BillP
Rangefinder General
t's the end of the year, and I am feeling a little philosophical.
In the last year I have over time rationalised my M-lenses and built up then pared down my screwmount collection. I now have a selection of lenses that "read" as follows:
15mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
28mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
35mm x 2, both LTM - Voigtlander and Leica
40mm x 1, M mount - Voigtlander
50mm x 3 LTM x 1, M mount x 2 - all Leica
75mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
90mm x 2, M mount x 1, LTM x 1, both Leica
This gives me considerable flexibility between both M and LTM bodies, with only one f/l (the 40mm) "unavailable" to my IIIc. My fastest lens is the 40, and I don't feel the need for any more speed.
What's missing?
I would like to add a collapsible 90mm Elmar, and I am on the lookout for a nice clean example. This has little to do with practicality, but a lot to do with having a contemporary "set" of lenses for my M2. The collapsible was also my first 90, way back in the last century, and I have regretted selling it ever since.
Next on the shopping list is a late model 135mm Elmar-M. Again, I had one in the past, and regret selling it.
I may consider a 75mm Summarit, but that is a lower priority. I am happy with my Voigtlander, and would only move to the Leica lens if it showed a considerable increase in performance. The trade-off, of course, is that it is M-only, which means I would most likely double-up in that f/l
So, what is the relevance of the title of this thread?
For the most part, I have traded up, down, in and out until I have ended up with the lens "palette" that both suits the way I work and that I want. I am not a pro, so I don't actually need any particular lens \for a specific reason - this is all for fun. Every lens I own I can "justify" to myself for one reason or another.
Equally, I am fortunate in that, generally, in time, I can afford to add what I want. I simply don't have that gap between what I want and what I can afford that in extreme cases leads to envy, dissatisfaction and bitterness.
I don't care about the prices of new Noctiluxes - I've used one on more than one occasion and it just doesn't do it for me. I'm not a collector, so I don't have to sell my soul for something rare in black enamel.
This may sound self-satisfied, but my objective in this thread is to provoke thought. Are you happy with what you have, or do you have that itch for something else? Will you put a hole in your credit card just to have that lens, only to sell it again a year or so later?
Your thoughts...?
Regards,
Bill
In the last year I have over time rationalised my M-lenses and built up then pared down my screwmount collection. I now have a selection of lenses that "read" as follows:
15mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
28mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
35mm x 2, both LTM - Voigtlander and Leica
40mm x 1, M mount - Voigtlander
50mm x 3 LTM x 1, M mount x 2 - all Leica
75mm x 1 LTM - Voigtlander
90mm x 2, M mount x 1, LTM x 1, both Leica
This gives me considerable flexibility between both M and LTM bodies, with only one f/l (the 40mm) "unavailable" to my IIIc. My fastest lens is the 40, and I don't feel the need for any more speed.
What's missing?
I would like to add a collapsible 90mm Elmar, and I am on the lookout for a nice clean example. This has little to do with practicality, but a lot to do with having a contemporary "set" of lenses for my M2. The collapsible was also my first 90, way back in the last century, and I have regretted selling it ever since.
Next on the shopping list is a late model 135mm Elmar-M. Again, I had one in the past, and regret selling it.
I may consider a 75mm Summarit, but that is a lower priority. I am happy with my Voigtlander, and would only move to the Leica lens if it showed a considerable increase in performance. The trade-off, of course, is that it is M-only, which means I would most likely double-up in that f/l
So, what is the relevance of the title of this thread?
For the most part, I have traded up, down, in and out until I have ended up with the lens "palette" that both suits the way I work and that I want. I am not a pro, so I don't actually need any particular lens \for a specific reason - this is all for fun. Every lens I own I can "justify" to myself for one reason or another.
Equally, I am fortunate in that, generally, in time, I can afford to add what I want. I simply don't have that gap between what I want and what I can afford that in extreme cases leads to envy, dissatisfaction and bitterness.
I don't care about the prices of new Noctiluxes - I've used one on more than one occasion and it just doesn't do it for me. I'm not a collector, so I don't have to sell my soul for something rare in black enamel.
This may sound self-satisfied, but my objective in this thread is to provoke thought. Are you happy with what you have, or do you have that itch for something else? Will you put a hole in your credit card just to have that lens, only to sell it again a year or so later?
Your thoughts...?
