If you had $2000 to waste ............

[Memnon]

South side of Crete most definately.

 

[sf]

go to europe

duh

 

[35mmdelux]

i would give your friend $500 (US) and not a penny more. MF film is getting harder to get developed, never mind the much bigger cost factor. With $2K I'd buy a Leica M6 or M4-P and get a 35mm Summicron. Forget the MF, unless its one special picture.

 

[Andrew Touchon]

Crete...............

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have a better idea: buy the Mamiya 645 and celebrate by travelling south and shooting with it! 😀

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

Experiences and memories are worth far more than any stinking camera (no, I didn't really say that, did I?) 30 years from now, what would you be relating to someone over drinks, the beautiful week you once spent in Crete, or tales of your 645?
You have a camera already, right? Take the freakin' trip! Who knows what adventure awaits?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

go to europe

duh

Yeah, Bertram. You should go to Europe. It'll be very very cheap for you. How much flying in from Germany? 😉

 

[harmsr]

The trip without any reservations. Put GAS on hold and enjoy what you already have. Like others have said, "What will you be smiling over when remembering things in a few years?".

Ray

 

[Bertram2]

Well , if that is not a surprising result then I don't know what a surprise is !!
I had expected much more votes for the camera ! In principle I tend to the trip too, I always would prefer a new experience, just THIS offer was making me thoughtful, the more because, after a lot of going back and forth with all kinda designs and formats the 6X4,5 SLR seems to be the best MF compromise for my purpose.

A used system can't be the solution in this case, I never bought any used camera ( the offer is a new system from somebody I know and trust, , maybe two rolls, not more) and I do not intend to do it in future, for several reasons. But Gid's idea that I probably can find an even better offer later is in the year is somehow convincing.

Thanks so far to all for the votings !

Bertram

 

[yossarian]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but I'd pay off my f***king medical bills...

Fred

 

[sbug]

I'd go on a trip and I wouldn't second guess that decision for a second.

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but I'd pay off my f***king medical bills...

Fred

I think the qualifier here was "to waste".
Sorry to hear that you are underneath a burden.

 

[dexdog]

I would go to Sicily if I had $2K to spend.

 

[Doug]

I have been to Crete, and would love to go back. Consider, Bertram, that there are many Mamiya 645 kits and more nice ones will be for sale... and prices can only go down. Memories become more valuable, and you can aid memory with the great gear you already have. I would say go to Crete and enjoy!

 

[bobofish]

Use the $2k to hire a high priced hooker, take pictures, sell them on the internet, and use the proceeds to buy a house in Crete filled with wine and anisette.

Did I just say that?

Those cameras will be cheap cheap cheap soon enough. I see them all the time for not much money, and there really isn't any compelling reason to buy his for $2k, even though it is barely used and comes with some extras.

On the other hand, if he went down to $1200, then you could take a hell of a drive with your camera and a few days off. Maybe do the Prague Krakow Budejovice route, and buy yourself and your camera a couple of beers.

 

[Gid]

Bertram,

If you want new 645 at a good price, then consider the Bronica RF645. Still some available at less than £500 with a 65mm. Fantastic camera for the money, but very limited on the lens front - 65 and 45 which are still easy to find and a very rare 100. However, value for money you'd be hard pushed to beat. See Shutterflower's review for more info.

Regards

Gid

 

[RML]

The trip, of course! Cameras will be around forever. The chance to go on holiday not.

 

[Bertram2]

I have been to Crete, and would love to go back. Consider, Bertram, that there are many Mamiya 645 kits and more nice ones will be for sale... and prices can only go down. Memories become more valuable, and you can aid memory with the great gear you already have. I would say go to Crete and enjoy!

Watching these pic Id say you are right, a small choice of samples only:

Crete in April 2001

Regards,
Bertram

 

[berci]

If I had 2000 to waste, I would waste it immediately.

I wouldn't go to the south I would go north.

 

[Bertram2]

Use the $2k to hire a high priced hooker, take pictures, sell them on the internet, and use the proceeds to buy a house in Crete filled with wine and anisette.
Did I just say that?
.

Well, this idea isn't too bad , sounds like big fun, but I doubt that I could make my wife believe that the hooker is a model only . 😀 And to buy a house in Crete filled with wine and Raki you would need some really sensational photos nowadays, something like sex with a crocodile or so. Do i really want this ? Not sure ! 😉

bertram