Temptations
About a week ago, Paul Butzi wrote a post entitled: Camera Collector/Photographer/Both?. At one time I dreamed of owning a collection of cameras. Of course, this idea was not to have cameras in the classic sense where they stay sealed in their original packaging and never get used. My collection would be of usable cameras … all would be film cameras.
When I wrote my post about the Leica mystique some three weeks ago, that bug had jumped up again and bitten me. I was wanting to know why. Now, some 3 weeks later, and having read several articles from various Leica aficionados, I just feel the need desire to have one! However, entry level is steep, about $1,600 – $2,000 for an M6 and 35mm lens, if I can find a good price! 
One thing for sure, they don’t devalue much! And, as you know, I don’t mind shooting film!
Over the past month I’ve been thinking about selling some of my zoom lenses. The sale of 3 of them would generate enough cash to purchase the Leica; however, as it has been very busy with work, I haven’t taken the time to list them yet. That would leave me with my D300, a 50mm, 90 mm macro, and 18-270 mm, which are all that I ever use anyway, so no loss. It’s a rather odd feeling to be walking in the opposite direction of digital. This time last year, I was chomping at the bit for a D700, now it’s the furthest thing from my mind. Bizarre! I’m really starting to like the classics!
This camera hobby thing is expensive and quite irrational sometimes but I just accept it! When I told my wife that I wanted to buy a Leica film camera, she asked a perfectly valid question in a round about way. She became silent for a bit, then the conversation went like this:
Wife: Didn’t you just buy a film camera a few months ago?
Me: Yes! I most certainly did.
Wife: So, is the camera that you bought no good?
Me: No! It’s a great camera and works well. I use it almost every day!!!
Wife: So???
Me: This is a different kind of camera and I’d like to have it. All that I can offer is that it is a hobby and I have absolutely no rational reason to buy it other than I want it and am willing to sell some of my other gear to get it.
Wife: So, will you be able to sell enough gear to buy it?
Me: Yes. I have some lenses that I will sell that will let me buy the camera. I’ll have to do something else to be able to afford a lens for it. Maybe sell blood! 
Wife: Well … OK.
At this point, I could tell that she probably thought that I had a few screws loose, but no bother. Sometimes, you have to admit that you have absolutely not even one good reason to do something other than you want to.
If I do get one, I’ll certainly write a post about it!
Couldn’t sleep so logged on and chuckled with this post. I too pull up that word “desire” and add “lust” right beside it for camera stuff. I’ll be watching to see if you get one.
And, I love the tones in your image. Think I’ll read Paul’s post now.
Paul, I really know where you’re coming from. Good luck, and I think you won’t regret it, honestly. The one thing about Leica gear is that is doesn’t lose much value, if any. You can always re-sell it. And on sites like Miranda, you can always pick up your sold gear again used. Do you know of the site http://www.rangefinderforum.com/ ? Great place to pick up used rangefinder gear. I bought my Bessa and Zeiss lens there.
Oh yes, I have been down that road many times now but never really made it all the way. I have taken a break from these thoughts for a while now, since there will be plenty of expenses anyway a couple of months from now. I wouldn’t have the nerve ask in the current situation. But next year!
Hope you succeed to get good pay for your zoom lenses, it’s nevertheless a good decision letting them go if you’re not using them anyway.
Paul, it sounds like you’ve traded one “addition” for another.
However, the beautiful b&w film photos you’ve been posting and the fact that you seem more content shooting b&w film say it’s probably the right decision. Good luck on both the sales and purchase–may the final prices be high and low, respectively. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to selling blood! I look forward to reading about that Leica when you get it! 
Like the other guys, I know the mental state of which you speak. Right now, I’m considering selling one of my favorite lenses (Canon 300 mm f/2.8L IS) to pay for a Canon 5D MK II DSLR. The lens is one of the sharpest I’ve ever used, but I only use it a few times a year. And the camera has to be “cost neutral”. The lens will more than cover it.
What I find fascinating, though, is your current embrace of film. It reminds me of the movement away from digital music (CD’s) and back to vinyl. I’ve seen a couple of news stories about the resurgence of vinyl records. They’re even being manufactured again! People seem to like the analog noise that comes with them. Go figure.
Is it the same with film? I love your images, but even on the web I can see hints of grain. I know that there are many photographers who speak lovingly about grain, but I’m not one of them. Give me smooth tonal gradations every time!
In any case, have fun with your new “retro” toys. We’ll all be watching……
@Ove: That’s right. You’ve got a new fixer-upper that you’ll be moving into. I’m sure that the new home will provide ample opportunity for you to spend any ‘extra’ money that you thought you had! LOL!
@Earl: Hey! It’s what we do! We move from addiction to another.
At the moment, I am very happy shooting film. It’s just where I am right now.
Paul M: Yes, you can see grain on some of them even though I shoot fine grained film. There are other developers that would make the grain less apparent, but it doesn’t bother me. Back in the day I used to shoot Tri-X and it had plenty of grain but it never bothered me.
Speaking of digital recordings, I remember reading an article about when they first made CDs that they had to add a bit of noise back in so that it didn’t seem so sterile. Audiophiles didn’t like the digital sound.