Regards,
Bill
FPjohn
Well-known
not equivalent
not equivalent
What I want, what I need, what I like, what I can afford.
Given that, what I like and have are
25mm CV Skopar
35mm Summaron
DR Summicron
90mm Tele Elmarit
Numerous other lenses greatly exceed my needs.
'Best for the New Year.
yours
Frank Johnston
not equivalent
What I want, what I need, what I like, what I can afford.
Given that, what I like and have are
25mm CV Skopar
35mm Summaron
DR Summicron
90mm Tele Elmarit
Numerous other lenses greatly exceed my needs.
'Best for the New Year.
yours
Frank Johnston
Last edited:
Ducky
Well-known
Time, the only thing I can afford.
FrankS
Registered User
2007 has been a very good year for me in fine-tuning my photo gear. I traded away a Bronica RF645 (had 2), R2, CL, and some lenses, sold my M2 and M3, and sold 2 HS Contax IIa's. I added a couple of other lenses, a very nice M5 and a few medium format RF cameras. Now I've got what I want and what I need. The 35mm stuff is mainly for personal/fun use. I have a beater CL, IIf, M5, M6, Hexar RF. In lenses I have CV21, Canon 28f3.5, Summaron f3.5, CV40, CV50f2.5, a bunch of other vintage 50s, a Canon 85, Elmar 90, and Hector 135.
PlantedTao
Well-known
What I want is a darkroom...
What I need is time and money to build the darkroom...
What I would like is a contractor to come in and install a fully functional professional darkroom...
I do know that I will get the chance to get the plumbing, framing, and electrical done for this project, my goal is to be up and running by the winter of 2008.
So here's to a great New Year!
Jason
What I need is time and money to build the darkroom...
What I would like is a contractor to come in and install a fully functional professional darkroom...
I do know that I will get the chance to get the plumbing, framing, and electrical done for this project, my goal is to be up and running by the winter of 2008.
So here's to a great New Year!
Jason
back alley
IMAGES
if i were to be completely honest with myself, something i tend to avoid when it comes to gear, i would admit to being totally satisfied with the zi/zm kit and that i could shoot nearly 100% of what i like to shoot with it.
that being said, i really like the cv kit and seem to have more 'fun' when i shoot with it, not really sure why.
as for wants...if i had the money wants...i'd love the zm 85 lens, an r3a, a 40/1.4 and a 40/2.8 rollei sonnar.
i don't use credit so i never go into debt for my gear. i do however sometimes sell something to buy something or just save up till i can get what i want.
that being said, i really like the cv kit and seem to have more 'fun' when i shoot with it, not really sure why.
as for wants...if i had the money wants...i'd love the zm 85 lens, an r3a, a 40/1.4 and a 40/2.8 rollei sonnar.
i don't use credit so i never go into debt for my gear. i do however sometimes sell something to buy something or just save up till i can get what i want.
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I'm happy with what I have now but will also happily add a few more bits and pieces.
Going forward I certainly won't pas up any "great finds"(stuff like the apocryphal $10 garage sale leicas, etc
) but am not actively looking for more gear.
Mostly what I need is better criticism than mom's!
'08 isn't going to be about stuff for me but about use. Oh, I guess that means I need more film.
Rob
Going forward I certainly won't pas up any "great finds"(stuff like the apocryphal $10 garage sale leicas, etc
) but am not actively looking for more gear. Mostly what I need is better criticism than mom's!
'08 isn't going to be about stuff for me but about use. Oh, I guess that means I need more film.
Rob
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
A new camera or lens will not improve my photos.
100 rolls of Reala and a few visits to galleries might improve my photos.
Photography is not about cameras, it's about seeing.
100 rolls of Reala and a few visits to galleries might improve my photos.
Photography is not about cameras, it's about seeing.
feenej
Well-known
When I get a new camera I take more photos, so in that way new gear can improve my skills potentially. I have more fun taking pictures with cheap (but good) gear. My nicest camera is a Bessa R, but I kind of worry about it when I use it at a bar or on the street. I have been taking lots of pics with a $50 OM-1, and a $40 Olympus RC lately. In the studio I use old Minoltas.
