Surviving with just a 50mm lens

R

Rich Silfver

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So...I just came to a decision (or was the decision made for me maybe) that I will not be buying any more camera accessories, bodies or lenses this year.

I already know I will miss having something longer than the 50/2 on the M3 but I'll make do I think.

For one year back in Chicago I used nothing but a fixed Canon 50/1.8 lens and I think it made me a better photographer (well in my eyes at least) :) and in a way I'm looking forward to doing the same with a manual camera for the next 6 months or so.

So..no 'cron 90, no Nikon SP, no Contax IIIa, no elmarit 90/2.8, no Canon P - no nothing - but film and development :)

I also started to feel that I in a way was beginning to chase 'magic bullets' such as a new camera, new lens, new...anything! All because I haven't really been very happy with my photography for quite some time now.

With an M3, a 'blad and a couple of Oly 35SP's in my posession there is really no reason for me to chase anything else gear-wise. I need to stop looking to new toys and gear and trying to find those 'magic bullets' somewhere within that 50mm frameline...
 
be strong my friend, be strong!

when i sold the 6x6 gear and bought into the cv stuff that was my intent also.
i purposefully got a screw mount camera and 35 mm lens with the intent of one camera-one lens-one film --- to keep it simple and get back into photography and not into the gear.
ah, the best of intentions...

what brings on this mighty purpose?

joe
 
Good on you Richard! Let us do this together and we should post frequent resolutions and encouragements so that we could be cured of this addiction!
 
Peter, if I feel weak - or if you or anyone feels weak and tempted - we can always post here and seek strength amongst those that know what a horrid disease this gear-want is....
 
I must admit that I am at a place of peace right now. No real desires that need to be filled. I look over at ebay, but nothing catches my eye. I think I want a 50 Summicron and the yet to come R3, but I don't know. I am happy right now where I am. My happy place.
 
You know, I had the $2,700, but the wife put a nice form for a 529b college savings plan in front of me. College for my son... an MP.... college for my son... an MP...

Actually, that is a wonderful dream, but not for right now. I would be more tempted by a lens with the thought that they are what can make a difference. Actually, I will look to take another class at the community college, they are fun, and actually focus on having you use your camera. Practice does make perfect.
 
Those days were wonderful, but the habbits you learn are hard to break. Just a friendly warning. My wine budget is way down now a days.

I have been "pushing" "fun" things with Sammy.
"Sammy, do you want to take the next picture?"
Thinking of course I will be able to justify buying him things. I think soon he will graduate from his Polariod One to an Olympus Stylus.

I guess I haven't changed much, I am just finding new ways to fuel my "needs."
 
Richard,

I'm now surviving with only the 50mm lens coz I don't have the money to get another lens. Haha... but still I can do a lots with the 50mm.

Poverty is my strength. Haha!

Max
 
having only one lens is a doable thing.

with a screwmount camera i need to think about which lens i feel like using and i pretty much stay with that lens for the shoot.
now, 2 camera bodies changes all that.
 
forget the 90. This is what you need. Don't wait a minute longer. Order now you can have it in a few days.
 
Well, HCB seemed to fine with a 50mm lens. I've read that he only rarely switched to 35mm

backalley photo said:
maybe next month's project will be 50 mm lens shots!

i kinda like that idea!
Click to expand...
As long as 50mm isn't an absolute -- e.g. many of our fixed-lens RF's are not 50mm. The GIII is 40mm. The closest I had to 50mm with my CL was 40mm. In fact, until my Zorki arrives, the only 50mm lenses I own are on my SLR's.

Gene
 
Richard and all,
Just because it says "Leica" or "Nikon" does not mean it has to be expensive, and just because it costs under $100 doesn't mean that it can't give good pictures.

I have bought these on Ebay, price was my total due.

Elmar 9cm F4 uncoated version, ex- cond, perfect glass and smooth focus, ran me $50.

Nikkor 135 F3.5 in LTM ran $81, I had to put a strip of copper tape over the RF coupling to correct the focus calibration.

Jupiter-9 8.5cm F2 "Russian Roulette", get a black "export version"; cost me $62 on a BIN. I had to oil the Helical, was stiff.

Canon 100mm F4 w case, caps, and finder, Mint, $100. The older "3-element" design that was replaced by the sharper F3.5. (Why do 3-element design Leitz Elmar 9cm F4's go for a fortune when the 4-element is sharper?)

Nikkor 135 F3.5 in Nikon-S mount, Black/Chrome model, EX- cosmetics, few marks in coating, great results, ran me $50.

The only "expensive" lens here is the Nikkor 8.5cm F2, all of the others went for $50 to $100.

Brian's mostly "Cheap" Telephoto lens Gallery

So but a LTM to M adapter and pick up some classic glass. (Someone play Mason Williams here),
 
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Re: Surviving with just a 50mm lens

rsilfverberg said:
So...I just came to a decision (or was the decision made for me maybe) that I will not be buying any more camera accessories, bodies or lenses this year.


I also started to feel that I in a way was beginning to chase 'magic bullets' such as a new camera, new lens, new...anything! All because I haven't really been very happy with my photography for quite some time now.
Click to expand...

I felt the same way and made a resolution in May to buy no more cameras this year. The Koni-Omega 200, the Pentax Spotmatic F with 28mm Mamiya-Sekor, and a Yashica GSN will arrive about Weds or so of next week. A couple of months is really good for me.

Good Luck.

Wayne
 
I was firm in my resolution and happiness until I saw Todd's shot of and with the 90mm lens he got. It took me a couple of days to come to my senses (and a lot of self control not to click on several BINs on eBay).

So, to add to the main idea of this thread, my one and only ideal glass is the 35mm. In fact, I use it all the time! Sure, I have a 50/2 'cron, but it doesn't get as much use.

Now, there's something good about the 50, though, and it is that it teaches you to crop visually, before taking the shot. On the other hand, the 35mm is a kind of "take it all in" lens, and I like wide angles.

Don't worry, Richard. If you feel weak, just holler! :D
 
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