I don't have GAS anymore...

[shadowfox]

... for a Leica that is.

First, sorry if this is the wrong forum, I don't want to post this in one of the Leica sub-forums because a) I'm not looking for an argument and b) I just want to share and see of there are others who feel the same way.

Ok, so here's the story, there are times in the past where I stayed well past midnight scanning the bay for an M3 or M2. I went to a local store to fondle an M4. During those times I thought I *need* a Leica to improve my picture taking skills (GAS is devillishly devious).

But then there are times when I look at pictures from Leicas and I thought to myself, hmmm... these pictures are consistently *very* good, but I've seen similar pictures just as consistently good taken with a P&S with a good lens by some very talented, noname photographer on flickr.

I finally have to admit that rationally, I cannot explain why I *need* a Leica. Most importantly, I see that all the photographers whose works I admire use Leica because they can, not because they *need* it (will be glad to be proven wrong).

Wow! wait! you may say, "but you're using a small resolution web pictures as a reference, wait until you see a beautiful large print from a Leica"

Well, so I've thought also for a while, remember, I'm still trying to justify my need of a Leica. Then my eyes are opened to prints from a Medium Format camera... hanging on the wall, blown-up. Speechless is an understatement...

Maybe, just maybe, someone here can show me a big, blown-up (i'm talking gallery/museum size) print from a super-multi-coated Summilux on an MP that can impress me more than a good print from a 50-years old
$150 MF folder... but I know I am losing the battle to convince myself that I *need* a Leica.

Maybe I'm undergoing what some veterans have always known, "if pictures are your end goal, you'll end up with a Large Format", someone wrote once.

I don't think I'll be lugging an 8x10 setup soon, but let me tell you, to stay true to the spirit of RFF, I'm reading a whole lot about Mamiya 6 (and Six), Fuji GW's, and certo6.

So finally, to my surprise, my GAS for Leica subsided, a whole lot. If a good bargain comes by, I'll still take it, but I'm not looking actively anymore, biting my nails as I spent God knows how many hours "researching". And you know what? I feel better.

Anyone here feels the same way?

BIG NOTE: This post is not a challenge or a knock to those who have Leicas, if you think I'm wrong, hey, then I'm blissfully ignorant 😀. This is more of a musing, speaking for ... as usual, myself.

 

[fidget]

Well done! you've headed off GAS for the time being. I too have though that i should have an M2 or M3, but this is partly to own and use a piece of engineering excellence, which could be worth more when I come to sell it than I paid for it (now that would be a novelty!). Thus MY GAS was backed up by a sound financial case!!!!!?!?!
I have decided to make better use of what i have and to continue to collect interesting and inexpensive RFs. When I want a high resolution image, with wonderful tonality and less intrusive grain, then i use my MF gear (which can produce fabulous images, far beyond my skills to harness to the full) I can recommend that you try this.
And yet, it's not all about sharpness is it? It's a quality that the picture can have, isn't that the main reason that most of us use film?
Good luck with the GAS, but don't be fooled into thinking it won't come back.

Oh, and I should say that in my case a Bessa R2 came along at just the right time so GAS is low at present.

 

[ferider]

Makes sense somehow.

The worst reason to buy a Leica is to follow the fanatic, religous lens cult that exist,
in particular now that really good, modern alternatives exist (ZM and CV).

I came to RF and Leica bodies from a vintage Hasselblad system, BTW.
I can distinguish applications for the two systems much easier than
say OMs vs. Ms ... Not much I can do with a Leica that I cann't do with
an OM, except play with the huge amount of available LTM lenses.
(The 85/2 is as close to a Sonnar as you get with Zuikos ....)

Cheers,

Roland.

PS: you sure no more Leica GAS ? A few too many words if you ask me 😉

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Congratulations! I don't have Leica GAS either... but I have a serious addiction to bidding for cameras on the 'bay just for the heck of it.

