Interesting perspective, Godders.
I've never felt encumbered by equipment, but I've learned to take no
more than I need for the task at hand. For a walkaround, it's always
one lens and a camera. And I have to admit that my Leica was perfect
for that role. But film is itself an encumbrance. For shooting at the
nature center, I carry one camera, a 400 mm lens, a flash with
extender and a tripod. Sometimes I put the 2X converter in my pocket.
For my VR panoramas, it's one lens, a tripod, a panorama head, and a
level. For weddings, it's two cameras, two lenses and flash equipment.
The second camera is only used during the ceremony when it's important
to have backup on hand and a second, longer lens. When I shoot a car I
take a lot of equipment but it's stashed in the back of my vehicle.
I don't fault collectors, but as Bruce noted below, it makes more
sense to leave the equipment at home if you're collecting. I
understand the urge to collect. I have kept some cameras that I like,
and they're on display in a glass door cabinet: various Spotmatics, an
LX, my first SLR, the Mamiyaflex that was run over by a truck when I
was shooting a jet dragster, a Barnack Leica, a Russian Leica clone,
an MX, and my Dad's old Agfa folder. I'm not a collector, but I do
enjoy these cameras. In any case, with the exception of the Leica,
they're not worth much, so I might as well keep them.
Paul
On Jan 7, 2009, at 7:34 PM, Bruce Walker wrote:
Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote:
Saw tons of people wandering around with massive DSLRs and big
lenses hung from their necks, as well as big bag or backpack
stuffed full of photo gear. I didn't see many pictures being taken,
and I have to say that I wonder what the point of carrying 20
pounds of expensive camera gear around a show floor for several
hours might be unless you're using it to make photographs. WOW.
It happened that I saw someone I'd met at a photo talk as I was
leaving the show. He had a Canon 5D, four big lenses, bag o gear,
etc. I asked him what kind of photos he was working on. "Haven't
taken any pictures today. My back hurts, I'm going home," was his
response. WOW.
[...]
People seeing me snap a photo with the G1 came running over to ask
questions about it. The guy with the Canon nearly cried when I
handed it to him ... the whole camera and lens weighs less than a
third of one of his lenses. I only took a couple of photos
there ... most of what I shot was on the BART train going to and
from the city. Got a couple I like ... so far.
Later in the evening, I attended a bon voyage party for a couple of
friends heading out on a year's sabbatical. I had the same camera
with me and made a few family and friends snapshots. It's small,
unobtrusive, unthreatening appearance makes it a snatch to engage
with people ... the equipment disappears in my hands, just like my
old Leica M did.
Now *that* was the best WOW of the day. :-)
Godfrey, great observations!
Canon 5D guy is just a collector, similar to a collector of cars or
guitars. Very similar since car collectors usually don't drive them
and guitar collectors often can't even play. Well, what the hell:
cameras and lenses are shiny and expensive, so there's that
universal magpie attraction aspect to them. But I think that camera
collecting makes much more sense if you admit to yourself that
that's what you enjoy and don't bother to carry them about
pointlessly.
And Panasonic and/or Olympus should give you a commission. :-)
-bmw
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