The Lone Rangefinder Rides Again, or How to Avoid the Loan Arranger.

[Wayne R. Scott]

In response to Ruben’s thread for an Anti-Gas Forum, I thought we could list reasons to use only one rangefinder in this thread and how to save money for real important things like film and or foodJ

If I were to sell the fixed lens cameras that I have accumulated over the last three years I could easily buy a single Leica M camera with quality lens and be able to do 90% of all my people photography.

I think for 2007 I will just use one rangefinder body and lens per month and par down my collection.

Any ideas from GAS afflicted members.

Wayne

 

[ruben]

Hi Wayne,
Perhaps because of language shortcoming I didn't get you. Do you mean that during 2007 you will be using 12 different rangefinders and lenses, one combo per month ?

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Hi Wayne,
Perhaps because of language shortcoming I didn't get you. Do you mean that during 2007 you will be using 12 different rangefinders and lenses, one combo per month ?

Ruben,

You understand the English language just fine, I didn't express my meaning very well. The way it reads does indicate that 12 cameras and lens will be used for the year, one each month. I think I am going to simplify my rangefinder cameras down to just two or three bodies with just a few lens, maybe 21mm, 50mm and 75mm. I am just trying to quit buying one of every camera I read about and concentrate more on photography this year.

If I can express my ideas I can formulate a plan to rid myself of GAS and follow it for the year 2007.

Wayne

 

[Dougg]

Good luck on your de-acquisition program, Wayne! A simple, clean, maybe even austere yet functional kit has its attractions. I think I've sorta reached a saturation point at which it's getting tough to yearn after anything more than what I've got... which certainly covers the spectrum of my usage in multiple ways.

 

[thanatos]

One man's de-acquisition program is another woman's GAS.

 

[IGMeanwell]

I always find the best way to keep myself from acquiring more gear is to keep reminding myself all the other ways i can use that extra cash.

I mean usually it still circles around to more photography equipment usually I can dissuade myself... however its not always successful

 

[amateriat]

One (or perhaps two) truly good "go-to" cameras, IMO, clearly beat out a closetful of close-but-no-cigar picture-makers, and I think this helps concentrate the mind just a bit ...less-is-more and so on. But it all depends.

Good luck on your quest!


- Barrett

 

[RML]

For over a year and a half I've restricted myself to shooting my R-D1, mostly with the CZ 50/2 and the M-Rokkor 40/2, and very seldomly using the CV 25/4 or the J9 85/2.

All my other cameras and lenses are either gathering dust or mantle piece display items (and pretty ones at that). Would I sell those other cameras? No. I tried selling my M2 Golden Dragon and hardly anyone was interested. So, I'm keeping it unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse. All the other cameras might come to use one day, I hope (or fear).

 

[ruben]

I my specific GAS desease, the biggest problem is that I don't sell anything, I just buy. This after a traumatic experience many years ago, when I was still healthy and sold a Kiev 80. Following that episode, and being poorer than today, I passed many years weaping why the hell I sold that only MF I had. Years later I bought a 100% full C330 system plus additional toys for it and took my vendetta. But that vendetta, like all vendettas, never ended.

Yes, I am sick.

 

[schaubild]

Less is definitively more.
To lower the weight of my travel equipment I started to select cameras and lenses beforehand. The goal is each camera with one lens only. Might not be the perfect simplistic approach, but I managed to come down to four (cameras and lenses) 🙂

Works in most cases.

 

[markinlondon]

I'm currently rethinking my gear based on usage. When I work out what I actually used over the last year it really comes down to one body and a 50mm for over 90% of it. I am seriously thinking of selling up a pile of kit but it's hard to let go sometimes.

Welcome back, Ruben.

 

[ruben]

I'm currently rethinking my gear based on usage. When I work out what I actually used over the last year it really comes down to one body and a 50mm for over 90% of it. I am seriously thinking of selling up a pile of kit but it's hard to let go sometimes.

