HELP!! Reading equipment reviews is driving me nuts!

[teepee12]

I don't think any jury would convict me. I have lost my grip. I have lost my bearings. I don't know what I like, what I want, what I need anymore. Should I have kept the big bulky DSLR that made my wrists hurt instead of selling it to get the 3/4 Olympus PL-1 setup that I'm currently using? Should I have bought the more upscale (a LOT more expensive, that is) new P3 instead? Should I just give up photography because clearly I am equipment challenged and apparently always will be?

I think the problem is that I should stop reading reviews. If photography is an addiction, reading equipment views is like being a stalker ... a very unhealthy obsession. Symptoms are common but vary by brand: Are you convinced that whatever you just bought isn't really what you should have bought? Are you constantly second guessing yourself?. Do you wonder if you should have waited for that new model ... even though a new model is always coming out soon? Think you should have saved for the much more expensive model? Should have saved by NOT buying the more expensive model? Saved up for the better lens? Saved yourself a fortune and bought the inexpensive lens? Saved yourself even MORE by selling all of your equipment down to the last filter and began taking pictures with your cell phone?

It's too much input! Too much information! Too much contradictory information. Too much everything. I am in techno-babble overload, so stop me before I kill again!

Marilyn Armstrong
AKA Teepee12
In Uxbridge, Massachusetts (must live there 'cause I can spell it!)

[Phoenix_Jackson]

I myself have invested for the lens I dearly dearly want to buy 2 months ago. Trying to keep updated and reflecting at the same time, whether I really need it or just want it, and then coming across other gears that I need, then looking at other options for said gear, then finding another confusion between options just for the said gear, until I find myself doubting the originally planned "to buy" lens, and here comes Ken Rockwell confusing me even more... then tempting me to invest for a Carl Zeiss (and pardon me, I'm no way even good at taking pictures yet).

... *head explodes*

[RichardTaylor]

I went through this from 2006 (my first DSLR) to 2009 (my last lens purchase).
I am happy with what I have, and it meets my needs. Any further equipment purchases will be to replace a lens or body that is not viable to fix.

[3bayjunkie]

I read reviews on so many things on DPREVIEW.com and I can say that it took me a few months to decide what camera to get. In February I wanted a Cannon 1D, I previously owned a Nikon N80. Then I decided I didn't want a Cannon (although they are cheaper) I decided Nikon was more my style. Many verying factors that I'm not going into detail about.

So then I thought Id buy a D300s. Then the Nikon D5100, then the Nikon D7000!!! Finally I decided on the Nikon D7000 and its in the mail on the way to me now. But this decision was over a time of six months. So I understand what you mean.

I would us dpreview, know what you want and use the compare camera function. this helped me see what was better on one camera than an other. Also you can go into some of the camera reviews and see high ISO quality comparing 4 cameras at a time. This is what sold me on the D3s however I don't have $5,000 for a camera at the moment so I settled on the much cheaper D7000. and At this moment I am planning on getting whatever replaces the D700 to use these two cameras photographing sports.

I am also still a film photographer at heart and plan on buying more film cameras. Now that I have decided on Nikon it really makes it easier for me to decide. For one I can use my lenses on all my cameras and another thing is I only have to decided on how much money is burning a hole in my pocket.

I would suggest for you to pick a brand you are happy with and focus on building your lens collection for that brand.