ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
FrankS: Exactly, and sun dried tomatoes enough to last me all year.
Al Kaplan
Veteran
I clip coupons, see what's on sale, buy "2 for 1's" whether I need them or not because I'll need them later anyway when they're not on sale, know which "store brands" are probably made by the "name brand" I prefer. My register tape usually reflects an over all saving of about 30%. The check-out girls tell me that they wish their husbands shopped like I do.
Here in Miami, Florida the news media makes a big deal about stocking up on "hurricane supplies" every spring, and folks rush out and pay full price. I buy red and green candles for ten cents on the dollar the day after Christmas if I'm not already stocked up on orange and black ones from Halloween.
Right now I have enough canned goods, laundry detergent, napkins, soap, bathroom tissue, shampoo, to hold me through until 2010 and the fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and cheese were whatever was in season or on sale. I suppose that I save enough each year to pick up at least a clean user M2 body and another 35mm Summicron with decent glass, but I don't. The ones I bought thirty or forty years ago still work good as new.
I also bulk load my B&W film and roll my own cigarettes. The house is paid for. I installed new "current hurricane code" windows and shutters along with a new roof last year which saves me about $500 a year on my insuurance. I did that through a city administered state funded forgiveable loan. I owe nothing if I stay here for 7 years otherwise it's prorated over 7years and payable out of the proceeds of the sale. Another program they had for "moderate income" (I'm collecting Social Security) homeowners was a free exterior paint job including replacing any rotting wood on the eaves. What's strange about these programs is they don't figure net worh or "unearned income" such as dividends or capital gains. You could be a multi-millionaire as long as your EARNED income is under a certain amount. Between the forgiveable loan and the grant it totalled just under $30,000.
None of these programs consider that since my house is paid for I'm not spendg perhaps a thousand a month on mortgage payments either.
Then there's automobile insurance! Since I'm not working I'm driving a lot less. That dropped my premium by about 30%, but you have to call your agent and ask for the discount. Even in these tough times there's a lot of free money out there. Just don't have a job...LOL
Here in Miami, Florida the news media makes a big deal about stocking up on "hurricane supplies" every spring, and folks rush out and pay full price. I buy red and green candles for ten cents on the dollar the day after Christmas if I'm not already stocked up on orange and black ones from Halloween.
Right now I have enough canned goods, laundry detergent, napkins, soap, bathroom tissue, shampoo, to hold me through until 2010 and the fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and cheese were whatever was in season or on sale. I suppose that I save enough each year to pick up at least a clean user M2 body and another 35mm Summicron with decent glass, but I don't. The ones I bought thirty or forty years ago still work good as new.
I also bulk load my B&W film and roll my own cigarettes. The house is paid for. I installed new "current hurricane code" windows and shutters along with a new roof last year which saves me about $500 a year on my insuurance. I did that through a city administered state funded forgiveable loan. I owe nothing if I stay here for 7 years otherwise it's prorated over 7years and payable out of the proceeds of the sale. Another program they had for "moderate income" (I'm collecting Social Security) homeowners was a free exterior paint job including replacing any rotting wood on the eaves. What's strange about these programs is they don't figure net worh or "unearned income" such as dividends or capital gains. You could be a multi-millionaire as long as your EARNED income is under a certain amount. Between the forgiveable loan and the grant it totalled just under $30,000.
None of these programs consider that since my house is paid for I'm not spendg perhaps a thousand a month on mortgage payments either.
Then there's automobile insurance! Since I'm not working I'm driving a lot less. That dropped my premium by about 30%, but you have to call your agent and ask for the discount. Even in these tough times there's a lot of free money out there. Just don't have a job...LOL
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yanidel
Well-known
To me, this downturn is self generated in Europe. People say "it is the crisis" so everybody believes it and stop consuming. So I will go on with the same consuming habits for the moment, with the optimistic thought that this is just a little bump in the way ...
Nh3
Well-known
The current crisis will go down in history as he great economic panic of 2008.
Seriously, China's economy is growing at almost 9% and they still issued an economic stimulus package. the Canadian Banks are doing fine and yet the government is buying some of their loans.
wth is going on?
Seriously, China's economy is growing at almost 9% and they still issued an economic stimulus package. the Canadian Banks are doing fine and yet the government is buying some of their loans.
wth is going on?
c.poulton
Well-known
My company has just laid off some staff, and my salary has been reduced by 5% in a bid to keep us solvent, hopefully throughout next year. So I don't feel like buying new gear, even if I had the spare cash, which I don't unfortunately.
The cost of delevloping my negs is getting prohibative though, and its becoming a 'luxury' I can't really afford, so I am seriously looking into souping my own film next year in a bid to keep costs down.
Luckily I picked up a couple of new lenses six months ago, so my kit is pretty all there at the moment, so apart from GAS, I really don't need any new kit. In a way it's quite good to be forced to just use what you have and not to keep looking at the next purchase, which I was beginning to do.
