Equipment Junkie
lllooo
professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new stuff when
in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent anything
anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe I never
grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-chasing
pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have these
obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm heading in
the same direction. Yikes!
Tony Zipple
Old Hen
stuff!
lllooo wrote:
> What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive? I am a
> professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new stuff when
> in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent anything
> anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe I never
> grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-chasing
> pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
> collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have these
> obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm heading in
> the same direction. Yikes!
--
Gloria: "And on the Fifth Day God Created Birds" nuff said!
Gus: "I Can Talk ... Can You Fly?"
SSpiers
Ive just bought a secondhand 500mm lens for my Minolta when i had a perfectly
good 400mm already.
Is it because:-
1 It looks impressive?
2 The mirrors transfix me?
3 It's fractionly lighter?
4 it's 100mm larger?
I think the first two are the real reason but when friends ask me why i tell
them the latter two.
Simon Spiers
Anthony
news:37EFA5B2...@us.ibm.com...
> I have the same addiction with painting supplies.
> Always have to try the new stuff!
How often does technology change in painting?
-- Anthony
Hussam
> > I have the same addiction with painting supplies.
> > Always have to try the new stuff!
>
> How often does technology change in painting?
>
> -- Anthony
Ha ha... Good one. :)
philf...@my-deja.com
Tony Zipple <to...@shore.net> wrote:
> Like my mother always said, "Anything worth doing is worth doing to
excess."
>
>
> > What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive? I am a
> > professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new
stuff when
> > in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent
anything
> > anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe
I never
> > grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-
chasing
> > pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
> > collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have
these
> > obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm
heading in
> > the same direction. Yikes!
>
>
My old pappy used to say: "Only too much is ever enough." But I think
he was referring to oregano.
--
An iota of wisdom
from Ol' Phil
Accept NO substitutes
The BEST is none too good!
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
SpooRL
> How often does technology change in painting?
SS: stroke stabilization.
J Milowski
Jen
lllooo <trh...@iuhiuh.com> wrote in message
news:7so6od$3jg$1...@nntp2.atl.mindspring.net...
Old Hen
always coming out with something new! Water soluble oil paint (!) is a
good example.
Anthony wrote:
> Old Hen <gh...@us.ibm.com> wrote in message
> news:37EFA5B2...@us.ibm.com...
>
> > I have the same addiction with painting supplies.
> > Always have to try the new stuff!
>
> How often does technology change in painting?
>
> -- Anthony
Anthony
> Supplies, not technology! It's the new supplies!
> Manufacturers are always coming out with something new!
> Water soluble oil paint (!) is a good example.
But how often does this happen? In computerland, it's every 90 days.
In cameraland, it depends on the vendor: with Canon, perhaps every 3-6
months; with Leica, perhaps every 16 years. And you have full choice
in-between. You just have to avoid getting stuck with the faster ones if
you don't want to replace all your equipment each year, or one of the slower
ones if you want to be sure to always have the gadget-of-the-day. I tend to
prefer the slower ones, myself; the world of computers has exhausted the
novelty of constant change for me.
-- Anthony
JIB
who do not share your obsession will seriously question why you have so many
cameras. But then they have a two rooms full of guns, or 14 cars in the
driveway, or a BMW motorcycle in boxes in the basement (of wait a minute that is
me). But if this continues to be a problem you could always just box up all of
the extra stuff and send it to me.
HTH
John
dor...@ibm.net
two cameras and four lenses. Thanks to Ebay, Yahoo and RPM I now have
about 15 cameras and 25 lenses. I'll probably sell three of the cameras
to get down to 12 (one for each month) and pick up a few more lenses so
I can have one for each day of the month.
The reality is that 20 years ago I couldn't afford this stuff. Noe with
a worldwide market of used equipment I'm buying stuff at $0.20 on the
dollar. I get to try out the stuff and turn it over and upgrade. LOVE
THOSE SUPER TAKUMAR LENSES! Cost-wise, it's harmless.
