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Post by GeneW on Feb 24, 2007 11:47:57 GMT -5
One year ago today I had a heart attack. The intervening year has been interesting -- cardio rehab, official retirement, coming to terms with the transitions. I'm doing pretty well and do my cardio exercises very regularly -- it's one of the reasons I do so much walking. But it's a sobering time.
I sense a change coming over me. Although I love all the gear I've collected (some of it is from living out the fantasies of my youth -- Nikon, Leica, Hasselblad -- now that these things are more affordable), I have too much gear and too many decisions to make every time I want to do some shooting.
I think I've reached that point in life where it's time to thin down the collection, paring it down to a small collection of gear I use all the time.
First to go, for me, will be my medium-format gear. It's wonderful stuff, capable of terrific quality, but I'm at heart a 35mm shooter. I don't get a lot of use from my Hassy or Rollei.
I now have two major SLR/DSLR systems on the go: Pentax and Nikon. I'd like to commit to just one or the other. At the moment I'm having more fun with Pentax, but their merger with Samsung still has some question marks on it. My Nikon stuff (all film gear) is first rate. Flip a coin?
I'm even thinking of selling my Leica and associated lenses. I've truly enjoyed having the experience of shooting with a Leica -- a boyhood dream come true. But nowadays I'm more apt to pick up my XA, Canonet or GTN and shoot with them instead. Less to worry about and inexpensive to replace should they come to grief.
Another thing I'm finding is that I don't have as much energy as I had earlier in my life, and that dealing with film becomes tiring. Physically tiring in my case. And though I get some decent results from colour film, they're seldom as good as what I get from digital. I think I'll move towards B&W only for my 35mm cams, once I use up my current supply of colour film.
This probably sounds a bit down but I'm not really down about these changes. Just realistic. Simpler and easier is becoming a higher priority than it was in the past.
Thanks for letting me ramble ...
Gene
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Post by byuphoto on Feb 24, 2007 12:04:35 GMT -5
Fully understand and whole heartedly agree
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bobm
Contributing Member
Posts: 36
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Post by bobm on Feb 24, 2007 13:29:15 GMT -5
Gene:
It doesn't matter what gear you use, you'll always get the best out of it, and we'll still admire your undoubted talent....
I've not been in your unenviable position of suffering a heart attack and everything that that entails, but I did move house a few years back, and it was only then that I realised just how much stuff I had accumulated over the years, simply because I had to shift it.
Sometimes less is more, but whatever you choose to do, we wish you well and hope that your health keeps up.
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Post by John Parry on Feb 24, 2007 17:42:30 GMT -5
Anniversary? That sounds like a celebration (I suppose coming through it deserves a celebration!) I keep saying the same thing (about paring down to the essentials). What I really need to do is catalogue. That VLC I just bought came with three flash units (none of them very exciting), but only one had a PC lead, and that one wouldn't fit the other two. So, just out of curiosity, I checked my other stuff and came up with 6 leads of 4 different fittings. If I ever keel over as you did, nobody is ever going to know what all the stuff is - it would just get binned. Stupid as it sounds (it wouldn't be my concern any more!), I feel bad about that.
You carry on taking the great pictures. Go digital if it makes life easier for you (you've certainly made me feel far more receptive to the digital revolution!), but catalogue your other stuff!
Regards - John
ps I have loads of bits bought in all-in packages that are obviously from the owner's previous generation of camera gear, and I haven't a clue what some of them are for!!
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SidW
Lifetime Member
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Post by SidW on Feb 24, 2007 21:06:27 GMT -5
Gene, these events are very sobering and are reminders we would prefer to pretend aren't there. But when there are things we still want to do, we start looking at priorities. I came into this collecting game when a severe bout of nostalgia sent me looking for a FED and an Exakta again - and I ended up with a few of each. And like you I've found that working with film is a chore and that results from a digital camera tend to be better (and there are other places where you're not allowed to say things like that). I put a film or two through a a FED or an Exakta for old times sake, plus the Exakta Circle has an annual competition - and you do too here, which puts some purpose to it. But I don't think it has anything to do with heart attacks directly, there's resentment that they happen but that's different thing. I'm sure you're through yours, unless you indulge in cream cakes and pork crackling again.
