This is what I really want. What I’ve coveted for nearly 5 years. What deep down I knew I really wanted when I bought my last camera. I made some money freelancing this year and thought this is what I’d get. I spoke to my friends with a camera like this or better, they all agreed. I should get it. For a few hours I thought I would. I was giddy. Then nervous. Then worried. And on the train ride home realized: I don’t need it. I need a new bed that doesn’t hurt my back and that sleeps two comfortably. I need a new couch. One that’s not white and doesn’t have sloppy pillows all over the place. I need to pay off debt. I need to keep saving if I want to stay focused on one day buying property.
A second ago I logged into my online bank and I just paid off a consolidated loan that I’ve had hanging around at a high percentage rate since 2001. I guess I should feel relieved. But a paid off loan doesn’t take pretty photos. 
14 responses so far ↓
1 James // Nov 27, 2006 at 10:06 pm
You already take pretty photos with what you have. A bigger and heavier camera would only sit at home more so than you would want to carrying it around.
James.
2 Anil // Nov 28, 2006 at 12:14 am
For what it’s worth, I really admire people who make the right decision, even when it’s not fun. And I think it increases the odds you’ll be in a position to get one of these someday when you can really enjoy it without sweating all those other obligations.
3 rachelle // Nov 28, 2006 at 6:52 am
Thanks, Anil. I know you’re right… but it sure wasn’t the fun decision!
James - I knew people would say that.. but I guess when you’re in there, editing the photos every day and using the camera every day, that’s when you feel and see the limitations. I wouldn’t carry the rebel with me every day, I’d still use the camera I have. But it sure would be nice to have the rebel when going on trips or to parties or places where I really wanted to get great photos.
You know at one point I was happy with my Elph and then I started to feel its limitations. I look back now and see all the ways I could have improved my photos back then. I was happy with my current camera, the A95, and now I’m starting to feel those limitations and look at my photos and see all of the imperfections and know how they could be better. I guess it’s just a natural progression with any hobby, to take steps towards improvement.
Plus I tried to validate the purchase by reminding myself that I *do* sell photographs to people who want them or to pubs who want to use them. But I know in the end that paying off debt is the right thing to do first. It sucks being a grown up!
4 Nan // Nov 28, 2006 at 8:20 am
I’m with ya. It sucks being a grown up.
5 tien // Nov 28, 2006 at 8:31 am
you should start the rachel leb camera fund.
6 Crissy // Nov 28, 2006 at 11:17 am
Oy, I hear ya. I’d love to have one of those puppies, too. Of course, I’d also need to take a photography class to make it worth my money.
Congrats on paying off that loan, though! You know that’s the first step in getting what you want, guilt-free!
7 Devyn // Nov 28, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Rachelle, I totally get it… I have been lusting after the Canon Rebel XTI or the Nikon D80 (I keep switching back and forth as to which one to get) for the past couple of months, but just recently talked myself out of it until at least tax time next year, when I can pay cash.
Yeah, it does suck to be an adult at times, but I like having the wisdom to know when to tell myself no, sparing myself from later regretting a poorly thought out decision.
8 jp // Nov 28, 2006 at 6:18 pm
What kind of lens would/will get for the Rebel XT?
9 rachelle // Nov 28, 2006 at 6:55 pm
no idea!
10 dw // Nov 30, 2006 at 5:38 pm
I have the xt, and it is awesome. I hate to be the voice of unreason, but Rachelle, you take such nice pictures that I hope you get your xt very soon.
Also, I’ve been meaning to mention to you that there are two sort-of-weird public art displays that you might be interested in in Roscoe Village. First, someone keeps hanging up weird paintings and stuff under the Metra tracks on Roscoe near Wolcott. Nothing there today, but something new has gone up every few weeks for at least 3-4 months. Second, there are these really weird flyers pasted on streetlamps around Roscoe Village all realted to the TV show “Fraiser.” If you look quickly, you’ll think they are just some kind of ad, but if you look closely, you’ll see that they are some kind of weird subversive thing. Check the street lamps up and down Roscoe (I think there is one near the Turkish restaurant), and also the lamps walking south on Paulina off of Roscoe (near Frasca). I thought you might like this stuff along the lines of Street Writing.
11 someone // Dec 7, 2006 at 9:35 pm
its not the camera, its the photographer =]
12 mom // Dec 8, 2006 at 5:05 am
oh my! You said it, someone! Just look back and the wonderful pics from years ago when all you had was your little powershot S230 ! ! ! You are a fabulous photographer. you have an eye for it! You and I could take the same shots with the same camera and, well, nuf said!
13 rachelle // Dec 8, 2006 at 6:27 am
Just like anything there is talent involved, but there does get to be a point when the equipment is limiting. Just think if you were a really great baker but you only had a toaster oven. Or you were a fabulous seamstress but you had a really crappy sewing machine. Someone else might have a top of the line sewing machine and not even know how to work it. It’s the same thing.
Also, I don’t think I ever had the S230. I think it was the S200.
14 super lens // Dec 11, 2006 at 7:55 am
Try BHPHOTO, used dpt.
Leave a Comment