Why I bought an m240 ...

Very sorry to hear about your buddy.

Truth is Keith, you've made some amazing images that I've seen over the years that I've been a member of RFF. Sounds to me like your a reasonably grounded person with priorities that are pretty sensible. You have to have a passion in life and photography is one of the great passions.

Enjoy that 240. Keep making great images for us to enjoy.
 
Thanks for all the supportive comments people ... it's why I'm a member here. The general level of plain old human decency is very high here IMO. 🙂

Took the car into work this morning and gave it a good going over to make sure nothing will drop off along the way. (hopefully) Someone pointed out that I am about to head into unknown territory in a French car with a German camera ... I hadn't thought of it that way! 😀

I'll be taking my laptop with me and there will be wi-fi in the towns so I may upload the odd pic here for your amusement. 🙂 My first priority is the Stockman's Hall Of Fame in Longreach then of to a place called Isis Downs that has a heritage listed shearing shed that is quite unique apparently ... only one of it's type in the southern hemisphere I'm told. Semi circular and housed fifty shearers at a time all 'going for it' during the wool boom years ... sadly well and truly over now!
 
Congratulations Keith, and of course y sympathies for your friend. It's a tough thing for folks on bot sides of the matter...

I got myself a 240 just a couple of weeks ago... Mainly because rangefinders are how I best enjoy photography, and life is too short to not enjoy, if you can. I realized that I could sell some things that I just wasn't using to make up the cost of a used one, so I did it, and it's been great so far.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Good luck on your trip and I look forward to seeing those pictures.

And remember, you're always as young as you feel... Have fun and stay healthy!
 
nebula said:
Not to hijack your thread--this is about 240 joy after all--but...I was just wondering how you made out with the little merrills and the larger SD1 (is it called?). Did you master them? I do find them tricky but they will do one thing really well eh? What was the best lens to use with the SD1?


dj3iQus.jpg
Click to expand...


Mastering the Merrills was a challenge and I have to say I have nothing but praise for those cameras ... they are truly amazing! Fav lens for the SD1M would have to be the 18-35 f1.8 zoom I got ... quality of a prime but with amazing versatility ... but also heavy!

I'm finding the 240 an absolute breeze to focus after the Merrills ... slow AF is a bitch and the SD1M doesn't have a particularly brilliant finder so manual focusing on the DSLR is difficult for me. One thing I've really noticed about the aging process is diminished light perception ... this is where a rangefinder has it all over a DSLR IMO.
 
Sorry to hear about your friend Keith.

Great to hear that you are continuing your camera purchasing journey (finally, in the right direction IMHO (I don't have many)).

Even better to hear that you going on an actual journey with it. It is harsh but stunning country out that way and a good time of year to do it. Looking forward to see what you come home with.

Stay safe.
h.
 
65 here. Sorry to ear about your friend. Yes, as already said life is short and it's later than we think...waiting to see your pictures...enjoy your trip and the new camera.
robert
 
Keith said:
I think I've seen enough from the 240 to make me think it matches the IQ of the little Sigmas ... which I'll probably now sell.

There has been a bit of call from rangefinders for me of late ... It's why I came here (RFF) after all! 🙂
Click to expand...

Condolences about your friend. There's a reason why sages of old began their teachings with reflection on the cycle of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

I was using my film RFs last month and simply (re)loved it. So much so that I went and got another 40 rolls after the first 12.

The Sigma Merrills deliver texture and color in a way that is unlike other smallish cameras, and well-suited to landscape and architecture. I think that in some cases you will miss them.

But this will be insignificant next to the joy of the trip you are planning and the use of a great digital rangefinder.
 
Keith said:
I've mused about the possibility of owning a digital M for a long time ... I'm single with no dependants, I smoke minimally, I shop at Aldi, I don't go to restaurants, I drink very little, I wear my clothes until they are near falling off me and I'm now on the wrong side of sixty ... photography is my only real vice!

