Last week, I noticed a coworker checking out bicycles (of the self-pedaling kind). I asked if he’s looking to buy, or merely window shopping. Somewhat meekly he replied that he really shouldn’t be looking to buy, because he’s already got a bicycle that he spent a relatively significant sum on. Alas, the upgrade treadmill comes for us all. We’re always looking for the next better thing, aren’t we? This is why I’ve yet to keep a car longer than three years. (My BMW M2 is coming up to that threshold in September…)
Another coworker chimed in with a tip: if you truly wish to replace something with a new/better of the same, you should sell the one you already have first. That way, the slate is clean, and you’re once again deprived of the thing you want. (Ignore the depreciation, obviously.) Coincidentally, the coworker looking at bikes said he actually did put his old bike up for sale! And soon as it sells, he’ll have no reservations about buying the newer, shinier replacement.
Inspired by this, I decided to give my old Sony A7R2 camera (plus two lenses) to a photography enthusiast friend of mine. For free. I cannot be bothered to put it up for sale, wasting time with tire-kickers and having to go to a UPS store for shipping. I’ve had the camera for seven years, it’s served me well; it’s time to let it go cleanly and smoothly. Never mind the fact I hardly use the camera these days. By offloading the camera to my graciously accepting friend, I am now free to make a move for a newer camera.
I’ve been admiring the Fujifilm XT-5 for awhile now. It’s not an easy decision to switch from one camera brand to another, because you essentially have to re-buy everything that isn’t the memory card. The draw of the XT-5 (and any Fujifilm camera) is the film simulation: essentially a filter on your shots that replicate how old film cameras would look. No editing, just straight out of the camera. An easy button for when I don’t want to spend hours editing hundreds of RAW files.
Now I just need the XT-5 to go on sale…
That’s got to be a corgi.