Best aquisition of the year?

[Dave Wilkinson]

As we approach the end of another year, It would be interesting to hear what is your most satisfying ( not neccessarily expensive ) photographic aquisition of 2008, - something that has improved, or made a real difference to your work.
Personally, after nearly fortyfive years of buying/selling many types of gear, and using different formats, 2008 was the year of the M2, I've had screw Leicas in the past, but somehow never got around to an 'M'. This one was not cheap, but is in beautiful cosmetic and mechanical order, and after four months, -or so, is still a joy to handle and use!.
So what's your most satisfying, - or perhaps disappointing! find of the year?
Seasons greetings!, Dave. :)

[Krosya]

Hmmm, equipment-wise it was a very interesting year for me. I got to try many cool lenses and cameras. Hard to say which was the best. But the one that was most surprising - in a good way - it was Konica Auto-S. Superb camera that cost me very little, yet works great and delivers fantastic photos.

[nikon_sam]

I added a Beseler 23C II to my darkroom line-up and then finally picked up a Gralab 500 Timer...

[aizan]

while i had hoped that the fuji gf670 would be released this year, the camera i got in the meantime, a rolleiflex 2.8e2 planar, has been delightful. i didn't like the handling of the rolleicord vb i used to have, and concern over the front heaviness of the 2.8s has faded away. i might not sell it when the time comes.

[Spyderman]

This year I gave myself an M6 - after years of dreaming about it. And it indeed has changed and improved my photography...

[elshaneo]

It will have to be my Black Paint Leica MP acquired 3 months ago !!!

It's truely the Best Rangefinder Camera I would ever imagine to own ;-)

[Dave Wilkinson]

It will have to be my Black Paint Leica MP acquired 3 months ago !!!

It's truely the Best Rangefinder Camera I would ever imagine to own ;-)
Exellent!...Shane, I love those, when the paint is rubbing away in parts, and showing a little brass! :D
Dave.

[elshaneo]

Well Dave, I bought it second hand at a very reasonable price and it does have lots of brassing LOL ;-)

[mcgrattan]

2 things.

i) Epson V500 scanner -- I've not had access to a decent or semi-decent scanner for months and months, so this has revived my analogue shooting and I am going back and rescanning negs that I'd not had a chance to before.

ii) Rollei AFM35 -- I really like using compact cameras and have done for years -- sometimes I want something that is tiny and involves no 'infrastructure' [no meter, no tripod, no filters and hoods and accessory finder and all the other gubbins]. In some ways it's a very creative way to shoot for me -- I just point and the only real focus of thought is composition. But I've always been frustrated by the total lack of control on the compacts I've been using. Having one that lets me control the aperture, the point of focus and dial in exposure compensation but which is still small, and hassle free is a pleasure.

[mcgrattan]

Also, fwiw, I did buy my first Leica this year. But it doesn't make the list [it's very nice and all but just not quite perfect for me].

[dcsang]

75mm Summilux (now that I have been shooting it with film again)

http://www.chang-sang.com/photo/120908/89280012.jpg

Cheers,
Dave

[oftheherd]

I guess I would be the 250mm Mamiya lens for my Super Press 23. I had wanted the 250mm for a very long time. Being able to get it was satisfying. Surprising too. I knew at F/5 it would be bigger than the 250 f/8. But that thing is a monster.

[Austerby]

Neofin Blue - really lovely results using this developer and Adox CHS25 and CHS50 film for the first time this year.

[varjag]

Two bricks of Kodachrome 200.

[Dave Wilkinson]

I guess I would be the 250mm Mamiya lens for my Super Press 23. I had wanted the 250mm for a very long time. Being able to get it was satisfying. Surprising too. I knew at F/5 it would be bigger than the 250 f/8. But that thing is a monster........So is Santa bringin a heavy duty, reinforced tripod?:D

[btgc]

I have got some stuff, maybe even more than I need. In terms of keepers they have produced leader is...yes, tiny scale-focus Electro 35 MC.

[Keith]

Exellent!...Shane, I love those, when the paint is rubbing away in parts, and showing a little brass! :D
Dave.