I’ve looked back at some of my digital black and white photos and find that I like both about the same. I’m kind of stuck in the middle. I don’t think that I want to go back to wet printing. I’m perfectly content with developing negatives, scanning them in, and posting to the web or printing. In fact, I like doing my spot removal, etc, in Photoshop. I’ll take the best of both worlds!
@ Paul: the reason that vinyl never went away (you could always buy new vinyl recordings, even in the dark days of the early ’90s) is because they capture the audio performance differently than digital ever did. It is indeed similar to photography in that there is no one single ‘perfect’ capture of the image, a CMOS chip captures differently than a CCD differently than a Foveon differently than FP4+. And don’t get me started out the bayer interpolation and the inability of digital to capture the reds that slide film can. But especially in audio, while things like tubes ‘colored’ the reproduction, often that ‘colorization’ got you closer to the emotional performance than the cold, hard, yes/no of digital. In fact, in the 80′s they started adding noise back INTO digital recordings because they sounded too sterile.
When you have a properly set up and aligned turntable and cartridge of good quality, vinyl is an amazing medium, almost as good as the master tapes. The issue was, especially in the 80′s when digital audio exploded, that a consumer-level CD player always blew away a consumer quality poorly set up turntable/cartridge. They are much too fussy for typical people to want to deal with. That was CD’s strength; they delivered much better sound at a lower investment of effort.
Paul,
First your Leica mystique post and now this…
*sigh*
All of you film buffs have me thinking about film.
http://onlinestudentofphotography.blogspot.com/2009/08/thinking-about-film.html
@Matthew: Welcome aboard! I don’t know what it is about film. I think this whole thing started more than a year ago when the D700 came out. I was seriously lusting for a full frame camera, but didn’t have the $3,000 to support that lust. Further, I had just purchased a D300 not more than a year ago and was heavily invested in DX lenses. Then, some time later, in walks Chris Klug who was shooting film and he told me about a great medium format camera that I could get for $300 or so, a Mamiya 645e. Way back when, I had always wanted a 645 or an RZ67.
I started thinking, well, I could get a much bigger frame, equivalent to about 25 MP for $300 and the difference between $300 and $3,000 would buy a lot of film at $5.00/roll (includes my own processing). One thing led to another and here I am. I just love the simplicity of the film cameras and I like the 15 minutes or so that it takes to develop my film, even the 1 hour or so drying time. It’s nice having only a viewfinder and a shutter speed.
Periodically, I feel the need or desire to simplify. To most digital shooters, I’m sure that this sounds more complicated, but to me, it’s certainly more calm.
To most digital shooters, I’m sure that this sounds more complicated, but to me, it’s certainly more calm.
I have a lot of film cams including a Leica M3 but still stay with my digital, if I want simple I just turn it to manual and use my old GE light meter. I have to admit the idea of a medium format that I could never afford in the past is tempting though.
Just because it has all the bells and whistles doesn’t mean you have to use them, don’t fall into letting the technology rule you.
@Ray K: I deal with technology all day, every day, so I’m not the least intimidated by it. I guess that the film provides a nice break from the computers.
@Paul: I’ll check out the Mamiya after work. I don’t plan on doing my own developing but that may change once I actually get my hands on a “real” camera, if you get my meaning. There’s something about the smell of a freshly developed photo.. It just might make me change my mind.
@Chris Klug: I just started following your blog today. You can thank Paul for that.
@all: I better stop thinking about for today or I’ll never get any work done. LOL
@Matthew: If you shoot a lot a film and send it off for developing, it can be quite expensive, doubling the cost per roll or more. Developing your own, which is quite easy, saves a lot of $$$.
The conversation between you and your wife sounded very familiar to me. Having been on both sides of it, I appreciate each point of view. I will enjoy all your posts about the latest stage of your film adventure.
I can’t wait to see how this turns out. Paul might get a Leica.
Hey Paul – I think there are warning signs in there when your hobby gets to a point where you need to sell your blood to maintain the urges.
I think the decision is a go. It’s not a selfish one. Life is full of precious few “just because I wants.” This one is OK because you’ll have the funds to do it. If no debt is involved, I’d go for it. Keep the blood, though. I’m sure you’ll find something else to sell instead.
Cuz’n, I believe you are on a path you’ve been headed towards for a long time. Conscientiously I did not know you were going there; but now that you are, that part of me that knew is awakening the rest of me and I am cheering you on. You’re finding your “niche” and I can’t wait to watch it grow.
@Mark: Ah! I’ll just ignore the warning signs and press on! LOL!
@Micki: Well, if you have clue as to where this is headed, please let me know. I haven’t the foggiest!
That’s going to be interesting. Anyone willing to bet on whether Paul is gettomg his new baby or not?
I’m not sure about the argument that you can always resell the camera. Kind of true for a Leica (perhaps more than for any other camera). But it certainly sounds as if you would like to put the camera to good use – which means it can be stolen, dropped into a ditch, sanded on a beach, and so on and so forth. Maybe one shouldn’t really count on that idea of getting the money back in the future.
@Thomas: I have no thoughts about reselling and am not worried about dropping it. I’ve never dropped one of my cameras ever. I’m sure that I’ll get great use out of it. As for will he or won’t he, well, let’s just say, that it should arrive next week!
Paul’s gonna get a Leica, Paul’s gonna get a Leica! This is so cool.
@Paul: Wow. Ok, then I guess the bets are off… Congratulations!