In a rut.

[Stephanie Brim]

I love my Kiev, but it has to go back to Brian for a while and then I'll be left with my Nikon FE. The problem is, however, that the Nikon FE just doesn't move me as much as it did. I really want to get rid of it. Don't get me wrong, it's a great camera with a legendary lens on it to boot...I just want a change.

I have a few options for change that I've mulled over, and I've let myself get carried away by GAS a bit as well. I'm looking closely at the Olympus OM-1 as a replacement SLR, but I'm also looking harder at a medium format option such as a folder with a coupled rangefinder or a TLR. I've also pondered using nothing but a point & shoot for a while and getting a scanner.

My main concern is that I haven't gotten out and taken photos for a while, other than family things. It's driving me bonkers. I think it's because I need a change. The Kiev was going to be that change, but since it has to go for a while I something else. I know that the camera matters very little in the scheme of things, but sometimes changing things up can be a welcome jolt out of what I think is the photography equivalent of writer's block.

I don't know what to do. This isn't just GAS talking, because if it was I'd get something else and be done with it. I think my way of seeing things photographically is changing. I don't know. It may also be a side effect of pregnancy that I'm being overly picky and judging my own work too harshly.

As it is, suggestions are welcome for something that may be the change I need. I'd gladly trade the Nikon FE for something worth less, regardless of the price difference, if it somehow gave me satisfaction in my own photography again. Feel free to offer me things. What I say in my signature is true...I'm willing to try something different.

 

[kully]

Go out and take some photos, you'll be cleared of this befuddled GAS attack.

As someone once said "you can't buy yourself out of a rut".

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Yeah, but I have to send the only Kiev body I have to you WITH the Sonnar, so it kinda becomes a problem. 😉

I don't think I'll miss the FE as much as I did before. I've kinda realized that while I've gotten good shots with it before, it's been a long time since then. I don't really plan on selling it, per se, because trading it would be a better way to go. Someone could have the Nikon they've always wanted and I could get something different.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well, my OM-1 is busted and I sold off the lenses.

I have Nikon, Canon, Fujica, Argus/Cosina, Konica, Kodak Retina, and Chinon SLR's. They all work. Never had any luck with Olympus.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Hehe, I forgot about my Argus C3s. Course, one is firing at one shutter speed and the other one leaks light like my crappy kitchen faucet leaks water...so those are probably out of the question as well.

I could take my cute little folder out, but that would be kinda expensive to scan and show you guys. I also seem to suck at zone focusing. I have various crappy P&S cameras. I could build that pinhole I've been talking about. I could build a 4x5 box camera.

I think that there are various things that I can do with what I have, but there is also the lure of getting the Nikon to someone that will use it.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I've got a Contax G1 with 45mm Plannar that I just don't use - it was my entry into RF and I just couldn't get on with it...well that and buying my first M body means it just gathers dust. Its in good nick with a few scuffs etc on the body, lens seems pretty much perfect.

I've been in a rut for what seems like months now. I'm bored with the photography I'm doing in my day job and I think its affecting my personal photography. I still get the odd image I like but I'm just not shooting enough or seeing life's details at the moment - time for a change of direction I think!!

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Yeah, it's a change in direction thing. It isn't just that I want new gear, I want something that's going to knock the passion back into me again. What seems to do that is when I find something new and cool to use.

 

[rich815]

Get a Rolleicord. Someone was selling about 7 of them on the Rollei forum list (different than this site) for about $50 each a couple weeks ago. I got one. It's great. He might still have some...email me if you want his info.

 

[OurManInTangier]

Well the G1 is yours if you want it - I'm not convinced it will challenge you or change your style or way you see but it might reinvigorate you for a while.

There's no hurry and no offence taken if you don't want it.

Looking at a few other threads being discussed at the moment it seems ruts and lack of direction is a common problem at the moment

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Buy a Stereo camera.

I brought one when Nikki was born. Stereo, Nikon F2AS with 55/1.2, and a Leica Mini.

I resisted the "3-D Coming Right at YA" picture, plus I was busy. I did use the line "NO! That's what I'm paying YOU for!" when asked if I wanted to cut the umbilical. It was "Clean her up and hand her over!"

 

[35mmdelux]

Hi Steph -

First, congrats on your pregnacy. Let us know if its a boy or girl.

On ruts, I feel I know lots about that. What I've tried to do is to just start shooting. I've noticed that once I fire off a few loosey compositions my brain takes over and things begin to work.

Sometimes I fashion myself projects to work on. It is vital for us to get out and shoot to sharpen our skills. I love shooting color - K64, 100asa, portra - but would you believe I've been shooting a fair amount of HP-5 lately. For one its not expensive.

Before I pumped $ into my shooting habit I was quite content with a Nikon FM and 35mm/2.0. Went all over France with the rig. Don't let gear stuff stop you. Sam Abell (nat Geo) said he could make publishable fotos with his high cam. You can do it!

