"Vintage Photographer"

[ruben]

During last weekend, at some ebay auction, I read that the item (quoted from my memory) was as good to the collector as well as for the vintage photographer. This is the first time I meet this nice definition. It let me thinking for a while.

Who is a vintage photographer ?
The one who likes to, or must, shoot with old cameras.

Why may someone like to shoot with old cameras ?
Because there are many kinds of photographers. Among them some like the challenge of doing a more difficult technical type of shooting. Other appeal is some kind of identification with photography roots. Old cameras have charm besides the jerkyness. And many old cameras have features not found with the new stuff.

Why may someone have to, or must, shoot with old cameras.
In order to achieve better quality within a relatively small budget. Although, of course, there are vintage cameras and lenses infinitely expensive as well.

Well, finally I found the name of the ranch to which I belong. I am a vintage photgrapher.

How old your equipment has to be in order to be counted as "vintage" ?
I think it depends very much upon the eye of the beholder. My digitalized nephews think any type of film camera is already 'vintage'.

Are Leica M7 or Zeiss Ikon ZM owners part of the ranch ?
Definitely yes, although their equipment may be first hand, they have their special corner here, as viewed by the new digital order.

The net is full of vintage photographers sites. Vintage photography is a very special and non-exclusive ranch at the same time. I am in good company.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[doubs43]

Who is a vintage photographer ? Cheers, Ruben

At nearly 63 years of age, I'd say I'm "vintage". A darned fine year too!! 😀

The word "vintage" is sorta like the word "mint". It all depends upon who uses it as to the meaning at the moment. To me, it applies to film cameras and equipment that's at least 40 years old. Why did I choose 40 years? It's an arbitrary time line that seems OK to me. Some may want to include cameras made after 1966 and if that's their standard then that's OK with me. I won't argue over it.

Sellers on ebay who list equipment as "vintage" help me home in on some items but I often see things listed that I don't consider to be "vintage". That's OK too because I skip right over them.

So, like "mint", "vintage" is whatever the speaker wants it to be at that moment. I don't have to agree but I also won't take issue with them unless they apply it to something that's obviously "modern".

Walker

 

[back alley]

if vintage means old then i'm vintage!!

lol!

 

[ch1]

Seems to me that a "vintage photographer" is one with a certain amount of "years" on him/her.

A "vintage camera photographer" better describes someone of any age who uses older gear. 😉

 

[lynn]

Seems to me that a "vintage photographer" is one with a certain amount of "years" on him/her.

A "vintage camera photographer" better describes someone of any age who uses older gear. 😉

Oh. Then I'm BOTH. Lucky me! 🙂

 

[GeneW]

Some of the digital photographers I hang out with (hey, they're people too), think we RFFers belong to the Society for Creative Anachronisms. To which I reply, "show me your slides!" 😀

Gene

 

[kmack]

Vintage: Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.
Yep that describes me to a 'T'.

Junk: Discarded material, such as glass, rags, paper, or metal, some of which may be reused in some form.

Describes most of my cameras, but I love em and use them.

 

[ch1]

Vintage: Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.
Yep that describes me to a 'T'.

Junk: Discarded material, such as glass, rags, paper, or metal, some of which may be reused in some form.

Describes most of my camera's, but I love em and use them.

Kind of like that truck in your Avatar? 😀

 

[schaubild]

"Vintage: Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic."

Sounds like an Alpa 🙂

 

[Jocko]

In the UK motor enthusiasts make a distinction between veteran cars (prior to 1919) and vintage models (1919 - 1930). So in RF terms users of Screw Leica's and early Feds and Kievs have got to be veterans - battle scarred, bashed about and full of wild stories. I'll sign up to that!

Ian

 

[kmack]

Kind of like that truck in your Avatar? 😀

Yeah just like that. Vintage Junk

 

[RML]

Some of the digital photographers I hang out with (hey, they're people too), think we RFFers belong to the Society for Creative Anachronisms. To which I reply, "show me your slides!" 😀

Gene, they've never seen an R-D1, though the R-D1 could vey well be the epitome of the creative anachronism. 🙂

 

[GeneW]

Gene, they've never seen an R-D1, though the R-D1 could vey well be the epitome of the creative anachronism. 🙂

You're right, Remy. A while back there was a discussion of the R-D1 on digitalreview.com and they didn't get it at all. They couldn't figure out why anyone would want a camera with a viewfinder/rangefinder, especially a digital one.

Gene

 

[JeffGreene]

Then again, why would anyone want a camera that does everything. From the digital perspective, quicker is better!

 

[lushd]

Vintage - like wine that improves with age? I was looking at some stuff I shot 5 years ago and I am better at it these days. It's just knowing when it turns to vinegar!

 

[VinceC]

>>From the digital perspective, quicker is better!<<

High-end digitals are fast. But most consumer/affordable digitals are pretty slow.