Need Help Spending $1600

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Rhad the Man

Rangefinder Neophyte
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Jan 19, 2006
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Alright. So here's the story. My last thread had me stationed in Spain, which I still am, learning the art of another language.

In the midst of this I worked on a small film project for which I will net about 1600. Sure.. I could use this money to pay off some interest of my school loans or perhaps put a dent into my credit debt, but seeing as I'm headed off to law school upon my return I really feel as though this money will best be spent on tangeable assets. 😀

At the moment I own a:
Voigtlander r3a (2/50 Planar ZM) (A joy to shoot, and will satisfies my 35mm desire until I can afford my M6. I can dream right?)
Ricoh GR-D (The camera that is holding me over while in Spain-- good, solid, but lacking that inexplicable something that all digitals lack for me.)

So... what to spend it on? I must admit.. the idea of broadening available formats interests me, but 3,000$ Hasselblad bodies are a bit out of my range and anything off ebay makes me nervous.

While I understand some people disapprove of the negative>digital scan>print workflow.. I enjoy it-- and I haven't learned the joys of developing my own film yet.

So.. as my Minolta Dimage Dual Something IV broke on it's trip over here.. I will most likely need to buy another dedicated 35mm scanner. If I buy a medium format camera, I would therefore need a medium format scanner as well.

As you can see.. money does not bring happiness... only problems! :bang:

Help. Please. And suggestions on where to buy?
 
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so what do you want to buy? 35mm camera? medium format camera? 35mm scanner? medium format film scanner? medium format AND flatbed to scan MF?

For that cash you could buy the fuji 6x7 rf that is now in the classifieds here, and an epson V700 or even 750.
 
1600$ ?
That gets you indeed R3A/M, with ZM 50mm/2 Planar and leaves just enough for a a lightly used (or even new ?) Nikon V scanner - rounds up a nice, self-contained package without quality compromises. Hexar RF (used, in excellent condition) apparently also in the same ballpark if I'm not wrong...
 
It seems to me you just want to spend it in something that'll bring you pleasure. Nothing wrong with that! But it also looks like you don't know what you want, so here's my advice:

Put the money in a bank, let it work for you for a few months. In fact, put it in a CD if you can, and leave it there for a while. In the meanwhile, write a list of the stuff you'd like to have and take your pick based on the number of times you need to do something (scanning? shooting?).
 
Something else, Rhad... if you're in Spain, where are the funds? Are they in US currency, in Euros?

I mean to say that if you're unclear as to how to use them, just don't rush. The odd thing is that if you had already a camera, this amount would help you net a good lens. Since you're rig-less, as I said above, make the money work for you for a while. Of course, if it's with you in Spain, just be ready to pay for exchange rates (from Euros to USD). Otherwise... I'd use it as a nice step towards your Leica dream.
 
My first post was badly written. I will try to write this one better. First off, I'd like to thank you for your help and advice.

I will definitely take into consideration the suggestion for a cheap scanner aswell as the advice to wait before buying anything (as to be sure of what I want).

Now for some clarification. Yes. I do have a setup: R3A and Planar 2/50 ZM as well as a Ricoh GR-D.

Furthermore, the problem isn't so much knowing what I want as opposed to know what I should buy at the moment.

If I had unlimited funds I would buy a Leica M6, a NPC Polaroid Rangefinder, a Mamiya 7, Hasselblad 503CM, Holga N, etc etc etc.

But I don't have unlimited funds.. so it's sort of a cost benefit game. Instead of a M6, I got a R3A.

And yes.. I do buy for pleasure. 🙂

But, in some part, doesn't everyone?

So basically.. I'm trying to balance quality and cost while expanding my available formats because, well, theres a use for all formats.

Thanks again. 🙂

p.s. Oh yes, and these purchases will be purchased upon my return to the States.

(I'm probably going to do some grammar and spell checking in my first post now. I'm sort of dropping these posts in between classes.)
 
Rhad,

Sorry, I can't help you with your problem. I just want to say I'm envious of you! I'd love to be in Spain right now, but for the time being I'm stuck in boring ol' Riverside, Ca. Enjoy your visit. 🙂

-Kyle
 
You can get a good used Hasselblad kit (body, 2 backs, 2 - 3 lenses, i.e. classic 50 Distagon, 85 Planar and 150 Sonnar) for the money you have at KEH. They are quite reliable.

Good luck,

Roland.
 
I too suggest that you give it time. KEH is very good for cameras. I also understand about digitals...They lack personality. The hasselblad is nice. Have you tried fondling a rolleiflex? Just a thought.
 
Topdog1 said:
I'd love to be in California. Instead I'm stuck in boring old New Jersey. Count your blessings!

/Ira
Click to expand...

California is nice, but its just "home" so you know how it is. "The grass is always greener..."

I mainly said it because Rhad is also from Riverside, Ca (according to his profile).
 
Kyle said:
California is nice, but its just "home" so you know how it is. "The grass is always greener..."

I mainly said it because Rhad is also from Riverside, Ca (according to his profile).
Click to expand...

More than "home" up north, Kyle 😛
 
Unless you stumble into a deal of a lifetime, wait until you get back to the U. S. of A. Your $$$$s will go farther here.
 
This is true. I am from Riverside, from just that side of the 91. How is the ol' 951 doing these days?

Heh. I've never handled a rolliflex before.. I know it might be a quite subjective and ambiguous response but, what are you thoughts on them?

Ferider: KEH! Thankyou.. I remember wandering onto this site awhile ago.. but since I upgraded harddrive I lost the bookmark. Mucho gracias.
 
Topdog1 said:
I'd love to be in California. Instead I'm stuck in boring old New Jersey. Count your blessings!

/Ira
Click to expand...
ya know why New Jersey got all the toxic waste dumps and California got all the lawyers?

New Jersey got first choice😀

hey it's kinda on topic Rhad said he was going to Law school....😎
 
For 1600 you could get an Epson R-D1s digital rangefinder and use your Planar or any other M lens. I wanted an M6 myself but couldn't face going back to film and processing/scanning so I went digital. I used to have a Ricoh GRD and was frustrated by it's raw speed and other limitations. The Epson though is far better and even more 'manual' than the GRD and since you already have a r3a should be second nature for you to use. With the LCD rotated to face the camera it's hard to tell that it's even a digital camera. Image quality is great and no need for a scanner. There are reported quality control issues with the R-D1s but get it from a reputable dealer and you should be okay. I've had no problems at all myself. I'd get an M8 if I had the money but I would keep the R-D1s as well.
 
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