Another one bites the dust

[herbkell@shaw.c]

I sold my film cameras a couple of years ago and never thought I would go back to film.

Anyway the sad story starts when a friend of mine lets me play with his Bessa R2 ... I fall in love with photography all over again ... memories of my first serious camera (Pentax Spotmatic) and lots of things to learn about rangefiner shooting are too much to resist and I purchase a Bessa R3 a CV 21 Nokon 40 1.4 and CV 90 3.5. Four rolls later I squeeze a used M7 and it's all over! Bessa will be going up for sale and the M7 is firmly in my hands.

When will this stop!! Retirment funds are being depleted with no apparent end in sight ..help

 

[pvdhaar]

You really should attend a pregnancy class. You know, the kind where they learn you to puff every five minutes or so.. That's what always helps.. puff the urge away for at least three days. Then think again.. do I really need an M7, or is this just a severe case of GAS (gear acquis. syndrome)?

 

[Honus]

Peter,

Welcome to RFF. The answer to your question is that no, it never stops. The good news is that you have like-minded friends here who understand your desires. The bad news is that your bank account will never be the same.

The M7 is a nice piece of kit. The Leica glass, however, is where the fun begins...

Nice website, btw.

Robert

 

[MikeL]

When will this stop!! Retirment funds are being depleted with no apparent end in sight ..help

Uh, you're at the wrong place if you want help. 😀 Stay away from the classifieds, auction sites, advertisers on this site, and lens reviews if you can. You'll still be in trouble though.....

 

[sf]

What good is retirement if you can't enjoy it?

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[jaapv]

To me, one stops there. One has more than enough there for all kinds of situations and one has some of the most glorious photographic equipment created by man. More than enough for a retirement full of further learning and the joy of creating beautiful prints.

Famous last words?

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Magus,
I can see Jaap's point. You say it stops there but you have quite a shopping list of lenses. In the SLR days, you experimented with 10 bodies before going RF. When does it really stop. If a new Leica came out or a much better lens, would you not be tempted ever?

Kim

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Gid]

Hi Magus,
I can see Jaap's point. You say it stops there but you have quite a shopping list of lenses. In the SLR days, you experimented with 10 bodies before going RF. When does it really stop. If a new Leica came out or a much better lens, would you not be tempted ever?

Kim

I agree, but I do think it can slow down. Personally, I've slowed down because I'm already confused by the choices available to me. My RD-1 and Olympus have been very much neglected lately. If only film would die, life would be so much easier 😀

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[kmack]

Welcome to the world of expensive hobbies and welcom to RFF.

End the pain and go large format now. The endless fiddling with film holders, tripods, front tilt, rear tilt, dark cloths et.al. will keep you too busy for GAS. Keep a nice RF around just to remind yourself that photography can also not involve an entire pack train and base camp support team.

 

[wtl]

When will this stop!!

when you start to look at the photos and pay close attention to the photos.

but until then...have fun acquiring more gears...make love to them...like many here do...

 

[2maneekameras]

Stay away from large and medium format equiment. The large negatives put the 35mm ones to shame! The leicas do make good subject matter to photograph with the larger format cameras

 

[telenous]

Stay away from large and medium format equiment. The large negatives put the 35mm ones to shame! The leicas do make good subject matter to photograph with the larger format cameras

There is truth in this - but it's not the whole truth. Larger negatives give better photos but medium/large format gear is limited by size and/or slower lenses. People use Leicas and other M-mount cameras primarily for their (un)available light capabilities. That's where they excel and that's exactly where they were and remain unbeaten.

 

[Andrew Touchon]

I sold my film cameras a couple of years ago and never thought I would go back to film.

Anyway the sad story starts when a friend of mine lets me play with his Bessa R2 ... I fall in love with photography all over again ... memories of my first serious camera (Pentax Spotmatic) and lots of things to learn about rangefiner shooting are too much to resist and I purchase a Bessa R3 a CV 21 Nokon 40 1.4 and CV 90 3.5. Four rolls later I squeeze a used M7 and it's all over! Bessa will be going up for sale and the M7 is firmly in my hands.

When will this stop!! Retirment funds are being depleted with no apparent end in sight ..help

Welcome to the club! Have you considered postponing your retirement? 🙂

 

[ch1]

I sold my film cameras a couple of years ago and never thought I would go back to film.

Anyway the sad story starts when a friend of mine lets me play with his Bessa R2 ... I fall in love with photography all over again ... memories of my first serious camera (Pentax Spotmatic) and lots of things to learn about rangefiner shooting are too much to resist and I purchase a Bessa R3 a CV 21 Nokon 40 1.4 and CV 90 3.5. Four rolls later I squeeze a used M7 and it's all over! Bessa will be going up for sale and the M7 is firmly in my hands.

When will this stop!! Retirment funds are being depleted with no apparent end in sight ..help

As others here have pointed out - we are a group of "enablers" so you will only get encouragement to engage in your addiction here! 😀

The "syndrome" is very common. You will experience periodic GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) buildups that are followed by release through the purchase of some "necessary" camera, lens or accessory.

This will provide temporary relief. But inevitability, GAS will once again start to well-up etc.

You will also experience "spiralling". Already the Bessa is not sufficient and you lust for a Leica - this is a fast track spiral. Some of use do more intermediate steps b/w our first RF and our personal "ultimate".

Then you will "broaden" your interest - perhaps exploring FSU-gear - the justification being that it is so darn cheap anyway - so why not?

But as several have pointed out - please also use your gear.

Post pics in The Gallery, please. And join in them more informal W/NW (Words/No Words) threads where someone just pops in with a picture on a theme and others follow-up with their examples.

It's fun here - sometimes crazy too - but you'll enjoy it.

Just one note of caution - if you have not already set up a PayPal account - you should certainly do so - the wild world of eBay camera gear awaits you! 😀

 

[tom_f77]

Don't want to swim against the stream, but while the dark side is strong it can be controlled. See my current classifieds for "proof" (and a lovely serviced M6...) 🙂

All the best, whichever way you go...

Tom

 

[clarence]

Stay away from large and medium format equiment. The large negatives put the 35mm ones to shame!

I can't speak about large format, but when it comes to medium format, the limited range of lenses and the specific dedication of equipment within any system makes GAS quite controllable.

Clarence