An idea when buying anything:

Only buy something if you can imagine using it forever.

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Of course nothing is meant to last forever. But this will help us focus on what’s classic— and will be more robust for the long term.

The best or nothing

Perhaps we should strive to have things that will last long enough that we can use for at least a decade— and maybe even hand over to our grandchildren.

For example, Rolex watch or no watch.

For cameras, buy something affordable (RICOH GR), or high end (Leica M).

For clothes, high end raw denim and merino wool T-shirts. For shoes, good leather shoes.

All electronics perish

It seems all electronics are poor investments besides Apple products. And even Apple products (eventually) lose all of their value.

I think with electronics — at best, you might be able to squeeze a decade out of it (if you buy the most maxed out, high-end product) in a certain category. But realistically even the best products will only be good 5-7 years.

For example a strategy which has worked for me well is this:

Buy a maxed-out MacBook Pro from the refurbished Apple online shop, if you desire a laptop which will last you a long time (for minimal price).

Camera advice

With digital cameras — they are all bad uses of money. It seems the most robust investment in a digital camera is a digital Leica M (preferably used) with a Leica 35mm lens (I like the Summarit 35mm 2.5 for value, or the Leica Summiceon 35mm f2 ASPH for an ultimate one lens solution). I don’t recommend buying a new Leica Q or any other digital camera.

And if you want a good bang for the buck digital camera, get either RICOH GR II or RICOH GR III.

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This has been my dream with HAPTIC — to create beautiful tools that will last forever (or at least our lifetimes). Tools which empower us to create more, to shoot more, and to dream more.

Essentially I believe that cameras and tools should be used. Furthermore, I advocate for beautiful and elegant tools, which are simple, unbranded, and reduce the friction for us to create.

Ultimately whatever we buy shouldn’t be a status symbol, nor a fetishized object. Tools exist to be used and abused. Take pride in your tools, all the wear marks, beautiful patina and brassing.

ERIC

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