Many who know me would describe my personality as obsessive compulsive. I am always considering options, always looking at new stuff, and the reason is that I want to do better photography. So, I read extensively about new products, and each day I read lots of reviews about equipment for doing digital photography. Lately it has been overly obsessive.

Seems I am obsessed about a small camera that produces very high quality photographs. So far, despite all my trials, I have failed to find it.

I love the Canon Powershot G9. A very small camera that does produce some outstanding images. But, frankly, it still is not what I am looking for. I read and read and read about the Leica M8. I did so because I know wonderful the lenses are that Leica makes. But, bottom line is that the Leica M8 is a major disappointment for many, including lots of photographers who have used Leica cameras for years.

After all the reviews, I even looked at the idea of putting a Leica lens on a Canon DSLR. But then, you must have special adapters, and you have to go through complex tables to figure out which lens will work or not work. It seemed overly zealous to me. Despite the fact that I have seen some very excellent images produced using this combination.

And, I considered upgrading my Canon gear to the 1Ds Mark III. This is an expensive consideration. What would I gain? Well, more megapixels, newer technology, etc. etc. But after looking at shots done with the III and knew that the 1Ds Mark II produced images just as good.

Then, I remembered. It’s not the camera dumb dumb, it’s the glass. Yep, the glass.

And frankly I own some dern good glass. The 24-105, the 16-35, and the 300mm f/4. And then there is my old reliable, the 100-400mm. And I own a “good” one, the images I get with it are sharp as it gets.

Sure, I would love to owe a 300mm f/2.8 and a 500mm f/4. But WOW they are expensive.

So, I am back to my kit: the 1D Mark IIn, and the 1Ds Mark II, and some good glass.

Yep, I still have the Powershot G9.

Bottom line is that I am keeping what I have. And I am through with looking more. I spend entirely too much time worrying about what is next, what great technology I am missing, which camera to buy, what lens is just perfect, and all that kind of stuff.

Sure Canon and Nikon and other manufacturers will produce some nice gear in the next two years. Yep, some nice gear. But this photog is gonna start using what I have and spend my time doing photography.