Beware of the new & improved trap.....

Find an interest in photography and one will be bombarded by merchants of gear. The whole digital photo world has something to offer. Hey, that is not all bad. Great opportunity to know about and learn what is useful, useless, expensive, great value, necessary/unnecessary. I have learned that this whole industry thrives on planned obsolescence---constant change churn--actual  or imaginary. Mark 5 completely replaces that ancient Mark 4. Watch out you Mk 4 users, you are laggards, unlikely to create your best  top-notch photo work unless you invest in this years cutting edge features. Of course, the reality is far from this and the new model is usually just a minute & superficial improvement, that in the practical world of shooting, hardly changes a thing. I am now well past the stage that that I feel the need to upgrade equipment. I have what I have in terms camera bodies and all things being equal, plan that they will suffice for the rest of my days. I know that with 8 years of amateur photographer & plodding progress under my belt, that my skills still greatly fall short of the potential of my cameras (2) lenses, and speed-lights etc.
                           During the early years of my involvement in photography and my fascination with the hobby, I knew that I wanted to settle on reliable and quality gear. Ever a value conscious buyer I quickly realized that the best deals were in the used market mostly through Kijiji and Craig's List. So many people seem to want to ditch their equipment just several months after purchase when the euphoria of the purchase has subsided & the credit card repayments become onerous. With a little bit of hard nosed, yet polite, negotiating to and fro and with full cash in hand, deals can be grabbed at prices massively discounted from retail plus taxes. I know--I bought and sold (as in-- traded) 42 Canon cameras several years ago---mainly 60D and 7D models. These  two particular models always seemed to have the largest market listings & therefore market liquidity. Profits financed a 3 month land jaunt through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos etc. (My blog of this journey is linked in the side bar to the right).
                        My criteria now before any equipment acquisition is strictly the question: How will this purchase actually improve my photography or my skills? Only if the answer is satisfyingly positive do I proceed, bearing in mind that the price paid should be no more than the selling price should I have to unload the next day.

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