Photography Gear that never caused you GAS

[Duofold RF]

My first SLR was a Minolta, and later I moved to Nikon. One day a colleague gave me a Minolta SRT‑102, and not long after I found a black‑paint Minolta SRT‑101 with a 58mm f/1.4 locally for $20. I eventually added a 58mm f/1.2 as well. I really enjoy the 58mm f/1.2—its rendering is beautiful for environmental portraits, and I find myself using it often.

 

[Bill McMannis]

I went through different phases with minolta; from adoring them and collecting them to not caring about them and selling them off to gather them back again...

My first SLR was a Minolta, and later I moved to Nikon. One day a colleague gave me a Minolta SRT‑102, and not long after I found a black‑paint Minolta SRT‑101 with a 58mm f/1.4 locally for $20. I eventually added a 58mm f/1.2 as well. I really enjoy the 58mm f/1.2—its rendering is beautiful for environmental portraits, and I find myself using it often.

Everyone I knew who used them, swore by them. Their “Mind of Minolta” ads were memorable, too. Back then I was shooting Bronica and Canon just developed a preference for those.

 

[JeffS7444]

Never was keen on de-featured digital cameras, including screen-free or monochrome-only. For me, if you can flip the screen around so it's hidden when not needed, that's good enough.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

My goodness, you are a dinosaur, sir. 🙂

Ah, but the dinosaurs became the birds that soar!

 

[santino]

I‘m fine with AF but the lenses don‘t feel as solid and sturdy as good ol‘ manual focus lenses. The stupid af motors, ribbon cables and plastic gears concern me a lot.

 

[rulnacco]

Canon - never. Sony - never. Fuji - I tried a GW690II and didn't really like it, so I traded it toward a Leica M3 which I loved, still have & shoot regularly, and which caused major GAS over the years. And I had an X100S which I just never got on with and sold it, too. I think I'm done with Fuji for good.

Now flashes...lol. I've got an SB-800 and SB-700 for my Nikon D810 and Z8. But I also love those old Metz potato masher flashes, and I have a couple of those, and I have a few of their smaller units that I play with on various gear (including my Nikons), and I've picked up some compact film-era Olympus flashes that I carry with various film gear (although I don't own any Oly cameras) because of their power despite their size.

I lived in London for several years and I loved shooting clubs, boxing gyms, music studios, etc. there and here in the US by strapping little battery powered flashes in various strategic spots with the slave set to on or a radio trigger on them.

And let's not even talk about the mad numbers of flash heads and light modifiers I have for my studio...aieeeee.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

LOL, I know you said it didn't make sense. No worries.

When in Hartford, be sure to visit The Camera Bar on Asylum St. in downtown. Welcome to Camera Bar They've been around since the late '60s. A goodly amount of used gear, mostly 35mm, including some Leica. Not sure how many bargains there are but check it out. Full range of film, and new digital gear as well -- OM System, Nikon, Canon, Fuji. Full lab services.

You really should check out the Mark Twain House if you can, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center right next door. (Yes, they were neighbors.) Those are a little way outside downtown. And the Wadsworth Atheneum in downtown is the city's art museum, one of the country's oldest. Not sure how much in the way of photography in their collection, but I think you'll be impressed at their permanent collection of paintings.

Hope you enjoy the visit. I live in Hartford now; grew up in a suburb.

Thanks for the reply! I'll look for those places. I appreciate the information!

 

[SpotmaticSP]

Teleconverters. UV filters. Camera bags. Basically everything a photo store wants to sell to new gear owners. I do understand the stores but I hate the stuff. Whenever I buy camera sets, all those items go straight to the "never touch again" box, or even the dustbin.

 

[chuckroast]

Ah, but the dinosaurs became the birds that soar!

Well... that, and chickens

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Well... that, and chickens

Don't dis chickens. Where would analog photography be without albumen? I think your attitude is rather hard-boiled...

 

[Muggins]

Don't dis chickens. Where would analog photography be without albumen? I think your attitude is rather hard-boiled...

Oh, for cluck's sake!

 

[Muggins]

I see. Do you use it?

Hmmm, part of me thinks that everyone should have at least one Kodak camera, just like part of me thinks everyone in the UK should have a Raleigh bicycle, even if they have cameras or bikes by other makers.

I couldn't tell you how many Kodaks I have without checking the spreadsheet (I know, geek!) but I can tell you it's more than any other manufacturer and I suspect the tally is more than forty. So that's more than forty people I am making up for! Quite happy to keep doing so for art-deco Kodaks, too.

 

[chuckroast]

Don't dis chickens. Where would analog photography be without albumen? I think your attitude is rather hard-boiled...

The yolks on you. I am just a shell of what I once was.

 

[Sanug]

UV filters: Yes. For me they are obsolete.

Disposable cameras. What a waste! And they are still available.

 

[chuckroast]

The yolks on you. I am just a shell of what I once was.

Don't be sad. Stay on the sunny side.

 

[KoNickon]

Don't be sad. Stay on the sunny side.

Egg-zactly.