Do I suffer from GAS?

So am I really infected with this hideous syndrome

Last week was the release of the Pentax 17. A newly launched analog film camera by Ricoh/Pentax. This release got a lot of attention, among which fellow Substacker

Wesley Verhoeve

created a video in his post.

Normally I do not get that excited by the release of the next camera, but in this case I actually was. OMG, am I really infected with the Gear Aquisition Syndrome?

Photo: Wells Baum via Unsplash

The excitement of shooting with film has recently flared up while shooting with a 40 years old Olympus Trip 35. And looking at the creative expressions you can achieve with the half-format has only fuelled the flame even more.

My first reaction after seeing these videos and sample photos was that I WANTED to have that camera. Soon after, my reasonableness surfaced, wondering if I really needed that camera. For one thing, the price is pretty hefty. Despite the introductory price of $500, which would be €466 converted, the camera is offered in the Netherlands for €550 (or $589). That's a lot of money for a fairly simple film camera with a fixed lens.

Also, wasn't I still waiting for that new Ricoh GR with a black-and-white sensor? That is, if Ricoh listens to the community that has been asking for this for ages (and not for a black-and-white sensor in a Pentax DSLR!).

Dilemmas, dilemmas.

I am still in doubt whether to get in with this Pentax 17 now or wait for the next models they are apparently going to bring out in the coming period or still wait a bit longer and hope for a really, really new Ricoh GR.

I will give myself another month to tie the knot and make a decision. Being accused of suffering from GAS is the last thing I want.

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Darkrooms Magazine #4

Just one week to go until the fourth issue of Darkrooms Magazine is published.

I'm still making the final edits, but you can see the preliminary cover (and the contributing photographers) here:

You can support this initiative - and become your friend's favorite friend - by sharing this post so that they too can enjoy these outstanding photography projects in Darkrooms Magazine #4. As always, it’s free to read.

Trust me, it’s totally worth it!

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That’s it for now.

Till next week,

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