Imagine buying the top of the range Jag or Aston Marton or BMW and finding after a few few months of continuous use the paint was wearing of the areas of the car you come into contact with regularly ... and there was BRASS showing underneath! :eek:

You guys with black paint MP's ... I don't know! :p:p:p

[lubitel]

best acquisition: Nokton 35/1.4 SC became my standard lens on M2

missed acqusition of the year:
A nice leica M4-2 for only 400euros :bang:
I am still mad about the lost chance

[haagen_dazs]

http://www.aperture.org/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/4/0/405.jpg
Finally got my hands on this one from Sylvia Plachy :)

on my medium was this photo taken on?
was there any post processing?
great photo

[haagen_dazs]

Best Acquisition is to actually be blessed to have money to buy things i need to create memories on digital and film medium. yeah! =)

[Keith]

The stuff I needed to start processing my own black and whte film from Les Porter here in Oz and anything I have since bought from Freestyle! :)

[johne]

Relative sent me a pristine Olympus OM 10 with manual attachment, flash, case, and his report that it did not work and I could do what I wanted or throw it out. Tried it out and the shutter did not function properly. Not repairable, most say. Shot a roll and got a few excellent shots. Locked up again. Lots of fun and despair at the same time but it did occupy my time as night swollowed day. For that I am glad.
John

[dazedgonebye]

Black and white processing stuff.
Finally doing my own has been the best thing for my photography.

[Ben B.]

Without hesitation : the Coolscan V I finally got right before they went the way of the dodo...

I'm now able to share my "vision" with the world over the internet (ie friends and family ;)). That and inkjet printing... sometime soon.

Besides the Coolscan, 2008 was a busy year on the film front for me : CV 21/4 (real good deal from the bay) and last month I had an opportunity on an Hexar RF I couldn't turn down...

So I think 2009 will be an Hexar year! Among other considerations, I have kids so a motor and AE are my friends... :)

Benjamin.

[tom.w.bn]

That's easy: my M8, the only acquisiton I did this year.

[Double Negative]

I got a little bored with the Canon DSLR thing back in July and August. I wanted to return to my roots a little. My original RF, my dad's Voigtländer Dynamatic II needed a CLA. So I began to look around to see what the status quo was these days and came across the Voigtländer Bessas. Additional research led me to the Zeiss Ikon and I just liked it better; as well as the ZM line. I always knew about Leicas, but wasn't really interested.

So in August (IIRC) I ordered a Zeiss Ikon, 2/35 Biogon and 2/50 Planar from Matsuiyastore. Little did I know (though should've seen it coming) that it would lead to more ZM lenses and an M8.

I haven't shot the Canon DSLR very much until this past weekend since getting the Ikon... And I've done some of my most fun shooting during this time. I've restocked my film chemicals and fridge with all sorts of goodies.

What a rush. :D

[nobbylon]

Nikon Capture NX2 for my digital stuff
Leica M4 for film

[Joerg]

Hi,

Nikon SP 2005 and a S-Sonnar 1.5/50. Really fun to use. Indeed now my everyday camera.
Nikon AF 85/1.8 for my F4.....gets lots of use for family pics ;-)

Ciao

joerg

[Mudman]

Nikon FM2n and a 55mm f3.5 ai'd macro. That and a 24mm and 90mm f2.5 Tamron was all I used for four months this summer while I was in Wyoming.

[jja]

my best acquisition this year : A great job

gearwise : m4-p, canon 28mm, and a canon 85/1.9 -- I'm shooting a lot of 28mm

Congrats memphis! My best acquisition this year: 40/2 CLE Rokkor from you. I'm still getting used to guesstimating the frame-lines, but the results are stunning in color or b&w.

[ruby.monkey]

Easy - lots and lots of film.

The Pentax 645N didn't hurt, though. :)

[bmattock]

Sigma SD14. Although I still have not yet really put it to the test. The price was what made it a winner for me - down from MSRP of $2,000+ USD to $399 USD. Woof.

[capitalK]

The Bessa R2A I bought in the summer has been a revelation. I just bought a 35mm Biogon f/2 which should arrive before the new year, so it's yet to be seen what the best purchase was.

[Mongo Park]

Would have to be the M2 and couple of lenses acquired in March, a collapsible 50 cron and 35 cron (4th version) part present and part purchase - or perhaps the Contax IIa CD and 50 1.5 sonnar, inherited, and fully overhauled. Hmmmm. Tough one :bang:.

[Dave Wilkinson]

This, and one or two other recent threads seem to testify to the great affection held by many, for the old M2!....all 'M's are nice, but the M2 would often appear to be a little extra special, maybe something to do with the framelines....or the simplicity?.......just my thoughts - as I look around the postings, lately! :)
Cheers, Dave.