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Post by GeneW on Feb 24, 2007 21:51:33 GMT -5
Rick, Bob, John, Sid, thanks for reading through my musings. Sid, yes it's a priority thing. I need to simplify. But I won't eliminate film entirely -- I still love B&W even though it's much more work than digital. But I need fewer film cameras to do B&W with Cream cakes and pork cracklins? LOL. Today was also my son's birthday (he's 22) and I bought three decadently rich cakes from the local speciality shop. I'm proud to say I had only a couple very thin slices. The main ingredient of all three was cream. Strawberry shortcake, blueberry shortcake, and a wicked one called Chocolate Celebration that was just that. Gene
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 24, 2007 22:22:23 GMT -5
Gene:
I have been fortunate to date to only have very minor health problems but like you I've done a lot of thinking lately about my equipment.
My Russian collection never gets shot anymore but I put about four years of research and work into putting it together and all those FEDs and Zorkis look nice sitting in the display case. And it's sorta nice to have a collection of something that probably no one within a thousand miles can match. Still, someday somebody will have to figure out what to do with it and since no one but me around here knows anything about the gear I worry about what will happen to it.
Then there's my Nikon film stuff. I probably won't be doing much shooting with it BUT in today's market it ain't worth a whole lot AND there's nothing like the feel of an F3 or F4 in your hands. This is the stuff I dreamed about but could afford in my 20s, 30s and 40s. It's hard to let go of dreams.
Then there's the odds and ends--the Mamiya TLR, the Petri Flexs, a couple of early non meter Pentaxes, the Exa, Graphic 35, Zenit, Mamiya 1000 DTL, etc. I know I won't be using them but most aren't worth the trouble I would have selling them. One of these days I may just have an "it's your's if you pay the postage" sale on some of that gear. Then someone else will have to go through the same though processes.
I suppose it's the same to a degree with guys our age who collect the cars they had or the cars they never could afford when they were young. Half the enjoyment it the "chase." Once you possess the object of your desire, what do you do with it--especially when there are multiple objects and you can't use them all at once..
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Post by vintageslrs on Feb 24, 2007 22:26:03 GMT -5
Gene
Congrats on one year after....... you must now being doing something right! Just keep up the good work....keep on with that exercise....
We all enjoy your photos and ramblings.
All the Best Bob
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Post by herron on Feb 24, 2007 22:30:34 GMT -5
Gene: I have not had to endure the sobering cardio event you did...but I have noticed the slowing down, and the tired feeling that comes on sooner than it used to. In fact, my wife and I were talking about it just a little while ago, as we were on our way to meet my brother-in-law and his wife for dinner. I was complaining that I should be spending more of my time doing some of the things I enjoy...rather than worrying about work. I've also thought about thinning the collection. For mostly the same reasons. I just don't have time to use all of my cameras the way they should be...some of them I hardly touch at all any more. There are still two Mamiya 35mm that I would like to have...but my world won't end if I never get them. And I have favorites among the cameras I do possess...and they are the ones I inevitably reach for. I've had a camera since I was 10 or 12...and have been actively collecting them for almost 40 years now. The count has gone up and down over that time, and right now is well over 150. Far too many to ever use. And I have to admit the "Gee, I would like that!" bug still hits with maddening regularity.....but still....I think I may actually start doing what I've been saying, and start getting rid of a few. I would start with my Burke & James 8x10...but I've been planning to strip it of all that nasty paint they made them with, since learning they are very neat wood underneath! And my Speed Graphics...why on Earth do I need three of those...except they are from distinct periods in the SG evolution and I don't know which I could part with first....... It's not going to be as easy as it sounds...... ------ I do have the advantage of having a son who is a professional photographer. He will probably end up with my gear some day. Even if he doesn't want it, he will at least appreciate the effort that went into collecting it all.
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Post by GeneW on Feb 25, 2007 11:06:57 GMT -5
Wayne, I certainly understand what you're saying. You achieve a lifetime dream (e.g. owning a Leica) and it satisfies, but in the end you realize it's just another camera. Nice one, but it's another 'thing' to own. But as you say, 'hard to let go of dreams'.
Bob, thanks. It's the regular cardio exercise that's the main trick. And the food thing. Not that I ever ate that badly, but now I'm more aware of what I'm consuming.
