Equipment obsession, is it a bad thing?

jan normandale · 02-10-2005

Seems to me that there are a lot of equipment junkies on this site. So how about some self analysis in front of the group or stories about friends or acquaintances.

Do you obsess on new film, like it and go shoot 10 rolls in a weekend?
Do you see a new RF and decide that you will hock your kids tuition for all the extras?
Do you think that you have to have vertical integration: ie shoot and develop, but you spend more than a pro lab doing it?

I'm sure we all get the direction this is going. So with that here is a guy that I admire. I'm not talking about myself.... yet. That will come later.

http://www.ktphotonics.co.uk/cameras.html

Check this out and then fess up or add a few good links. Remember truth is more unbelievable than fiction. I don't think I'm obsessive ... well ... but not all the time

Jan

bruenhilde · 02-11-2005

ROFL...

Brian Sweeney · 02-11-2005

After 30 years of camera collecting, the amount of money that I have locked into CD's and taken out of the "Camera Fund" IS my Kid's Tuition...

Cameras Been VERY, VERY Good To Me...

Peter · 02-11-2005

To each his own! There will always be collectors of fine cameras. I always believe in moderation but the flesh is weak. I have been lusting for the MP in display at my local Leica dealer. But I promised my wife no more major photographic purchase this year. Maybe by devoting more time in photo projects could prevent buying spree?

Designer · 02-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

To each his own! There will always be collectors of fine cameras. I always believe in moderation but the flesh is weak. I have been lusting for the MP in display at my local Leica dealer. But I promised my wife no more major photographic purchase this year. Maybe by devoting more time in photo projects could prevent buying spree?

Peter, we all know stay away from RFF may be the best way! But we won't do that.

Keven

Peter · 02-11-2005

Like I said, the flesh is weak!

jan normandale · 02-11-2005

Peter , do the Cameras call to you? Or do you see bargains that are just too good so you pick them up? I've got a Perkeo folder, nice little unit for MF. The other day I'm surfing for a Diana or Lomo or something like that. Up comes a site with interesting stuff but there among the guy's stuff for sale is a Perkeo! Hmmm... I email him hoping he's sold it.

Two weeks later I get an email, he was on holidays and yes he has the camera. Here we go so now I've got to figure out what I'm doing buying a duplicate. I know my brain says. "Load one with B&W and the other with colour" perfect.

I write back 4 days later hoping its sold. Yes it is still ther and the guy has done a CLA on it all in for $100 how can I go wrong? Done!

This is my problem, any advice on how to get this under control? But not too seriously because I kinda like the edginess of my obsession. Have you ever been like this?

Jan

DougK · 02-11-2005

Umm, I was fine with my 35mm SLR camera, digital SLR-type camera, and APS point-n-shoot until I started coming here... now I'm up to about twenty cameras of various makes and they're starting to overflow the shelf

. The deal I made with myself is that I can't buy another camera unless I give up at least one. Right now I'm struggling with two dilemmas which is limiting the effectiveness of my strategy - film vs. digital and 35mm vs. MF. The good news is that I'm starting to find my "voice", so to speak, so I'm getting a better handle on what kind of gear I need vs. the kind of gear I just want because it's cool.

wlewisiii · 02-11-2005

I find it helps to try and channel the obsession - for me it's the Contax/Kiev series of cameras and lenses. That helps when I see interesting, perhaps affordable, nice things that can tempt me. I think about the nice Zeiss Sonnar 85/2 lens I could get later if I save that money now and, usually, the moment passes.

Usually...

and so I await a Kiev 5 from the Ukraine

William

back alley · 02-11-2005

so I'm getting a better handle on what kind of gear I need vs. the kind of gear I just want because it's cool.
__________________

you say that like it's a BAD thing!

joe

wierdcollector · 02-11-2005

Just had to add my two cents worth for Doug, when your shelf begins to overflow, the obvious thing to do is add another shelf. After the first fifteen or twenty, you won't even notice another here or there. By the way, you'd cry if you saw the gorgeous Zorki 4K (in red no less), Kiev 4 and shamed to admit, Zenit 12 CD I just got in the mail. All three look mint, even the leather cases are great. The only clue they were used at all is a small amount of wear on the Kiev's film pressure plate. Possibly the best deal I've got from the dread E site in the last two years....Yipppeeee.

DougK · 02-11-2005

You guys aren't helping

Although, as I was leaving work, I was seriously considering adding the silver Bessa R + 35mm lens from B&H to my shelf when my tax refund comes in....

back alley · 02-11-2005

you will love the r and the 35/2.5 is a silent killer.

go for it!!

joe

DougK · 02-11-2005

AAAAGGGGGHHHH! GAS ... flaring up! I'm almost convinced to go for it, now I just have to decide if I want to trade in my digital camera and K1000 outfit in on a film scanner.

This is SOOOOO hard...

jan normandale · 02-11-2005

Doug

this is what I'm talking about. If I buy a scanner instead of going to Filmworks to have my shots put onto a CD I could save money in the long run. Then the quality is better because they use better scanners. They charge market prices but it still adds up. So if I plunge into a scanner I'm spending to save. Perverse isn't it.

I have been following some of the threads on the scanner forum. I think I'm going to do something but hopefully after I pay down my credit cards.

If I buy before getting my cards down I think it's obsession. If I pay down the cards then buy I don't think I'm being obsessive about camera equipment it's an investment. I just have to calmly figure out which way to go.

