The Problem with the M1 Max MacBook Pro and Sony A7IV (the hype about new gear)

[@GrahamAtDesk]

I've found that getting on top of these feelings takes time. A long time. What I need to do is reflect on two things. 1) That the gear I have is already far more capable than I am, and 2) My living space is easily cluttered with kit for my hobbies, and I hate spending my life listing things on eBay. I'd rather be taking photos with any camera, or ride any one of my existing bikes, than spend hours listing cameras, lenses, computers, etc, etc on eBay. And then there's organising shipping. It's such a chore. But I still have to talk myself out of not buying things that I know I'd appreciate, and only permit myself to do it if I'm prepared to sell my old thing on quickly. It protects my living space, which protects my mental health.

[@DylanLiveLifeCreative]

That's a great perspective. I often forget that my current gear is more than good enough for what I need right now. It's tougher when you're contemplating offering a new service like video, which does require new gear from what I have now. I question myself and ask, do I really want to offer a new service, or is it an excuse to buy something new? 😅

[@GrahamAtDesk]

@@DylanLiveLifeCreative I experience that too. I feel generally guilty about consuming stuff, so it's hard to spot when I'm avoiding buying something that I actually need. Trying to get by without is my preferred approach, buying it when I find I actually do need the thing. But that brings its own problems…

[@joaoramos32]

This is definitely true, and even me being mostly aware of it and managing to take control of my emotions in that sense (FOMO wise), I still struggle with it a bit sometimes. Having this said, being a professional videographer, the brand new gear does matter in order to provide the best production value possible to the clients. I do get your point though, the world is running way to fast nowadays and leaves us always insatisfied, and companies use that in us in order to make more and more profit. Toxic af, uh...

[@DylanLiveLifeCreative]

Yeah, agree. I think the conversation changes when you move into a professional context, where time is money and where a good computer can save you time in rendering and in editing; or in the quality of your product, like upgrading from an 8-bit sensor to a 10-bit sensor. The marketing departments at the camera and computer companies are really good at making each iteration of a product seem like a game-changer

[@derrickmickle5491]

Sage advice. Apart from anger, envy (and it's cousin FOMO) is easy to trigger in humans. Marketing is designed to manufacture need, to create a problem that can "only" be solved by buying the product. Don't fall for the trap! The latest and greatest features mean nothing, and don't make what you create great. YOU make what you make great. Having limitations with your gear often helps you be more creative and forge your creative voice. It's not about the gear, it's about what you do with the gear you have. Thanks for this reminder.

[@DylanLiveLifeCreative]

Thank you so much for expanding on this, it's such a big struggle for me not to get caught up in the hype

[@paulha2328]

Good point there!!

[@faresnimer5164]

Sell the Nikon and take the Sony a7 mark iv with g master lenses

[@DylanLiveLifeCreative]

Interesting take! I'm working on a video right tackling this issue in my particular situation, which I think will relate to many photographers at or around my professional level