The curse of expensive equipment?

[Michael Markey]

Hi David ,

It is for me ...
Compared to other leisure activities even the price of high end Leica gear can seem reasonable.

I keep a horse and in the UK ,even though prices have dropped ,a reasonably horse will cost as much as a Monochrome and at least have as much again year on year to maintain it.

Despite that I know many working families on near minimum wage who do just that.

They make sacrifices elsewhere in their lives.

I`m not so sure about the points made by Sejanus.
I`ve spent all my working life working towards those goals ..they are very important to me ... but you are still left with the fact that life ,sometimes , just isn`t fair.

Michael

 

[Sparrow]

... I rather think that, when we work together, we create things. When we work alone, we can only destroy.

I'd have said the exact opposite was the case

 

[Rayt]

I'd have said the exact opposite was the case

Yes. Two people working together can do the work of three if they get along, but if not then nothing will get done due to the back stabbing.

 

[Rayt]

Looking at my gear inventory I could easily have bought a Noctilux if I knew that was what I wanted. Instead I have many bits and pieces of stuff I have hardly used for years. I think this is more wasteful.

 

[Sparrow]

Yes. Two people working together can do the work of three if they get along, but if not then nothing will get done due to the back stabbing.

... I was actually thinking of the Stanford prison experiment ... and a well known tyrannical dictator and his mates

 

[Michael Markey]

Looking at my gear inventory I could easily have bought a Noctilux if I knew that was what I wanted. Instead I have many bits and pieces of stuff I have hardly used for years. I think this is more wasteful.

Yes , despite what I said previously (which is perfectly true) I must admit that I`ve often had that nagging doubt too at times.

I think its less wasteful if you are clear what you want from the outset and stick to it and not get sidetracked .

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I'd have said the exact opposite was the case

Oh well, I'll trundle off and find a dog for the mutt to eat. I suppose it's cheaper than tins. 😀

 

[pvdhaar]

Looking at my gear inventory I could easily have bought a Noctilux if I knew that was what I wanted. Instead I have many bits and pieces of stuff I have hardly used for years. I think this is more wasteful.

Depends.. if you've learned from having but not using them, these bits and pieces may still have their value nonetheless.

 

[Rodchenko]

If I spent £10k on a lens, my family would be homeless.

 

[YYV_146]

good for you..now have ya got any pictures? or is this purchase just something to talk about..

Well, I just got the lens...And some of the interesting stuff I shot with it is paid work, so I don't want to post it here.

But here's a rather nice one 😀

 

[Rodchenko]

I like that. Good shot.

 

[Michael Markey]

That will do 🙂

 

[YYV_146]

Looking at my gear inventory I could easily have bought a Noctilux if I knew that was what I wanted. Instead I have many bits and pieces of stuff I have hardly used for years. I think this is more wasteful.

Maybe, but maybe not. Depends on the efforts related to cleaning up - sometimes it may just be more economical to let things collect dust on shelves. Plus, many vintage lenses have been picking up in prices in the past 2-3 years. Perhaps if you wait a while longer?

I don't keep anything that I haven't touched in over a month. I free up the funds, and look for something new to try out. Someone who's willing to buy it is probably someone who can put it to better use than I am...

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Someone who's willing to buy it is probably someone who can put it to better use than I am...

That's the right attitude.

 

[leicapixie]

If one enjoys using and creating with the equipment, there is nothing else to consider. The OP had enough cash to purchase that lens.
I personally hate the look of images done by the Noctilux 0.95.
The lens is way too big and heavy.
I always wanted the 1st 90mm Summicron.
I bought my 1st M3 in 1966.
Placing a well used one on my M3, the blocking of viewfinder,
the massive weight, the critical focus, were a good and resounding no!
I have used the earlier Noctilux, on loan from Leitz Leica.
I disliked the out of focus, the excessive contrast.
It's not envy.
I couldn't care less what someone else HAS!
I never have..:angel:

 

[daveleo]

The next Fuji X100/t will have a "lens simulation" sub-menu added to the internal camera RAW converter options.
The "Nocti" is option #4, I think.

🙄

Or, did I just create a new rumor? Hard to say.

 

[hepcat]

I don't keep anything that I haven't touched in over a month. I free up the funds, and look for something new to try out. Someone who's willing to buy it is probably someone who can put it to better use than I am...

I'm much like you in that regard, Victor; but being over a little more than twice as old as you, I've had twice as long to acquire and liquidate. I've only found a few items over the years that I've liked enough to re-purchase, or to be able to buy "the thing" I wanted the first time around. That time has given me the ability to gain the perspective of what works for me and what doesn't, and I can pretty well assess how a piece is going to fit me before I buy it. I'm pretty much in the place now that I know what works, and interestingly enough I'm content enough with my gear that I can do pretty much anything I need to do with it. I only have about as much invested in my three-body, eight-lens M kit as you have in your M9 and Nocitlux. I re-bought a late-manufacture Hasselblad two-body, seven-lens, six back kit a few months ago, and spent less than the cost of an M9.

It's amazing what you can get when you know what works for you and you're patient about it.

 

[Bill Clark]

Bought a II F for $225.00

Does that qualify?

 

[noisycheese]

I'm not sure if it is so much to do with fairness or envy. I doubt anyone would be upset if another person was 9k richer, I think what people get emotional over is the fact that the 9k was spent on a single exotic lens that many people think is unnecessary. I think people get upset because they think the money was wasted, in the same way some people get upset over people smashing new iphones on youtube or lighting cigars with hundred dollar bills...

One person's essential tool is another person's wasteful extravagence. Everyone has their own outlook and they are entitled to have their outlook; so far, so good.

Where the trouble comes in is when one person's outlook is transformed into judgement and is turned against others.

 

[Dirk]

At the risk of repeating what others have already said, a lot of these critical comments, whether they're directed at the Noctilux or other expensive equipment (mostly Leica), are borne out of jealousy. Ignore them and do whatever floats your boat with your money. BTW, the Noctilux pictures can not be duplicated by other lenses. They are unique and different. If that difference is worth it to you, only you can decide.