the joy of choice

FrankS said:
But I can accept that others may feel this way. That is their problem, not mine.
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Not so sure you genuinely accept it if you call someone's preference a "Problem". HCB, Webb and Harvey did and do *Far* more with one lens than most on here do with a bag full of them.
 
KM-25 said:
Not so sure you genuinely accept it if you call someone's preference a "Problem". HCB, Webb and Harvey did and do *Far* more with one lens than most on here do with a bag full of them.
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Yes you can, IF you think you ought to emulate them. Then it becomes a problem. I agree, it's your problem, not theirs, though this is much a matter of linguistic precision as of photography.

That HCB used a single lens (or even single focal length) is, of course, a myth.

Webb & Harvey?

Cheers,

R.
 
KM-25 said:
Not so sure you genuinely accept it if you call someone's preference a "Problem". HCB, Webb and Harvey did and do *Far* more with one lens than most on here do with a bag full of them.
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Yeah, when I typed that I thought "problem" might become a contentious term, but I was reacting a bit to the implication (present over the years here at rff) that a serious photographer limits himself to one camera/one lens and that those with many cameras are just fondlers.
 
"Doctrinaire preconception" - lovely expression Roger. That is what I am hearing a little of here. In the Master of Contemporary Photography volume on Elliott Erwitt there is a fine technical section at the back. There's a picture of the inside of his case: pretty full range of Canon lenses and two cameras. And a Leica.... The M9 owners I know all shoot Canon for a living. They have more than one lens. Even for their Leicas.
 
FrankS said:
... but I was reacting a bit to the implication (present over the years here at rff) that a serious photographer limits himself to one camera/one lens and that those with many cameras are just fondlers.
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You might want to be careful of relying on recollection. I seem to observe that the attitude you mention is really limited only to a vocal minority.
 
Gumby said:
You might want to be careful of relying on recollection. I seem to observe that the attitude you mention is really limited only to a vocal minority.
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My statement does not specify the number of posters, or imply that they are in the majority.
I believe that both of our recollections are accurate.
 
I was one of those kids that couldn't for the life of him choose which ice cream to get, so my parents got sick of waiting and walked out of the ice cream shop. I'm still that kid - so maximum 2-3 lenses in a system works best for me. I'm liking my contax G 28/35/45 setup very much.
 
FrankS said:
My statement does not specify the number of posters, or imply that they are in the majority.
I believe that both of our recollections are accurate.
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Righto... you are correct. I should have said, don't waste your time reacting to the vocal minority. I know, I know... that is easier said than done. :)
 
Who said anything about emulating them?

Roger Hicks said:
Yes you can, IF you think you ought to emulate them. Then it becomes a problem. I agree, it's your problem, not theirs, though this is much a matter of linguistic precision as of photography.

That HCB used a single lens (or even single focal length) is, of course, a myth.

Webb & Harvey?
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You sure know how to press everyone's button Joe.

Seriously, whenever I go out with more than one camera I wind up with poorer results. Too many choices. However the one accessory I can't be without is a notebook. Sometimes I 'see' a picture that will be better served with equipment not on me at the moment. If I don't write myself a note I'll probably forget to return. On this mornings walk I took my little fixed lens Pen half frame specifically to photograph a local closed down and somewhat run down brewery. I'll develop that roll tomorrow. Also made a note to return with the M4-2 and CV 21 f4 in a week or so.

That is what works best for me.
 
zuiko85 said:
You sure know how to press everyone's button Joe.

Seriously, whenever I go out with more than one camera I wind up with poorer results. Too many choices. However the one accessory I can't be without is a notebook. Sometimes I 'see' a picture that will be better served with equipment not on me at the moment. If I don't write myself a note I'll probably forget to return. On this mornings walk I took my little fixed lens Pen half frame specifically to photograph a local closed down and somewhat run down brewery. I'll develop that roll tomorrow. Also made a note to return with the M4-2 and CV 21 f4 in a week or so.

That is what works best for me.
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when i started this thread i was feeling calm and content with myself...there was no intent to push any buttons...funny how things sort out.
i am wondering at my communication skills right about now...
 
back alley said:
when i started this thread i was feeling calm and content with myself...there was no intent to push any buttons...funny how things sort out.
i am wondering at my communication skills right about now...
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Joe, your communicating skills are fine...it is a two-way street after all, and sometimes the street signs just get ignored...:p
 
Maybe I'm not reading things right, but I see no buttons that have been pushed. It's a good discussion on a legitimate philosophical issue.
 
Somewhere at the beginning of the book "Light - Science and Magic" the authors have one of the most true sentences about gear (lights in their case) which goes something like: "No photographer has enough lights to lit well all assignments but most photographers have enough lights to lit well most assignments". It applies to cameras and lenses as well. You might have 10 systems and 100 lenses and you will always find that for a certain day you would like to have one more camera or lens but if you have a complete basic gear you will be able to do most of whatever you want. The "one camera one lens" lemma is nice but of course one camera and one lens are not enough if you really want to go home with usable images all the times, two bodies two zooms (or three primes) and two lights or a few reflectors should cover most of what one can think of. If the bodies are RFs you might miss the long lens and the fast autofocus sometimes and if they are huge DSLRs you might need some time in the gym or the swimming pool after every going out to recover you back's healt but one should have no problem with this outfit and one will for sure have eventually some problem if one bring less.

GLF
 
For me personally I had to many different cameras, I would go to the closet pick and choose. As soon as I left the house I start second guessing my choices. I sold and traded off all my AF Nikon cameras and lens except for my Nikon 3100 with two lens. Also I have a Nikon FG and a FM-10 and a few lens. Also a Ricoh Diacord, Yashica Lynx 5000e and my trusty Argus C-3. I do have GAS pains but its getting easier Trying to finish my darkroom on a tight budget.
 
As Tom Waits said:

"I'd buy me a used car lot
and I wouldn't sell any of em
I'd just drive a different car
every day dependin on how
I feel."

I need only three "cars" - 35mm, 50mm and maybe 28mm. When I go out shooting I always take only one lens and body - a bag full of lenses and more than one body always felt to geekish and control freak like to me, you will always miss something, but that's the way zhe life is. I really don't want to ofend anyone, everybody has his/her own way that makes them comfortable and it is how it should be - I'm probably unorganized and clummsy when it comes to serious photography and that is much bigger flaw. But I like to travel light and alone :) and I never know where I'll end up when I leave home to shoot. Shooting is as much a social event as introspective, meditative and artistic one.

At the moment a perfect combo is Canon EOS 5D and 35mm. I find a decent, pocketable p&S a must though.
Alex
 
"... but i am liking my stuff more now than i have ever liked it before."

Joe, you've gone through a process, tried diffrent things, until you've landed on results you really enjoy. And apparently you're enjoying those results from more than one avenue. Hey, keep on keepin' on! We have confidence in what we leave the house with as long as we're enjoying what we're bringing home. You've determined how to arrive at good results with more than one kit. Go for it and enjoy 'em all.
 
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