Last edited:
FrankS
Registered User
Jon,
For those of us who have to deal with distractions from our photography such as time commitments to employment and family, and energy reducers like employment and family, and for those of us who also live in non-ideal environments (winter cold and NA suburbia) for photography, a focus on the gear helps keep us "in the game" until the opportunity and energy for photography presents itself. Additionally, the gear part of photography is an aspect that some of us also enjoy. If you don't, that's fine, just avoid this type of thread.
For those of us who have to deal with distractions from our photography such as time commitments to employment and family, and energy reducers like employment and family, and for those of us who also live in non-ideal environments (winter cold and NA suburbia) for photography, a focus on the gear helps keep us "in the game" until the opportunity and energy for photography presents itself. Additionally, the gear part of photography is an aspect that some of us also enjoy. If you don't, that's fine, just avoid this type of thread.
Last edited:
thomasw_
Well-known
If a need is understood as being that which is necessary for a thing, then I have no need for any camera equipment, my only need is for some more developing chemicals and some film. And if I mean by a want that which is desired but not necessary, then my want-list includes a couple of summilux asph lenses; the 35 and 50. I will have saved enough to obtain them sometime in the coming year.
back alley
IMAGES
ClaremontPhoto said:
ever try taking a photo without a camera?
FrankS
Registered User
Pitxu said:
Rather limited compared to the photography most of us do, wouldn't you agree, Pitxu?
back alley
IMAGES
Pitxu said:
not a very practical application for us street shooters, eh?
wasn't man ray the big photogram guy?
joe
back alley
IMAGES
perhaps we should start a camera obscura section?
pachuco
El ****
I want, need, and would like an M8. It's the affording part that I lack
FrankS
Registered User
Pitxu said:
Ah, but then the shoebox becomes a camera, the pinhole a lens.
And I imagine that among pin hole photographers, there is talk of the type of boxes they use.
FrankS
Registered User
Me too. And to think it only has to be a light tight box.
Last edited:
oscroft
Veteran
All I have in my list of needs/wants for 2008 is...
A coupled CV 25
A 40 for my CL (probably a Rokkor)
An R3A
Apart from that, there really isn't any more RF gear I want. My 35mm SLR gear (OM) is as complete as I want it, as is my MF SLR (Bronica - I bought two more lenses this year to complete my MF desires)
In fact, I expect I'll sell more than I buy during 2008 (in numbers of items at least, if not in value) - I've got some unused FSU gear and one or two fixed-lens RFs that aren't being used and should really find new owners.
A coupled CV 25
A 40 for my CL (probably a Rokkor)
An R3A
Apart from that, there really isn't any more RF gear I want. My 35mm SLR gear (OM) is as complete as I want it, as is my MF SLR (Bronica - I bought two more lenses this year to complete my MF desires)
In fact, I expect I'll sell more than I buy during 2008 (in numbers of items at least, if not in value) - I've got some unused FSU gear and one or two fixed-lens RFs that aren't being used and should really find new owners.
projectbluebird
Film Abuser
I find that I'm generally happy with what I have.
Then, I'll see something I'd like.
Which turns into something I want.
Which becomes something I'm convinced I need.
And if I believe that strongly enough, I will get it somehow, eventually.
That's how I ended up with my M3. And the DR summicron, the 90 'cron, the IIIf, the... The list goes on and on!
It's amazing what you can pick up if you're patient. I never go into debt to buy things, but I've come close several times.
Right now my want list is pretty modest.
A 50 LTM, f/2 or faster.
an 85. Again LTM, f/2 or faster.
What I'd like:
A fast 50. faster than f/1.4. (the canon springs to mind)
A Goldilocks wide. Something between 15 and 35.
Either digital RF. This is likely pie-in-the-sky territory, but who knows? That's what I said about wanting an M3.
Then, I'll see something I'd like.
Which turns into something I want.
Which becomes something I'm convinced I need.
And if I believe that strongly enough, I will get it somehow, eventually.
That's how I ended up with my M3. And the DR summicron, the 90 'cron, the IIIf, the... The list goes on and on!
It's amazing what you can pick up if you're patient. I never go into debt to buy things, but I've come close several times.
Right now my want list is pretty modest.
A 50 LTM, f/2 or faster.
an 85. Again LTM, f/2 or faster.
What I'd like:
A fast 50. faster than f/1.4. (the canon springs to mind)
A Goldilocks wide. Something between 15 and 35.
Either digital RF. This is likely pie-in-the-sky territory, but who knows? That's what I said about wanting an M3.