can't believe how refreshing that feels. No longer having to think about all the small parts makes my life so much easier!

[@slows728]

Funny, when I was a child, I loved to use the camcorder of my dad, and my first camera was also the 600D. Thank you for your video, everything you say is so true.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@russellmurphy7109]

Long term GAS addict here but now looking to ‘reform’ & relieve myself with a few F.A.R.T.S (freeup and resell them stupid)

[@ValentinKossenko]

Sounds great. I'm doing the same right now and it feels so good to get rid of gear you no longer use or need.

[@The_Nameless_1]

I have an issue with bass and guitar gear, and I am slowly recovering, with some relapses. Let my example help others: At one point I owned 4 guitars, by now I sold 2, so 2 left and I am contemplating selling one more. I have 2 basses, and I am a little too attached to the older one, but I am contemplating selling it anyway, or converting it to fretless, admitting to myself that it is to justify keeping it and to prevent ever wanting to buy a fretless bass. I find the newer one better and I am not inclined to sell that one. I also have 3 bass amps, I am planning to sell at least one, and then I will still have a backup. At one point I owned some 20+ guitar (and bass) pedals and I had around 30 going through my hands so far; I whittled it down to 13 and trying to sell a couple more, and I might downsize a little further still. At one point I used my baby son as an excuse to basically double the amount of gear I have so in the distant future we can jam together; now while that is a possible future, it was downright crazy, and seeking professional medical help would have been reasonable, but I had the above suggested honest conversation with myself.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thanks for sharing your story. Realizing that there might be a problem is often the most important step in this whole situation. I can totally relate though and still become a victim of GAS from time to time. It comes in waves, then I get rid of stuff and it happens all over again. Striking the right balance for how much you really need can be extremely tough in the creative space we are in. Hope you're doing well now!

[@The_Nameless_1]

@@ValentinKossenko Yes, thank you, I am doing better indeed. Reading some other people's stories elsewhere also helped me, compared to them I was a mild case and don't want to risk becoming them.

[@Rudy-WT]

Nice vid mate!! Greetings from Brazil!!

[@ValentinKossenko]

Hello there, glad you enjoyed it! Greetings from Germany! 😊

[@AlpacoFilms]

Fantastic video! I definitely see a correlation between GAS and lack of creativity! Subbed a with a bell my dude! Came here from Rhett’s post!

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thanks for the sub, I highly appreciate it!

[@AlpacoFilms]

@@ValentinKossenko No, thank you for relaying an important message that more people need to hear! Also, just skimming through your videos and it's clear you've a great voice and talent. The pleasure is all mine!

[@ValentinKossenko]

This is the type of feedback that keeps my engine running. Thank you so much! 🥰

[@leas3767]

Funny and I admire your creativity^^ great video! I am sure you sometime have a smart little helper by your side ;)

[@ValentinKossenko]

Yeah, my wife is actually a better cameraman than I could ever be. 🤣

[@scampifingers]

Great vid! I always wanted to take a minimalistic approach to my kit.. I’m a hobbyist but fortunate enough to afford a Sony A7iv a couple GMs lenses (overkill for my needs) and now I feel the pull towards a Sony fx30 for the smaller form factor. I got the camera to capture memories in life and I’ve barely done that. I’m torn between switching or adding to my kit it’s completely distracted me from learning & creating more! I resonated so much with what you’re saying and it’s helped me to feel grateful for what I have and put focus back into what’s important. Which is actually progressing and becoming a better creator

[@ValentinKossenko]

That's beautiful and exactly what I was trying to achieve by uploading this video. So glad I was able to sort of navigate you into the right direction again! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@theory8sf]

I feel you on that one! That why I sold most of my newer gear and got myself an used Canon 5d mark iii! It takes nice photos and has two card slots for my paid work! And for video I’ll just use my iPhone!

[@invisiblejason]

Thank you for this awesome video. You have a cool channel, so I couldn't resist to follow 😅 stay safe!

[@ValentinKossenko]

Hey Jason, I appreciate your kind words and hope you're safe too. Thanks!

[@stuartrushworth5487]

I wish I had watched this video before I went through the very painful de-clutter I just managed. I don't photograph for a living. Unfortunately I have lived within a short bus-ride of a very impressive used camera and lens store. However I have reached a better place, at least for me, by keeping some old'sh and older DSLRs with vintage lenses and a mirrorless camera with a quality lens. This has helped with G.A.S. because I can dive into vintage tones and moods. Then when I pick up my modern mirrorless then both the camera and lens gives me the feeling that I have just acquired it. The used camera store closed down this year and I have donated my most worn out old cameras to some beginners (who will probably, as you say, produce highly creative work). Your video is the best I have seen on this subject. It is true what you say that to create in a flowing way we shouldn't be stopping to buy things but instead enjoy making much from little. Thank you for helping with the many quotes and perspectives. You speak much wisdom.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Wow, I love reading comment like these. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! When trying to create something big, it can be so hard to get lost in all the little. It still happens to me all the time and I guess it's just something we have to keep reminding ourselves about to be more self aware. Wishing you all the best!

