Rafael
Mandlerian
I want to begin by stating that this post is in no way meant to critique the current efforts to make RFF more centered on photographic images. I applaud these efforts and I really look forward to seeing what develops over the next little while. This is the first time that I have ever posted anything that touches on the politics of RFF. But, for some time now, I have been bothered by the characterisation of the RFF memebrship as a bunch of "gearheads." Actually, to be precise, it is not the characterisation that bother me but rather the implied sub-text of this characterisation and the reactions that some have to it. So here are my thoughts on the subject. Take them for what they are worth.
It seems to me that there are actually several issues all wrapped up in the discussions that pit "gearheads" against "shooters." The perceived worst of the worst, as far as I can tell, is the rich individual who has little or no photographic skill but owns thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of gear. Every now and then, we do get threads around here that begin with a post along the lines of:
"I just took up photography last week and really love it. Now I need some advice. What would be the best body for my new Noctilux. I already bought an MP3 kit. But I hear that it's not automatic. Should I buy a new M7? Also, I want a 75mm lens. What's the difference between a Summicron and a Summilux? Oh, and what is the lever on the back of the camera for? Thanks."
Now, I'll admit to sometimes being a bit irked by these posts. And meeting these types of people in person can be even more trying. I recently shot a job where I was met by a guy who clearly could not figure out what all the buttons and dials were for on his D2Xs with AF-S 500/4 VR that he had mounted on a pile of Gitzo and Arca Swiss gear that must have cost at least $1500 by itself. Of course, this guy wanted to talk gear as I was trying to shoot the event.
Let's call this first type Mr. $$$. I'll call the second type Mr. Collection. This is the individual who owns every camera and lens under the sun but never takes them off of the shelf. Mr. Collection might not even be a photographer.
Now, what do Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection have in common? The answer, I believe, is that we resent them. We resent Mr. Collection for driving up the price of gear that he will never use. And we resent Mr. $$$ for having what we can only dream of, even if we make our living at photography.
So what do we here at RFF do about this resentment? Many people go out of their way to make it perfectly clear that they are neither a Mr. $$$ or a Mr. Collection. Some preface every discussion of their own gear with a reminder that theirs is a "pro kit" or a "shooter's kit." Others regularly remind us that their 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 thousand dollar camera has more battle scars than Tie Domi (a little Canadian content for you). Alternatively, they scoff at any suggestion that one should take care of expensive camera gear. "Take it out and use it." Hurricanes, lightning storms, white water rafting, sky-diving, the slums of Cape Town, the family reunion - HAH!! - those are the conditions for which these cameras were made.
Why does any of this matter? It matters because our visceral reactions against Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection, along with our clambering to make clear to all that we are neither of these characters has led, I believe, to the denigration, sometimes explicit, sometimes implied, of a third character who, in my opinion, does not deserve it. The third character is the photographer who likes to try, test, and discuss gear. For this character, the photography is primary. But photography is not exlusively about the final image. It also includes the act of taking photographs. And so, this character is interested in finding, trying, and discussing gear that will help him or her to express him or herself photographically but also that will be pleasing to use. And quite frankly, I think that the vast majority of those who contribute regularly to RFF are described, at least to some extent, by this third character.
Many of us cherish romantic ideals of the fabulously talented individual for whom technology and gear are of no interest. I'm thinking of the author who writes novels long hand with a fountain pen, or the painter who is so inspired that he or she will paint on anything that he or she finds lying around the house, or the photographer who has used the same camera and lens for the past 40 years and who manages to make every frame a masterpiece. But, the fact of the matter is that most of us here are not of this sort.
So what am I asking? Quite simply, I am asking that we all accept what we are and enjoy RFF which, despite its flaws, is a special place in cyber-space. I am certainly not suggesting that the site can't be improved or that it shouldn't change to better reflect the RFF community. But many of us could put a little less effort into elevating ourselves above Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection. The "mine is a pro shooter's kit" and the "mine is more beat up than a grade one boy named Chris - short for Chrysanthemum" posts unnecessarily denigrate those who enjoy discussing gear and those who take care of their gear. And while we're at it, we might want to re-think our resentment of Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection. Personally, I'm not much of a wine collector. I prefer to use wine. But that doesn't mean that I have nothing in common with a wine collector or that we have nothing to say to one another. And, with the little effort it takes to get past the resentment, I might find that I even have something to say to Mr. $$$. Or maybe not. But in that case, who cares? This is an internet forum afterall. I can always move on to a different thread.
