What you want, what you need, what you like, what you can afford

[BillP]

t's the end of the year, and I am feeling a little philosophical.

In the last year I have over time rationalised my M-lenses and built up then pared down my screwmount collection. I now have a selection of lenses that "read" as follows:

15mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
28mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
35mm x 2, both LTM - Voigtlander and Leica
40mm x 1, M mount - Voigtlander
50mm x 3 LTM x 1, M mount x 2 - all Leica
75mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
90mm x 2, M mount x 1, LTM x 1, both Leica

This gives me considerable flexibility between both M and LTM bodies, with only one f/l (the 40mm) "unavailable" to my IIIc. My fastest lens is the 40, and I don't feel the need for any more speed.

What's missing?

I would like to add a collapsible 90mm Elmar, and I am on the lookout for a nice clean example. This has little to do with practicality, but a lot to do with having a contemporary "set" of lenses for my M2. The collapsible was also my first 90, way back in the last century, and I have regretted selling it ever since.

Next on the shopping list is a late model 135mm Elmar-M. Again, I had one in the past, and regret selling it.

I may consider a 75mm Summarit, but that is a lower priority. I am happy with my Voigtlander, and would only move to the Leica lens if it showed a considerable increase in performance. The trade-off, of course, is that it is M-only, which means I would most likely double-up in that f/l

So, what is the relevance of the title of this thread?

For the most part, I have traded up, down, in and out until I have ended up with the lens "palette" that both suits the way I work and that I want. I am not a pro, so I don't actually need any particular lens \for a specific reason - this is all for fun. Every lens I own I can "justify" to myself for one reason or another.

Equally, I am fortunate in that, generally, in time, I can afford to add what I want. I simply don't have that gap between what I want and what I can afford that in extreme cases leads to envy, dissatisfaction and bitterness.

I don't care about the prices of new Noctiluxes - I've used one on more than one occasion and it just doesn't do it for me. I'm not a collector, so I don't have to sell my soul for something rare in black enamel.

This may sound self-satisfied, but my objective in this thread is to provoke thought. Are you happy with what you have, or do you have that itch for something else? Will you put a hole in your credit card just to have that lens, only to sell it again a year or so later?

Your thoughts...?

Regards,

Bill

[FPjohn]

What I want, what I need, what I like, what I can afford.

Given that, what I like and have are

25mm CV Skopar
35mm Summaron
DR Summicron
90mm Tele Elmarit

Numerous other lenses greatly exceed my needs.

'Best for the New Year.

yours
Frank Johnston

[Ducky]

Time, the only thing I can afford.

[FrankS]

2007 has been a very good year for me in fine-tuning my photo gear. I traded away a Bronica RF645 (had 2), R2, CL, and some lenses, sold my M2 and M3, and sold 2 HS Contax IIa's. I added a couple of other lenses, a very nice M5 and a few medium format RF cameras. Now I've got what I want and what I need. The 35mm stuff is mainly for personal/fun use. I have a beater CL, IIf, M5, M6, Hexar RF. In lenses I have CV21, Canon 28f3.5, Summaron f3.5, CV40, CV50f2.5, a bunch of other vintage 50s, a Canon 85, Elmar 90, and Hector 135.

[PlantedTao]

What I want is a darkroom...
What I need is time and money to build the darkroom...
What I would like is a contractor to come in and install a fully functional professional darkroom...
I do know that I will get the chance to get the plumbing, framing, and electrical done for this project, my goal is to be up and running by the winter of 2008.

So here's to a great New Year!

Jason

[back alley]

if i were to be completely honest with myself, something i tend to avoid when it comes to gear, i would admit to being totally satisfied with the zi/zm kit and that i could shoot nearly 100% of what i like to shoot with it.

that being said, i really like the cv kit and seem to have more 'fun' when i shoot with it, not really sure why.

as for wants...if i had the money wants...i'd love the zm 85 lens, an r3a, a 40/1.4 and a 40/2.8 rollei sonnar.

i don't use credit so i never go into debt for my gear. i do however sometimes sell something to buy something or just save up till i can get what i want.

[rbiemer]

I'm happy with what I have now but will also happily add a few more bits and pieces.
Going forward I certainly won't pas up any "great finds"(stuff like the apocryphal $10 garage sale leicas, etc ) but am not actively looking for more gear.
Mostly what I need is better criticism than mom's!
'08 isn't going to be about stuff for me but about use. Oh, I guess that means I need more film.
Rob

[ClaremontPhoto]

A new camera or lens will not improve my photos.

100 rolls of Reala and a few visits to galleries might improve my photos.

Photography is not about cameras, it's about seeing.

[feenej]

When I get a new camera I take more photos, so in that way new gear can improve my skills potentially. I have more fun taking pictures with cheap (but good) gear. My nicest camera is a Bessa R, but I kind of worry about it when I use it at a bar or on the street. I have been taking lots of pics with a $50 OM-1, and a $40 Olympus RC lately. In the studio I use old Minoltas.

[FrankS]

Jon,

For those of us who have to deal with distractions from our photography such as time commitments to employment and family, and energy reducers like employment and family, and for those of us who also live in non-ideal environments (winter cold and NA suburbia) for photography, a focus on the gear helps keep us "in the game" until the opportunity and energy for photography presents itself. Additionally, the gear part of photography is an aspect that some of us also enjoy. If you don't, that's fine, just avoid this type of thread.

