Rangefinder pr0n: the family grows

[MelanieC]

I have been a bit remiss in uploading photos. Partly I am afraid I can't do the cameras justice.

I just got back from my brother's wedding with many rolls of film that need to be developed. I'm going to take them to a lab because I don't want to make newbie mistakes with photos that I'm hoping he and his wife will enjoy for a while. They had a real photographer of course (with some sort of giant Canon DSLR that you could kill a moose with), but I'm hoping I got some good shots that are something different and special in their own way and am putting together an album. That'll be my wedding present and the next batch of images I have to share.

 

[RJBender]

On January 1, 2006 I owned one rangefinder -- the M3 that was my dad's. I had never been into photography but with a camera like this it was hard to stay that way.

A couple of months later I spotted a good deal on a second that seemed worth adding to the family, and ended up with a nice Canonet GIII QL17.

The newest rangefinder is a black Olympus 35 SP that I couldn't say no to. The identity of my supplier will remain withheld to protect the innocent.

I don't have a wife to hide the cameras from, and therefore no reason to feel guilty about this, right?

#2 should be posted in this thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18489
Nice photo, Melanie.

R.J.

 

[MelanieC]

#2 should be posted in this thread:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18489
Nice photo, Melanie.

Thanks! I don't recall that thread, but I knew the photos I took looked familiar to me for some reason (like I was copying someone else) -- I must have at least skimmed over it.

That thread was, um, interesting.

 

[sychan]

I don't have a wife to hide the cameras from, and therefore no reason to feel guilty about this, right?

How do your dogs feel about this? Are they down with you spending their doggy-snack money indulging gear-lust?

BTW, as a hopeless gear-a-holic, I suggest that its time to branch out into buying *lenses* and stop buying bodies.

No need to blow $$$ on Leitz lenses, just buy, like Russian glass, or old Canon glasss...or, get a Contax -> Leica converter and start buying Contax lenses, or Russian contax clones. Buying obscure lens mount adapters and then buying obscure lenses, now thats when your friends start talking about "an intervention"...

 

[RJBender]

Thanks! I don't recall that thread, but I knew the photos I took looked familiar to me for some reason (like I was copying someone else) -- I must have at least skimmed over it.

That thread was, um, interesting.

Photo #2 is more interesting than the others in that thread ... photographed on a bed with a filter protecting the lens.

R.J.

 

[RJBender]

How do your dogs feel about this? Are they down with you spending their doggy-snack money indulging gear-lust?

BTW, as a hopeless gear-a-holic, I suggest that its time to branch out into buying *lenses* and stop buying bodies.

No need to blow $$$ on Leitz lenses, just buy, like Russian glass, or old Canon glasss...or, get a Contax -> Leica converter and start buying Contax lenses, or Russian contax clones. Buying obscure lens mount adapters and then buying obscure lenses, now thats when your friends start talking about "an intervention"...

Good question. If you give your dog rawhide treats, can they develop an appetite for Luigi cases?

A Contax to Leica converter isn't cheap:
http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm

R.J.

 

[planetjoe]

En-vy.

En-vy.

Melanie: There is never, ever, EVER any guilt that can be associated with acquiring an Oly 35SP. Well, except that you should be guilty it isn't MINE!

Earl

Trius said it right. That OlySP will haunt your dreams if you get rid of it. I know, because the one I sold two years ago still haunts mine.

Damn, damn. Enjoy those beautiful machines, Mel. And take it from me - it's a little bit of fun having to "hide" mine from someone...in a dark, sinister way, of course.


Cheers,
--joe.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

No need to blow $$$ on Leitz lenses, just buy, like Russian glass, or old Canon glasss...or, get a Contax -> Leica converter and start buying Contax lenses, or Russian contax clones. Buying obscure lens mount adapters and then buying obscure lenses, now thats when your friends start talking about "an intervention"...

I resemble that remark.

 

[MelanieC]

How do your dogs feel about this? Are they down with you spending their doggy-snack money indulging gear-lust?

