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Post by dee on Jul 25, 2018 7:46:37 GMT -5
OK . I am slow on the uptake , but am realising some factors which affect my acquisition of digital cameras .
I get attached to things and find it stressful to let go . Luckily most of my digitals are cheapies , so with little .
I became disorientated when the AF SLRs came in with bulky bodies and slow zooms . This was continued with DSLRs with similar bulky bodies - hence the Leica M8 , despite non-familiar rangefinder style , with familiar aperture ring and shutter speed dial .
The Fuji X-Pro1 and X-T1 have similar handling and style to the SRT and , on auto , I can simply adjust the exposure with the compensation dial . The X-M1 , surprisingly perhaps seems to fit in with the others .
Another element is that the IQ and operating system is the same for all three , which fits in with the need for constancy and continuity . There's no chance of repeating this acquisition of these 3 cameras at under £1000 . I am aware that it does not 'make sense ' , but I did get the 18-55 zoom I was after , and the lightweight 16-50 is great for wide landscapes . Historically , I have never wanted long zooms .
It's not just about photography - the Kiev/Contax saga proved that - but now I have a group of DIGITAL cameras which create the same confidence as those Minolta SRTs and Contax-Kievs .
It's really weird , but the possibility of say , a X-Pro 2 in time to come when prices collapse is concerning - it would be 'better' but would break the continuity which would be uncomfortable .
There are many reasons to collect cameras !
Regards
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 13, 2018 16:58:47 GMT -5
This is off topic 'cos it has little to do with photography , even collecting cameras .
i chanced on the £318 Fuji X-Pro1 in mid 2016 . It was to be a one off . I rarely connect with ANYTHING , but , like my Minolta SRTs , Leica Dig3 and Kievs it feels REAL. Hands and eyes actually seem to be in agreement for once !
The X-M1 @ £200 , was just for a 16-50 zoom , but it became my shoulder bag camera . I imagine that the similarity in menu , handling etc made it work for me .
Frankly , this connection is so rare that I could not imagine lightning striking twice . This time it cost me more but I stalked that X-T1 for over a year with the bonus of that 18-55 lens . it's not as if I had not checked out the X-Pro1 and X-T1 when they were at astronomical prices with no chance of them bing affordable , I sensed that they would work for me
All three make magic for me - whether used as a carry all camera , enhanced compact , or pseudo SLR . Or just having them close to hand creating calming chaos .[ it really is that disruptive ] In this instance , the sameness and continuity comes from the operating system and identical IQ . I make no apologies for this - it is how it is .
I have spent more than necessary in reasonable terms , but , like my Kievs / SRTs it's priceless to me .
Respect dee
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Post by dee on Jun 27, 2018 17:05:25 GMT -5
Thanks Mickey the X-pro retains it's compact status with the 27mm pancake !
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Post by dee on Jun 23, 2018 14:50:20 GMT -5
I find that I am more comfortable with a zoom lens on the SLR styled Fuji X-T1 .
It always felt odd on the rangefinder styled X-Pro 1 , to the extent that I mount the 27mm prime exclusively , even though I bought a cheap compact X-M1 for the 16-50 to use on the x-Pro1 .
It's weird and I can't explain it , it's just a zoom on the X-Pro 1 - anything goes on the X-M1 and X-T1 .
Is this a 71 year old being a victim of decades of SLR v Rangefinder rivalry ?
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Post by dee on Jun 22, 2018 7:11:55 GMT -5
I have been watching a Fuji X-T1 at John Lewis for about a year since the X-T2 arrived adjacent .
Intially £1300 , then £850 where it stuck for a while ... I guess that you might say that I was interested ! About 6 months ago I actually asked an assistant to slip my X-Pro battery into it to check wether it would be right for me . I was impressed and it seemed tangible to me which is not always the situation .
Then , yesterday , Clearance - £550 . No box or charger .
It's still a substantial outlay for me , but I am comfortable with the SLR styling , and the focusing is a vast improvement over the X-Pro 1 . A bonus is the faster , 18-55 rather than 18-50 , standard lens .
With further discounts for the display model and missing charger it was £427 .
Certainly the collector thing , as it is not 'needed' buy at 71 who cares ?!
Regards dee
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Post by dee on Jul 24, 2017 8:01:05 GMT -5
I have just aquired a Fuji X-M1 , which lacks a finder , @ £200 without ancillaries bought for the 16-50 lens for my X-Pro 1. [ £300 new ]
Having decided to hang on to the body , I bought the battery , lens cap , and a never ready fitted leather case . [ it was heavily reduced , of course !! ]
Not since Minolta SRT days , have I had a camera with a case .