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Try Kodachrome.

Chris

 

[jarski]

your choices are many, we are living time of very cheap second hand film SLR's 🙂

I would not part from my FE for nothing.. well, to be honest, perhaps to a new M-body,
mind is weak..

 

[nikon_sam]

It may not be equipment related...Try using a totally different film and then try a totally different POV (Point of View)...Shoot things you've always wanted to but never have...look for different subjects...flowers, cars, old wooden/brick buidings, shadows of things...get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself...
Give yourself a project and a due date then go for it...It's not the camera but what's behind the camera that matters...

 

[Al Patterson]

I'm in a rut myself, as I usually shoot railroad shots, steam trains preferably.

maybe I should grab one of the rangefinders and load it with a roll of XP2 from the fridge and shoot some people. I wonder if any of the Philly guys are up for another try at Reading Terminal Market?

 

[clintock]

Well the G1 is yours if you want it - I'm not convinced it will challenge you or change your style or way you see but it might reinvigorate you for a while.

There's no hurry and no offence taken if you don't want it.

Looking at a few other threads being discussed at the moment it seems ruts and lack of direction is a common problem at the moment

It was a G1 that restored my faith in myself. That 45 planar is incredible!
Sure you have to remember to point the focus patch at the item you wish the auto to focus upon, but you have to do that with a manual RF too..
It's only shortcoming is that it's almost too good, like a Mercedes or Lexus with an automatic transmission.. You wish to be able to shift for youself sometimes..

 

[rich815]

I guess I consider myself lucky. Since I was 13 years old I've never been bored by photography or in a rut (30 years now!). My passion is so deep sometimes I simply need to click a shutter to feel right. I had a meeting downtown today so I walked the 1.5 miles from my office. Took my Rolleiflex 2.8C Xenotar with me this morning to work loaded with some Plus-X figuring I'd do this walk and shoot along the way. Got some nice shots of some buildings, shadows, people at corners, fancy/old hotel and apartment entryways, tourists, etc. Shot a roll and a half on the walk. Got some needed photo-making out of my system and dare I say perhaps a good one in the mix.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

The desire to say something is often frustrated by not having anything to say.

 

[dreilly]

Steph,
I'd hang on to the FE. (This coming from someone who just sold one, but do what I say, not what I do!--good parental training--NOT!) Anyway, I don't think the OM would be that creatively different. It's still an SLR, and my opinion is that all SLRs have more in common in terms of workflow and approach than any differences between them.

I agree with two points above posted by various members:

One, that a project could be a good idea to get you out of a rut.

Two, that a change of equiptment may work, if it significantly alters your interface with photography and its varied subjects. A few years back, I shot a Nikon FM2 (my gosh, I wish I knew about the FE back then, all that and more!) and my old Flexaret TLR. And I loved the differences. The TLR is a whole new approach to the subject, looking down but also straight at, with both eyes, nothing coming between you and your subject. I admit it's less exhilerating when your subject is a pile of old paint cans, but with people photography it's very, very cool. At least, I love(d) it.

TLRs have lots of naysayers and lots of supporters, and probably both camps are right for themselves.

I just replaced the Flexaret with a Minolta Autocord, which has a lens that people get all cultish and bothered over. I got mine from Karl Bryan, who repairs autocords and, notably, the Ricoh Diacords. If you search this form you'll find some really find work from Diacords. Last week he said he had two Diacords, both for around $100, and that's fully CLA'd with his guarantee they work.

I can pm you his email. Super nice guy, no better out there.

Back to the first point...projects! I tried the Fred Miranda pictures of the week, but after two weeks I stopped because the photography predominant there just wasn't my cuppa tea. My stuff stuck out. Just found JPG magazine online last night, and think I might give that a whirl. They collect submissions on all sorts of cool themes, and then actually publish the strongest (well, that's an editorial decision!) work in their magazine. You can also submit stories.

I realized a while ago that candid people photogrpahy is a challenge for me, so I determined to get better at it. I've started making up projects. This morning I got up at 4:30 am and went to the bakery of my friend Dustin to photography him making French-style bread, from mixing the dough and starter to it coming out of the oven. 4 hours of shooting (something like 600 images on my DLSR) and 8 rolls of 120 black and white film on the autocord, and it felt great. I hope to submit it to JPG as a story...who knows?

I also read about a cool portrait project that I desperately want to try:

http://photojojo.com/content/photo-projects/how-to-shoot-street-portraits/

I am quiet now.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I have something of a portrait project I'm wanting to do, but I wanted a TLR to do it with originally because the 6x6 format would lend itself nicely to this certain project. I could do it with 35mm, but there would be a lot of cropping involved when going to print. So...I think I want a TLR. My main problem is that I need to trade the Nikon because I haven't got cash to give at the moment, though some may be coming in a bit. I thought about borrowing one, but I don't know when I'll get the project finished and I don't want to keep someone's camera for a non-specific frame of time.