The dogs might be getting a tad sick of getting cameras pointed at them, except for Solo, who is a natural model. (He's the big rough-coated Border Collie that's in so many of my photos.) But I like for photos to include mammals, and the dogs are always there, so...

I've been quite lucky so far when it comes to gear, except for the fact that I'd rather my dad still be around than have his cameras. The two cameras I have that are the most precious (the Leica and the Rollei) were inherited, the D70s I got for work using an equipment budget, and everything else (cameras, cases, meters, developing supplies) was either a gift, a trade, or very reasonably priced. If I had to rely on my income to outright buy everything I have, I wouldn't have any of it. And if I hadn't started with great cameras that have sentimental value I'm not sure I'd have gotten as sucked in as I have.

I think the biggest "dumb" purchase I've made so far was for the Rina case I keep my Leica in, which was horribly and stupidly overpriced. But it was exactly what I needed, so what could I do. (I have a feeling that someday I'll use the same line to justify a really big "dumb" purchase, like an MP I can't afford.)

Actually, I don't have a big desire to accumulate gear, just to learn to use what I have. That said, I'm enjoying the SP and beginning to be more sympathetic to the idea of an in-camera meter because sheesh, it sure makes life easier at times.

 

[back alley]

actually, i think that rina case was a smart buy.
i was looking at one on ebay the other night.
i use a optech bag for the cl with lens but hat rina bag would be better. great to have and be able to throw your kit in a bigger bag along with other 'stuf'.

if someone here were able to make a good copy for a bit less money i think they would have a winner on their hands.
i'd buy one anyway.
joe

 

[MelanieC]

Hey Joe (where you goin' with that gun... sorry, I had to) --

The Rina case is basically a makeup bag that's a bit wider across the bottom than normal, and lined with neoprene rather than some sort of flexible plastic. If you have the time, and are not embarrassed to be in the girly section of your local Wal-Mart or Target, you may be able to find a makeup bag that will do basically the same thing for under $10. I looked, but didn't find anything and ran out of patience. Also, I admit I was seduced by the looks of the Rina case, and wanted to buy one nice thing for my M3.

 

[sychan]

A Contax to Leica converter isn't cheap:
http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm

That's why you don't buy the English or Japanese collectors items, you buy Chinese knockoffs from those guys in Hong Kong. I got mine from Jon Luk and it works pretty well.

Once you get that adapter, you can buy Helios-103's, Jupiter-8's, and other cheap Russian knockoffs of expensive German gear- those Russkies were doing cheap Chinese knockoffs before the Chinese...

 

[sychan]

Actually, I don't have a big desire to accumulate gear, just to learn to use what I have. That said, I'm enjoying the SP and beginning to be more sympathetic to the idea of an in-camera meter because sheesh, it sure makes life easier at times.

OhmyGod...you mean taking photos shouldn't involve hardship? Soon, you may be using aperture priority...they'll have to take away your "old skool" status at that point 😛

 

[back alley]

Hey Joe (where you goin' with that gun... sorry, I had to) --

The Rina case is basically a makeup bag that's a bit wider across the bottom than normal, and lined with neoprene rather than some sort of flexible plastic. If you have the time, and are not embarrassed to be in the girly section of your local Wal-Mart or Target, you may be able to find a makeup bag that will do basically the same thing for under $10. I looked, but didn't find anything and ran out of patience. Also, I admit I was seduced by the looks of the Rina case, and wanted to buy one nice thing for my M3.

i'm sure there are other bags that might do but i like the neoprene lining.
i'm gonna head out to 'mountian equipment co-op' tomorrow to look for something similar.
and, no problem with the girlie sections of walmart...you can meet the most interesting folks there...🙂

joe

 

[RJBender]

That's why you don't buy the English or Japanese collectors items, you buy Chinese knockoffs from those guys in Hong Kong. I got mine from Jon Luk and it works pretty well.

Once you get that adapter, you can buy Helios-103's, Jupiter-8's, and other cheap Russian knockoffs of expensive German gear- those Russkies were doing cheap Chinese knockoffs before the Chinese...

Are the adapters from Venezuela any good?
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=contax+leica+adapter

R.J.