Age vs. Format

[M.A.Longmore]

Does this thing fold up when not in use?
I use a folding two wheel dolly too lug my big stuff.

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Yes

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[Old-N-Feeble]

JP... You give a man with Parkinson's hope. THAN YOU!!

 

[jp80874]

JP... You give a man with Parkinson's hope. THAN YOU!!

Maybe Labradors would help. I give hope, but they give company and encouragement. The three I have now are my 8th, 9th and 10th Lab Rescue. I understand there are about 1,000 more available on petfinder.com within a 50 mile radius of here (Cleveland-Akron, OH) or probably any other metro area.

JP

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

JP... I have an old pug. We've been buddies for 13 years. He hurt his back when he was 2 years old and has had trouble walking ever since. Now he mostly just drags his rear legs. But... he's still happy... so I'm just thankful I still have him as my friend.

 

[cmo]

My suggestion for a good strategy:

Downsize to 35mm rangefinders.

Declare that grain is an essential ingredient of your personal style.

Later, put a clamp with a 1/4" screw on a rollator, also called wheeled walker and use it as a camera bag trolley and tripod.

 

[M. Lointain]

If you are concerned about size and weight, rangefinders are the answer. At 42 I can still lug around just about anything, but I don't want to. I generally use a Leica and a Hexar RF for 35mm. I have a 4x5 Polaroid conversion that weighs about the same as my Contax ST with a 50mm on it. It is hard to beat that for size of negative / weight. It is easy to use too since I can skip the tripod usually. Don't forget about the Fuji folders if you want light weight and medium format. Also the Zeiss Ikoflex is a great lightweight TLR, much lighter than a Rollei.

You can also carry more gear by carrying it smartly. When I am out with my 4x5 I leave the camera on the tripod (Gitzo with padded legs) and carry the lenses in a large hip pack (Orion AW by LowePro). The film holders go in a Victorinox sling. This setup is very comfortable and I can go quite a ways with it without feeling burdened. It is comfortable enough that I work with everything right on my body. I have no need to set anything down (except the tripod of course!)

 

[segedi]

I second (third, fourth) the suggestion for rangefinders. I'm relatively young (37) but am not in the best shape. After dragging an RZ67 on a long hike, I learned my lesson. The next hike I took a Bronica RF645 and was much happier. I actually got into rangefinders because my cropped frame DSLRS was too bulky, so I haven't dropped format, but gone up! I have 35mm, 6x4.5and 6x7 rangefinders and a multiformat 6x12 pinhole camera that is made of wood and is super light. So I think the question is more about weight of cameras more than format sizes, and there are lots of alternatives if you want to continue shooting big negs without the massive weight of some of the equipment.

 

[BradleyK]

Irrespective of issues of age or condition/degree of physical infirmity, I recommend one turn to, and consider, the words of (my hero) the great Jay Maisel: "The more you carry, the less you shoot."

 

[daleeman]

My suggestion for a good strategy:

Downsize to 35mm rangefinders.

Declare that grain is an essential ingredient of your personal style.

Later, put a clamp with a 1/4" screw on a rollator, also called wheeled walker and use it as a camera bag trolley and tripod.

Might just come to that some day.
And grain is good.

 

[mrred]

Since I have been standardizing myself to reversals, I do not find the need to pick up a MF anymore. When I do, it's reversals for them too.

As far as grain goes, it has to match the subject matter. "Just beceause" won't make it art.....

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Enjoy life and health while you still can. Take advantage of what abilities you have right now. Don't wait until it's too late like some of us do. Our recognition of our own weaknesses come too late. They sneak up and bite us before we even recognize their presence. Once it's gone it's gone and all we can do is reminisce of the past on forums.

 

[M.A.Longmore]

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Bought this yesterday to help with the upcoming move to Hartsdale.
I might just hold on to it, I'll probably need it when I upgrade to an 8X10 Camera.

Ron
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[daleeman]

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Bought this yesterday to help with the upcoming move to Hartsdale.
I might just hold on to it, I'll probably need it when I upgrade to an 8X10 Camera.

