VinceC
Veteran
This is perhaps a philosophical thread.
I was juggling some projects Saturday morning and put my Nikon SP on the stairs, where the family ordinarily places things like books, hats or packages when we're getting ready to head out. My 9-year-old, not always known for her grace, went down the stairs, got her feet tangled in the camera strap, and sent the SP flying. She was honest enough to tell me what had happened on the spot, so I really haven't been mad at her. Everything's fine except the slow-speeds don't engage. I'm at a point in life where I no longer derive joy from opening up old cameras, so I'll probably send it off to Gandy once he's back from vacation.
Then I was unloading the clothes dryer this morning and found out what that clatter was that I heard last night. I had left my wonderfully tiny Sekonic light meter in a pocket, and it has now tumble-dried into several pieces (but has no static cling).
So this weekend will cost me about $300 in maintenance.
This has led me to ponder what I consider to be the financial friction of owning things like cars and photography. My Domke bag is so worn with holes that it needs replaced, something I've been putting off but will be part of the expenses for this summer's trips. I broke a neutral density filter a few months ago and need to buy another. My Canon S820 printer, which ordinarily does wonderful images, developed a chronic streaking problem over the holidays, and some online research uncovered the fact that after three or so years, the firmware inside the printheads develops problems, requiring replacement. This is the second Canon 800-series printer that has conked out on me, so I'll replace it with an Epson. I've been meaning to do that anyway because Epson makes longer lasting inks. Actually, replacing printers isn't all that expensive, since they tend to be about as expensive as a full set of inks.
That said, I spent yesterday taking pictures of my girls sledding, using my S2 and Jupiter-12. The evening before I took some party pictures with an S3. I have two S3s, so the temporary loss of the SP won't prevent me from taking photos. And the light meter was something of a luxury ... I spent half a decade without one because I've shot enough thousands of rolls of film to be able to judge light in most situations. I'll probably order a new Sekkonic and Domke bag at the same time to combine shipping costs.
But I am reminded that photography is one of those pursuits where we spend most of our time talking about cameras and lenses. Yet there is also a constant stream of maintentance costs, peripheral costs, film and processing, filters, bags, tune-ups and checkups. I've grown accustomed to this. I guess I've developed a Zen-like acceptance of it.
I was juggling some projects Saturday morning and put my Nikon SP on the stairs, where the family ordinarily places things like books, hats or packages when we're getting ready to head out. My 9-year-old, not always known for her grace, went down the stairs, got her feet tangled in the camera strap, and sent the SP flying. She was honest enough to tell me what had happened on the spot, so I really haven't been mad at her. Everything's fine except the slow-speeds don't engage. I'm at a point in life where I no longer derive joy from opening up old cameras, so I'll probably send it off to Gandy once he's back from vacation.
Then I was unloading the clothes dryer this morning and found out what that clatter was that I heard last night. I had left my wonderfully tiny Sekonic light meter in a pocket, and it has now tumble-dried into several pieces (but has no static cling).
So this weekend will cost me about $300 in maintenance.
This has led me to ponder what I consider to be the financial friction of owning things like cars and photography. My Domke bag is so worn with holes that it needs replaced, something I've been putting off but will be part of the expenses for this summer's trips. I broke a neutral density filter a few months ago and need to buy another. My Canon S820 printer, which ordinarily does wonderful images, developed a chronic streaking problem over the holidays, and some online research uncovered the fact that after three or so years, the firmware inside the printheads develops problems, requiring replacement. This is the second Canon 800-series printer that has conked out on me, so I'll replace it with an Epson. I've been meaning to do that anyway because Epson makes longer lasting inks. Actually, replacing printers isn't all that expensive, since they tend to be about as expensive as a full set of inks.
That said, I spent yesterday taking pictures of my girls sledding, using my S2 and Jupiter-12. The evening before I took some party pictures with an S3. I have two S3s, so the temporary loss of the SP won't prevent me from taking photos. And the light meter was something of a luxury ... I spent half a decade without one because I've shot enough thousands of rolls of film to be able to judge light in most situations. I'll probably order a new Sekkonic and Domke bag at the same time to combine shipping costs.
But I am reminded that photography is one of those pursuits where we spend most of our time talking about cameras and lenses. Yet there is also a constant stream of maintentance costs, peripheral costs, film and processing, filters, bags, tune-ups and checkups. I've grown accustomed to this. I guess I've developed a Zen-like acceptance of it.