A few weeks ago a very good friend (several years younger than moi) who I've known for thirty odd years was diagnosed with terminal cancer and probably has a few months left at best ... did this shake me up a little? It sure did!

Need I say more? ... life's too short folks and you never know when your number's up. Will I like the 240, is it the right camera for me? .... who knows, but I'm not about to die wondering.
Click to expand...
Life is short & so sorry about your friend. Ya know, everytime I hear/read of someone with terminal cancer I think of photographer James Fee. Fee up to his last days was driven around by a friend so James could get out & take photographs. It was in B&W Mag. where I 1st heard of Fee & one of the photos that someone took of James standing outside the car, he looked so sick you could feel his struggle just to hold up the camera.

Enjoy your trip Keith. I haven't been on a trip in so long, my wife is disabled somewhat & I'm about the only source of income so funds are tight at times. I enjoy reading about people's trips, like Frank's motorcycle trip throughout portions of the U.S. Share with us your trip, & photos when you return.
 
Keith,

A friend of mine suddenly quit a great job and started writing a book and taking up other new challenges. I asked him about it, and all he said is 'my friends have started dying.'

A healthy response, as is yours. Look forward to some pics!

Kirk
 
I know what you mean about being on the wrong side of 60... I'm in denial about being there myself. My best wishes for your friend. That kind of diagnosis simply sucks. Congrats on the M240 and on your trip... I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures and your commentary on how the camera worked for you.
 
Congratulations. My jealousy is heart-felt.

About death and disease : at some point in life we all have to grapple with the fact that life does not follow well-ordered timetables, it isn't a well ordered swiss watch. Bad surprises make us wary of uncertainty, the unforeseen bits can hurt nastily.
But Lady Fortune is blind. She hurts and she heals, without distinction. The unforeseen can be as glorious as it can be catastrophic.

Listen to me pontificate!

Just point your camera in the right direction, please.

You lucky swine, you!
 
lukitas said:
Congratulations. My jealousy is heart-felt.

About death and disease : at some point in life we all have to grapple with the fact that life does not follow well-ordered timetables, it isn't a well ordered swiss watch. Bad surprises make us wary of uncertainty, the unforeseen bits can hurt nastily.
But Lady Fortune is blind. She hurts and she heals, without distinction. The unforeseen can be as glorious as it can be catastrophic.

Listen to me pontificate!

Just point your camera in the right direction, please.

You lucky swine, you!
Click to expand...


Brilliant post lukitas. 🙂
 
Good for you, Keith 🙂

Looking forward to see your work with the 240 🙂

I narrowly escaped melanoma myself last year, but they managed to carve it out just in time.

The brevity of life becomes increasingly apparent with time.
 
thompsonks said:
Are you taking your friend on that trip? He deserves a bit of indulgence too.

Kirk
Click to expand...


Steve and his wife are very busy over the next few weeks ... so his dance card is currently very full. Lots of trips away to make the most of what little time they have left together.

He is being very positive I have to say. In his words; ... "I've had a very rewarding and interesting life ... I've done almost everything I've wanted to do so I don't feel too hard done by."

He has been offered chemo to potentially give him more time but he chose not to take that option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Rob-F
Olive Repainted Leicas on eBay: How good is the paint job?
Replies
9
Views
487
NIKON KIU
NIKON KIU
underlord
Pointless post or end of an era?
2
Replies
24
Views
3K
JSteed#2
J
Mos6502
Reunion Tour: Miranda S and Fuji Neopan SS.
Replies
8
Views
443
Mos6502
Mos6502
Rob-F
I Can't get photos to load into Apple Aperture on my two "newer" computers
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Godfrey
Godfrey
G
Using a Nikon Super CoolScan 4000 ED versus a digital camera w/VALOI easy35 (or other similar alternatives).
Replies
7
Views
2K
Godfrey
Godfrey
Back
Top Bottom