Dennis
philf...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> In article <37EF9CE8...@shore.net>,
> Tony Zipple <to...@shore.net> wrote:
> > Like my mother always said, "Anything worth doing is worth doing to
> excess."
> >
> > lllooo wrote:
> >
> > > What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive? I am a
> > > professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new
> stuff when
> > > in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent
> anything
> > > anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe
> I never
> > > grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-
> chasing
> > > pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
> > > collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have
> these
> > > obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm
> heading in
> > > the same direction. Yikes!
> >
> >
Paul Chefurka
> What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive? I am a
> professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new stuff when
> in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent anything
> anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe I never
> grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-chasing
> pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
> collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have these
> obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm heading in
> the same direction. Yikes!
Ohhh loook...shiny fings! Must have. Must have.
Musthavemusthavemusthave.
It's a guy thing - the chrome, the glass, the engineering, the lure of
the unowned. I've got the disease too - I'm afraid there is no cure.
The only hope is to channel it - buy old Canonets and Vitessa T's and
70's era Super Takumar lenses. But for god sake whatever you do,
don't ever pick up a 35/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH, or, even worse, the
dreaded Noctilux. Down that road lies penury, madness and death (but
you'll have some great photos taken along that road...)
Paul Chefurka
Alain Rupp
>
> What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive? I am a
> professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new stuff when
> in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent anything
> anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe I never
> grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-chasing
> pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
> collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have these
> obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm heading in
> the same direction. Yikes!
The fear of loosing creative inspiration ?
I sometimes said that if I had the money I would have plenty of cameras etc. and would be able to do
better shots because each camera would - inspire me!
(also, that if I had money, I would work much more).
Why not? One is better at at ease with a Rolleyflex in one situation, with a motorized Mamiya RZ 67
in the studio, OM-3 wile traveling etc.
If I wish I had a Leica wile shopping, wouldn't it be true that there are more chances I will do a
photo then taking no camera because my Nikons make me feel be at work?
We dress differently aswell. Its not because jeans is an excellent all-round outfit that it is the
best possible cloth for conclude certain business, or feel good in the evening.
Wile I do aspire I could live maybe only with a Leica one day (for example) I am in a society where
I do have to make my money and do not think it is a weakness If I can not live only with jeans.
It's all a question of personal development. What's best for me, for my creativity. It is not best
for me to ruin my-self with gear I cant pay back, forget to keep money for the dentist etc. Every
food can become poison if you eat only this. Its equilibry in the present and/OR in the long run
(trust your instinct for that as you DO try to keep contact with it).
If it's hard to forget an item that is a bargain but I know it's not reasonable, I put it in my
mental list (I should write it) of objects I have been abel to live without. Its, I found, a good
way of finding gratification. The other thing is, that I think it might be because I need to express
myself and so try to do it without that new gear - if it happened to be my loss of confidence in my
ability to project myself into a creative stream that made me urge for more equipment.
If you are jalous of someone, try to see/feel what even tinny thing it is they have that you have
not (jalousie is then a grate tool to improve!) ( even if it is not objectif -obvious or true for
others). It's very likely to be in reach for you to satisfy this need in/for you, a sign that you
are ABLE but that you have not yet been conscious about this potential of yours that is yearning to
live out for your self but see in others. Continue to ignore it will lead to more "deviations".
On the other hand - maybe- you see these man with they're live strongly implicated with what you
interpret as "out of life" . Sure; you might have seen that your quest in better material might be
out of proportion - not necessarily to much but maybe not enough of counter-balance etc.
I thank you for your criticism, openness to have written openly your "question". Of course, It can
be explained with consumer urge to overcome frustration and encouraged by our society (you and me).
I think that to be able to ask this question is already very healthy - ..at this stage.
I'll stop here, its not an scientific essay. I do feel sometimes like you, but it should not be an
excuse not to take our responsibilities.
Alain.
