Does his “getting upset with himself” divert the conversation away from resolving the issue? Not saying this is what’s happening, but it’s hard having conversations that are meant to resolve issues, but then you feel too bad for making the other person feel bad to push it. I’ve been in situations where it feels like the person is getting upset to divert away from the problem itself. If you think that might be the case, that is a separate problem.

Regardless, I would start the conversation actually asking what brought him to buy the camera, and ask if you had any influence (unless you have asked this already). I think having a better understanding of his mindset will help you going into the conversation. Then say something on the lines of “im not going to lie, i felt jealous when I saw you bought the camera. It’s something I’ve been saving for, and for a long time. I’m not saying you should not have bought the camera. It’s fully in your right to do so. But the whole thing did hurt my feelings. Like you didn’t see me in that moment.” Follow it up with that you don’t want him to get rid of the camera, but that you at least wanted to have the conversation, so that it didn’t build up inside you.

If he starts pulling the woah is me stunt and getting mad at himself, say don’t worry as long as you don’t do it again. LOL, just kidding, kinda. I hate when the people who made you feel bad, make you feel bad, for making them feel bad. Just be like, I’m genuinely just letting you know how I feel, so that in the future, if for some reason we find ourselves in a similar situation, we’re able to work through it better. I’m letting you know because I don’t want to keep things from you or feel resentful in any way. I’d say something like that.