The case is fine , the half case helps with the grip , but the strap is thin and slippery .. Equation for dee'saster -
Lightweight camera + slippery strap = crash onto concrete . OUCH !
Mercifully , just minor abrasion to one side and edge to the rear screen , so much for selling it on !
It now has an identity crisis with a substantial strap marked 'LUMIX' .
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 24, 2017 7:46:12 GMT -5
I took the heavy Leica M8 out yesterday , just to check it since dee'ciding to keep it . The battery was shot after 50 exposures and the screen is full of dirt . It's gone beyond a blower cure . I can't really ask for funds for a sensor cleaner or battery at this point , so will use my Fuji X-Pro instead .
So far , so much the same .
However I have some difficulty with feet and lower legs , and I was conscious of swaying on uneven surfaces . This is first time I had noticed it , but realise that it has been happening on all surfaces for a while . This is not so great for sharpness !!
Balance has ever been a problem, but not so obvious . Ageing seems to aggravate more of the same , rather than loss of function which I never had .
bit of a b....r this !
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 15, 2017 12:52:27 GMT -5
I have just bought a case for the Fuji X-M1 .
Other than my USSR cameras , I have not had a never ready case since my Minolta SRT days !
But why ?
It's quite small - the half case helps with grip and the case is small .
The camera is all plastic , which is OK , 'cos it's a neat satin finish black , so the case enhances it .
i can carry it on my shoulder with the 16-50 zoom , with the Fuji X-Pro 1 / 27mm in my shoulder bag .
In case you are wondering about my lashing out , it's brown leather and cost £11.00.
It is interesting revisiting a custom fit case after 40 years !
dee
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Post by dee on Jul 14, 2017 8:32:41 GMT -5
The end of an error [ era ? ]
I can no longer focus properly on the rangefinder , so the chrome Leica M8 has to go .
I have had from new , some scuff marks on the chrome and screen .
Never interfered with . Works exquisitely .
Box , strap , charger , battery manual only .
£550 ? Plus insured shipping as cost .
£650 with mint CV 35f 2.5, 'cos I will never use it again .
Swap camera body only , for a new Fuji X-T10 body trending at £450 , which would be an update on my older x-Pro1 / x-M1 .
I know that the Fuji system , lenses and 19 mp sensor are perfect for me , so it is to be my final fling !
Any takers >
dee.mented ?
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Post by dee on Jul 5, 2017 17:19:10 GMT -5
I guess our Maralunga sofas come into the style over function debate - not very comfortable really . The New Beetle is reasonably practical - for a 2+2 .
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Post by dee on Jul 4, 2017 15:53:08 GMT -5
I have just bought the 16-50 Fuji zoom for the X-Pro 1 , which was perfect with 27mm [ nom 41mm ] for a trip to HarryPotter Experience in North London - reasonably , compact , unobtrusive compared to a DSLR , and the results were fantastic . I love the rendering of this camera .
I confess that the zoom came with ... another camera - the compact , all plastic Fuji X-M1 , with the same sensor, battery , charger as the X-Pro .
Unlike complete ex-dem cameras offered @ £350 or so , mine was £162 , warranty , with grubby screen but lacking any ancillaries whatsoever ! Original price - £650 in 2013 , not that I would have noticed - I coveted the X-Pro 1 !!
A lens cap is £2 or so and an OEM ? battery is £13 . I have straps and can download the manual - what more could I ask ?
It will fulfil more of a compact role with the pancake 27mm as it has just a flipping screen to compose - but a step up from the small sensor Fuji XF1 I carry around as a notebook. I was a little concerned carrying the X-Pro around in case of damage or loss , I don't feel the same attachment to the X-M1 which is the source f an inexpensive zoom for the [ real ' camera !
dee
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Post by dee on Mar 13, 2017 8:52:56 GMT -5
Thanks julio 1 fer .
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Post by dee on Mar 12, 2017 16:54:32 GMT -5
UPDATE .
The New Beetle 1.2 design arrived on a trailer from an agent [discount ] ! It's a 2017 model which was advertised as White Silver .
Unfortunately , we were unable to see a paint chip . It's pale grey - with just a hint of metallic . Not a metallic silver/aluminium as expected .