Let's not allow our desire to elevate ourselves above what are really stereotypes who show up in reality a little less often than we might think to lead us to denigrate a large number of the regular contributors to this site. If others think less of us for how we at RFF enjoy spending our time, then so be it. Really, why should we care?
It seems to me that there are actually several issues all wrapped up in the discussions that pit "gearheads" against "shooters." The perceived worst of the worst, as far as I can tell, is the rich individual who has little or no photographic skill but owns thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of gear. Every now and then, we do get threads around here that begin with a post along the lines of:
"I just took up photography last week and really love it. Now I need some advice. What would be the best body for my new Noctilux. I already bought an MP3 kit. But I hear that it's not automatic. Should I buy a new M7? Also, I want a 75mm lens. What's the difference between a Summicron and a Summilux? Oh, and what is the lever on the back of the camera for? Thanks."
Now, I'll admit to sometimes being a bit irked by these posts. And meeting these types of people in person can be even more trying. I recently shot a job where I was met by a guy who clearly could not figure out what all the buttons and dials were for on his D2Xs with AF-S 500/4 VR that he had mounted on a pile of Gitzo and Arca Swiss gear that must have cost at least $1500 by itself. Of course, this guy wanted to talk gear as I was trying to shoot the event.
Let's call this first type Mr. $$$. I'll call the second type Mr. Collection. This is the individual who owns every camera and lens under the sun but never takes them off of the shelf. Mr. Collection might not even be a photographer.
Now, what do Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection have in common? The answer, I believe, is that we resent them. We resent Mr. Collection for driving up the price of gear that he will never use. And we resent Mr. $$$ for having what we can only dream of, even if we make our living at photography.
So what do we here at RFF do about this resentment? Many people go out of their way to make it perfectly clear that they are neither a Mr. $$$ or a Mr. Collection. Some preface every discussion of their own gear with a reminder that theirs is a "pro kit" or a "shooter's kit." Others regularly remind us that their 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 thousand dollar camera has more battle scars than Tie Domi (a little Canadian content for you). Alternatively, they scoff at any suggestion that one should take care of expensive camera gear. "Take it out and use it." Hurricanes, lightning storms, white water rafting, sky-diving, the slums of Cape Town, the family reunion - HAH!! - those are the conditions for which these cameras were made.
Why does any of this matter? It matters because our visceral reactions against Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection, along with our clambering to make clear to all that we are neither of these characters has led, I believe, to the denigration, sometimes explicit, sometimes implied, of a third character who, in my opinion, does not deserve it. The third character is the photographer who likes to try, test, and discuss gear. For this character, the photography is primary. But photography is not exlusively about the final image. It also includes the act of taking photographs. And so, this character is interested in finding, trying, and discussing gear that will help him or her to express him or herself photographically but also that will be pleasing to use. And quite frankly, I think that the vast majority of those who contribute regularly to RFF are described, at least to some extent, by this third character.
Many of us cherish romantic ideals of the fabulously talented individual for whom technology and gear are of no interest. I'm thinking of the author who writes novels long hand with a fountain pen, or the painter who is so inspired that he or she will paint on anything that he or she finds lying around the house, or the photographer who has used the same camera and lens for the past 40 years and who manages to make every frame a masterpiece. But, the fact of the matter is that most of us here are not of this sort.