[rodgersfoto]

The "best" would be a nikon 300 DSLR and used Epson R-D1. Epson arrived about a week ago and the rest of the cameras are on the self. Don't want to put the R-D1 down!
rodgersfoto
http://rodgersphoto.blogspot.com/

[Al Kaplan]

Mostly I've been tying to pare down my hordes of photographica over the past year or two. I picked up a couple more Leica cassettes and a nice yellow and black Nikon neck strap so now all three of my M bodies can sport matching straps. I guess that the best "aquisition" that I've made this year are the new friends I met right here on the forum.

[wpb]

1. $10 100' rolls of PanF (generic) from Freestyle.

2. A 50mm Elmar (circa 1960) that Sherry brought back to its original prowess.

3. The patience it took to track down the light leak in my Iskra (and some new friends I made along the way).

[petronius]

Doing my own C-41 was the best thing (in photography) this year.

[photo4ls]

Making the transition from Nikon SLR to Leica M3 and using
Fuji 1600 B&W film. Really enjoy this combo.

Nelson

[dof]

Without a doubt the single item that has brought me the most pleasure is this small kalimba, found at a street sale and bought for a dollar. I even offered two!

[joshlty]

mine would be the M8, with the Hexanon UC 35mm f2 :)
i can take them anywhere i go..

[photogdave]

My CV Nokton 35 1.4 SC. Helped me get a lot of shots I wouldn't have otherwise.
Best deal was my Summicron 35 which was free - I just had to pay to put all the broken pieces back together!

[FrankS]

In 2008 I sold off my M6 and M5, and acquired 2 M2s and a Summaron f2.8.

[pesphoto]

I guess for me it would be building my darkroom in our new house.

[sevres_babylone]

My Ricoh GRD II. It's fun to use. I found I experiment more with composition. It's great for candids, easy to use one-handed, and there's no excuse for not having a camera with you. And, although I never thought it would happen: I like composing on the screen.

[imush]

A Voigtlander Vitessa with Ultron 50/2, picked up at a garage sale. It surpassed all expectations (http://picasaweb.google.com/mushinsk/Vitessa#).

[BTMarcais]

It's a toss up for me as far as camera aquisitions go.

I picked up an old Burke & James 5x7 commercial view... I find the proportions much more pleasing than 4x5 or 8x10, and it's not much more work to lug around than my 4x5 gear. I find myself much more comfortable with this size for large format...and have been shooting more because of it. I've been looking to move into this size for quite a while. Beautiful contact prints too!

The other choice would be my first Leica, an unplanned purchase at an antiques fair a couple months back for an almost embarrasingly low price. An early M3 w/ 50mm collapsible summicron and some accessories. I pretty much always have it with me, and it's definitely cut into how much I use my contax G2/G1.

Really though, I'm not going to know what was the best for me until I look back at my work a few years from now and see what I managed to do with the equipment.

[Bingley]

Well, the year isn't over yet! I'm hoping to find a film development tank and reels, dark bag, and related paraphernalia under the tree on Christmas morning. :)

But up to this point, without a doubt it's the M2 I got for a great price over the summer and have used w/ joy ever since. :D I'm now one of those happy M2niks that Dave Wilkinson mentions above.

[thomasw_]

I picked up some very cool equipment this year:>

1. a Leica MDa body --> I plan to use this as a dedicated wide angle body -- by wide I mean anything wider than 28mm. Unfortunately I have to acquire the 21mm lens I want; so if anyone has a SA 21/3,4 they want to sell, send me a note ;)

2. a Summilux 75/1,4 lens --> Awesome lens.

3. a Focomat 1c --> I got this for free. Yes, no charge.

4. a Summicron 35/2 --> This is my favourite carry around lens.

Now as for which is the 'best acquisition' I am hard pressed to say. But as nothing can beat a good thing that is free, I am tempted by this premise to conclude that the enlarger was my finest acquisition in 2008.

[MRohlfing]

Voigtländer Vitomatic IIa with Ultron 1:2/50 -- great lens!

[tbarker13]

I would have to say my 35 UC Hexanon. The one I bought to replace the one I sold, which was my best acquisition of 2007 (sad, I know).

[Ron (Netherlands)]

...more exotic.... picked up a very nice V I (Leitz Visoflex I) and during these holidays can experiment with it by putting it on my R-D1s (hi Dave, did you ever receive back the adapter ring which you made for the Summitar and which I sent you short before your trip to Malta?)