Ron (Herron), I agree. Doing the things you enjoy -- so important! One huge thing my retirement has going for it: I get to do photography almost daily. I'm loving it.
Ron (Kamera), I was lucky to have access to an excellent cardio rehab program and it taught me the value of the exercises. It was a four-month program. We did a stress test and did bloodwork at the beginning of the program and at the end. I nearly doubled my time in the stress test, and my HDL cholesterol (the good kind) rose as a result of regular exercise. The hospital made the workout program available on DVD and both Marion and I now use it at home. warmup session, go out to do 30 mins of cardio (your choice), resistance training (weights and elastic tubing twice a week), cooldown session.
Gene
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mickeyobe
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Resident President
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Post by mickeyobe on Feb 26, 2007 0:58:13 GMT -5
Gene,
"To every thing there is a season." If we can recognize when the season for a thing comes round and accept it our lives would be less complicated and much more pleasant.
You have pared your photographic needs and wants down to what you feel comfortable with and deem necessary and that, I suppose, is a good formula for concentrating on the picture rather than the tools.
Each of us has a reason or reasons for collecting whatever we collect and if a goal or a summit is involved and attained, as it seems to have been with you, then we can revel in its fulfillment and go forward enjoying what we have accomplished.
Your accomplishments shine through in every picture you make and give pleasure not only to you but to all of us fortunate to view your work. Thank you for that.
Please keep serving up your incomparable photos.
Mickey
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Post by herron on Feb 26, 2007 20:26:18 GMT -5
.......Ron (Herron), I agree. Doing the things you enjoy -- so important! One huge thing my retirement has going for it: I get to do photography almost daily. I'm loving it.......... Gene The old saying is true...no one comes close to the end saying "I wish I'd spent more time at the office!" I've always made time -- always -- for my family and friends. Even when I didn't think I had the time...I somehow made it. And, while I have had my share of regrets in life, I have never regretted a single moment going out of my way to do that. Thanks for the reminder.
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 26, 2007 22:26:06 GMT -5
I'm not a doctor but is suspect that a lot of the "go getters" in the world of business today, who are constantly connected to work through laptops, blackberries, cell phones, etc. are gonna get a surprise about the time they hit middle age. You can go to the gym every day, watch your cholesterol, and eat healthy but the pace at which they are moving will eventually exact payment mentally and physically.
Back in the 1980s our oldest daughter played basketball. I once did a tally and during her career--from 4th grade through senior year in high school, she played in 138 games. I saw 136 of them. There were times when I'm sure my superiors at work weren't happy because I left early or took days off to go to tournaments. Probably didn't help my career. But I wouldn't trade even one of those games for a promotion or raise.
Today all three of our daughters -- the youngest almost 30 are in contact with us several times a week and whenever they all are together they talk about things that happened in the family when they were growing up -- vacations, holidays and often just day-to-day activities. And I don't think I have ever heard a negative comment (other than "How could you dress us that way in the '70s?" To me, that's what being "successful" is all about.
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Post by GeneW on Feb 27, 2007 8:42:50 GMT -5
Mickey, thanks for the support. I'll do a little thinning this year and that will make me feel more in control -- a delusion I indulge in occasionally Ron, Wayne, you were both wise to make time for your family. In the end, a job's just a job, but family is precious. Gene
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Post by herron on Feb 27, 2007 10:33:21 GMT -5
........Back in the 1980s our oldest daughter played basketball. I once did a tally and during her career--from 4th grade through senior year in high school, she played in 138 games. I saw 136 of them. There were times when I'm sure my superiors at work weren't happy because I left early or took days off to go to tournaments. Probably didn't help my career. But I wouldn't trade even one of those games for a promotion or raise.........To me, that's what being "successful" is all about..... I hear you, Wayne. All three of my sons played soccer... really played soccer (the oldest had a pro tryout) and at one time or another I coached all three of them on travel teams. Hardly ever missed a tournament (hard to do with three travel team games in different locations at the same time...once in different states)...seldom missed a practice. Missed only one high school game in almost 10 years! And we always took vacations together...doing things the kids wanted to do...camping, biking, traveling out west, etc. Fun things, with a lot of laughing. Those memories are the precious things I will carry with me to the end.
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