Welcome back, Ruben.

Hi Mark !
There is a local porno joke about the difference between theory and practice, which once I managed to refrain from translating it to the forum and now I will do the same.
Good luck !
Ruben

PS: your icon guitar pic was legendary, what a pitty for me you changed it.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I have goals for my kit. I've been selling bits and pieces that I accumulated in the process of deciding on these goals.

Kits:
FSU 35mm kit::2 bodies, 3 lenses, 1 tele-finder (I'm alost there)
Modern 35mm kit:: 2 bodies, 5 lenses, 2 finders (I've got it)
Medium Format Kit:: 1 body, 3 lenses (haven't started this one yet)
Large Format Kit:: 1 body (crown graphic) 2 lenses (haven't started this one yet)
Digital Kit::1 body, 4 lenses (got it)

Now, the FSU, medium format, and Crown Graphic kits will stay as they are once completed. The modern 35mm and digital kits are subject to upgrading as money is available for better bodies/lenses.

I'm trying not to buy anything that is not a component of one of those kits and when I upgrade a lens or body, I'll sell off the old piece.

So, I have limits on my gas by having specific goals that I'd like to achieve. I was very proud of myself...for awhile there, till I reallized that my limits amount to "I'll quit when I have everything I could possibly want!"

Seriously. Having a focus and a plan to your aquisitions might help limit you to thing you will actually shoot and eliminate the impulse buy of pieces that just look cool at the moment.

 

[ruben]

You mean GASPLAN ?

😀

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Less is definitively more.
To lower the weight of my travel equipment I started to select cameras and lenses beforehand. The goal is each camera with one lens only. Might not be the perfect simplistic approach, but I managed to come down to four (cameras and lenses) 🙂

Works in most cases.

Yes, I think 4 Alpa's with lens would be about all I could afford. If I sold all 150 of my cameras, my furniture, boat, cars, trucks and farm. Why did you have to post with your Avataar? Now I want an Alpa🙂

Wayne

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[ruben]

Hi Magus,
If confessions and brakes is what we are talking lately to escape the flames of the infern, or at least stop by at any sanctuary in our way, I have my own too.

Beyond the customary dozen fixed lens cameras I have three full flexed systems, the OM slr, the Mamiya TLR, and Kiev RFs. According to my status at the food chain, my point of sanity has been to avoid by any means both the LTM and M mounts, a fairly heavy cross to carry while enjoying participating at RFF. Yet, otherwise crossing this barrier, even at the tempting advise for entry level position, that our friend Roland ("Ferider") so patiently gave me for several weeks, I would be today in a place I don't even want to think about.

OM, Mamiya TLR and Kiev RFs. Quite old fashion, quite not at the top of the top. But if I am sincere to myself I must say that with all the lenses and bodies involved in these three systems, I have not started to scratch their technical possibilities.

Now my ANTIGASPLAN is to avoid for as much time as possible to even look at eBay. (of course this is not a total seal since I still can lurk at what friends here are selling, and some half frame camera there is already driving me nuts again.)

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[nightfly]

Leica makes it easy to avoid GAS by making their stuff so damn expensive.

 

[ruben]

Leica makes it easy to avoid GAS by making their stuff so damn expensive.

No no no my friend, if you ask Ferider will show you the way :angel:


PS:
DEAR FERIDER,
I am teasing you a bit but I send you my warmest regards and thank you for welcoming me today.
And I have not forgotten nor your kind coaching nor that amazing bird pic from your Pen system.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Imagine you are going to your dream vacation city (Paris, Florence, Venice etc), you have only one small carry-on bag for your clothes, personal items, camera/lens, and all other essentials for your trip. What camera/lens would that be ? Then sell everything else 🙂

Or just sell everything as you suggest and get the one leica body and lens that you already stated you could do 90% of your work with. Buy your ideal combination of said kit, and then no buyers regret a few months down the road.

Of course, none of this will be easy 😉