Couch photographer
Well, I think I've lost my mind. That's to say, maybe, I've lost it again 'cause I'm pretty sure I lost it a long time ago and I don't remember finding it in the mean time. Anyway, while I make the best of what little spare time I have, trying to perfect the bracket I'm building for panorama photos, I've been a shameless slave to e-bay.
I bought this:
Because my current pack was too small to hold my gear much less any outdoor / survival / sundry / food and drink / clothing items, had no provision for a tripod and etc. etc. It's also weather proof and made from post-consumer recyclables! I got a great deal on it from Canada. Just waiting for it to get here...
Then these:
Not one but two Nikonos II's. Underwater cameras that are, let's face it, quasi-antiques. One of them will look just smashing in the display case next to my other collectible Nikons, the other is probably coming soon to e-bay France or will become the camera I take to the beach. Neither of these excuses should pass for a compelling reason for me to have bought them, but there you have it. I don't know if I got a good deal yet because I haven't seen them up close. About $150 for both. Again, waiting patiently for them to get here.
Then I bought this:
What I really wanted was the lens but like a lot of things in the photography world that don't make sense, the camera with the lens is cheaper than the lens by itself: Nearly 600 dollars with shipping but a steal none-the-less. The MSU forgave me (for now). Waiting...
Then I found this:
And I've always wanted one. It's the "new" version of the other two above; still 20 years old. Let's face it though: 35mm is dead (these are 35mm film cameras here). I'm probably not going to start diving again anytime soon and it's probably overkill for pool use with the polliwogs. Here's the thing though: I've always wanted one so I guess it was a kind of mini midlife crisis moment. Unjustfiable as well but a steal at under $100. Waiting... By the way, that's a total of 3 nearly identical 35mm underwater nikkor lenses I've acquired in one week.
Then this: Used 3-way head (sounds kinky huh?).
Then this: Again, quasi-antique but rock-solid tripod I'd had my eye out for. It will be going to Whyoming to live with my parents until I come to pick it up because it's too heavy for me to want to pay for the shipping.
Now, I probably need shoes, trousers, a hair cut, and a crown on one of my teeth but I haven't made any of those a priority. I guess I'd rather have photo gear than clothes and teeth. I'm becoming my father...
But now, here's the big deal and the main reason for the post. I haven't bought one yet, but I'm on the look out for one of these or a suitable substitute and yes, I do fully intend to use it because while 35mm is dead, 4x5 is most definately not. For starters, a crappy scan of a 4x5 negative is at least 20 megapixels resolution!
The problem is like everything else though. In order to actually take pictures I need lens(es), film holder(s), probably some 4x5 darkroom gear that I do not own and etc, etc, and no, I do not think that any of these treasures will end up making money for me one day.
I bought this:
Because my current pack was too small to hold my gear much less any outdoor / survival / sundry / food and drink / clothing items, had no provision for a tripod and etc. etc. It's also weather proof and made from post-consumer recyclables! I got a great deal on it from Canada. Just waiting for it to get here...
Then these:
Not one but two Nikonos II's. Underwater cameras that are, let's face it, quasi-antiques. One of them will look just smashing in the display case next to my other collectible Nikons, the other is probably coming soon to e-bay France or will become the camera I take to the beach. Neither of these excuses should pass for a compelling reason for me to have bought them, but there you have it. I don't know if I got a good deal yet because I haven't seen them up close. About $150 for both. Again, waiting patiently for them to get here.
Then I bought this:
What I really wanted was the lens but like a lot of things in the photography world that don't make sense, the camera with the lens is cheaper than the lens by itself: Nearly 600 dollars with shipping but a steal none-the-less. The MSU forgave me (for now). Waiting...
Then I found this:
And I've always wanted one. It's the "new" version of the other two above; still 20 years old. Let's face it though: 35mm is dead (these are 35mm film cameras here). I'm probably not going to start diving again anytime soon and it's probably overkill for pool use with the polliwogs. Here's the thing though: I've always wanted one so I guess it was a kind of mini midlife crisis moment. Unjustfiable as well but a steal at under $100. Waiting... By the way, that's a total of 3 nearly identical 35mm underwater nikkor lenses I've acquired in one week.
Then this: Used 3-way head (sounds kinky huh?).
Then this: Again, quasi-antique but rock-solid tripod I'd had my eye out for. It will be going to Whyoming to live with my parents until I come to pick it up because it's too heavy for me to want to pay for the shipping.
Now, I probably need shoes, trousers, a hair cut, and a crown on one of my teeth but I haven't made any of those a priority. I guess I'd rather have photo gear than clothes and teeth. I'm becoming my father...
But now, here's the big deal and the main reason for the post. I haven't bought one yet, but I'm on the look out for one of these or a suitable substitute and yes, I do fully intend to use it because while 35mm is dead, 4x5 is most definately not. For starters, a crappy scan of a 4x5 negative is at least 20 megapixels resolution!
The problem is like everything else though. In order to actually take pictures I need lens(es), film holder(s), probably some 4x5 darkroom gear that I do not own and etc, etc, and no, I do not think that any of these treasures will end up making money for me one day.