[@SophisticatedMedia]

Fully into it. 🤣

[@ValentinKossenko]

😏

[@TheOneMonk]

I agree with everything you say. And I will follow your advice. But let me just first get this 35-150mm Tamron. It is the last one, for sure! Especially when I put it on this A74 that I need to pair it with. Oh, wait, isnt the Gh6 coming out these days? Just kidding. Sort of. But seriously: selling stuff is the first step to more clarity!

[@ValentinKossenko]

Haha, I found myself in your text right there. 😂 It still happens and whenever it does, I like to remind myself of what will really change if I buy more stuff like that. It can help to become clear again, but from time to time GAS is still the winner here and I end up buying more. One thing that always helps though is the following: If I feel the need to buy something new, I like to think of it as an upgrade and the older tool must go. This is still not optimal, but you at least don't end up sitting on a bunch of old gear you don't use anymore. Thanks for your comment! I enjoyed reading it. 😊

[@RWAquariumPages]

such a great video while researching gas. been thinking of getting a new lens, totally unnecessary as my current lens lineup is amazing. wrote down 20 points from your video and this is going to help me tons! thanks and new sub to your channel! thanks!

[@ValentinKossenko]

I'm so happy to read this. Wishing you the best. Thanks for your comment!

[@alexanderdergroe616]

Great Video!! Love the psychological facts! Really helped to reconsider =)

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thanks for your comment, appreciate it! And glad I was able to help.

[@HamiltonSRink]

Very true! I am a recovering GAS addict myself. Possible therapeutic alterations I already introduced. If I used it a couple of times, then it sits for months, sell it. Assuming perfect camera hit the market ten years ago, research, target, buy only when dirt cheep. Learn raw development and upresolution, because cheep old pocketable m4/3 cameras respond quite well to post processing. And are so easy there is no excuse for not having it with you.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm glad I am not the only one!

[@alexmurphy5289]

Great video. Musicians suffer from this as well

[@ValentinKossenko]

As a musician I know exactly what you're talking about. Being a photographer / videographer on top really doesn't help!

[@MrBEnIbb]

Also you have to consider if it is worth the time you spend choosing the gear, working for the money and get used to the gear. Then maybe something new comes out/ something else is interesting and you can repeat the process.

[@ValentinKossenko]

You're so right on this. It has happened to myself several times in the past. Minimalism allows you to focus on what is most important in my opinion. Thanks for your comment!

[@LjudmilaKossenko]

Great! I love your videos. ❤️

[@ValentinKossenko]

❤️

[@TheChadWork2001]

I’m emotionally attached to my Canon R6 m2, and now I’m going to get emotionally attached to other an R5M2 or an R1! I want to rub my face against it like you dos in the video hahaha.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Hahaha, I can totally relate!

[@marioholler9491]

great topic and awesome edeting man.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Thanks, Mario! Appreciate your feedback.

[@TimmRAH]

But I want that R5C :( jkjk great vid bud 💕 PS: no one likes backpacks anyway

[@ValentinKossenko]

I feel you, bro! 😂❤️

[@theory8sf]

I remember getting into photography and filmmaking for the first time I was just happy to have a camera! Years later somehow I got suck in in the GAS trap forgetting why I got into content creation in the first place!

[@ValentinKossenko]

It still happens to me. I know its wrong. But sometimes we just have to remind ourselves that less can be more.

[@RumoHasIt]

The amount of time it must have taken you to film the dancing boxes stop motion... holy crap 😂

[@ValentinKossenko]

Yup, but it was fun! :D

[@SeanMcVitty]

So now I'm really curious! What gear did you get rid of? And what pieces have stayed? And why?

[@ValentinKossenko]

I was a huge fan of focal reducers (Viltrox EF-M2, Metabones Speedbooster XL) but got tired of the disadvantages like bad autofocus, sometimes loose connections, etc. and went all in on native MFT lenses. My personal favorites are the Panasonic Leica 10-25 & 25-50 f/1.7. Besides these two lenses, I still own the 12-60 f/2.8-4 and the 50-200 f/2.8-4 + 2X Tele Converter - I haven't sold the 12-60 but generally would, if it wasn't for my wife, which prefers a lighter setup, especially when traveling. Since I don't do lots of wild life photography, I am also thinking about selling the 50-200. To be honest with you, the 10-25 & 25-50 are the perfect lenses for my needs and all I really need and use most of the time. I got rid of the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8, Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8, Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2, Canon 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8, tried different gimbals like the Zhiyun Crane 2, Weebill Lab, but ultimately settled with the Weebill S, which is the perfect travel gimbal imho and sold the rest. When it comes to monitors, I still own the Ninja V by Atomos, but don't really need it to be honest - you don't really get any quality advantage when using a GH5 and recording ProRes & the file size of these is just huge compared to the internal codecs. Editing ProRes is a lot more fun than h264 or h265, but creating ProRes proxies instead is only needed temporarily anyways and doesn't fill my disks forever, which has absolute priority for me because I don't want to sit on hundreds of TB's of footage. On top of that, there are quite a few downsides to using a Ninja V like additional batteries, latency during shooting (which makes focusing kinda hard sometimes) and noise, which can be disturbing when you're too close to the microphone. I could honestly go on and on here, but sometimes you just realize that less is more and that can lead to better & more creative results because you don't have to focus on all the aspects around that gear like charging batteries, packing everything when going on a shoot, etc. If I could choose, I would just go with 2 GH5's, the 10-25 and 25-50 on each camera and that's it. Two cameras because I hate swapping lenses during a shoot, else it would be just one. 😉 Sorry about the wall of text, that got a little out of hand. 🤣

