foolish thoughts...?

[back alley]

the other day, in another post, there was some discussion concerning photography being a hobby and how that impacted some in terms of gear and gear usage...as opposed to those still hopeful of having photography as a profession...
it got me thinking that part of the reason i gave up my rd1 was that it was only 6 mega pixels and i 'really' needed something 'more'...that and i was having a hard time focusing manual lenses as quickly as i once could.
my reality is that i took some of my favourite pics with an rd1 and now i wonder if i should think about getting another?
i loved everything about that camera...
i could sell or maybe trade an xe1/27 for a body...pick up a nice cv 25 or a 40 and set sail for new adventures...and hold on to the rest of my fuji kit as well...
how does photography as a hobby impact your choices?

 

[burancap]

how does photography as a hobby impact your choices?

Completely. A hobby is by my definition, something that rewards one with pleasure. If I do not derive pleasure from a piece of kit (or whatever any hobby might include), it gets circular-filed. I am happy to say that I have pretty much been to the mountain top and back with my gear and I have now landed with a very basic set. The pleasure is trickling back in. I shot more this past Saturday than I have in weeks.

 

[blumoon]

my reality is that i took some of my favourite pics with an rd1 and now i wonder if i should think about getting another?
i loved everything about that camera...

I think you should get another R-D1, and I have a mint beauty listed in the classifieds right now.

 

[JP Owens]

I don't think the RD-1 holds the magic. Establishing a long-term relationship with a camera is really the key, whether it's an RD-1 or XE1.

 

[FrankS]

It's a hobby, so do what makes you happy.

 

[back alley]

my reality is that i took some of my favourite pics with an rd1 and now i wonder if i should think about getting another?
i loved everything about that camera...

I think you should get another R-D1, and I have a mint beauty listed in the classifieds right now.

yes, i saw that one...looks good.
i'd have to sell something first though...

 

[gb hill]

I shoot the furniture market every fall & spring & carried along my Bessa RF. I became so frustrated using that camera. Being completely manual I found myself fiddling with the settings walking around going from direct sunlight into shade, the light was stunning streaming down through those tall buildings. I had to change my strategy of standing & wait. I love to walk & shoot. I wanted my SLR so bad. Came home picked up my SLR & something clicked.

So now I'm going back to my Canon AE-1p from where I started. I'm building a small kit & am going to do a social documentary project with it. I'm even at this point thinking about selling off my Bessa gear & lenses to get a Nikon F2 or F3 & a couple of lenses. Leaning toward the F2, what a stunning mechanical camera. So for me that is where I'm at right now.

 

[Ben Z]

how does photography as a hobby impact your choices?

It impacts what, how much and how often I buy, as these are not moneymaking tools, and in this day of digital the old paradigm of residual value isn't what it used to be.


I have not upgraded from the MK 1 5D because I am not in competition to sell my images, so 2004 technology works as well for me today as it did then. It's especially true with Leica given the cost. All my lenses are older, bought before the company started price gouging. I will not likely upgrade from the M240 for a long time. Never, if Leica abandons or electronifies the rangefinder.

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi Joe

I fully understand how it feels to look back at old images and credit the old gear for taking them.
The reality is that the photographer took them. Credit the gear all you want. At the end of the day it has little impact on the images you find and bring back.
I've been tempted by inexpensive RD1's since the day I traded you my last one (2012).
Getting one won't change that I have changed and so has the world I photograph.
If you just wish for the pleasure using the machine brings than maybe go for it.
It's one of those itches only action can scratch.
OTOH,..If you think it can bring back something that you feel is missing you may be disappointed.
What you may realy need is what we all probably really need....some new favorite pics to look back at. 🙂

Best!

 

[Out to Lunch]

The Epson R-D1...s...x.... It's a winner. Whenever I come back from an extended photo trip, the Epson often outshines the competition. I'd get a minty one from Japan. Perhaps some RFF members can help to source the right one for you.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

....
I have not upgraded from the MK 1 5D because I am not in competition to sell my images, so 2004 technology works as well for me today as it did then. ...