I must admit, though, to bidding only in realistic terms (which means if I win, I'm willing to buy the item and probably keep it).

But Leica GAS? Long gone... 🙂 mostly because I have all the stuff I ever wanted.

In your case, you really showed you have a working brain. Again, congratulations!! 😀

 

[35mmdelux]

There is no rational explanation why I want a black paint Ferrari. But I do.

 

[shadowfox]

PS: you sure no more Leica GAS ? A few too many words if you ask me 😉

Are you saying I'm long-winded, Roland? 🙄

 

[thomasw_]

Ah you are relieved of the L gas!? I am happy for you. Yet I have a bit of L gas left in me; but it is very focussed and patient gas: I desire a digital M body and a noctilux at some point in my life, probably years from now when I retire. Other than that, as a hobbyist, I am very happy with my Ms and my collection of L, CV and ZM glass.

 

[shadowfox]

There is no rational explanation why I want a black paint Ferrari. But I do.

Didn't say I don't want a leica, I just don't have "obsessive desire to acquire" (a.k.a GAS) one anymore.

Hmmm ... Ferrari's... the F360 is the coolest.

 

[RObert Budding]

I don't have leica GAS, either. But the Bronica RF645 GAS was pretty severe for a while. But now I own the camera and 3 lenses!

 

[branki]

Congratulations! The Flickr is a good source of inspiration, I also use it quite a lot for the same reason.


BTW, my Leica-Gas is also gone, and so are the long nights roaming the 'bay for THE M2 deal.




Now i'm onto something even worse.... the LargeFormat GAS....

God have mercy on me.

 

[f/stopblues]

My Leica GAS was abruptly interrupted by my not-nearly-as-fun "SLAS" (Student Loan Acquisition Syndrome) which will plague me for the foreseeable future. I have a feeling I'll need to accquire a taste for mac & cheese and Ramen very soon as well.

In the meantime I'll have to "make due" with my current gear. Course, the best gear is the gear you actually shoot with! Cheers to prolific shooting, whatever your gear!

 

[rover]

I don't have Leica GAS either... but I have a serious addiction to bidding for cameras on the 'bay just for the heck of it.

Amen, may that never change.

Honestly, I am in the same boat, my GAS is very controlled, and I think it is because I admitted to myself that I am a collector. It is a different reason to have a Leica, or any other camera, but still a worthy one. I shoot with my cameras, but I enjoy just having them. I shoot mostly with my R4 now, because it matchs what I am doing, but enjoy, without GAS, the knowledge that there are other ways and toys too.

 

[jesse1dog]

Interesting thread!

My photo experienes span too many years with a big gap in between.
I went from a Vito B, through Oly Pens, Leica III, to a Yashica SLR, then Pen F, and there it stopped due to bringing up family and the dreaded work. And no urge to take photos - not much energy left either!

Then came a second phase - work provided an Oly OM1!

Third phase, and the present one, back to roots!
i.e. got out the tin trunk with the family cameras in it.
The Canon Sureshot that had been used for family holiday had died a death.

But I had GAS and had to have a Leica.
Got one, got two - but somehow they haven't provided the satisfaction that I had anticipated.
So Periflex - bit of a joke and challenge - nice idea but ...

Back to 'proper' Rangefinders - Oly 35RC.
Now why haven't I had one of these before?
And to supplement, a Ricoh 500GX.
And the penny has dropped as to why the works OM1 was so good.
It got pensioned off at the same time that I did, so its now going to 'get the treatment'.
The GAS for Leica has gone completely.
The Olympus cameras just suit me fine - the size, heft and weight are just right for ME.

And that is really the point isn't it! Having equipement that suits the way you want to use your camera, to take the pictures you want to take, how you want to take them.

Thankfully no two of us are alike but let's all use what we have.
I do need some lens caps and odd bits and pieces but for the present 'I've done'.