The cost of delevloping my negs is getting prohibative though, and its becoming a 'luxury' I can't really afford, so I am seriously looking into souping my own film next year in a bid to keep costs down.
Luckily I picked up a couple of new lenses six months ago, so my kit is pretty all there at the moment, so apart from GAS, I really don't need any new kit. In a way it's quite good to be forced to just use what you have and not to keep looking at the next purchase, which I was beginning to do.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
A loyalty card from my local supermarket means plenty of printed coupons at the checkout. For a few weeks. Then they fade away.
So I take a new card every month to get new coupons.
So I take a new card every month to get new coupons.
peter_n
Veteran
My business depends on a healthy economy so revenue is down this year but not disastrously so. I bought a new dSLR system last week but I've sold a bunch of gear this year too. Actually I've sold much more than I spent so I still have a bit of a slush fund. 
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
I looked my consultancy rate compared to the turnover of my typical clients.
And then increased my rate ten times for new clients.
And then increased my rate ten times for new clients.
Olsen
Well-known
Even here in Norway with hefty oil revenues business has slowed down. The building sector seems to have stopped.
How come?
The banks seems to have too little money to go around. One of their important liquid assets, stocks, are plummeting in value. This because banks all over the world sell them to finance down payments on loans they owe to other banks.
Then there is this general sentiment of uncertainty in the whole business community. Producers of capital goods have great problems selling and operating since it demands a easy flow of credit, which seems not to be available to the same degree as - just a few months ago. Weird.
I have been in business for close to 40 years, but I can't remember to have faced anything like it. I think it is important to 'think positive' in this situation and don't overreact and do things very differently than 'normal'. Spending less can indeed make all this worse.
What to do?
This situation, In refuse to call it 'crisis' yet, do indeed offer opportunities, as quite a few here point to. The 2.hand market seems full of favourable offers. Close to brand new cameras are sold cheap. And so on...
How come?
The banks seems to have too little money to go around. One of their important liquid assets, stocks, are plummeting in value. This because banks all over the world sell them to finance down payments on loans they owe to other banks.
Then there is this general sentiment of uncertainty in the whole business community. Producers of capital goods have great problems selling and operating since it demands a easy flow of credit, which seems not to be available to the same degree as - just a few months ago. Weird.
I have been in business for close to 40 years, but I can't remember to have faced anything like it. I think it is important to 'think positive' in this situation and don't overreact and do things very differently than 'normal'. Spending less can indeed make all this worse.
What to do?
This situation, In refuse to call it 'crisis' yet, do indeed offer opportunities, as quite a few here point to. The 2.hand market seems full of favourable offers. Close to brand new cameras are sold cheap. And so on...
jarski
Veteran
if I had house loan, or kids, or both at the moment the consuming to luxury such as cameras would be naturally different.
but since this is not the case, even if I'm laid off I dont drop from that high. least thats the situation right now (before my boss calls me to discus about certain matters...) (definition of "boss" left intentionally open)
news here about factories stopped and starting all over in China or India is really nothing new, same was going on through the decade, also during years that are currently referred almost as "good old times"
but since this is not the case, even if I'm laid off I dont drop from that high. least thats the situation right now (before my boss calls me to discus about certain matters...)
(definition of "boss" left intentionally open) news here about factories stopped and starting all over in China or India is really nothing new, same was going on through the decade, also during years that are currently referred almost as "good old times"
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
I didn't know these things existed until I bumped across a few of ePay yesterday. $17K+ What!
I've been lusting over a Hasselblad SWC/M CF version and am dipping my toes in the water looking around for a minty example.
Olsen
Well-known
I didn't know these things existed until I bumped across a few of ePay yesterday. $17K+ What!
I've been lusting over a Hasselblad SWC/M CF version and am dipping my toes in the water looking around for a minty example.
The SWC/M is one of the best cameras ever made, to my opinion. They have always been expensive on the 2.hand market. If they were ever sold 2.hand, they were well used. Only lately you can buy mint ones for a resonable price. This is indeed the time to go searching for a SWC/M.
retow
Well-known
1. China grew because of overseas demand, mainly from US consumers.
2. If China learned one thing from the USA, then it is of how to doctor official statistics, theirs are as true as the US ones. Go figure why they issued a massive stimulus package, whilst their alleged economic growth should rather raise inflation than serious recession concerns.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Olsen,
I find them awkward to hand-hold, and with a less-than-smooth shutter release. Zeiss research found about 50% better on-the-film resolution with the same lens on an Alpa, both cameras being hand-held, mostly because of the Alpa's better grip and smoother release.
Cheers,
Roger
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monochromejrnl
Well-known
interesting how about 2/3 of RFF respondents' photo spending habits have been directly or indirectly affected by the economic downturn... that will have a real impact on the broader economy... thanks for responding...i'm quite surprised by the results of this informal poll thus far...