I love it , with beige interior , it's reminiscent of a 30's coupe . It could be a solid colour in most lights .
It's just so civilised and quiet after a 2003 Alfa Romeo 147 diesel , which is being given to a young couple who need a car . I actually cleaned it out for them as I anticipated it going for scrap .
How do I post pics from Photo on an I-mac !!!
dee
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Post by dee on Mar 6, 2017 17:48:37 GMT -5
i was pondering a fictional spend of around £2000 or so .
More lenses for Pentax / Sony Fuji ? Maybe a 50 f1.8 for each , but I don't need more than a nominal 40-75 and these are inexpensive .
No I would love a digital Olympus Trip and an OM with 25mm and a one of those Fuji with a 'pentaprism' styled EVF .
Not top of the range , a switch to a top range Canon / Nikon with the best lenses .
It's not going to happen and I am fine as it is , but it seems I am a hopeless case of retro-mania [ along with the other glitches ! LOL
dee=cided.
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Post by dee on Feb 17, 2017 18:36:49 GMT -5
OK , I have recognised glitches [ disassociation and dee'realisation ] which means that cameras , both film and digital seem to cut through the haze and out of phase 'lostness'.
With the Fiji X-Pro 1 17mm and Pentax K-1S 35mm , I no longer look at camera shelves as if something is missing or ..incomplete ? Together , they form a slightly overlarge point and shoot with room to play [ X-Pro1 ] and a compact DSLR with bright finder , clear screen , 35mm f2.8 lens and excellent IQ
A while ago , I recycled Dinky Toys via e-bay into film cameras as they became affordable post digital . However , Dinky Toys have no use , no purpose , although cars were , and are , kinda substitute faces / people as I am constantly confused/dee's orientated by guy/girl/me etc . This is not a good idea , believe me .
Cameras DO have a purpose - photography - but I am often not doing ' photography ' , so there has been dee's comfort / anxiety about this .
The glitches relate to everything , of example , I have realised that my mind can't take in an entire 'car' , so those 50s toy cars in my hand, gave me a sense of complete 'car '.
Even cameras , small though they are, are distant , I see each detail/snapshot which kinda gets stitched together like a board with polaroids all over it . Observing , to me , it's as if real people CAN merge the snapshots together to make a continuous film - i have noticed that most filter the details somehow . I assume that It's a form of mind blindness - input is conventional , but the processing falls down , however , holding a camera FEELING the controls is OK. It's easier to learn by holding than seeing , so I can get quite attached when a camera becomes almost automatic - for taking snapshots of course ! Cameras take up a heck of a lot more space but each still evokes that sense of well being , familiarity , continuity and safety, but I don't use them as pre-paid colour slide film is no longer available - my final film outings being with a fantastic new to me , Kiev 4 . I loved it as much as my Minolta SRTs , which is saying a lot as I don't do change easily !! My favourites are the Contax Kiev hybrids created for me by ex-Asenal techs in Ukraine . I love the history and continuity of a Contax III camera created in 1937 with a late 1957 Kiev 4 selenium meter and controls [ selenium was magic somehow ] right up to the 1980 .Amazing , awesome .
Taking pictures has ever been an escape , framing and focusing a confusing world , but , for the most part , the final results have been less important than hiding behind the camera , with others allowing me to be apart , not joining in . I am also stuck around the 60s as my hard drive seems stuck - unable to dee'lete old files and add new . Weird !!
I am hitting 70 now , in a few years , non of this will matter , so I have to let go of the guilt of not being a proper 'photographer' [ or person for that matter ]. Sometimes a photograph just jumps out at me , which is great , but mostly , both my digital cameras linked to times , places , and grand daughters help fragmented memory . It's odd , the problems that older people experience are generally more of the same for me , which is neat. Each digital , from my Canon G2 , through the Leica Digilux 3 / M8 to the Sony A290/A35 stage form a moment in time for me , which is priceless as I don't sense continuity - rubbish at history
No more internal anxiety , no more not being good enough - I was brilliant at one element - creating Interiors with visual and explains to clients and colleagues in Interior Design of Hotels and offices . Then confidence would chase away the shadows until ...
My cameras and snap shooting don't keep me sane , but the camera in my bag , the several in the car create a kind of enveloping comfort zone just knowing that one is close to hand . Why ? Maybe lost child me associated slide shows with a kind of magic , and the shiny cameras and lenses with a magic of their own , it's a theory , but I am no longer chasing an answer .
Thanks .
dee
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