[mabelsound]

2008 was the year of the M2

Same here! Deeply satisfying camera. I suspect I'll have it for a long, long time.

[John Robertson]

My retirement pension.:rolleyes:

[Atom]

My best find this year was my travel backpack, the Lowepro Primus AW. I went to Europe several times this year and not having to worry much at all about the safety of my cameras was a great advantage. I is a very well made bag with enough room for my rangefinder and evil slr gear.

[benmacphoto]

This year was a very productive year in photography for me. I got my hands on a few new cameras including an awesome deal on an M3 and rigid Summicron which has become my main camera now. Though I ordered 50 sheets of Efke 25 8x10 film to use with my Deardorff, so that might give the M3 a run for its money.

[Hibbs]

Well...I'd have to say (firstly) a Hexar RF + ZM50/2 Planar.

Also this year, a VC 35 1.2 Nokton and my Pen FV was overhauled at Camtech. (Thanks John!)

~Hibbs

[wlewisiii]

This has been a good year:
1) 1942 50/2 collapsible T Sonnar
2) 1941 85/2 Sonnar
3) 1937 50/2.8 collapsible Tessar
4) Canon "chrome nose" 35/2 FD lens
5) Nearly (bleep)ing mint Canon FTbN (edit - real mint, not ebay mint!!!)

Sold a heck of a lot too, but those more than made up for it.

William

[chut]

Darkroom equipment once again

[eli griggs]

especially with darkroom kit and particularly a new friend that was more than generous helping me fit it out, Thank You Cliff :), but if I had to pick a single acquisition, it might just be the 10 Leica screw-mount film canisters with aluminum cans I just bought at a very reasonable price.

I like to reload and though my IIIc is without a brother, Leica glass, a case or any real Leica accessories, beyond a MR-4 meter for hand-held use, these cassettes make a very personal camera 'outfit' that much more personal.

These make it easy to keep just the right film ready to go, just for this camera. Dropping a few of these into my pockets with the camera, a lens or two and a meter, I'm good to go, 24-7. :D

Eli

[mh2000]

I find the exposure compensation "dialing in" on the AFM35 to be terrible... it's my only complaint with the camera... otherwise, very wonderful picture maker.

2 things.

ii) Rollei AFM35 -- I really like using compact cameras and have done for years -- sometimes I want something that is tiny and involves no 'infrastructure' [no meter, no tripod, no filters and hoods and accessory finder and all the other gubbins]. In some ways it's a very creative way to shoot for me -- I just point and the only real focus of thought is composition. But I've always been frustrated by the total lack of control on the compacts I've been using. Having one that lets me control the aperture, the point of focus and dial in exposure compensation but which is still small, and hassle free is a pleasure.

[mh2000]

after years of screwing around with FSU rangefinders I finally just bought a Leica IIIc... and wouldn't you know it, the damned thing just works! Wow! It was almost boring.

The best thing I did all year was finally getting my Retina IIa serviced... made a world of difference and the IIa has become one of my most favorite shooters.

Sold much more than I bought... which is also good... too many cameras doesn't make you more productive... especially when you are wasting half your time trouble shooting flacky (FSU) cameras.

[maddoc]

... in my case:

1) One bottle of Rodinal
2) 20 rolls of KR-64
3) 20 rolls of XX 5222 film

Equipment - wise ... The M5, M2 and the 90mm Summicron-M. :)

[jwhitley]

This is hard; it's been a great year for photography for me... my first!
I think my best "acquisition" has been the photography classes I took at PCNW. That has led to my 1) working with film, 2) starting to process my own black and white film, both 35mm and 4x5, and 3) last but not least, to starting the setup of my darkroom over the holidays.

If I had to name a particular item... I'll go with the quirky one: I got a pristine Nuarc plateburner for the 'cost' of hauling it away from its former owners. These units are perfect for doing alternative process contact printing.

[Goldorak]

Barita paper... The Joy!

[Olsen]

My best aquisition this year has been the 1Ds III with a Sandisk 8GB CF and a 8 GB SD card. After the last M8 up-date the SD works on my M8 as well. Otherwise, my wife and I are busy maintaining and redecorating our 200 year old house; a rediculously expensive exercise. Which means that I will be modest regarding future photo gear purchases in 2009. I keep an eye on the Norwegien 2.hand market not really knowing what I am looking for.