Newsgroups answers please also directly to sender : alain...@fastnet.ch
(www.photodif.com pseudo site photos temporarely also via http://www.fastnet.ch/INFO/presse_e.html
)
= LINKS for your Bookmarks ?:
AIM : Accurate Image Manipulation for Desktops (Digital picture gamma explained)
http://www.pp.clinet.fi/~timot
Currency converter : http://195583.com/
World time : http://www.isbister.com/worldtime
Translators : http://www.locatech.de/local3.html ( http://rivendel.com/~ric/resources/trex.html )
Many dictionaries : http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/rbeard/diction.html
English Thesaurus : http://www.m-w.com/thesaurus.htm
SMS : Short message system http://www.mtnsms.com/
SMS : For Switzerland swisscom+ diax,orange etc : http://services.branchenbuch.ch/sms/
e-mail Address book/Directory:
http://www.four11.com/cgi-bin/SledPython?MqAddForm
http://worldemail.com/wede4a.shtml
rob...@my-deja.com
1. You buy stuff that you don't really need, because it boosts your
sagging ego (but only temporarily.) Then you have to go out and buy
some more stuff. We all tend to identify with our possessions, but the
sense of self-gratification is always transitory.
2. You are one sick obsessive-compulsive puppie.
In article <7so6od$3jg$1...@nntp2.atl.mindspring.net>,
"lllooo" <trh...@iuhiuh.com> wrote:
> What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive? I am a
> professional photographer and I just love to constantly get new stuff
when
> in reality I don't need any equipment ( I live in NY, you can rent
anything
> anytime here). Any other people out there have this problem? Maybe I
never
> grew up, but it's already 15 years since I've been at this lens-
chasing
> pursuit. I can really undertand collectors (although I don't buy to
> collect). What I find scary is when I see older people that have these
> obsessions with model trains, stamps etc. and then I realize I'm
heading in
> the same direction. Yikes!
>
>
Joe B.
Chefurka) wrote:
>Ohhh loook...shiny fings! Must have. Must have.
>Musthavemusthavemusthave.
>It's a guy thing - the chrome, the glass, the engineering, the lure of
>the unowned. I've got the disease too - I'm afraid there is no cure.
>The only hope is to channel it - buy old Canonets and Vitessa T's and
>70's era Super Takumar lenses. But for god sake whatever you do,
>don't ever pick up a 35/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH, or, even worse, the
>dreaded Noctilux. Down that road lies penury, madness and death (but
>you'll have some great photos taken along that road...)
>Paul Chefurka
My daughter watches me as if I were insane. I show her my drawers full
of TLRS, pocketables/collapsibles and old but fully functional
folders, all with Tessar-type or better lenses, and explain that I
will use them all somehow, and I show her my various Leica equipment
and she says its nice, and then I show her my Minolta AF equipment-
the AF system with bokeh, and she nods and says she understands but I
don't believe her, and then I show her my huge and growing Minolta
manual focus system that I don't need but just like, all started
because I wanted to use the 58mm/1.2 Rokkor and the 85mm Varisoft, and
she starts to look a bit pale. She uses one SLR with a 55mm macro
lens, and sometimes a 28mm lens for colour, and a Rolleicord for b&w.
I was like that once....
Joe B. (remove glop for email)
C. J. Morgan
: On Wed, 29 Sep 1999 05:10:31 GMT, chef...@sympatico.ca (Paul
: Chefurka) wrote:
: >Ohhh loook...shiny fings! Must have. Must have.
: >Musthavemusthavemusthave.
: >It's a guy thing - the chrome, the glass, the engineering, the lure of
: >the unowned. I've got the disease too - I'm afraid there is no cure.
There is a cure... but it takes time... and often frustration... and then
finally a desire to simplify one's life. Then all the chrome, the
glass, the engineering, and the lure of the unknown doesn't seem quite so
appealing. Rather, it just begins to look like clutter. Not to suggest
that the fun of photography has in anyway lost it's appeal. But only that
there is now a desire for simplicity; a going beyond just having the
equipment; a desire to engage in challenges which have us working at our
best with the remaining equipment we choose to keep.
