Priorities

[Roger Hicks]

There were several million dollars' worth of classic cars in the village car-park a few minutes ago -- and I thought, "I'd rather have a camera." There were three Ferraris (including a Testarossa), two ACs, an Aston Martin, several Porsches (356 and 911), Lotus, Morgan and lots more. The humblest were a TR6 and an immaculate Mini (a real one, not a BMW).

I thought, "Well, they're beautiful, but they're not worth the money to me." (In my younger days I had TRs and other minor classics, and my friends drove Big Healeys, XKs and the like). Then I realized that the camera I had around my neck (M8 + Noctilux) was probably worth more than the Mini, and possibly comparable with the TR. No doubt some of the car owners would have thought that was more money than a camera was worth (as, to be fair, would several members of RFF).

What has made you realize what your photographic priorities are? We all know about Ned and his Noctilux; when have you thought, "I'd rather have this than that," referring to a camera (or lens) and something non-photographic?

Cheers,

R.

[David Goldfarb]

I'm certainly glad to live in a place where I don't need a car, and certainly that potential expense goes toward other things--some toward the general expense of living in New York, but some toward cameras and such.

[mfunnell]

Roger, I know you're talking beyond cars - but cars it is for me. I drive a really beat-up 22-year-old Saab. The bloke who gave it to me couldn't sell it to a wrecker - they wanted to charge money to take it away! But its functional, and I have only a small need for a car. To and from the train station is about it - and I can walk in a pinch. Family and friends have often suggested that I could afford to buy a decent car. I could, but at the expense of any decent budget for photography: gear, consumables and (more important) the occasional opportunity to travel to where I can take photos outside my ordinary surroundings. Oh, and when I need to do that by car, I hire one.

The other (descretionary) expense that takes priority over even the photography is books. More books than you could imagine. Amazon must love me, and my local booksellers are personal friends. I hope not only because I keep them solvent.

...Mike

P.S. My last "I'd rather have this than that" was my decision to not buy the Hexanon 60/1.2, not buy the Canon 70-200/2.8 IS, not buy the Canon 40D but to buy a decent printer, learn serious inkjet printing, and get some photos on the walls. I'm very happy with the decision.

[tripod]

Personally, I choose to stay away from the high-end and expensive Leica gear like the MP, M8, M7, Noctilux, Summiluxes, and modern Summicrons. I have 2nd tier lenses like CV, Summaron, Summitar, and I almost always buy used gear like my M6. This is mainly a hobby for me, and I choose not to spend what some others do, but I don't begrudge them for doing so, it just doesn't make sense for me.

[mfogiel]

For me there's definitely a trade off between photographic expenses and the rest. But this trade off is currently more related to time - yes, time can be worth more than other things, if you have a fine collection of cameras and lenses in your disposal, but little time to shoot... So I am currently concentrating on gaining more free time.... As for the gear - yes I am always lusting after something ( currently a f3.5 Planar Rolleiflex F ), but I got to the point where I am actually waiting for certain lenses or cameras TO BE MADE YET... I have been blessed with Leica scepticism, and this has saved me lots of money... But I would certainly buy a new fast Zeiss RF lens even if it cost a bundle... ;-) My pipe dream now, actually, is to buy a house in France with a nice garden... Cheers Roger !

[M. Valdemar]

I was walking near the village beach the other day, and I saw several dozen voluptuous girls. A few well-endowed cute Japanese girls in micro-bikinis, one blonde Spanish girl who looked like a young Bardot, and nine or ten other mouth-waterers.

And I thought to myself "I'd rather have a camera".

And then I remembered I had take my meds and go back to the mental institution.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by M. Valdemar

... A few well-endowed cute Japanese girls in micro-bikinis, ...

Remember when that was more often than not an oxymoron... my, how times have changed.

Personally, I like my "friends" attitude about what he'd rather have. He always said "I'd rather have a cheeseburger."

[aad]

My priorities began to settle when I realized that to make interesting pictures I should have an interesting life-that stopped almost all my on-line photo posts and started all the printing and distribution of some projects that worked out.

It's been a long time since I bought anything photographic besides film and chemistry.

I'd take a car, I guess. Then take pictures of the places I went.

[craygc]

Originally Posted by M. Valdemar

...A few well-endowed cute Japanese girls...

Originally Posted by Gumby

Remember when that was more often than not an oxymoron... my, how times have changed.

Well, as I type from once again in Tokyo, it still seems to pretty much be an oxymoron... mind you I didnt see many of the ones in micro bikinis lately, maybe they're different

BTW, being based in Singapore, I could never justify the money required for any car, let alone a luxury one. Anyways, Im more of a 4x4 type of guy...

[charjohncarter]

I always think I'd like this over that when comes to cameras (in 2008). But in 1976, I was like you I drove that XKE and thought it was the greatest (I still do). So my priorities have changed and so have I, no expensive cameras or lenses just ones that work for me, and I drive a Mini (not the real one, the BMW, which also works for me).

