the RF Culture

[DownUnder]

Woo hoo, another nice old thread to be revived, this. I recall when it was first posted, way way back when.

Michael Markey, you were the second poster in this thread. It's good to know you are still active here, still photographing, still enjoying life after all that time, and I hope, in continued good health.

I am a little older than you (okay, by three years, I admit it), and I was here when you posted. Interesting that I remember this post, as I've forgotten so much else in my life since that time...

For now, that's all I will say. I hope to return with more interesting comments.

 

[Godfrey]

I just like Things to be as simple as possible. It's hard for a digital camera or an automobile to be anything near "simple", but Leica does a pretty good job of it with the digital Ms and neither my 2006 Merc SLK or 1967 Lancia Fulvia are overly complex. I like mechanical watches because I like interesting mechanisms. I like bicycles too, high tech materials but nothing wacky like suspension... LOL!

But I listen to all kinds of old AND new music because music simply has to sound good to me or make my feet move, I don't care whether it's today's or yesteryears. And I like to go to electronica dance concerts because it's fun to dance with all the kids. 😀

Taking advantage of technology is much more my thing than letting technology take advantage of me. 😉

G

 

[AndyCapp]

Americans love to brand themselves and other people.

 

[Godfrey]

Americans love to brand themselves and other people.

I wonder from what in your mind did this comment make itself.

G

 

[Retro-Grouch]

I wonder from what in your mind did this comment make itself.

G

Well, if one looks around, there is a very pronounced tendency (particularly amongst younger folk) to wear clothing and accessories adorned with huge designer logos, sports logos, equipment logos (Leica, anyone?), etc. Beyond that, there is "identity politics", whereby one is first and foremost a member of a group that always sees itself as marginalized and oppressed. This self-branding, whether by sporting corporate logos or embracing a minority status, has always seemed to me to be a quick but futile shortcut to being a full and rounded individual whose identity is formed through broad knowledge and long experience. We live in an atomized society where community is desperately needed and sought, but the "solutions" offered by the mainstream only serve to take our money or set us at each other's throats.
I must confess that it feels a little odd to be defending AndyCapp's statement, since we are so often at opposite ends of the political spectrum. As is often the case, however, a problem may be obvious to all; what differs is what we believe the solution to be.

 

[Godfrey]

But what in this thread inspired you, or AndyCapp, to exhort thus?

G

 

[Retro-Grouch]

But what in this thread inspired you, or AndyCapp, to exhort thus?

G

I'm just elaborating on AC's short and somewhat cryptic post, since you seemed puzzled by it. Another case of a thread beginning to drift off the rails, for which I apologize; nevertheless, talk of branding might not be irrelevant if we're going to discuss the "RF culture".

 

[Michael Markey]

Woo hoo, another nice old thread to be revived, this. I recall when it was first posted, way way back when.

Michael Markey, you were the second poster in this thread. It's good to know you are still active here, still photographing, still enjoying life after all that time, and I hope, in continued good health.

I am a little older than you (okay, by three years, I admit it), and I was here when you posted. Interesting that I remember this post, as I've forgotten so much else in my life since that time...

For now, that's all I will say. I hope to return with more interesting comments.

Thank you . Health could be better but I`m ticking along. Nice to see the familiar names still here and still posting. Some gone of course like Roger and I do miss my pal Stewart (sparrow). A great help to me in the early days.

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear Board,

I'm kind of on a quest to own and use cameras that I could have never afforded back when I received my first "good" camera as a Christmas gift in 1976 or 1977, a Canonet 28 with the Canolite D. I stumbled onto RFF about 10 years ago when a friend of mine from Facebook by way of a fly fishing message board that is long defunct suggested I look here for information and advice about film cameras.

I've been here ever since and have greatly enjoyed the conversations. I've learned many things along the way, so a "Thank You" is in order.. I've managed to acquire cameras both RF and SLR, in both film and digital that I enjoy using. I'm still no more than a hobbyist photographer but that was all I ever aspired to be anyway.

The important thing to me is that I enjoy using quality equipment in every hobby that I pursue. I was taught at an early age to value your possessions and that if you care for them they will serve you well. I still catch fish on a fly rod and reel I bought as a teenager, so I took that lesson to heart. I just wish to Hell I knew where my Canonet 2.8 and flash got to? 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA 🙂

 

[AndyCapp]

Well, if one looks around, there is a very pronounced tendency (particularly amongst younger folk) to wear clothing and accessories adorned with huge designer logos, sports logos, equipment logos (Leica, anyone?), etc. Beyond that, there is "identity politics", whereby one is first and foremost a member of a group that always sees itself as marginalized and oppressed. This self-branding, whether by sporting corporate logos or embracing a minority status, has always seemed to me to be a quick but futile shortcut to being a full and rounded individual whose identity is formed through broad knowledge and long experience. We live in an atomized society where community is desperately needed and sought, but the "solutions" offered by the mainstream only serve to take our money or set us at each other's throats.
I must confess that it feels a little odd to be defending AndyCapp's statement, since we are so often at opposite ends of the political spectrum. As is often the case, however, a problem may be obvious to all; what differs is what we believe the solution to be.

Thank you, Retro-Grouch. I loved your "a quick but futile shortcut" to describe the essence of branding, especially the branding of people.
Personally, I would not want to be classified by just one of my traits (AC is a mirrorless guy) or expect anybody around me to have any insight about "rangefinder culture." I do understand the importance of categories but they need to make sense.
I guess I could be branded as "some limits to the nonsense"-person.

