The WAC Syndrome
WAC: Without A Camera
I recently had to send in my Pentax K5 for repair due to what is now called “Mirror-Overrun”. I was without my main camera for 13 days. During that thirteen day period of time I found myself to be irritable, anxious, moody and generally unhappy. Those symptoms are all part of the WAC Syndrome.
Those of us who are really into photography seem to go through withdrawal when we are without our main camera. I did have a Panasonic GH2 and GF1 to fall back on but it did little to quell my feelings of unease and restlessness while my main camera, the Pentax K5, was being repaired. I probably experienced the same feelings smokers experience when using a nicotine patch instead of lighting up. It wasn’t much fun.
I tried my best to ignore the fact that I was without my main camera during this period of time but found it hard to do. I went through each day feeling that something was missing from my life.
I remember the day the camera was to return to me via a big, brown UPS truck. I was full of expectation. I kept checking the clock, 9am, 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm… and then finally at 6:20pm the UPS guy knocked on the door with the package I was waiting for. It was “the fix” I needed, no pun intended.
The mood change was immediate. I was happy again, irritability disappeared and the world seemed to be a much better place.
My name is Jim and I am a cameraholic and there is not a thing I can do about it. I know I am not alone. There are no weekly meetings I could go to for support. No one to share my misery with, no one to pat me on the back and let me know that things would get better. What a terrible thing to go through!
I am once again happy and my world seems brighter and more cheerful. I know I should seek professional help but for now.. I think I’ll just go take some photos.