[RFBob]

I must admit I am a car nut. I love old British sports cars. I have one car an '52 XK-120. Much like my camera gear in a preverse way. Rock solid steady, and ready for the next adventure. It works for me. I also acknowledge I am analog guy in a ditigal world. If I ever find a woman who can understand this life without asking I will marry her.

[bmattock]

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

What has made you realize what your photographic priorities are? We all know about Ned and his Noctilux; when have you thought, "I'd rather have this than that," referring to a camera (or lens) and something non-photographic?

I pretty much stopped buying classic mechanical wristwatches when I turned my attention to classic fixed-lens rangefinders. I likewise have not purchased much in the way of audio gear, although I am having a friend build a custom one-off tube (valve, for you Brits) amplifier.

Today I am off to the Audiokarma Fest - lots of audiophiles from all over converging on a hotel to show off their gear, swap and sell and buy, and I'm looking forward to it. But I doubt I'll spend more than the price of admission - no money for that anymore.

It is what it is.

Cars are cool - we have the Woodward Dream Cruise every year a mile from my current hootch. 40,000 classic hot rods and other great cars, and I love to look at them. Someday it would be nice to have a nice restored hot rod. But it is much harder to keep a car collection in a cupboard - at least the kind one actually can drive.

[bmattock]

Mine is just a case of personal choice and financial limits. No shoe gazing introspection or freedom through being poor nonsense.

[Al Patterson]

Originally Posted by charjohncarter

I always think I'd like this over that when comes to cameras (in 2008). But in 1976, I was like you I drove that XKE and thought it was the greatest (I still do). So my priorities have changed and so have I, no expensive cameras or lenses just ones that work for me, and I drive a Mini (not the real one, the BMW, which also works for me).

I'd love to have a Mini, but I'd be afraid to take it on any Interstate highway I've ever driven. And, NEVER on the Belt Parkway or LIE...

I have always driven small and cheaper cars and spent my money on used cameras and travel. That way, when my salary went down big time when I was laid off a few years back I just cut out travel instead of hiding from the Repo Man.

[wlewisiii]

For me, it was a recent realization that I missed my Kievs & didn't enjoy my Bessa as much as I had them. So I sold off a bunch of my gear & bought a nice mid 70's Kiev 4a & a 56 J-3 and have begun to gather up the Kiev/Contax kit I want. Really, what would tickle me, much more than any Leica, is a nice user pre-war Contax II with a collapsible Tessar 50/3.5 lens. and the time & money to take a year off & use it with my other small selection of lenses.

I do miss the Canon 35/1.8 I sold though

William

[Roger Hicks]

Interesting how many people's priorities have changed -- and how others haven't.

I certainly agree that going places to take pictures (or as aad put it, to have an interesting life) is more important than changing cameras, at least once you're above a certain (very low) level.

William's missing his Kievs is a fascinating illustration that it's the camera that you like that matters, not the latest must-have ('must-have' according to the ads and consumer-driven comics, of course).

But I started using Leicas just under 40 years ago, having got hooked more or less by accident, and I reckon the occasional new one -- every decade or two -- is hardly rampant consumerism.

Cheers,

R.

[Joe Brugger]

Daddy always said pay cash and buy quality. Was just thinking this morning about my old Mercedes 250S, the last one before fuel injection set in. Top quality machines are always enjoyable, worth the money, and economical in the long run. Right now I'm enjoying an '84 BMW and a similar vintage M4-P.

[JeffGreene]

Roger:

When I was younger and single my pride and joy was a wrecked TR6 I'd restored with a friend; these days with my two youngest in college, I'm driving a Toyota. Camera-wise, I've recently made some trade-offs. I've wanted a Rollei SL66 for over twenty years. I've owned a Zeiss 50MM Distagon with no camera for about 17 years. I was convinced that the camera value had to drop and concentrated on acquiring the lenses. I guess you could almost describe it as a 20 year plan.

But again, it's a trade-off. I'm unloading, regretfully, my 330F (in the classifieds) and will also be selling many of my fixed lens rangefinders. I'm just not using them anymore. So it's been pretty much a zero sum game with me. Although, the adjustment will still still keep me in the debit column vis a vis the total investment in my cameras over time.

I'm still learning my way around the Rollei, and unlike any purchase before find I'm enjoying it more and more, and hey, that's what it's all about!

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by JeffGreene

I'm still learning my way around the Rollei, and unlike any purchase before find I'm enjoying it more and more, and hey, that's what it's all about!

Dear Jeff,

Thirty or so years ago I worked with a company called KREAB (Kreativ Information AB) and they had a lovely quotation inside the front cover of their brochure (from memory):

"Whatever you do, do it excellently, because if you don't do it excellently, it won't be profitable and it won't be fun -- and if you aren't in business for fun or profit, what the hell are you in business for?"

