When you realize you don't need it

[Huss]

I've been eyeing Pentax LXs for the longest time. When I was a kid they were seen as perhaps the ultimate 35mm SLR in its class.

This morning on ebay I was right there to place the closing bid as the seconds ticked down. But I just watched it end.

It was the realization that it would have been just another thing. I already have too many things. And the Pentax SuperA that I recently bought for pennies on the dollar is just a fantastic camera. I could not think of one thing that the LX would bring to the table that the SuperA already doesn't do for my photography.

The reality is that I really should start whittling away at what I have, as there are far more redundancies there.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I have one, it's a beautiful camera, but the shutter sounds like a cheap mousetrap going off. It's like firing up the Ferrari to find the motor is from a Lada...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I like getting some low cost gear, once in a while, trying it and selling to get one more expensive item. I would like to sell all of the low cost film cameras I have and just get FM3A instead.

 

[hap]

I like getting some low cost gear, once in a while, trying it and selling to get one more expensive item. I would like to sell all of the low cost film cameras I have and just get FM3A instead.

I had same feeling some years back..but I still added some low cost stuff to my FM3A and FA.

 

[madNbad]

I've been eyeing Pentax LXs for the longest time. When I was a kid they were seen as perhaps the ultimate 35mm SLR in its class.

This morning on ebay I was right there to place the closing bid as the seconds ticked down. But I just watched it end.

It was the realization that it would have been just another thing. I already have too many things. And the Pentax SuperA that I recently bought for pennies on the dollar is just a fantastic camera. I could not think of one thing that the LX would bring to the table that the SuperA already doesn't do for my photography.

The reality is that I really should start whittling away at what I have, as there are far more redundancies there.

I bought my first camera, a Minolta SRT-101 with a 55 1.7 Rokkor, when I was 17. I'll be 66 next month and have lost track of how many different cameras there have been. When King Grant first opened KEH, each month there was a mimeograph page with the listings. At the time, I was on the east coast so the time zone wasn't any different so you would call him up and make a trade. I bought and traded enough gear that I often wondered if I was the guy keeping them going. I been through formats from sub-miniature to 5x7 and the joke with my spouse is, "I'm really done this time..." I love photography but I also love the gear but can't abide having stuff sit around unused so it's sold or traded or simply given away. Some gear has been sold to fund home purchase or improvement projects. A lot has been bought in multiples over the years. After I retired in 2013 there was a spree. Cameras I always wanted were cheap and available. Dipped a toe in the digital waters and tried several different ones. Beginning last year, the decision was made find a body and stick with it. One film and one digital would have been enough till I found the Nikkormat I always wanted. You live in an area that is filled with photographic opportunities and often a certain camera will give you just the right look making it a challenge about what to keep. The easy thing is, take a breather from new gear, drag out something you haven't used in a while. If it gives you a thrill to use it, keep it. If not there's always the classifieds.

 

[hap]

Got the "hots" for an F some time ago. However, when opportunities came up that seemed decent, could not pull trigger, even at the brink. Perhaps because I learned of Sover and went to his website. Once I got a whiff of the prices and the delays and the shipping to and from UK, some of the fire quenched.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I can relate Huss. I've always had a lust for a Leica IA even though I don't like scale focus cameras. But there is so much history in that camera. Igor had one for sale on the auction site with a BIN price that I thought was a little high. I would look at it at least once a week, but could never bring myself to finally purchase it. It was definitely an object of lust. Finally, after being listed for more than a year and a half, it sold last month. I was disappointed. It was probably a good thing I didn't buy it, I certainly didn't need it, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

I try to stay off the auction site now.

Best,
-Tim

 

[madNbad]

Along with Tim, Pro Photo Supply in Portland has an unused Leica O series replica. It's been on the shelf for about a year and the price just dropped to $795. It's hard to stay stong sometimes.

 

[benlees]

I actually forgot that I, at one time, owned an LX. A long time MX fan, I always thought I should get the ultimate manual focus Pentax body, the LX. So I did. I found the experience so underwhelming that I relegated the experience of buying, using, and selling it so deep in my wee brain that, years later, I thought to myself "How come I never got an LX?" and started looking for one! Serendipity intervened and I found the photos I took of the LX when I sold it...

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Got the "hots" for an F some time ago. However, when opportunities came up that seemed decent, could not pull trigger, even at the brink. Perhaps because I learned of Sover and went to his website. Once I got a whiff of the prices and the delays and the shipping to and from UK, some of the fire quenched.

Ah, but so worth it.

 

[mothertrucker]

That price is very tempting - I love those flip-up glass viewfinders. Very popular in the twenties, love the look of them on old plate glass european stereokameras.

Along with Tim, Pro Photo Supply in Portland has an unused Leica O series replica. It's been on the shelf for about a year and the price just dropped to $795. It's hard to stay stong sometimes.

 

[Huss]

Out of all my Nikons, the one I absolutely love and cannot put down is the F4. I prefer it to my F6 because I hate the menus in the F6, and the fact that if I pull the battery after a few weeks I need to reset everything. Which shows I don't use it much. I guess I'm keeping it because Nikon still services them.

So logically I should just use the F4, and unload the rest. Unfortunately (apart from this morning with my LX experience) logic and gear for me have yet to intersect..

Guess this is becoming a de-gassing thread...

 

[Larry Cloetta]

<snip> Unfortunately (apart from this morning with my LX experience) logic and gear for me have yet to intersect..

<snip>.

That thing you just described, the non-intersection, is called fun. It's okay.

 

[Forest_rain]

Yes I have put off buying some stuff, there's a point where it goes from your "gear" to your "collection" to a "pile of clutter".

Although there are a few things that I want, I have decided not to buy things recently, and just work with what I have. It's quite satisfying throwing stuff together and getting good results.

I'm trying to focus more energy into learning and focus on artistic aspects and looking at accomplished photographer's photos rather than researching gear. I even stopped myself from buying a medium format camera.

Due to the high prices of Leicas, I don't think I could ever afford one however. Even $200 for a IIIC would be too much for me. I would be too afraid of breaking it or having it stolen anyway.

 

[Huss]

Along with Tim, Pro Photo Supply in Portland has an unused Leica O series replica. It's been on the shelf for about a year and the price just dropped to $795. It's hard to stay stong sometimes.

That is about 1/2 the next cheapest price.

Thankfully not for me!

 

[Huss]

That thing you just described, the non-intersection, is called fun. It's okay.

I hear you Larry.

But I think I've had enough fun for now!
(is there such a thing?)

 

[jsrockit]

I have a feeling it just wasn't the right day... you'll look again and it will be the right day! The LX seems like an awesome camera.

 

[Pál_K]

... I could not think of one thing that the LX would bring to the table that the SuperA already doesn't do for my photography...

Certainly on Photrio you've seen those amazing long-exposure night images Les has made with his LX. The LX camera is exactly the right tool for that type of photography. That's probably the only reason I'd ever buy one.

The reality is that I really should start whittling away at what I have, as there are far more redundancies there.

That's crazy talk!

 

[jsrockit]

Certainly on Photrio you've seen those amazing long-exposure images Les has made with his LX.

Have a link?

 

[tbhv55]

there's a point where it goes from your "gear" to your "collection" to a "pile of clutter".

Indeed. The last of these is very familiar........ while the previous two are but distant memories...! 😉 😀