So what am I asking? Quite simply, I am asking that we all accept what we are and enjoy RFF which, despite its flaws, is a special place in cyber-space. I am certainly not suggesting that the site can't be improved or that it shouldn't change to better reflect the RFF community. But many of us could put a little less effort into elevating ourselves above Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection. The "mine is a pro shooter's kit" and the "mine is more beat up than a grade one boy named Chris - short for Chrysanthemum" posts unnecessarily denigrate those who enjoy discussing gear and those who take care of their gear. And while we're at it, we might want to re-think our resentment of Mr. $$$ and Mr. Collection. Personally, I'm not much of a wine collector. I prefer to use wine. But that doesn't mean that I have nothing in common with a wine collector or that we have nothing to say to one another. And, with the little effort it takes to get past the resentment, I might find that I even have something to say to Mr. $$$. Or maybe not. But in that case, who cares? This is an internet forum afterall. I can always move on to a different thread.
Let's not allow our desire to elevate ourselves above what are really stereotypes who show up in reality a little less often than we might think to lead us to denigrate a large number of the regular contributors to this site. If others think less of us for how we at RFF enjoy spending our time, then so be it. Really, why should we care?
ferider
Veteran
Very, very nicely written, Marc. Thanks.
I hate stereotypes.
I hate stereotypes.
Last edited:
Gumby
Veteran
Blessed are the peacemakers...
lushd
Donald
All hail to the gear heads, I say.
While I am sure I am not alone in grinding my teeth at the many "how many angels can dance on a Summicron?" type of thread I think we have to recognise that collecting and testing cameras is lots and lots of harmless fun.
But more importantly, our gearheads make a huge contribution to ensuring that there is a market out of which manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and service agents can make a living, thus helping to ensure that we can all exercise our passions.
I think they also ensure that the manufacturers of new gear are kept on their toes and keep trying to improve - if the gearheads (the hardest constituency to impress) like your gear, they will be very vocal about it and push sales up. If they don't like it, they will agitate painfully and loudly for improvements and I think we all benefit.
So rock on gearheads! I am a shooter myself, I just happen to have three cupboards and a drawer full of cameras and accessories. I don't need them. I can give them up any time. Honest.
While I am sure I am not alone in grinding my teeth at the many "how many angels can dance on a Summicron?" type of thread I think we have to recognise that collecting and testing cameras is lots and lots of harmless fun.
But more importantly, our gearheads make a huge contribution to ensuring that there is a market out of which manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and service agents can make a living, thus helping to ensure that we can all exercise our passions.
I think they also ensure that the manufacturers of new gear are kept on their toes and keep trying to improve - if the gearheads (the hardest constituency to impress) like your gear, they will be very vocal about it and push sales up. If they don't like it, they will agitate painfully and loudly for improvements and I think we all benefit.
So rock on gearheads! I am a shooter myself, I just happen to have three cupboards and a drawer full of cameras and accessories. I don't need them. I can give them up any time. Honest.
back alley
IMAGES
hear! hear!
well stated and simply put.
well stated and simply put.
chris000
Landscaper
I have not been around these forums for all that long, but I don't see any "gearheads vs shooters" thing.
If I had to categorise myself I would say I'm a 'shooter', but the posts about gear don't bother me, if I don't want to read them I don't have to. I would welcome more photography on the site because I love looking at pictures (and not just my own!
) - but I don't see any reason why it should be in competition with forums/threads about gear. Surely there is room for all?
If I had to categorise myself I would say I'm a 'shooter', but the posts about gear don't bother me, if I don't want to read them I don't have to. I would welcome more photography on the site because I love looking at pictures (and not just my own!
) - but I don't see any reason why it should be in competition with forums/threads about gear. Surely there is room for all?Gumby
Veteran
Rafael said:
Okay, I give up... UNCLE! What does this mean? I didn't get good marks in my 4th grade Canadian language or Canadian history classes.
Rafael
Mandlerian
retnull
Well-known
Life's too short to worry abut other peoples' weirdness. Just let them be weird, and get and get on with your own work.
Gumby
Veteran
Thanks! I guess I didn't good marks in Canadian physical education, either... although I sure enjoyed the RCMP calisthenics exercize routine.
Jocko
Off With The Pixies
chris000 said:
It has been known
I completely agree with Marc and find myself in exactly the same position as Donald. For me much the joy in photography lies in the photographic process. The sheer sensual pleasure of a camera working in synthesis with the imagination is delicious - and the camera is implicitly a magic box of history, ingenuity and creative potential. I love 'em and I use 'em too Cheers, Ian
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
Hi, my name is Al and I'm a Gearhead....
