How many times have you heard the claim from pro-photographers… “I’m not a gear junkie?” Maybe you make the same claim – I do.

If you’re anything like me, you do it with a sense of pride, like you deserve a badge of honour… I'm no gear junkie!

What if though…

What if new gear had the affect it did on Michal:

“My style of photography changed, maybe it was the excitement of something new or different that made me more passionate and rejuvenated my approach, I don't know, but I went from a 50-60% conversion to 80% conversion (last 6 months data).”

Isn't this what every pro photographer wants… more passion, a rejuvenated approach to photography, style and… AND let’s not discount the better conversion rate!

If you could get all that from a new piece of gear, wouldn't you like to know what Michal purchased?

It doesn’t matter. Honestly.

But I will let you know.

His gear purchase wasn't for more pixels, a faster, more responsive camera, a fang-dangled accessory or the latest and greatest doobie-dacker.

Michal downsized AND went back to old manual focus lenses.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT

Photographer Paul Pennell with his Nikon something and big ass flash, photographed with a Fuji XT1 from memory and I don't know what lens.

Photographer Paul Pennell with his Nikon D something and big ass flash. Photographed with a Fuji XPro2 (from memory) and I don't know what lens. The shot was taken while away for a photography conference. We were motivated to shoot and I'm not sure if it was because we were away, because of the gear we were using or the conference… does it really matter? Oh yeah, the image was edited with Alien Skin Exposure X2 and some B&W preset.

You might be drawn to something else entirely to feel the same way about your photography. Maybe for you it will be the new top of the line whatever. The latest and greatest thingamabob.

Maybe it'll be a change to film, some new software, a filter set, new presets, a move to medium format or a point and shoot camera. Only you can know what you’re drawn to.

I won't be discounting the affect of new gear anymore, not knowing what I do after making the change from full frame DSLR's to mirrorless cameras for my personal work and most of my pro work.

I can totally relate to Michal when he says, “I feel like my images are more deliberate, yet I have time to focus on a moment and couple expressions, the photos I put online are doing well and as such my enquiries increased…”

If a new piece of gear can do that, I'm almost ready to be labelled a gear junkie. A better term might be “gear appreciator.”

What is your next purchase and why? What are you hoping to see as a result of adding that something new to your kit?