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
The way to hold your Hasselblad steady is to use a neck strap and push the camera down and then rest against your chest. I use the Voigtlander angle finder. I also use a short cable release to further avoid camera movement. The shutter release really isn't as smooth as the Rolleiflex.
jolefler
Established
I'm not economy savvy, but...
I'm not economy savvy, but...
to answer the original post, I'll mention the following incident:
I don't know if the Hassy 500c/m fits in your "premium camera" classification, but I just bought a small package deal off the 'Bay for about $200-300 less tha I found in the completed listing searches. It wasn't at an off-time for the auction close, but it did end on a week day, as opposed to Sunday afternoon.
Originally, I thought I'd look for a deal aroung the $500 mark for a complete camera. Couldn't find one for many months. As it turned out, I was able to get that, two backs, two finders, an accumat screen, Hassy UV, original and metering winder knob for just slightly more than the mentioned budget. I don't know if this deal is a result of the economy, or just an auction fluke.
You guys tell me the probable cause of the sudden bargain (at least I THINK, a bargain).
Jo
I'm not economy savvy, but...
to answer the original post, I'll mention the following incident:
I don't know if the Hassy 500c/m fits in your "premium camera" classification, but I just bought a small package deal off the 'Bay for about $200-300 less tha I found in the completed listing searches. It wasn't at an off-time for the auction close, but it did end on a week day, as opposed to Sunday afternoon.
Originally, I thought I'd look for a deal aroung the $500 mark for a complete camera. Couldn't find one for many months. As it turned out, I was able to get that, two backs, two finders, an accumat screen, Hassy UV, original and metering winder knob for just slightly more than the mentioned budget. I don't know if this deal is a result of the economy, or just an auction fluke.
You guys tell me the probable cause of the sudden bargain (at least I THINK, a bargain).
Jo
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Chinese competition for the dollar/Euro? Sure, low priced Chinese goods put people out of work elsewhere in the world, but so does new technology. Both result in lower prices, which is great for the end user.
I recently went to a "dollar store" and bought a card with two pair of nice sharp stainless steel scissors (large & small) with molded plastic handles, a set of three stainless steel mesh strainers, and a small wooden cutting board. All made in China.
One of those scissors is in the darkroom, the other in my office.
I also picked up a wall mount thermometer to check darkroom air temperature, a new one gallon plastic bucket for mixing chemicals, a large plastic slotted spoon for stirring them, a set of three funnels, and two measuring cups packaged together.
All that plus a cup of coffee (not made in China) for about ten bucks. Nearly half a century ago Kodak sold a plastic "stirring paddle" for $2.98 and a 32 oz. plastic "mearuring beaker" for about the same. Figuring for inflation, that Kodak made-in-the-USA paddle and beaker on it should each be in the $15 to $20 range today.
Many people are indeed having a tough time, it's more difficult finding a job, wages are stable or even dropping, but aside from the "housing bubble" and speculative investing in securities, our economy is in pretty good shape.
I recently went to a "dollar store" and bought a card with two pair of nice sharp stainless steel scissors (large & small) with molded plastic handles, a set of three stainless steel mesh strainers, and a small wooden cutting board. All made in China.
One of those scissors is in the darkroom, the other in my office.
I also picked up a wall mount thermometer to check darkroom air temperature, a new one gallon plastic bucket for mixing chemicals, a large plastic slotted spoon for stirring them, a set of three funnels, and two measuring cups packaged together.
All that plus a cup of coffee (not made in China) for about ten bucks. Nearly half a century ago Kodak sold a plastic "stirring paddle" for $2.98 and a 32 oz. plastic "mearuring beaker" for about the same. Figuring for inflation, that Kodak made-in-the-USA paddle and beaker on it should each be in the $15 to $20 range today.
Many people are indeed having a tough time, it's more difficult finding a job, wages are stable or even dropping, but aside from the "housing bubble" and speculative investing in securities, our economy is in pretty good shape.
retnull
Well-known
Here in NYC, getting a roll of B+W developed and scanned (no prints) is $20. I've got two kids who will need to go to college someday, so it's a bit selfish for me to shoot film like it was digital. And I already own several excellent cameras, so GAS is exposed for what it really is: base materialism, greed, selfishness.
Depression mentality? Sure, why not, if it helps us focus on what's important.
Depression mentality? Sure, why not, if it helps us focus on what's important.
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
Actually, Roger this reminds me of another option I may need to revisit: although I adore the Alpa (I drool when I go to their website), an economical alternative is the Fotoman 6x9 - not a 6x6 like the SWC - but an interesting alternative nonetheless (since we're talking economics here).
Widest lens they offer is the Schneider 38/5.6 Super Angulon XL. I don't know anything about that lens though.
(Sorry if we're going off-topic
)- Ray