[thomasw_]

If a need is understood as being that which is necessary for a thing, then I have no need for any camera equipment, my only need is for some more developing chemicals and some film. And if I mean by a want that which is desired but not necessary, then my want-list includes a couple of summilux asph lenses; the 35 and 50. I will have saved enough to obtain them sometime in the coming year.

[back alley]

Originally Posted by ClaremontPhoto

Photography is not about cameras, it's about seeing.

ever try taking a photo without a camera?

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

Actually Joe, some people do just that.

Placing obects on paper under the enlarger, a discipline in it's own right.

Rather limited compared to the photography most of us do, wouldn't you agree, Pitxu?

[back alley]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

Actually Joe, some people do just that.

Placing obects on paper under the enlarger, a discipline in it's own right.

not a very practical application for us street shooters, eh?

wasn't man ray the big photogram guy?

joe

[back alley]

perhaps we should start a camera obscura section?

[pachuco]

I want, need, and would like an M8. It's the affording part that I lack

[FrankS]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

Yes, sure, but some guys get off on it. Shoe-box pinholes too.

Ah, but then the shoebox becomes a camera, the pinhole a lens.

And I imagine that among pin hole photographers, there is talk of the type of boxes they use.

[FrankS]

Me too. And to think it only has to be a light tight box.

[oscroft]

All I have in my list of needs/wants for 2008 is...

A coupled CV 25
A 40 for my CL (probably a Rokkor)
An R3A

Apart from that, there really isn't any more RF gear I want. My 35mm SLR gear (OM) is as complete as I want it, as is my MF SLR (Bronica - I bought two more lenses this year to complete my MF desires)

In fact, I expect I'll sell more than I buy during 2008 (in numbers of items at least, if not in value) - I've got some unused FSU gear and one or two fixed-lens RFs that aren't being used and should really find new owners.

[projectbluebird]

I find that I'm generally happy with what I have.
Then, I'll see something I'd like.
Which turns into something I want.
Which becomes something I'm convinced I need.

And if I believe that strongly enough, I will get it somehow, eventually.

That's how I ended up with my M3. And the DR summicron, the 90 'cron, the IIIf, the... The list goes on and on!
It's amazing what you can pick up if you're patient. I never go into debt to buy things, but I've come close several times.

Right now my want list is pretty modest.

A 50 LTM, f/2 or faster.
an 85. Again LTM, f/2 or faster.

What I'd like:
A fast 50. faster than f/1.4. (the canon springs to mind)
A Goldilocks wide. Something between 15 and 35.
Either digital RF. This is likely pie-in-the-sky territory, but who knows? That's what I said about wanting an M3.

[ClaremontPhoto]

Originally Posted by Pitxu

Take a look at this "wooden box" for only 450 dollars. (without lens/pinhole)

I've got a ZeroImage wooden pinhole camera. Very affordable, and fast delivery.

http://www.zeroimage.com/

[PetarDima]

70 rolls of EFKE KB 400
15 rolls of EFKE KB 100
15 rolls of EFKE KB 50

developer
fixer
tons of B&W paper

clear mind, loving heart.

equipment (M5 body, the ugliest, most beautiful in same time) will came as a
result of hard work.

[ClaremontPhoto]

Originally Posted by FrankS

...and for those of us who also live in non-ideal environments (winter cold and NA suburbia) for photography, a focus on the gear helps keep us "in the game"---

I can understand that. And envy you that you have these weather conditions that I never see. You don't know how lucky you are.

Every day here is a sunny day. But I want rain, I want snow. It doesn't happen.

My father enjoys cameras as precision instruments so I do understand you. If you ever meet him he'll show you his Reid (Leica copy) with Taylor Taylor Hobson 2" lens, and his Alpa something SLR with a weird film wind.

[FrankS]

Lucky for the change in seasons, but winter time is COLD for photography. Jon, you're still missing the point about the time and energy commitments of family and employment. Your posts give the impression that you are largely retired and no (living with) wife and kids. Once I get to your situation (but with wife) I'll be able to focus more on doing photography.

The fact that I also enjoy gear MAKES ME NO LESS OF A PHOTOGRAPHER THAN YOU. Your posts consistently leave me with the impression that you feel superior to gear-heads who are not as meaningfully into photography as you.

[ClaremontPhoto]

Originally Posted by FrankS

The fact that I also enjoy gear MAKES ME NO LESS OF A PHOTOGRAPHER THAN YOU. Your posts consistently leave me with the impression that you feel superior to gear-heads who are not as meaningfully into photography as you.

Please, please do not think that.

I've bought and sold in the past and now am now in a position to make photographs, and not need to think about buying and selling. I am very happy with what I have.

I've sold some great cameras and regretted it later. The XA4, the Contax SLR, the Rolleiflex... Even the Pentax K1000.

I do not think I am better than anybody.

I just enjoy photography a lot more than I used to, and would enjoy buying and selling nowadays a lot less than I used to a few years back.

My biggest enjoyment this week will be when (if) my Mario Giacomelli book arrives.

Second biggest enjoyment will be spending some time with the family I have recently photographed when I take them the photos, probably Friday evening.