it is perfect!

back alley

back alley

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Jul 30, 2003
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most of us here at rff seem to be in search of the perfect set of tools to make our photographic journey that much more enjoyable.
cameras, bags, straps, sensors, editing software...whatever!
got me thinking if any of us have found a perfect tool?
something that we CANNOT improve upon, something that we USE WITHOUT A NEGATIVE THOUGHT popping into our heads?
so, be it a specific camera or that favourite cleaning cloth...do you have something perfect?
tell us what it is and how it is perfect for you.

for me...the one perfect thing i use in my photo endeavors is...my lance camera strap. why?
first off it is made to my size so it fits perfectly for me, my belly and my height. is has quick release ends that make taking it off the camera a 2 second deal...as long as my arthritis is under control...no fat ends to interfere with my fat fingers when holding the camera...it comes in various colours...so i have a black one and a grey one...easy to see in my bag and i pick the camera i want easily and quickly. it is soft enough to carry all day without cutting into my skin or shoulder...
it is perfect for me!
 
I do have some things that, if lost, I would replace *immediately* with the same item:

Fuji FX 35mm/f1.4 lens
Minolta MC 50mm/f1.4 lens
Domke F-8 bag

Everything else (that I can think of at the moment) might get replaced with something different.
 
I have a number of perfect things in my camera cabinet... That's why the darn thing is so full. :)

More seriously, I asked Harry Benz to make a neckstrap for my Impossible I-1 camera. It is perfect, exactly suited to me and that camera. Couldn't get better.

G
 
for myself, in the 35mm format, the perfect combo that can't be improved on anymore is a M6 + 35 cron. been using it for 5 years now. try various lenses in the period sell them all.
In medium format, i found my M6 + 50mm Mamiya combo. Another i can't find any ways to get anything better than its form factor, the way it shoots (exactly like the above combo but more negatives). This is the result of trying various other medium formats (3 rolleiflex/1 yashica mat/fuji g690).
 
I'm waiting for the new Sigma Quattro mirrorless H to come out ... then I'll comment! :D
 
M4-2 with any not-so old Leica made 35mm lens on it. I have many other great cameras and not film only ones, but only with this one I'm not thinking how to set it, how to focus. It all comes naturally. It is like playing on good music instrument.
 
Perfection in my photographic endeavor is multi-faceted and starts with an E46 50 Lux, the images from this lens continue to impress!

The Bessa R2S is perfect for mounting vintage RF Nikkors, and with a bright view finder and easy to work with rangefinder patch + metering + trigger advance... :)

My black paint Nikon F with F2 hardware is nostalgic perfection and brings to mind the film centered photography of the 60's, 70's & 80's.

Lastly, there is the perfection of a Nikon F2SB together with the following non-AI Nikkors:
20/3.5 UD
2.1cm/4
24/2.8 N
28/2 NC
9 blade 3.5cm/2.8 S
9 blade 35/1.4 N
9 blade 45/2.8 GN
9 blade 5cm/2 S
5.5cm/3.5 preset Micro
5.8cm/1.4
85/1.8 K
10.5cm/4 T
10.5cm/2.5 P
13.5cm/4 Q (Bellows)
9 blade 13.5cm/3.5 Q
135/2.8 Q
180/2.8 PC
28x45 K
25cm/4
 
Any of my Gordy's straps. I'm not sure how to define 'perfect', but they're the only photography related items I have that I can't think of a single improvement that would make me enjoy them any more...

The GR (V) and M2 are both close, but they each have a couple of niggles that I'd improve in fantasyland.
 
The M3! I shoot almost only 50mm, and there is nothing I would touch on the M3, especially after a CLA.
It might just be the only permanent thing in my pretty fluid dry cabinet.
 
If I were to loose all of my gear, I'd likely replace it with the exact same items.
But none of them are perfect. Everything could be improved in some way.
 
On a more serious note ...I give this 'perfect' award to my black OM-1. Nothing there at all to get in the way of a perfect photograph.
 
Paul C Buff Einstein Lights. Set of four with parabolic umbrellas, diffusion covers, reflectors with 15 and 30 degree grids. I can light almost anything.

First hi tech piece of gear that does not require a 600 page manual. Leica Digital RF come very close to being high tech and simple.

Nikon DSLR are effective, too complicated.

Nikon SB910 speed lights are probably the worst. They work extremely well, but you need to keep reviewing the instructions weekly.
 
Gordy's wrist straps, M6, Pentax LX, Gibson J45 acoustic guitar, Nanami Paper Seven Seas Writer notebooks, Blackwing 602 pencils, Lamy 2000 fountain pen, Mercer Hell's Handle fish spatula, Levi 513 jeans, Wahl Peanut hair trimmer, Baratza Virtuoso burr grinder, Adidas Samba sneakers, and a tentative thumbs-up to the Filson Small Field Bag as a camera day bag, which is working out pretty great so far.
 
I don't need perfect. I can't generally afford perfect, and I'm willing to put up with small imperfections in order to still be able to play.

EDIT: Also consider the Japanese concept of wabi sabi.
 
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