We have just booked our yearly holiday to Singapore (and Tioman Island, Malaysia - link here: http://www.berjayaresorts.com/beachresort_tiomanbeach.htm ), going in late April. I usually do my expensive photo gear purchases in Singapore, saving the 20% VAT - and often more, compared to buying it here in Norway. But now the Singapore Dollar has appreciated with 20% in just a few months - the Norwegian Kroner has fallen like the, - æhum, US$. There is little hope of doing smart deals in Singapore early next year. Although, both the new Canon EF 24 mm 1,4L II and the Leica equaliant are tempting. - But no, not next year.

[Keith]

Another highlight for this year has been rediscovering my M2 and 'sunny sixteen' ... why I didn't use it more during the year I'll never understand. Wowed by technology I guess!

Also discovered Tri-X! :)

[ClaremontPhoto]

As we approach the end of another year, It would be interesting to hear what is your most satisfying ( not neccessarily expensive ) photographic aquisition of 2008, - something that has improved, or made a real difference to your work.

A greater understanding of why people make the photos they make.

[oftheherd]

.......So is Santa bringin a heavy duty, reinforced tripod?:D

Years ago, when I left Korea the first time, I bought a Mamiya heavy duty tripod. It really never saw that much use. It may now.

Or, I may invest in a ten ton fork lift. :D

[jody36]

Just ordered a nokton 1.4 and a bessa R3m and Im hoping it will be the best thing I bought this year.

[Dave Wilkinson]

Just ordered a nokton 1.4 and a bessa R3m and Im hoping it will be the best thing I bought this year.......sounds like an exellent combo!....enjoy!, - and post some pics, when it comes!
Cheers, Dave. :)

[sojournerphoto]

Two things really - the 1Ds3 with fast CF card and Zorki 4K - because it led directly to the Ikon/Sonnar combo:)

Sadly, both purchases have also led to significant levels of ZAS (Zeiss Acquisition Syndrome), although I believe the canon 24 1.4L is supposed to be pretty good.

Mike

[Ronald_H]

Leica M2

Leica Summicron DR

Yashica Mat 124

[HuubL]

Leica M5, nice user
Leica 135mm Elmar EXC+
Leica 35mm Summicron v.4, good user
Leica M6 (like NIB, last week)
I was very happy with the M5, but now that I also got the M6 I'm not sure if it will be my default shooter...
Ooh, and I also got a beautiful Canon F1-N, of which I fixed the lazy mirror. I couldn't pass on this one. In the old days The F1-N was my ultimate wish-for camera.

You can see them all in my Flickr Camera Collection. Just click the photo-cat below ;)

[retow]

I bought quite some camera gear in 2008.

But the best purchase was in March 2008 - Sigma DP1.
Eventually, after many trials and errors (DLux3, GX100, G9) a pocketable digital IQ machine with excellent lens, which made me sell the Contax T3.

[Matt(1pt4)]

M6TTL
CV 35 1.4 SC
2 weeks in Europe

Despite the crap economy, I've never been so well off as I have been this year. It was the first year in a long time that I've lived in a two full income household, and I'm grateful.

[urban_alchemist]

In order:

Leica MP
Leica Noctilux
Leica MP-3
Fuji TX-2 (XpanII)
Hasselblad 503CW
Oly Pen FT
Summilux 50

For next year (god willing):
Hasselblad 205fcc - really want this: AE and spot-meter... hello 6x6 slides!
Nikon Coolscan 9000
Hasselblad SWC

[Bob Michaels]

My best acquisition(s) happened five times this year. Each was a package with 4 to 6 bricks of Neopan 400, some 35mm, some 120.

Without that film, all those cameras and lenses would just be expensive paperweights.

Next best acquisitions were bulk buys of printing paper.

Without that paper, those negatives would have remained in the dark.

I cannot count developer because I bought enough in 2007 to last for a few years more.

[Doug]

Interesting to read the various best acquisitions!

Mine was a "demo" Leica M8 that has turned out to be more useful than I expected. That was a January purchase, so I had time to get comfortable with its behavior before taking in on an overseas trip (Malta, Sicily, Canary Is.) in April. I've shot very little film this year...

In June we bought a house after living in an apartment for 30+ years (we own the building). The house is 50 years old, and so I feel some fellowship with Olsen in the expenses of remodeling and updating. We STILL haven't moved in...