I only say that because I do own a bunch of gear and I don't shoot as much as I would like. But I'm not a collector, I use every usable camera I have every so often.
I only say that because I do own a bunch of gear and I don't shoot as much as I would like. But I'm not a collector, I use every usable camera I have every so often.
fishtek
Don
Well said, Marc.
I've been a photographer for a long time, and believe that a camera is a tool. Having said that, I have a great deal of appreciation for well-made machinery that's meant for "precision" use. I also appreciate mechanical watches and fishing reels.
Although I do have an expensive DSLR with lenses to match, I also have a 18 year-old SLR and a bunch of fixed-lens RF's. I'm not interested in breaking 'em down and understanding each and every part (except with fishing reels...I spent decades repairing 'em...), I'd rather become familiar enough with each of them, enough to know what to expect out of them. Without understanding any machine, you can't claim to "own' it...Guess that makes me a shooter, although I don't advocate subjecting them to punishing environmental stress.
Dunno whether I fit any category, but I'm happy shooting with ALL my cameras, and treat 'em with the respect owed to anything with an appreciable value and cost.
Regards!
Don
I've been a photographer for a long time, and believe that a camera is a tool. Having said that, I have a great deal of appreciation for well-made machinery that's meant for "precision" use. I also appreciate mechanical watches and fishing reels.
Although I do have an expensive DSLR with lenses to match, I also have a 18 year-old SLR and a bunch of fixed-lens RF's. I'm not interested in breaking 'em down and understanding each and every part (except with fishing reels...I spent decades repairing 'em...), I'd rather become familiar enough with each of them, enough to know what to expect out of them. Without understanding any machine, you can't claim to "own' it...Guess that makes me a shooter, although I don't advocate subjecting them to punishing environmental stress.
Dunno whether I fit any category, but I'm happy shooting with ALL my cameras, and treat 'em with the respect owed to anything with an appreciable value and cost.
Regards!
Don
M. Valdemar
Well-known
I'm different and I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about me
It's not the same yeah
I'm different and that's how it goes
Ain't gonna play no goddamn game
Got a different way of walkin'
I got a different kind of smile
I got a different way of talkin'
Drives the women kind of wild
Kind of wild
He's different
And I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about him
It's not the same
He's different
And that's how it goes
And he's not gonna play your gosh darn game
I ain't sayin' I'm better than you are
But maybe I am
I only know that when I look in the mirror
I like the man
We like the man
I'm different and I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about me
Not the same
I'm different and that's how it goes
Ain't gonna play your goddamn game
When I walk down the street in the mornin'
Blue birds are singin' in the tall oak tree
They sing a little song for the people
And they sing a little song for me
He's different and he don't care who knows it
Somethin' about him
Not the same
He's different and that's how it goes
And he's not gonna play your gosh darn game
I'm different and I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about me
Is not the same
I'm different and that's how it goes
Ain't gonna play no boss man's game
-Randy Newman
Somethin' about me
It's not the same yeah
I'm different and that's how it goes
Ain't gonna play no goddamn game
Got a different way of walkin'
I got a different kind of smile
I got a different way of talkin'
Drives the women kind of wild
Kind of wild
He's different
And I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about him
It's not the same
He's different
And that's how it goes
And he's not gonna play your gosh darn game
I ain't sayin' I'm better than you are
But maybe I am
I only know that when I look in the mirror
I like the man
We like the man
I'm different and I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about me
Not the same
I'm different and that's how it goes
Ain't gonna play your goddamn game
When I walk down the street in the mornin'
Blue birds are singin' in the tall oak tree
They sing a little song for the people
And they sing a little song for me
He's different and he don't care who knows it
Somethin' about him
Not the same
He's different and that's how it goes
And he's not gonna play your gosh darn game
I'm different and I don't care who knows it
Somethin' about me
Is not the same
I'm different and that's how it goes
Ain't gonna play no boss man's game
-Randy Newman