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* Commemorative Hasselblads
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We've seen the future and it's here...almostFor the past three years we’ve enjoyed a rather lively debate regarding the direction photography is moving. We feel strongly that the concern on the part of some that filmless, digital photography will replace traditional photography is without merit. We, like so many of our customers, have been intrigued with the progress of digital equipment. The stuff changes so rapidly we don’t bother selling it (With the exception of the new Hasselblad H1.) That is not to say they aren’t fun or practical. We own one (a Canon 4.0 megipixel $400+) which we use for certain kinds of picture taking. For more serious stuff we love our new Leica MP, our trusty Contax T2, a Nikon FM2 and our Hasselblad. (When you own the store the choices are many.) Our pocket size digital camera allows us to record events and take as many pictures as we want, erase, edit, put on a TV screen, email, and print at minimal cost and have that instant gratification that used to be Polaroid’s claim to fame. The quality of the final images is okay but cannot compare to the images turned out by our film cameras. And this is where opinions begin to move in different directions. If the digital images created by the $400 camera put a smile on someone’s face, if it records events that otherwise would not be documented that’s fine. What has happened and what bothers me is that we are beginning to see masses of folks who might otherwise be turned on to photography accepting, uncritically, images that will never be terrific. And since you can record and erase images with ease, being indiscriminate and undisciplined is the rule rather than the exception. A digital camera wouldn’t be an appropriate first camera for someone who expressed an interest in photography. An inexpensive manual focus camera with interchangeable lens capability would be a better choice.
And so, as we’ve
said many times in the past, load up your cameras with some Tri-X and fire
away. Those inexpensive digital cameras are also fun and worthwhile owning.
Of course if you hit a jackpot or some other windfall call us. We have just
the camera for you! eBay and MeHaving heard so much about the success folks were having buying and selling on eBay I decided to give it a shot and make some purchases. I selected a category I have some familiarity with: cameras. My first transaction went so smoothly I wondered whether the guy selling had been a customer of ours. The camera, a Hasselblad of all things, arrived safely and was exactly as described. What a terrific way to acquire equipment. Examine the pictures, read the description and brief testimonials to the seller's integrity, make a bid and get lucky. Feeling giddy with the success of my first transaction I made two additional purchases a couple of weeks later. In one, the chap described the cosmetics accurately but a closer examination revealed that the slow speeds were non-existent. When I called the seller to inform him, he gruffly told me, "If you don't like it send it back." Well, since he had my money I thought that returning the camera to a post office box would be too chancy so I ate the repair. The third experience was the purchase of a camera that was optimistically described as "near mint." "Near excellent plus" would have been a better call although I admit my standards are more rigorous than most. In spite of the numerous pictures accompanying the seller's enthusiastic description it was not possible to detect the many minor cosmetic defects that left me disappointed. Rather than whine and possibly get another "send it back" response I chalked the whole affair up as a learning experience. Now batting one out of three is pretty good in baseball, but I think lousy when it comes to sinking serious money into equipment. I'm convinced this is not the best way to buy camera gear. I think on line auctions are probably wonderful for acquiring non-mechanical, non-electronic, non- optical equipment such as "Win with Dewey" buttons, unused Woodstock tickets and other memorabilia. Perhaps buying a book or concert tickets and stuff like that might be okay too. If I were buying camera equipment I had to rely on I would seek out a dealer I could trust, a voice on the other end of the line and a knowledge that when the men in brown make the delivery my sweat glands don't have to work overtime.
Contax now includes the TLA 200 flash as part of their G2 package which makes a sweet camera even more attractive. An autofocus 35mm camera with Zeiss optics, we think this sleek camera is really very special. Another favorite of ours is the Mamiya 7. A rangefinder camera with terrific optics, large image, and portable too. A backpack isn't necessary with this camera. Our stock of twin lens Rolleis is always changing but our love for these cameras remains constant. We don't care what bells and whistles, digital or otherwise, they come up with. Our affection for these 35year old cameras is unflagging. Leica introduced the MP a glorious black paint camera over brass that only gets better with age. (Now if they could figure out how to do that with humans they would really be on to something.) It's a strictly manual affair without the aperture priority metering of the M7. It's designed for purists or those who like to think of themselves that way. We've used it, but if truth be told we feel more comfortable with the M7. The R9, Leica's pricey SLR is now available for those who insist on the latest version of a camera that allows you to use the world's finest optics. Our stash of Fogg bags is history. Can you really fall in love with a camera bag? We did and everyone who bought one agreed. Our supply is gone and while we kept a couple for our own stuff we sure wish we had more. If we unearth any more we'll let you know but if you stumble on one in your travels do yourself a favor and buy it.
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or Call Our Toll Free HotLine 1-800-820-BLAD | ||
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