This weekend I nearly succumbed - I almost convinced myself that I needed a DSLR. Why, when I have a perfectly good 5 megapixel, prosumer camera and a ton of solid, old film gear? Because I read a new book on digital photography that said that if you couldn't shoot in RAW format you wouldn't be able to do half the things described in the book, ergo, you weren't a 'serious' digital photographer. But before I plonked down $3K I don't have on a new system, I thankfully came to my senses.
At some point I know I will own a DSLR but I'm not going to be bullied into it by some author just because he (it's always a 'he') challenges my commitment. I also know that whatever I eventually buy will be disparaged as the poor cousin of the 'professional' model as I am doomed to be, forever, amateur. Actually, as I've said before, I'm proud of my amateur status but I don't like my commitment or seriousness being questioned and, when it is, I am tempted by the darkside to rush into debt to buy a Leica, Hassleblad or Canikon pro-DSLR. What is it about 'real' photographers that demands you carry a specific badge to prove how 'real' you are? It doesn't happen in other arts does it? My wife and her fellow poets don't buy Mountblanc pens and Italian leather folios to work with to prove how serious they are - actually, my wife does have a Mountblanc, amongst other nice fountain pens, but you're much more likely to catch her working with a bic on the back of a napkin than with a showy pen.
Sometimes ego and machismo just take over - like when I convince myself I need a BMW while the VW is still reliable, paid for and strong. So, for the moment, remind me that I'm not even using the cameras I have now to their full potential while I wait for someone else who wants to be more professional to upgrade to a pro-Canon and sell me their old Rebel for cents on the dollar. |