 

[Richard G]

Godrey if I'd posted that, it would definitely be on account of Lancia envy. I would love an Aurelia, such a jewel of a car. There is a certain sense of our identities here. I enjoy the apparent perversity of having not owned a Mercedes like so many of my colleagues, and only owned French cars. My Citroen's speedo is demarcated with odd decimals - 50, 70, 90, 110. Just another little retreat from the world as I drive in to work, my Leica on the leather seat (arghh) beside me, two fountain pens in my pocket, plus a biro for when that's needed, my grey suit a suit of armour in a way, a defence against the ravages of the day and the world, my small impositions of order commencing with the strict making of the bed like the US Admiral exhorted us to do. I read once that luxury is the little thing that only you know, the same after shave as the King, and today I am wearing cashmere socks, not just because I can but because on account of other threats and pressures lately, I need to.

 

[AndyCapp]

I'm just elaborating on AC's short and somewhat cryptic post, since you seemed puzzled by it. Another case of a thread beginning to drift off the rails, for which I apologize; nevertheless, talk of branding might not be irrelevant if we're going to discuss the "RF culture".

The love of branding seems like an essential factor in the political polarisation we have seen in recent years.
Once branded as a misogynist, whatever-phobe or Putinist, everything you say and do is seen through that lens.
People project; they do not listen. As soon as the adversary has been branded, it does not matter what he has said or done.
This is one reason why the level of public discussion is so low. People who identify as something present opinions they think are theirs to people they have branded as their generic enemies. Truth is nowhere to be found, and nobody's even looking for it, as it does not matter.
Winning matters.

 

[SilverShutter]

I don't mean to steer off topic but identity politics (which personally I do find is bit of a reactionary term) is nothing new. In fact, creating groups based on a trait or identity is as old as humanity, religions are a prime example of it. And moreso, lack of tolerance to others opinions was far greater in the past, than it is now. But anyway, I feel the aim of this topic is more akin to "what are the people drawn to rangefinders like, what is the diversity of the forum like?" rather than seeing what homogenous traits there are among us, to see the diversity of the group.

I use rangefinders, like I use any other of my film and digital cameras, but I don't personally feel they define my photography style. However, I like them because they tend to be simple cameras, quick and easy to use, and that does align with the way I shoot. A lot of them strike a good balance between having enough features, and still requiring not much training to use, and that is probably why they are still popular.

 

[AndyCapp]

I don't mean to steer off topic but identity politics (which personally I do find is bit of a reactionary term) is nothing new. In fact, creating groups based on a trait or identity is as old as humanity, religions are a prime example of it. And moreso, lack of tolerance to others opinions was far greater in the past, than it is now. But anyway, I feel the aim of this topic is more akin to "what are the people drawn to rangefinders like, what is the diversity of the forum like?" rather than seeing what homogenous traits there are among us, to see the diversity of the group.

I use rangefinders, like I use any other of my film and digital cameras, but I don't personally feel they define my photography style. However, I like them because they tend to be simple cameras, quick and easy to use, and that does align with the way I shoot. A lot of them strike a good balance between having enough features, and still requiring not much training to use, and that is probably why they are still popular.

😉 I see you.

 

[AndyCapp]

Godrey if I'd posted that, it would definitely be on account of Lancia envy. I would love an Aurelia, such a jewel of a car. There is a certain sense of our identities here. I enjoy the apparent perversity of having not owned a Mercedes like so many of my colleagues, and only owned French cars. My Citroen's speedo is demarcated with odd decimals - 50, 70, 90, 110. Just another little retreat from the world as I drive in to work, my Leica on the leather seat (arghh) beside me, two fountain pens in my pocket, plus a biro for when that's needed, my grey suit a suit of armour in a way, a defence against the ravages of the day and the world, my small impositions of order commencing with the strict making of the bed like the US Admiral exhorted us to do. I read once that luxury is the little thing that only you know, the same after shave as the King, and today I am wearing cashmere socks, not just because I can but because on account of other threats and pressures lately, I need to.

The numbers on your speedo, 50, 70, 90, 110 (not decimals but km/h) are the usual French speed limits.
You might enjoy the clips of Davide Cironi on Italian cars and the fanatic masterminds behind them. Subtitled.

 

[Rob-F]

Steam trains, especially the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge. Mechanical watches. Jeep Wranglers & Cherokees. Hand planes for woodworking.

 

[Rob-F]

Americans love to brand themselves and other people.

It may be about the way people sort things, and each other, into categories, a thing Aristotle taught the world to do. We still do it, sometimes usefully, sometimes not so much.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I understand the romance of steam, but one look at those first generation EMD and ALCO streamlined cab units and I fell in love.

See you on Amtrak!

Chris

 

[JoeV]

Americans love to brand themselves and other people.

This reminds me of the old saw, there are two kinds of people in the world: those that categorize people, and those that don’t.

 

[chuckroast]

Well, if one looks around, there is a very pronounced tendency (particularly amongst younger folk) to wear clothing and accessories adorned with huge designer logos, sports logos, equipment logos (Leica, anyone?), etc. Beyond that, there is "identity politics", whereby one is first and foremost a member of a group that always sees itself as marginalized and oppressed. This self-branding, whether by sporting corporate logos or embracing a minority status, has always seemed to me to be a quick but futile shortcut to being a full and rounded individual whose identity is formed through broad knowledge and long experience. We live in an atomized society where community is desperately needed and sought, but the "solutions" offered by the mainstream only serve to take our money or set us at each other's throats.
I must confess that it feels a little odd to be defending AndyCapp's statement, since we are so often at opposite ends of the political spectrum. As is often the case, however, a problem may be obvious to all; what differs is what we believe the solution to be.

Your post makes me feel marginalized and oppressed 😛 Do I get a lollypop now?