Jan

Peter · 02-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jan normandale

Peter , do the Cameras call to you? Or do you see bargains that are just too good so you pick them up? I've got a Perkeo folder, nice little unit for MF. The other day I'm surfing for a Diana or Lomo or something like that. Up comes a site with interesting stuff but there among the guy's stuff for sale is a Perkeo! Hmmm... I email him hoping he's sold it.

Two weeks later I get an email, he was on holidays and yes he has the camera. Here we go so now I've got to figure out what I'm doing buying a duplicate. I know my brain says. "Load one with B&W and the other with colour" perfect.

I write back 4 days later hoping its sold. Yes it is still ther and the guy has done a CLA on it all in for $100 how can I go wrong? Done!

This is my problem, any advice on how to get this under control? But not too seriously because I kinda like the edginess of my obsession. Have you ever been like this?

Jan

Hi Jan,

I understand how you feel. When the Voigtlander craze reached Singapore in 2002, I started out buying an Bessa L and Snapshot Skopar 25mm/4 I used it for 3 months and I saw that shop has the T 101 set with the magnificent Heliar 50mm/3.5. I was not contended so I bought a R2 and 3 lens (35mm, 50mm and 75mm) from Mr. Gandy in December 2002. I feel in love with the R2 so I sold my Bessa L and T 101 sets to finance 2 more R2s. I later sold my 50mm and 75mm lenses to buy the Ultron 35mm and PII. To tell you the truth, I do not know what came over me. I only wanted to get the most appropriate tool for my documentary work. Now I have 3 R2s and 5 35mm Voigtlander lenses! After this bout of buying madness I think I regained some semblance of sanity. I buy more films nowadays and I am more focused on long term documentary projects. I guess having a wife that reminds me frequently on the futility of buying equipment that you do not need helps!

Regards,
Peter

pradeep1 · 02-11-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkirchge

Umm, I was fine with my 35mm SLR camera, digital SLR-type camera, and APS point-n-shoot until I started coming here... now I'm up to about twenty cameras of various makes and they're starting to overflow the shelf

. The deal I made with myself is that I can't buy another camera unless I give up at least one. Right now I'm struggling with two dilemmas which is limiting the effectiveness of my strategy - film vs. digital and 35mm vs. MF. The good news is that I'm starting to find my "voice", so to speak, so I'm getting a better handle on what kind of gear I need vs. the kind of gear I just want because it's cool.

Yeah, I noticed that I was hit by the rangefinder bug right after I found this site. It must be something they put in the water. We should have a Rangefinders Anonymous forum on this site.

Richard Black · 02-12-2005

Hi, I'm Richard and I haven't bought a rangefinder in 2 weeks. I know that is not a long time, but I can feel my fingers reaching for the bookmark leading to the dreaded E**y and the rf site. Leicas, Bessas, Zorkiis, it does not matter, I am hooked...sorry about that! I just flashed on Bruce, the shark, from Finding Nemo. To buy a scanner or not, I have had 3 Epson scanners, my latest is the 3170 and I am happy with it. It will scan negatives as well as prints and they are acceptable. Not as good as a dedicated film scanner. If you are a picky person, stay with the dedicated scanner. I am more tolerant and am happy with the Epson. I don't print my scans at home. I copy to a CD and take to W-M or Walgreens and use their printers.Works nicely. Hi, I Richard...

DougK · 02-12-2005

It may be an expensive hobby/addiction/obsession, but it beats hanging out in bars

jan normandale · 02-12-2005

Hi Pradeep and Richard,

Pradeep
"hit by the rangefinder bug right after I found this site. It must be something they put in the water. We should have a Rangefinders Anonymous forum on this site."

Richard
"I'm Richard and I haven't bought a rangefinder in 2 weeks"

I'm experiencing what you are both talking about. Like you I've changed, I am reading about Leica's, Bessa's etc and I'm actually thinking I need to get one they look so cool.

This morning I went to Ebay (not a good idea as we know) and I clicked on a Leica tab, there was the most expensive rangefinder in the world. A limited edition Leica made from titanium. Only $10,800 to start the bidding!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...873843807&rd=1

I think reading the description gave me a cold shower. So I'm going to step back from this for a while. I like MF so I'm going to go buy some 120 Scala and Provia, load up my viewfinder Voigtlander Perkeo II, and get back into some photography. Until I come back to RFF and start reading and seeing the sleek 35mm rangefinders. They do look good don't they....

Jan

schaubild · 02-12-2005

Unless you start looking out for cameras that can be used in bars... :-)

CleverName · 02-12-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlewisiii

I find it helps to try and channel the obsession

I don't know if it helps, but it does at least limit the madness. I am currently on a Yashica bender. I have a GSN, 14e, J, YK, YL. I only hope I don't find one of the yashicas that use LTM lenses. I'd probably end up cashing out my 401k.

jan normandale · 02-12-2005

Hi Clever,

looked at your "Crappy Little site" I really like the "fish's eye view" . Anyway I'm sort of on a jag like that one you described; it's medium format that you can carry. So no Mamiya 67's or Hassies or ...

I think I just like the coolness of all this stuff. I have to focus and narrow it down, then I can't get easily sidetracked. I stop for shiny objects. I would have sold Manhattan for the glass beads too.

I just have to say focus , focus. It helps until I forget the mantra.

Jan

DougK · 02-12-2005

I think that's my essential problem, all of these toys are cool to play with. Of course, I could always dump everything and start over...

Brian Sweeney · 02-12-2005

Clevername: It is called a "Yashica YK". (EDIT:::"YF"!!!) and was designed by Nicca, right before Yashica bought them out. Cool camera, like a Yashica "M3" in LTM.