bags and blessings...

[back alley]

i took a deep breath today and had a look around…i'm not a religious man and don't really ever count my blessings but i also don't normally blame anyone else for the bad things that might come my way either.
as this is a photo forum i'm not going to go on about friends, family and loved ones etc…
i will talk about my gear though!
lots of really nice bags from major makers, ona, lowepro, think tank, tamrac, bbb…even a well made but less expensive promaster.
and in those bags?
man o man…a really nice minolta system, an x700, couple xd11s…lenses from 28 to 200, all in great shape, working well and bought on the cheap!
after a too long period i once again have a rangefinder camera with a couple of lenses…canon 7 with 35/50 and the 50 is a sonnar…sweet!
and my digital lovelies..the fuji x100 - talk about a sweet camera, small, light but well built and a great lens to boot!
add to that my x-e1 (with a second body on the way) and 3 fab lenses…18/23/60…i am loving that 23, much more than the fuji 35…not quality wise but i just so much prefer a 35 to a 50 fov!

i hope this doesn't come across as a 'look what i have' post as it's more meant to be a 'look at how damn lucky one guy can be' sort of thread.

my gear isn't the most expensive but it fits me and how i shoot and what i like to shoot. that's a blessing, no?

anyone else feel blessed? or lucky?

 

[PhotoMat]

My blessings are my two boys and the opportunity to share moments like this as a family.




... as well as the opportunity to capture these moments with my favorite travel camera, my Fuji X-Pro 1 and 14mm XF lens! (This is the obligatory camera/gear part of my post😉)

 

[noisycheese]

...i hope this doesn't come across as a 'look what i have' post as it's more meant to be a 'look at how damn lucky one guy can be' sort of thread.

my gear isn't the most expensive but it fits me and how i shoot and what i like to shoot. that's a blessing, no?

anyone else feel blessed? or lucky?

@back alley,

It's good to hear from someone who has a case of gratitude rather than a case of GAS. What a refreshing change!

I know how you feel, for I too am grateful for the cameras and lenses that The Universe/God/The Force/Fate/whatever-a-person-wants-to-call-it has blessed me with. Every day, I say a prayer of gratitude to The Universe/God/The Force/Fate/whatever-a-person-wants-to-call-it to say "thank You for all that You have given me. Thank You for allowing me to be a photographer."

In Buddhism, the Buddha taught that grasping - always craving and pursuing the latest, greatest "thing" - is a never-ending source of unhappiness and suffering for we humans.

To paraphrase the Talmud, "Who is rich? The one who is happy with what he has." This applies to all things in life, including photography. That has been my experience, at least.

The teachings of the Buddha and (the Talmud) regarding grasping versus gratitude have proven themselves to be true in my experience. Be grateful for the cameras and lenses that you do have - and use them as often as possible. As Napoleon hill rightly observed, "Happiness is found in doing - not merely in possessing."

I have given up on gear envy. I'm in a good place camera-wise. I'm content with the cameras and lenses that The Universe has provided for me to do my work with.

I don't have an $8000 Leica Monocrom M - and I don't sit around making myself miserable over that fact. Instead, I take my M4-P, a few rolls of Tri-X and a lens and go make some images. It's a lot more enjoyable than agonizing over the Monochrom that I don't own.

JMHO/YMMV. 😉

 

[shadowfox]

I am thankful that I have someone to give thanks to for what I am blessed with.
Yes, that includes photo gears. 🙂

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I'm always pleased to hear that people are happy.

🙂

 

[leica M2 fan]

i hope this doesn't come across as a 'look what i have' post as it's more meant to be a 'look at how damn lucky one guy can be' sort of thread.

Joe- perfect description of a happy man! For sure I am in that category. I don't need or want any more gear( at this time) but this could be subject to change. I'm also happy to hear from someone else who is happy. I am so thrilled every time I take one of mine out because it works so well and it's just fun!

 

[zuiko85]

You are right, it's not.....

But "expensive" is such a relative term.

Personally I have to consider carefully when, where and how much to purchase in film or paper. It is also discussed with the wife, my beautiful bride for 25+ years and my most fortunate blessing.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I am thankful that I have someone to give thanks to for what I am blessed with.
Yes, that includes photo gears. 🙂

Me also - give thanks

 

[bsdunek]

And Blessings to all of you. We have a lot to be thankful for.

 

[De_Corday]

I love the idea of this thread. Thank you for making it.

 

[pobe]

Every now and then (especially when browsing through the classifieds) I need to remind myself that when it comes to cameras, I already have my dream kit - an M4 with a 35 summilux. Just added an old elmarit 90mm to the kit as well, now I really don't need any more lenses. 🙂

I'm also married to the most beautiful woman in the world, got the two prettiest kids one could imagine, a deeply rewarding and satisfying that job that gives me lots of room for creativity with pretty good pay. It's hard to imagine life being more perfect, really. I almost feel guilty sometimes!

(WARNING: RELIGION) So I give thanks to God every day and know that I don't need to feel guilty about being happy because Jesus died for my sins and rose again. And I pray that I will keep appreciating my blessings, not taking them for granted, and that others might be blessed as well.

 

[Keith]

I feel blessed but not for gear ... it means little IMO.

I have some amazing friends who are constantly propping me up when I start to fall or falter. 🙂

 

[thegman]

I feel lucky to have been able to move to Australia. It's not simply that I prefer it to the UK, though I do, it's just having the opportunity to move around the world experiencing new things.

 

[MiniMoke]

My blessings?

My wife (married for 26 yeary soon), my 4 marvelous kids, that's what makes me happy, despite all the sticks and stones life usually throws in our way.

Had to sell all my digital gear lately, and then again.... it's gone now.

Had to make a lot of sacrifices lately, but that does not take away happiness! At least I force myself to see it that way.

Gear wise, I am happy all analog now with my Trip, my XA2 and my new acquisition, a Canon A-1. Wonderful camera, this is, and the lenses are dirt cheap and gorgeous.

The important is to focus (pun intended) on the really important things in life, and plan for the future. Just keep your plans real small or you'll be disappointed!

 

[bsdunek]

(WARNING: RELIGION) So I give thanks to God every day and know that I don't need to feel guilty about being happy because Jesus died for my sins and rose again. And I pray that I will keep appreciating my blessings, not taking them for granted, and that others might be blessed as well.

- Amen! -

 

[emraphoto]

well, it sounds very common but i am very thankful to be alive. very thankful indeed.

 

[sojournerphoto]

well, it sounds very common but i am very thankful to be alive. very thankful indeed.

Amen John. I'm also thankful that you are alive. In your case it means so much.

Mike

 

[sojournerphoto]

I'm always happy to find my brothers and sisters here. Amen.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

So I give thanks to God every day and know that I don't need to feel guilty about being happy because Jesus died for my sins and rose again.

You're always welcome to come along to our coven. The Castleford Ladies Magic Circle meets Thursday nights and blokes are allowed in provided they bring their own chickens...

😀