about "being done"

FrankS

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I've changed my tune about "being done". I'm not sure it's possible. You can move closer to the point of having the gear you want for your needs/wants, but the difficulty is, is that that point moves over time as a photographer evolves. Hence my offering of my M2 in the classifieds. It is a camera I never thought I'd be letting go, but I've identified a need for a larger MF rangefinder camera. I'll be using it for pretty ultimate quality in profesional portrait situations which I hope to be increasing soon with the planned scaling back of my real job to part time. I still have other cameras that give me the same functionality as the M2, otherwise it would not leave me.
 
As I said in the other thread, I'm done with being done. Here's another way to think about it...

If I could rent all my gear and keep it as long as I wanted or change it as frequently as I wanted, I'd still be dabbling in all these different cameras, but I'd have less guilt. It probably wouldn't cost any less or any more, but the lack of guilt would make me happier. So, I've decided not to feel guilty! :D
 
yeah, but he has an m6 AND an m8!

my concern, for me, is that i'm not evolving i'm just hungry for toys, camera toys...;)
 
i had 2 mamiya 6s with 75 and 150 lenses, very nice indeed. loved the bigger, square neg.

but i prefer 35mm for a hobby camera.

joe
 
Hah. I was done this spring. Close to $10 k in debt due to the previous year's purchases.

Paid it off to zero. Then bought a fixer upper M2. Then a Summaron f2.8 (hunted over a year for one). Then a Tri-Elmar. Then another fixer upper M5.

Now I'm done.

Vick
 
I don't think being done is very appealing? It implies doing the same old thing and having the same old opinions. What I do changes...how I feel about it changes...what I want to do it with changes...this is all good, though ocassionally expensive.
 
JNewell said:
I don't think being done is very appealing? It implies doing the same old thing and having the same old opinions. What I do changes...how I feel about it changes...what I want to do it with changes...this is all good, though ocassionally expensive.
I don't see it that way. I see it as analogous to a marriage; the best ones are where the couple stays through the trials, the agitation and excruciating daily monotony and, if through good fortune and fortitude, they might even create some wonderful and beautiful images [i.e., kids] in their fecundity together. Same thing as between a guy and his faithful, old and familiar camera companion.

What of a hot and sexy new mistress or camera model? Oh, that's just GAS... If you can't grow old with it, it is just GAS :)
 
I hope I'll never be done. Gear will simply pass through my hands, provide enjoyment, and then move on to others to do the same. :)

Is there anything that is destined to stay with me forever? Probably my black paint M3...it's special to me, even if it isn't authentic.
 
Several time I've said that: "I am done."
It only lasted for a couple of weeks.

Now, I only say: "I am almost done. There might be a particular lens or a special opportunity..."

I decided to be honest to myself. ;)
 
Done is relative.

I'm done for a couple of weeks until I upgrade the Nikon SLR.

My Rangefinder kit may reduce it self by a lens or two and a spare body. Although as we know, they multiply quickly again.

Best,

Ray
 
Once the chase for new gear if over, what else is there to do? Taking pictures? way too easy...
:) :)
 
I see it as being a relationship ... once the romance has gone from a relationship it just becomes a job, a situation ... there's no room for growth!

Once you're 'done' and the romance with gear is over ... you're just a photographer! :angel:
 
wordpress said:
I'll be done when people stop offering me their 35mm Summilux ASPH's for $500.

Or how about two M6's, one 21mm Elmarit pre-ASPH, one 50mm Summicron (3rd version) and a 35mm Summicron (4th version) - all for $3000?

It doesn't make sense to be "done", right now I'm making money... Lots of it.


How do you find these deals??
 
Well, a couple of things...

First, let's be honest, we're talking tools not people (but see last point below)... :)

Second, what if what you're doing with cameras changes? If I switch from doing landscapes to sports, should I keep trying to do sports on a 4x5? :eek:

Third, what about engineering/technology developments? I'm among the worst examples, because I'm very happy with 1972 or even 1952 hardware, but things do move on. Should I insist on using 1952 emulsions and 1952 chemistry? Go back to glass plates, or the true camera obscura? ;)

Fourth, what if you don't get it right the first time? What if you find you really can't use a VF camera but an SLR really suits you?

Change is at least OK, sometimes admirable.

Now, I do want you to know that one of my M bodies is a 1954 M3...the first "real" camera I bought myself, purchased used, and pretty beat up, in 1971, and I still have it with me. That's a longer period than I've been married... ;)

thomasw_ said:
I don't see it that way. I see it as analogous to a marriage; the best ones are where the couple stays through the trials, the agitation and excruciating daily monotony and, if through good fortune and fortitude, they might even create some wonderful and beautiful images [i.e., kids] in their fecundity together. Same thing as between a guy and his faithful, old and familiar camera companion.

What of a hot and sexy new mistress or camera model? Oh, that's just GAS... If you can't grow old with it, it is just GAS :)
 
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