I was using 5D yesterday at BD party and was asked to take portraits before and after.
No problems with taking pictures, fast and easy. Absolutely usable ISO1600 and 3200 if with flash or enough light. The only problem it is so huge and heavy.
Just wearing camera, zoom and flash kit on the neck strap starting to feel like workout after five minutes.
No way to sit with it by the dining table, or place it nearby...


I don't think R-D1 single digit MPs are the limit if most of the pictures to bee seen on the computer screen. I'm downsizing my cameras files to 2800 pixels and no problems with screen viewing and printing at most common sizes.

4 seconds writing and 50 frames per battery is perfect for mediations with camera.
I'm self debating between R-D1, Fuji X series and M8. Two are available locally and this is how I could buy/trade for now. But I keep on thinking of R-D1, which is very rare to find locally as something I would really like as film M user.

 

[Godfrey]

If an R-D1 is what punches the clock for you, why not?

Photography as hobby, avocation, even business ... Get ahold of the gear that lets you stop thinking about the gear* and just get on with the photography. To really excel at any of these kinds of endeavors means you have little energy to waste being distracted by or fighting with the gear.

* unless your passion really is the gear .. And there's nothing wrong with that, just don't fool yourself into calling it Photography. 🙂

G

 

[gb hill]

Joe if I recall at one time you had 2 R-D1's in your stable. Think back to the reason why you got rid of them both in the 1st place & do you really want to sell off the Fuji?

 

[back alley]

Joe if I recall at one time you had 2 R-D1's in your stable. Think back to the reason why you got rid of them both in the 1st place & do you really want to sell off the Fuji?

i sold the rd1s basically for 3 reasons...the least was the 6mp limit...but it mostly was that i couldn't focus as fast as i once could...that was a combination of my eyesight and arthritis in my hands (on the bad days)...
the xe1 was the 'best' digital to replace the rd1 as it most closely resembled the rf experience for me.

 

[FrankS]

i sold the rd1s basically for 3 reasons...the least was the 6mp limit...but it mostly was that i couldn't focus as fast as i once could...that was a combination of my eyesight and arthritis in my hands (on the bad days)...
the xe1 was the 'best' digital to replace the rd1 as it most closely resembled the rf experience for me.

Has anything changed?

 

[gb hill]

Has anything changed?

If it has I need some of what Joe's taking for my shoulder. It's been killing me lately. 😀

 

[back alley]

voltaren...not a miracle but it does help...

no, not a big enough change to go backwards...

 

[f16sunshine]

I Read your signature line.
Xe-1 27mm
Xe-2 16/23/56 mm

I think you're set!
The rd1 has not become any easier to focus.
It's issues are the same and maybe worse.

It still does not have any chance of wifi transfer (ok a wifi card but only for the rd1x model).

Batteries suck and will become scarce.
2gig cards ?? Really?

The swivel screens are suspect and can die from simple disconnection at any time.

RF alignment is easy to loose (easy to adjust too)

Service can cost as much as a camera and is not exactly right around the corner.

Just Being the devil here Joe... It's not all roses.
Having rowed the same boat.... If it was all roses you would never have left it...

Just saying 😉

 

[back alley]

I Read your signature line.
Xe-1 27mm
Xe-2 16/23/56 mm

I think you're set!
The rd1 has not become any easier to focus.
It's issues are the same and maybe worse.

It still does not have any chance of wifi transfer (ok a wifi card but only for the rd1x model).

Batteries suck and will become scarce.
2gig cards ?? Really?

The swivel screens are suspect and can die from simple disconnection at any time.

RF alignment is easy to loose (easy to adjust too)

Service can cost as much as a camera and is not exactly right around the corner.

Just Being the devil here Joe... It's not all roses.
Having rowed the same boat.... If it was all roses you would never have left it...

Just saying 😉

you're killin' my buzz man! ...lol...

 

[Paulbe]

Greg--the F3 is a MUCH better camera(IMO)! Easier to use than the F2, more modern meter and was built specifically to handle the MD4 motor. Great prices on those cameras these days. The F2 is great mechanically, but the F3 is easier to get along with. Hard to go wrong with an F3.
Paul