So that has put a big damper on gear acquisitions, though I did get a 21mm C-Biogon ZM for the M8 later on, from PopFlash. It's been "stuck" on that camera since! Very useful, that 75° angle of view!

[jky]

With respect to....
Gear: M8 & 28mm f2.0 Ultron - I can finally say "finished".... for now....

Life: Although not necessarily this year - my daughter (DOB: Dec 20/08). I've been on leave for 8 months & having the time of my life watching her get longer, heavier, hyper-er... and watching her become more & more like her dad ;).

[Steve Litt]

Leica M6 and loads of T Max.Not sure if I am back from digital just yet.Enjoying both but 80% film since September.See what the new year brings!

Seasons Greetings
Steve.

[migtex]

mine I feel it's the nikon 35TI... and an W-Nikkor 2.8cm/3.5 LTM.

[Vince Lupo]

Three Luftwaffe Leica's (1 IIIc, 1 IIIc Red Curtain, 1 IIIb w/engraved vulcanite - now sporting a chrome MOOLY motor), and an awesome black MOOLY-C motor that's now with one of the IIIc's. I'm actually interested in selling that MOOLY with one of the Luftwaffe bodies if anyone's interested.....

[Olsen]

Interesting to read the various best acquisitions!

Mine was a "demo" Leica M8 that has turned out to be more useful than I expected. That was a January purchase, so I had time to get comfortable with its behavior before taking in on an overseas trip (Malta, Sicily, Canary Is.) in April. I've shot very little film this year...

In June we bought a house after living in an apartment for 30+ years (we own the building). The house is 50 years old, and so I feel some fellowship with Olsen in the expenses of remodeling and updating. We STILL haven't moved in...

So that has put a big damper on gear acquisitions, though I did get a 21mm C-Biogon ZM for the M8 later on, from PopFlash. It's been "stuck" on that camera since! Very useful, that 75° angle of view!

Doug,

Know how you feel. We live in the house at the same time as we are building a new roof construction and redecorating. Like living in a cement mixer. (Oh, I am fed up with this!) - They sure know how to send bills, these carpenters.

A demo M8 sounds like a smart thing. So does ZM 21 mm. I have the 25 mm 2,8 Biogon, which I regard as one of my best lenses.

[gb hill]

It is certainly the aquisation of my darkroom equipment. Eventhouugh I haven't quite got it up & running yet, I have focused more on learning to make prints in B&W.

[photomoof]

Doug,

Know how you feel. We live in the house at the same time as we are building a new roof construction and redecorating. Like living in a cement mixer. (Oh, I am fed up with this!) - They sure know how to send bills, these carpenters.

A demo M8 sounds like a smart thing. So does ZM 21 mm. I have the 25 mm 2,8 Biogon, which I regard as one of my best lenses.

After renovation and living in the same Lofts a couple of times, I will never do it again. In my last place I had to build a new stairway hall, and the dust drove me crazy even though I put up double plastic walls. I just hate sheetrock (wallboard) dust!!

I can barely stand drilling a hole in the wall these days.

My acquisitions this year:
Olympus 520
Lumix LX-3
Lumix L-1 w/ Leica kit lens
Sigma 30 1.4
Olympus 25 (pancake)
24 finder for the LX-3
Sold only one camera, my last black Canon trigger wind (to a fellow RFFer), I now am down to one LTM a black Canon P.

I intend to buy some lenses for the P, I am looking at CV lenses mostly -- still reading everyone's experiences before I decide on a new 50 and a new 35. I am also looking for a nice Nikon F with a standard prism.

I came very close to buying an M8, but passed finally.

[Dave Wilkinson]

In my OP, I mentioned my first best aquisition, - now for my second!....."is that a bottle of Jack Daniels, I see before me"?.......Cheers everyone! :D
Dave. :)

[taxi38]

The one that has stopped me in my tracks is a minolta 5400 mk1 scanner.All set to jump into a digital camera when what was going to be a buy and sell purchase has changed my outlook .Those almost impossibe negatives are now possible and ,in my case almost as important,cheap to print.Time is available but money is tight and throwing money away trying to get a decent print is not something Ill be doing again.
Ive also bought a minolta image pro which Im enjoying and a minox A111s which is not as nice as a minox b that I already had,its a little too small...........all the best for the new year,Neil.

