sper
Well-known
I've been running into a lot a titanium things lately. It occured to me that a R4x-Ti would be pretty cool! I might conisder shelling out a grand for one. At least it would shut up Ken Rockwell who keeps insisting that they're made of all plastic, even though they're not.
Would anybody else be interested in this? Or do you think it would be so close in cost to an M6 or Zeiss Ikon that they wouldn't make sense?
Would anybody else be interested in this? Or do you think it would be so close in cost to an M6 or Zeiss Ikon that they wouldn't make sense?
Special Edition and Voigtlander seems a bit odd to me... though they have made special edition stuff in the past. Honestly, when I buy Voigtlander, I buy it because I'm looking to save cash vs. something else. So, no, I wouldn't be interested. That said, the R4m/a is a special camera, so I believe you picked the right model for this.
unixrevolution
Well-known
I think a titanium anything is cool, so long as it's titanium for its resilience and strength and not just looks.
rbsinto
Well-known
Regardless of its rating on the all-important Scale of Coolness, do ya think a Titanium camera body takes better pictures than one made from brass, aluminum-alloy or polycarbonate?
Just wondering.....
sper
Well-known
Of course not, but they will theoretically stand the test of time longer and probably serve to add value in the used market.
This came to mind because I was playing with a Nikon F3/T today at B&H and it had a solid, heavy feeling. The kind you get from an M6. Also, it was priced at $499, where as a similar condition F3 body was priced at around $270.
I think the Bessa is a good design, smartly built with a nice finder, film loading mechanism, and aperture priority system. Not having it auto select frame lines is for me smarter after looking at bunches of Leica's who's auto selector was failing to work properly. I don't use my camera's too hard, but because I like my R4A so much that I would love to have a sturdier version if the option was available to me.
rbsinto
Well-known
Look, I really don't care whether they make a body from Titanium, Plutonium or Kryptonite, but it always makes me laugh when I hear this argument.
Exactly how many cameras have you, or anyone you know worn out because they weren't made from Titanium? I'll bet none.
I think this Titanium business is just another "boys and their toys" bit of silliness.
"Oh you've got the Pro Zabba Dabba? Well mine is the Titanium Pro Zabba Dabba. I see you and I raise you."
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Just when I was about to buy a titanium monster truck rbsinto had to come in here and make me feel self-conscious... 
rbsinto
Well-known
Just when I was about to buy a titanium monster truck rbsinto had to come in here and make me feel self-conscious...
My work here is done......
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
No.
the bessas are great because of their low cost. Titanium would just drive that up. the top plate of the bessas have too many curves and nooks to make a reasonably priced camera. If anyone were going to pay that much for a camera, they might as well get a Leica.
So, yeah, it would be cool, but so is a 1965 Ferarri 275GTB.
Phil Forrest
the bessas are great because of their low cost. Titanium would just drive that up. the top plate of the bessas have too many curves and nooks to make a reasonably priced camera. If anyone were going to pay that much for a camera, they might as well get a Leica.
So, yeah, it would be cool, but so is a 1965 Ferarri 275GTB.
Phil Forrest
unixrevolution
Well-known
Theoretically a Titanium-cased camera is stronger than a plastic or brass or steel one. But most of the Titanium things are coatings, so it doesn't really matter.
I do have a solid titanium spork. That thing is indestructible.
Zonan
Well-known
Nothing short of the Hello Kitty edition would motivate me!
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
totally off topic...
totally off topic...
I love the classics. Smooth, sleek lines. If I were to pick a modern Italian though, it would be the 430.
That brings up the off-topic question: what European luxury or sports car does the discerning rangefinder shooter drive?
Sorry to derail the topic, I just love that bright red!
Phil Forrest
totally off topic...
I always liked the 308 QV.
I love the classics. Smooth, sleek lines. If I were to pick a modern Italian though, it would be the 430.
That brings up the off-topic question: what European luxury or sports car does the discerning rangefinder shooter drive?
Sorry to derail the topic, I just love that bright red!
Phil Forrest
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Phil,
If I could afford one, no contest: Bristol 402, with 401 and 403 as second choice. No filthy foreign muck! Wouldn't mind ANY Bristol, though, really.
Although I've driven all three, the only sports classics I've actually owned are much cheaper: Triumph TR2/3/4.
For luxury (again, driven but not owned): Daimler DE36. Rolls Royces are so vulgar, cramped and noisy. But quite economical on fuel...
Cheers,
R.
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tomalophicon
Well-known
A Bessa made of mercury would be more exciting for me personally.
tomalophicon
Well-known
You should stop running in the titanium shop.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
<insert jab at Italian/English sports cars here>
Cuz they're always in the shop?
No. Cos the DE36 did about 8 MPG. Besides, I'd not call either Daimlers or RRs sporting, at least since the 20s. The DE36 was late 40s/early 50s.
Actually, old British sports cars are surprisingly reliable but <insert jab at American motorists here> they require maintenance. Oil changes, things like that. Or even just checking the oil level occasionally.
Cheers,
R.
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Roger Hicks
Veteran
Ahh, 8mpg... Sheesh. It's almost as good as my SUV.
Maintenance? Oil changes? What is this you speak of? We just return the lease and let someone else deal with it!
But... Touché!
IMPERIAL gallons, not the short, American or wine gallon, 4/5 the size of a proper gallon! Rolls Royces of the period delivered 10-15, as I recall. But a 1930s Cadillac V16 made 'em both look economical: 2-4 mpg, as far as I recall.
Weak beer AND short pints. Oh, dear. Who was it said that the United States was the first country to go from initial barbarism to final decline without the customary intervening stage of civilization?
(Note for any humour-impaired reading this: insert smilies as required.)
Cheers,
R.
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Bobfrance
Over Exposed
Depleted uranium seems to be popular these days.
robbeiflex
Well-known
Any cosmetic use of titanium, carbon fiber, and any other material that is useful for making bicycles lighter and/or stiffer is a very, very bad idea, as it drives up the price of my other hobby. Don't even consider it!
kevin m
Veteran
The term Roger is looking for is "high maintenance."