[@SeanMcVitty]

@@ValentinKossenko Thank you so much for this honest and thoughtful reply. I can totally understand why you’ve come to settle on this exact combination. And I especially appreciate you sharing your experience with the Ninja V workflow. I think many people could really learn something here! I know I just did. Not to say that there is anything wrong with the Ninja. On the contrary. But maybe it’s not entirely necessary for many. And if you do ‘need’ a monitor (like I do) there are many cheaper, brighter, quieter, bigger options to choose from… It’s also funny, but if you took a poll from all of the people who follow and watch your videos, you’d probably find that 90% own at least one (if not all) of the lenses and adaptors that you have decided to let go of. And for good reason. In the right hands they are all fabulous lenses. But the combined cost of all of these lenses plus adaptors would possibly cover your investment into the two top shelf Panasonic Leica 10-25 & 25-50 f/1.7. lenses that you’re keeping… ;) BTW I’m totally with you on the ‘Weebill S.’ It’s my favourite too.

[@chronicfish]

I have one large camera bag, one tripod and one to two lenses per camera (if they take interchangeable lenses). So I wouldn't say I have a lot of one item, *BUT* I have made it a mission to collect one film camera for each format that exists (except for 6x17, because I'm not prepared to sell a kidney). Do I suffer from G.A.S or am I trying to simply "complete" a collection? I question myself sometimes ...

[@ValentinKossenko]

As long as your collection isn't holding you back from being creative.. you're probably fine. I can tell from personal experience that minimalism can be a blessing and since I started reducing the amount of gear I use daily, I can tell 100% I have become more creative again. Hope that helps!

[@Makon94]

I love buying new gear... I could do so much with it, but never do. I have GAS. I have to get rid of GAS... ...I have to buy a Tesla. PS: Just kidding, what a nice video. I felt like looking in a mirror. I seriously have to get rid of GAS. Thank you!

[@ValentinKossenko]

That sounds familiar! 😅 I'm glad I was able to bring along the right message! 😊

[@photobatya]

Crap… I own 2 similar a7 iv bodies, 6 very good af lenses, 5 vintage manual lenses, 2 (!!!) gimbals, 2 flashes, softbox, dji air 2s… shit, and I want more))) some time ago I have earned money with photography, but it is crappy job honestly. Need to sell something… to buy another stuff))

[@ValentinKossenko]

I was in the same place a while ago. Reducing it has helped me focus on more important things in photography & filmmaking. Thanks for your comment!

[@MSBelov1]

Я радуюсь, когда покупаю новое. А потом радуюсь, когда продаю бесполезное. Двойная радость.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Я это очень хорошо понимаю... :D

[@sullivansnortherncaliforni227]

the bass in the audio is killing a good vid bud.

[@ValentinKossenko]

Which bass or part do you mean exactly?

[@sullivansnortherncaliforni227]

@@ValentinKossenko the bass in the background music of the entire vid. Mint vid, but bass is too distracting,. Hard to hear you over it. Just my .02 ty for vid.

[@ValentinKossenko]

@@sullivansnortherncaliforni227 Ah, you probably have a dedicated sound system and hear the very low frequencies constantly. I'll try to keep an eye on that in the future! Thanks!

[@sullivansnortherncaliforni227]

@@ValentinKossenko Logitech Z623 400 Watt Home Speaker System, 2.1 Speaker System - Black

[@claudiokay]

It's not the video that has too much bass, it is your logitech sound system.

[@hunglongdee2587]

thank you for this, I just saved 3k =)

[@ValentinKossenko]

Damn m8, what were you about to buy? 😁

[@hunglongdee2587]

@@ValentinKossenko Leica 10-25, it's more expensive here in Canada

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

You have to much money to waste that's your problem.

[@ValentinKossenko]

I wish that was the case. Then I wouldn't care about selling any of my gear. :D

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@ValentinKossenko Keep the gear thats hard to get and sell the rest, problem solved.