[ElectroWNED]

light seal kit from J. Goodman :D

[leica M2 fan]

has to be the Exakta Varex VX I got with two Tessar 50's, a 3.5 which is remarkable and an automatic 2.8 which is wonderful. I started out in photography in 1952 with a Practiflex with WLF and loved that thing with only one lens which was a pre-set one. Graduated to an Exakta VX lla in 1956 and used that till about 1970. Lent it to my uncle but when he passed on a few years back the camera was not found. This year I decided to look for a good one and the one I got is in excellent shape. I know it is just nostalgia but I really needed to have it! :D

[Ronald M]

About 3 dozen M cassettes, bench winder, ABLON template, Nikon D700, 105 mm 2.5 Ai Nikkor, 28 2.8 Ais Nikkor. I am a happy camper.

[Nando]

For me, its my 24mm Elmarit-M ASPH. I'm just in love with this lens.

[rbiemer]

I got several things this year that I'm very pleased with: Bessa R2a, A Retina IIIC, and I put a 320 gig hard drive in my laptop.
Rob

[Damaso]

My Rapidwinder for sure!

[BobPS]

My best acquisition this year ... a Leitz M6 I bought from a gentleman from LUF, which was CLA'd a year ago and had the finder replaced with an MP finder, oh and a 50mm cron bought from Andy here. It's old but new in box :D

Bob

[shimokita]

28mm f/2.8 ASPH and (Canon) full frame dslr not in any order. 28mm on an M is just unbelievable and full frame dslr brings all the glass back to "normal".

Casey

[Wouter]

Epson r-d1; M6 with summilux 50. Both magnificent cameras.

[spysmart]

Half a dozen rolls of Ektar 100 : this stuff seems to be the film for the digital age - looks good and scans really well :-)

[noimmunity]

75 summicron.

Great for portraits plus...

I just hope I can hang on to it in 2009!

[raid]

Among the aquisitions this year, the Canon 85mm/1.5 and a black Canon P brought me lots of joy ... Ho Ho Ho.

[srichmond]

My Summicron 35mm asph. I've used nothing else all year.

[elude]

My Leica MP x0.58. It's the perfect toy.

[Bighilt]

Not a rangefinder but I swapped a Nikon speedlight for a mint Rolleiflex. I think I got the better deal. You can read the story on my blog if you wish.

[emraphoto]

d700... without a doubt

[horosu]

The Summilux 50 ASPH LHSA...gorgeous and very practical

[zwicko]

A DeVere 504 enlarger.
Back to the darkroom!

Cheers, Zwicko

[Lilserenity]

Leica M2 definitely which came in Exc+ condition for £300. Although my C330F is coming close.

[alan davus]

Bought the Zeiss ZM18 Distagon early in 2008 (with the fall in value of the Oz$ vis a vis the greenback it would cost me twice as much to buy today.) This lens made me an immediate Zeiss glass fan. My other major purchase was a Hex 50 2.4 collapsible in as new condition the perfect companion for my Hex 35UC. With 2 daughters in a private college in 2009 this will be a sabbatical year however.

[johnastovall]

A 1938 uncoated 50mm Elmar and a 1949 coated 50mm Elmar both in a box of Leica odds and ends I got at auction for 10 dollars.

[gohaj]

for me, it is Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZM

[retro]

M2 + 50 Summicron

[RF_newbie]

i had been trying to get a GREAT DEAL on a M3 all last year, and i finally found one the other day. And to my surprise, a 50/1.4 summilux came with it.
:nod&grin:

[Dave Wilkinson]

A 1938 uncoated 50mm Elmar and a 1949 coated 50mm Elmar both in a box of Leica odds and ends I got at auction for 10 dollars. If you would like to make 100% proffit...just let me know!
:D

[Bill58]

An almost mint CLE for $300--not a steal, but I'm happy w/ it--what a clear bright VF! The best of all, however, is/was a new g/f, who I expect to marry after an eternity of being single. I can't believe how lucky I am.

[Marsopa]

An M2 and a rigid Summicron... I feel more confortable shoting with the M2 than with the M6... Dr. is this normal or I'm ill?

[feenej]

Mamiya 645 Pro TL. 100' roll of 35mm Tri-X and a bottle of Rodinal.

[Dave Wilkinson]

An almost mint CLE for $300--not a steal, but I'm happy w/ it--what a clear bright VF! The best of all, however, is/was a new g/f, who I expect to marry after an eternity of being single. I can't believe how lucky I am.Congratulations on both counts Bill!.....hope you told her about occasional bouts of GAS! :D
Dave.