Photographer or gear-head

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I sat down and took inventory of what has happened to me since coming to RFF:

1. got interested in, and learned how to develop my film
2. bulk loading
3. set up my darkroom and am learning how to print
4. learned how to scan and photoshop better
5. saw some great photos and learned from them. learned from comments on my photos.
6. tips on shows, good books, links, websites, repair places, photo tips when traveling etc.
7. print swaps
8. getting involved with book 2
9. made some friends, made some enemies
10. bought some gear
11. sold some gear

The forum is what you make of it 😉
 
I was watching the Araki Nobuyoshi documentary a couple of weeks ago ('Arakimentari') and even Araki seemed to have a slight hint of the 'photographer or gear-head' anxiety. The documentary shows him using an incredible array of cameras (minolta tc-1, fuji 6x7, pentax 67, leica m?, hexar af, sx-70 and a bunch I can't remember or recognize). In one scene at the beginning of the flick has him showing off his new leica at a hostess bar. I sort of half watched the commentary while watching my kid and the director mentioned that Araki initially wanted him to remove all the shots of him fondling his equipment. He didn't want other photographers to seem him use so many different kinds of cameras. Strange how this image was the one he seemed embarrassed by and not, for instance, his obsessive primping of pubic hair.

But the man did also take a ton of pictures and not just of japanese prostitutes (my favorite Araki books are the ones of his wife and cat). Incredible energy: there's a montage of the covers of all his books and even as the covers flicker on the screen, faster and faster, the whole sequence seemed to on forever...or at least a few minutes. Anyway, it left me dizzy, inspired and inadequate.
 
hms624 said:
First, there seems to be a stigma against collecting for the sake of collecting. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. It is ok to admit that you collect cameras because it is an interesting hobby. Which it is. The craftmanship of classic mechanical gear is superb. As I said initially, one does not need to justify a large mechanical watch collection by checking the time constantly...
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Harrison, 30 years ago, collecting seemed to be limited to stamps, coins and artwork. At that time, many people viewed collecting as anal retentive behavior. 🙄 In the late 1980s, it seemed like everything became collectible! 😕 Maybe all those illustrated price guides had something to do with it. 😛



R.J.
 
The trouble with collectors is that they buy stuff I want, thereby raising the price. 🙂

Now, if they actually use them to take pictures, OK. But when they stash beautiful picture-taking machines and superb lenses away from the light of day, never to actually make an image--that strikes me as a denial of purpose. It's like Rapunzel in her tower, or putting a sports star in a dungeon in chains. The beauty of a camera or lens is not just its form, it's that it performs its function beautifully.

--Peter, waxing philosophical
 
Peter, it is interesting that people can decide what a "legitimate" use of gear is. I don't know if it is possible for anyone to claim that their opinion of a right use is better than anyone else's.

Harrison
 
I think probably the best and most well thought out post I've seen on this forum was by hms624. Great to see a new person (I hate the term Newbie as it sounds derogatory) who I believe can be a really positive addition to this group of ours. Sure we'll all have a few disagreements from time to time. I mean, if we all owned one brand of camera, one model of camera and one lens, what would we talk about? Variety is the spice of life. If we only had artistic souls here, or gearheads (I cringe at that term), or collectors or elitist snobs, where would the new posts come from? Who would feel the need to answer or want to ask a question? Too many deep subjects for me lately I guess. I only do this for relaxation, enjoyment and shared comraderie, not to scorn, dis or ridicule. Some will always like beer and bratwurst, some will like brie and latte, let's all do what we like best and shoot pictures.
 
hms624 said:
Peter, it is interesting that people can decide what a "legitimate" use of gear is. I don't know if it is possible for anyone to claim that their opinion of a right use is better than anyone else's.
Click to expand...

If people can't decide, then what can?
 
Peter Klein said:
The trouble with collectors is that they buy stuff I want, thereby raising the price. 🙂

Now, if they actually use them to take pictures, OK. But when they stash beautiful picture-taking machines and superb lenses away from the light of day, never to actually make an image--that strikes me as a denial of purpose. It's like Rapunzel in her tower, or putting a sports star in a dungeon in chains. The beauty of a camera or lens is not just its form, it's that it performs its function beautifully.

--Peter, waxing philosophical
Click to expand...

Collectors will always want "mint" specimens of whatever they collect. Some of the prices for vintage gear are still insane. For example, check the current and completed listings for ZUNOW lenses on eBay:
http://search.ebay.com//search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=zunow
Does anyone on RFF own a Zunow lens?

R.J.
 
Weirdcollector, I appreciate your viewpoint, as well as your openmindedness. But what strikes me more is your diplomacy. I draw a very distinct line between argumentation and personal insult. I have grown up--and probably will continue to grow up--in a realm in which I am constantly in some stage of debate with my friends. In fact, in high school, I was on the debate team, and some of the most heated rounds I have ever had were against close friends. The animosity would instantly disolve after the round. What I did not realize, was that in discussing what most would consider a sensitive subject, I may have offended people.

Wierdcollector's comments were both insightful, and attempted to smooth things over. Please do not mistake this for ego stroking, or as trying to be buddy buddy with someone who agrees with me. I am simply stating that in presenting my opinions, I probably did not put enough thought in to ensuring that everyone was aware that this was not a personal attack. I believe I am what most of you old folk would call a hotheaded youth.

Thanks,
Harrison
 
wierdcollector said:
Sure we'll all have a few disagreements from time to time.
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I thought we were having a discourse. Why do differing opinions have to be perceived as disagreements or people arguing (i.e. "fighting")?

I'm beginning to understand how things begin to get cyber-ugly...
 
Peter, I think you are missing my point. It is illegitimate anyone, or anything to decide what is appropriate for another to do. Of course, we limit people's actions when they infringe upon the personal freedoms of another. (I.e. laws and whatnot.) However, in terms of such a trivial matter as camera collecting, people have the right to do whatever they please. This ranges from never using a beautiful camera, to smashing it to pieces. Your idea of what a good use is may differ drastically from the opinion of another. This does not make either of your viewpoints any less legitimate.
 
gabrielma said:
Collectors, or Mad Scientists? 😉 -- are we then a little bit of both? 😱
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Great thread! I feel like we're close to finding a cure for GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).


R.J.
 
> Collectors, or Mad Scientists? -- are we then a little bit of both?

Mad Scientist! Mad Scientist! THAT's what I am!

I sift through drawers of old lenses and other junk looking for retaining rings, set screws, anything else that can be used to fix this ancient junk.

Did anybody realize that the little screws used in the Olympus DC lens barrel are THE SAME SIZE as the screws that Canon used in their LTM lenses! Or the pentaprism from a Minolta XG-9 will fit perfectly in the Retina Reflex-S! (Evil Laugh)

LOOK IGOR, It's working! IT'S WORKING! IT CAN TAKE PICTURES AGAIN!
 
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Hey Brian, how's this: If you can convert a Prominent-mount lens to an M-mount, then I know who the Mad-Scientist-in-Chief I could go to... 😀

:: chuckle :: mmmmmuuuuaaahahahahaha
 
hms624 said:
....Wierdcollector's comments were both insightful, and attempted to smooth things over. Please do not mistake this for ego stroking, or as trying to be buddy buddy with someone who agrees with me. I am simply stating that in presenting my opinions, I probably did not put enough thought in to ensuring that everyone was aware that this was not a personal attack. I believe I am what most of you old folk would call a hotheaded youth.
Click to expand...

Calling someone a "gearhead" is not a personal attack IMO. Calling people "old folk" could be a problem! 😛 LOL

R.J.
 
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