C.J.
--
C.J. Morgan
ch...@torfree.net
Old Hen
addicting! Very expensive too!
Anthony wrote:
--
SpooRL
>But only that
>there is now a desire for simplicity; a going beyond just having the
>equipment
I find this to be true for going out and shooting. Sometimes the fewer lenses
the better, and sometimes a broad zoom range on a lens seems like an invitation
to distraction and lack of attention to the finer points of composing.
Spoo
Dave
> What is it about camera equipment that is so damn attractive?
I think it's the admiration of a precision instrument - which
is why more and more people are becoming interested in older
mechanical watches.
Back in 1971, as a Starving Student, I started "serious"
photography with a Pentax SP500 and a 55/2 lens. I wanted
a tele lens shortly thereafter, but promised myself not to
buy one until I felt I'd mastered the 55mm focal length.
Needless to say, I learned to get close to my subject and
oftentimes my legs made a good substitute for a tele lens.
For 15 years, that single camera and its 55/2 lens was the
only equipment I used.
After that, one fall afternoon I decided to reward myself
with a Canon AE-1P and a 35-200mm Tokina zoom. I used that
for the next seven or so years as my main workhorse camera,
although I still used the Pentax.
Now, some 28 years later, I still use that very same Pentax
(never did buy another zoom lens) and I still use the Canon,
but what I've acquired in between...!!! Yow!
I got interested in Leica M3's, I bought a Nikon F3/T and
then got into a state where I bought every nice Nikon F2
I could find. I won't even go into the subject of medium
format!
Early on, in the 1970's I realized that the best way to
improve my photos was to spend a full night developing
and printing my own work - it made me a lot more careful
and less of a snapshooter. In the last ten years, I felt
guilty that I wasn't taking any photos I'd be proud to hang
on my wall, so I asked myself what I'd like to do, studied
the Zone system, and, if I do say so myself, became pretty
good at landscapes, which I truly enjoy.
There's a saying: "beware the man who has only one rifle;
he probably knows how to shoot it". The same is true for
camera equipment - each time I bought a new camera, I realized
I'd use the existing ones less and less. Somehow, I do manage
to use them all. At least for the most part I've managed
to stick to the same model within a brand (Leica M3, Nikon F2,
Hasselblad 500CM [notice they're all mechanical]). Some
might think that it's weird to buy the same model over and
over again. I can't really explain the fascination either.
However, I do think I am "done" buying camera equipment,
save for a nice 4x5 someday. To help me get over this
addiction, it's nice to know that digital photography is
of no interest to me whatsoever. In fact, I've actually
become more interested in older photographic processes.
-Dave
Dave
Well, Simon, if you ever go to Africa, then with
the 500mm you don't have to get quite so close to
that lion. And the bokeh with the 500mm would be
so much better. I love the way any piece of photo
equipment can be easily justified!
I've always been transfixed by the Minolta SRT-101
and that 58mm f/1.2 lens. Now that is a sexy piece
of glass.
-Dave
Ken Rosenbaum
He who dies with the most toys...wins!!
Butch Magee
Jim Williams
I've got one (and a Canon 7s to use it on.) It's not an 'equipment junkie'
thing -- just that I often take pictures in very dark places.
For those who've never encountered one, the 50/0.95 is pretty sharp (at
least in the center) although rather flarey wide-open. You have to be
careful about light sources within the picture area, too -- they almost
always produce exotic comet-shaped ghost images. But it IS usable wide-open
and gets the job done.
Stopping down even slightly -- just off the wide-open click -- improves the
ghost-image situation considerably. And at moderate apertures such as f/5.6
on down, it's very sharp. A while back, when I did an informal test of the
sharpness of all my 50mm lenses, I was surprised to find that the 5/0.95
was the one of the best of the lot at f/8.
The big disadvantage of the beast is its size -- it blocks off almost 1/3
of the viewfinder area, making precise framing something of a challenge!