it is perfect!

[back alley]

the various interpretations on the question/answers is very interesting to me...

 

[zuiko85]

I'm a chronic tinkerer so I always think I have a better idea. That said the most liked stuff I have is mostly Olympus gear, camera wise. All older, Maitani designed cameras. An original vf Pen, a Pen F, OM-1, a Pen D, (guess I like half frame). But it is not that I think they cannot be "improved". The Pen D is modified and I removed the strap lug on the wind side of the Pen F and configured the camera to hang vertical from the strap.

 

[jsrockit]

Yeah, I can't think of anything that I have that I wouldn't change just a little bit. Something like the X-Pro2 and 35mm f/2 is close... but the diopter moves too easily (I think my strap hits it always), so I have to use tape to keep it in place.

 

[gdmcclintock]

Hard to say... Widelux, Welta Weltur 6x9, Chamonix 4x5, Polaroid 180, Leica M6, Nikon F, Rolleiflex...

 

[Leica All Day]

My item is actually quite simple, it's a soft release . I'm not 100% sure what brand it is (match technical ?), but it's made out of brass, it's easy to carry around in my pocket when I don't bring a camera bag with me, and the most important is it helps me when I'm shooting in low light with my Leica film cameras.

Cheers, michael

 

[Darthfeeble]

I am afraid I don't have anything perfect, but I'm so certain that next purchase will be it.

 

[ferider]

My bike.

--------

 

[Phil_F_NM]

My Nikon F2, particularly with the 2.1cm Nikkor mounted.
Leica M4 with DR Summicron.
Mamiya 6 with 50mm f/4.

My first pair of Swift Audubon 8.5x44 Gen 3 binoculars. Because sometimes I need to just see things instead of continually trying to capture them on film.

The TA large soft release.

My tripod.

My Lamy Safari pen.

My Alden "Indy Boots."

Phil Forrest

 

[cz23]

I am afraid I don't have anything perfect, but I'm so certain that next purchase will be it.

LOL. Isn't it always.

 

[AlexBG]

My minoltina. Pefrect size, meter that doesn't need a battery, great lens, cheap.

Actually prefer it to my M3.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

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.

I don't think these ideas are mutually exclusive—there are definitely things I consider "perfect," but which have flaws that contribute to my enjoyment of them.

 

[Roger Hicks]

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.

Dear Dave,

Perfectly analyzed! My list isn't the same but "replace *immediately* with the same item" has applied several times in my life. When my 35 Summilux was stolen in the early 80s I immediately replaced it with another (the first new Leica lens I ever bought) and if I needed a new Nikon digi body and lens it would be a Df and an old Micro Nikkor.

Bags would be Billinghams; meters, Gossen; QR heads, Q-Top.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Pablito]

I am very critical of all things, all the time. Drives my wife crazy. Of the stuff I use regularly, I am LEAST critical of the Nikon D800 which just gets so much right. Having said that I'm doing more work now with the Fuji system even thought the cameras are more "imperfect" and there is plenty to critique.

 

[SteveM(PA)]

I got this Yeti 20oz tumbler that is as close to perfect as anything I've ever had. Maintains my drink's temp for 6-7 hours. I tend to sip my coffee now, instead of chug, so I'm sleeping better at night too. Life-changing 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

So, are some of us too hard on stuff to notice perfection or are others to soft?

 

[Matthew Runkel]

Pentax digital spot meter

Artisan & Artist ACAM-103N straps (adjustable soft acrylic twill)

Linhof Universal Ballhead I

Later Leica R telephoto lenses (80mm and up)

R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman boots

Western Mountaineering Flash Vest

Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu tote bag H-04 (Large)


A thread on the near-misses would also be interesting.

 

[bmattock]

I don't think these ideas are mutually exclusive—there are definitely things I consider "perfect," but which have flaws that contribute to my enjoyment of them.

I think you and I might be in the minority. It seems that photography attracts obsessive personalities. Perfection is both expected and demanded by so many of them, it seems.

 

[maggieo]

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

I like good.

 

[bmattock]

The perfect is the enemy of the good.

I like good.

Agreed. But I think that may be lost on some.

 

[segedi]

But what about the perfectly good? 🙂

Perfection: Leica Summilux-M ASPH 50mm
Perfectly good: ANY 50mm lens - just go and shoot what you have. And make perfectly good photos!