 

[oftheherd]

Good for you. I don't think I ever had Leica GAS. But like Francisco, I did suffer from a serious addiction to bidding. Since I have zooms to cover 18mm to 300mm (with the doubler) in a camera that can use my Zeiss T* 50mm f/1.4, 50mm, 65mm, 100mm, and 150mm for my Super Press 23, a couple of 4x5 cameras that really haven't seen use yet but some nice glass for them, and finally the triple Turner Reich for the 8x10 ( that may never get used, sigh ), what else could I possible want? I even have some nice folders in 35mm and 645/6x7/6x9. If I can't take nice photos with all that gear, the Leica name isn't going to help. Oh, did I mentione I have some nice Fujica cameras and lenses? 😀 😀

For those who like and can afford Leicas, good for you. If you think your lenses are superior to any of mine, good for you. But mine are certainly good enough for me, and I don't think my Fujinons or the T* are so much worse I am going to loose any sleep.

Now all that said, I have had serious GAS for some other things in the past. I understand the "need" that is hard to rationally justify. So again, good for you to get conquer something that needs to be conquered.

Now when we get oet Leicas, we can corfortably point back to our public denials of fullfilling GAS. NOT! I would just about have to have one given to me to acquire it. I just really don't want them. I don't really feel the pleasure others might from the Mini Zoom.

Hope no one thinks I am protesting too much. 😀

 

[ferider]

Honestly, I am in the same boat, my GAS is very controlled, and I think it is because I admitted to myself that I am a collector.

It's very simple really:

You know you're a collector ......


..... if you buy a lens on ebay or here and need 2-3 additional trips to ebay,
pnet or RFF classifieds to get the right hood, filter and adapter.

Ask a stamp collector ....

Roland.

 

[rover]

I always buy the hood at the same time to save me the pains of further search.

And you know, the mint makes coin collecting so easy now. I have subscriptions to the items that I want, and then each year when the new one is made, it arrives on my doorstep. Can't even get GAS for coins.

 

[arbib]

You'll be Craving GAS in 3 months 😀

 

[Trius]

Will: Besides, I believe there are several models of Olympus fixed lens that you do not yet have ... and you are just beginning the quest for a variety of MF folders that have their individual charms. 😀

 

[shadowfox]

Will: Besides, I believe there are several models of Olympus fixed lens that you do not yet have ... and you are just beginning the quest for a variety of MF folders that have their individual charms. 😀

I know 😀

Wow, a lot of positive comments, even from leica owners. And that makes me feel even better. Thanks guys.

MF folders are fun because many (including me, until recently) just look over it, not realizing that a lot of them are still WORKING.

Just a soft *thud* and you get a nice 6x6 negative (God willing, properly exposed 😛).

 

[LeicaTom]

Well........I had a serious GAS for a Canon f1.5 50mm in LTM and I cured it with buying it
"all at once" Lens, Caps, Hood and UV filter and it`s now my favorite LTM lens - fitted to my happy little 1946 IIIC

I still want to fill a small gap with Leitz era lenses, I just bought a f2.0 Summitar and I`m looking for a f4.0 90mm Elmar so it`s kind of a collector/user situation with my Leica`s really, though it looks like a start of a serious collection, I really honestly use my stuff because of my business *Retro PinUp Photography* and using the old gear just enhances the whole look of my work, I did use a Leica M6 before
(and loved it) for my "crossie" work and slide Kodachrome stuff, but I missed the whole Screw Mount feeling, I had to get it back again - so I traded the M6 for a
IIIC K "Grey", bought a 46' IIIC, then some Leica lenses from a General, then another 46' IIIC and then a Canon f1.5 50mm and and and what`s next? .....ok I know I`m sick...... 😛


Tom

P.S. I`m using FULLTIME a 1970`s Vietnam era Canon F-1 for the major part of my work day, but the old Leica`s just add joy to my photoshoots as they are fun and just more a part of the whole Retro feeling