Ron
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[M.A.Longmore]

????????????????????????

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

What Happened To My Attachment ???

Enjoy The SuperMoon !


Ron
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[daleeman]

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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

What Happened To My Attachment ???

Enjoy The SuperMoon !


Ron
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Get to grow hair, and hound like claws and howl at the moon again. Can't wait.

Like the cart idea. I looked a doing a kids plastic sled years back to follow me in the snow with the equipment. Now I'm trying to just justify going only to my range finders.

Lee

 

[M.A.Longmore]

Now I'm trying to just justify going only to my range finders.

Lee

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We'll have enough limitations when we are dead.
Check Craigslist for garage sales, and yard sales, for a jogging stroller,
and take those damn cameras out for some fresh air !

Ron
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[Mainecoonmaniac]

That's the spirit!

 

[flatulent1]

I had brain surgery nine years ago, and now have no sense of balance. I also lost 40 lbs in two months and am not as strong as I was. I'm downsizing the gear, but not the format. Just bought some plastic Elan bodies to replace the heavier metal bodies I don't like carrying anymore. I'm also carrying fewer, smaller primes, and leaving the L zooms at home. But I just bought a Yashica Mat 124G, will be taking it for a walk in the morning with a new (to me) Elan 7NE. We'll see how that goes.

 

[benjiboy]

I'm almost seventy four and am fortunate that I don't have any health problems I swim, and work out a the gym twice a week, that I'm convinced helps keep my strength up to lug the equipment about, I've never shot large format only medium and 35mm, but I'm pleased to say I 'm still able to carry as much weight as I used to when I was younger if I have to, but with age comes wisdom ( hopefully) and try these days not to carry everything but the kitchen stove in case I need it, and I try to fit the subjects I shoot with the gear I have with me.

 

[Rick A]

I can't believe I didn't check this thread out sooner. It was startes on the event of my 60th birthday, a time when it was all I could do to go from the chair to the bathroom. My health is much improved, but I still have days that I struggle with my health. I started packing my 4x5's in a modified golf tote, bag and two wheeled set-up, and enough room for my extra gear plus a Mamiya C-220 or 330, depending om my mood. I have pretty much stopped shooting 35mm, I love 6x6 and larger.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I have moved from mf rangefinders to 4x5 and 8x10. I love working with 8x10 film. I am hoping I can afford someday for Richard Ritter to make me a custom 7x14 camera .

 

[Bruce Osgood]

At 73, last May, I traded in my 35mm gear and bought a Canon Digital P&S for family/casual/walk about shooting. I have become more interested in my 4X5 shooting and processing and donated my 35mm enlarger to a local high school. I feel I'm in a good place now. But... I haven't found a good way to to carry around the 8X10 Sinar P. It sets waiting for an adventure.

 

[cliveh]

Lee,I'm a staunch believer that simplicity helps vision; getting away from focusing too much on the camera, equipment, film, developers, etc, is a step closer to getting down to what truly matters - the prints.

A man after my own heart (although less emphasis on the prints).

 

[Vaughn]

At 58, I seem to be going up in format size -- using an 11x14.

But I am going on a solo backpack next week. Trying to decide on 4x5 (with out-dated Tech Pan) or 5x7 with TMax400 or FP4. The goal is small carbon prints of the redwoods. I am leaning towards the 5x7, but my back is trying to convince me to take the 4x5 (weighs 2.5 pounds with the lens) instead of the 5x7, which is a much heavier Eastman View #2. It has a very good argument -- it would be fun to play with the Tech Pan.

 

[daleeman]

Its great to see this thread has legs. I have not sold off the 4x5 equipment yet but am shooting with it less and less.

Since my OP I have had to check my mother and father into a nursiing home and that gives me an erie look into the future for myself. Also some strong motivation too. Like tomorrow I will take the Nikon 300mm and the N90s out to a hill over an area I have seen deer in early in the AM. Hope to see some and send prints down for mom and dad to see. (dad would probably tell me to not use a Nikon but a 30-06 to shoot a deer)

A lot changes with our bodies over time, I hope to keep adapting and still enjoying photography.

Lee