Cheers,

R.

[gavinlg]

I envy those that have no interest in cars and only see them as a mode of transport. I love cars, but definitely I love DRIVING more... Its sort of like how there are people who like cameras and gear - spend all day fussing over them, compared to people who go to race meets every month or take time off to go for a nice drive in the mountains every week. I am both, but more than cars themselves I love driving.


If you want to know where my priorities lie, for the last 6 years I've been driving stripped out, loud, low, hard and fast cars built for racing. I recently sold my last one, and bought a brand new mazda 3 so I could get on with work without having to concentrate on constant automotive distractions. So I could you could say my priority right now is my career.

[charjohncarter]

One thing about not falling for the 'this than that' syndrome, Is when you own a lens/camera for a really long time you get to know it. My Spotmatic I have used so much and for so long that I am hard wired to the ergonomics (I just know which way to turn the A ring, focus, shutter dial). Also, my Konica C35 I just know that a colorful scene in open shade will look great (or at least it will look great with certain films), etc. My new DSLRs are a hassle, plus they are different every year so it is a new experience.

Konicas C35 and FujiSuperiaXtra400:

[JeffGreene]

Originally Posted by charjohncarter

One thing about not falling for the 'this than that' syndrome, Is when you own a lens/camera for a really long time you get to know it. ......:

I agree entirely with you, but in my case, I've never quite been content with the equipment I've worked with. I don't have that feeling with the new Rollei. I'm sure much is attributable to my general lack of talent, as many of the talented people on this board could reasonably conclude, but over the years I'd borrowed my friend's camera (SL66), in a way, I guess, to rationalize not having to purchase my own. After approximately 15 yrs of using it with my lenses, I realized that I'd gotten to know that camera, and felt its absence keenly when he moved away. When he offered to sell it to me, it was a no-brainer, although it required some sacrifice on my part. Since I've owned it, I find myself using it more and more. My Mamiya 6 used to travel everywhere with me. Now it's the Rollei. It requires more setup time, unlike tha Mamiya, and rather than being annoyed by this, I find its use has led me to spend more time thinking about the pictures I'll be making with it. I'd gotten lazy with the Mamiya 6 thinking that if I left the exposure to the camera, I could spend more time thinking about composition.

Sorry to run on so , time to grade some papers and then I'll be off to make some pictures. Have a great day!

[Tom A]

In more than 5 decades of playing with cameras and cars. I have developed priorities. I suspect that I have owned about 120-130 cars in that time, ranging from Citroen 2CV's and to various more exotic ones (including a Mark VI Bentley - that was a trade for a handful of of Nikon F's and lenses, filled with sand). The only time I have bought new cars have been on a need basis, A Renault 16, a couple of LWB Land Rovers and an Econoline Ford 250. The rest have ranged in price from $0.89 to about $3500!
My criteria was for a long time "No car shall cost more than a good 50mm lens". Interestingly enough, my standards are higher today with the recent hike in the Noctilux price. I could get something interesting for that kind of money.
Currently I am driving a 15 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is speeding up Global Warming a bit, but then "future generations can fend for themselves" and "let them ride bicycles"! Also, rising sealevels would shorten my walk to the beach by 30-40 feet!
Film is the most important part - anything less than a years supply gives me an anxiety attack - as well as the chemistry to soup it.
Cameras are not a problem - I have enough to last several lifetimes - which does not stop me from aquiring more when the opporunity arises!
Travel is also a priority - I like the idea of getting away, not to a beach, but to another place. It doesn't change my daily routine much, but affords me a different view from the chair at the cafee.
I appreciate the mechanical perfection of some cars.watches, kitchen appliances etc, but they are mostly regarded as subjects for pictures and I can't stand the current design trends with crappy ergonomics and incomprehensible intructions. When the manual is bigger than the product - civilization as we know is in a decline.
Leica's old manual for the M2/M3/M4 were wonderful. They worked hard to fill 12-14 pages and if you ever had used one of their cameras before, you could figure out a new model in 2-3 minutes (going from the spool load to the tulip of the M4 and getting used to the angled rewind crank was the extent of "complexity"). I looked at a friends Nikon D3 - splendid camera and amazing quality, but a 440 pages manual!
Hence my affinity for M2's and the simple operation thereof!

[Matthew Allen]

Originally Posted by Tom A

The rest have ranged in price from $0.89 to about $3500!

Tell us more about the $0.89 car please.

Matthew

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by Tom A

Leica's old manual for the M2/M3/M4 were wonderful. They worked hard to fill 12-14 pages . . . !

Dear Tom,

Reading this, I realized that I had never actually seen one!

I am perplexed by people who ask, on line, for manuals for cameras where you would need to be severely mentally defective, or never to have seen either a 120 or 35mm camera before, to need any advice whatsoever.

This does NOT include Werra wind-ons, Zorkii-4 rewinds, and many other eccentricities.

Cheers,

R.