Camera Bling!?

[Poisson Du Jour]

[...]Even a brand new, $30K digital Hasselblad kit isn't going to be impressive to people who don't really know what it is.

Says it all. Splendidly.

 

[tac]

I was walking down the High Street with a Rolleicord Vb around my neck when a fellow stopped and asked "Cool. is that real?" I said 'Yes" and kept walking. It took me a minute to realize that he thought it was 'bling'.

 

[eclarke]

Probably a Platinum Leica, still in the box and shrinkwrap to maintain most value...EC

 

[funkpilz]

A gold-plated 8x10, maybe? Just kidding.

I think I would take a New F-1, the 85/1.2L and the Sports Finder. To me, that's the god of cameras. I want to own one someday. Along with the 24mm and 50mm L lenses.

 

[Chazzy]

A gold-plated 8x10, maybe? Just kidding.

I think I would take a New F-1, the 85/1.2L and the Sports Finder. To me, that's the god of cameras. I want to own one someday. Along with the 24mm and 50mm L lenses.

So that's what the Sports Finder looks like? To me that looks more like a right-angle finder attachment.

 

[2F/2F]

So that's what the Sports Finder looks like? To me that looks more like a right-angle finder attachment.

It rotates so that the viewfinder can either serve as a right angle finder or an elevated finder in the normal orientation. The old F-1 version (which I have) did the same thing.

 

[Ole]

For max bling effect, a fake gold leica with purple snakeskin cover. What else?

 

[Ektagraphic]

I never would, it is an instrument to me so I can express my self.

Peter

I could not agree more!!

 

[DBP]

For the tacky but extremely expensive bling look I'll second the Argus C-33 with the chrome gold plated and the leather replaced with something ridiculous like hammered platinum. And the window in the light meter would have to be rebuilt with small diamonds.

On a smaller budget maybe one of these: http://www.merrillphoto.com/galacollection/galaunivexa1.jpg

But the camera I carry that starts the most conversations is the Speed Graphic. Even met one girlfriend through my 2x3 Speed.

 

[dmr]

I never consider a camera as a fashion accessory, well, but I do admit that I jumped at the chance to pick up a black QL17 GIII a while back, and I do think it looks cool to carry around.

 

[removed-user-1]

I could not agree more!!

I'm with you on this - however, if I was *forced* to pick a really bling camera, it would be something ridiculous like a gold Nikon FA... with matching gold 50mm f/1.4.

But I wouldn't do it ... it's just tacky.

 

[Stock Dektol]

The brick or- an Argus C3. Nice and shiny.

 

[stealthman_1]

For the tacky but extremely expensive bling look I'll second the Argus C-33 with the chrome gold plated and the leather replaced with something ridiculous like hammered platinum. And the window in the light meter would have to be rebuilt with small diamonds.

On a smaller budget maybe one of these: http://www.merrillphoto.com/galacollection/galaunivexa1.jpg

But the camera I carry that starts the most conversations is the Speed Graphic. Even met one girlfriend through my 2x3 Speed.

LOL! The diamonds would be a special touch! If I can ever find another...
I've never hung my Speed Graphic from my neck...good idea

 

[funkpilz]

So that's what the Sports Finder looks like? To me that looks more like a right-angle finder attachment.

Well that's the beauty of it, it is a right angle finder that you can also turn so it transforms into a normal finder with very high minimum viewing distance. I really want one because I keep doing these tripod shots were the camera is like 1 foot off the ground, and it's very hard to focus a camera in that kind of position.

 

[EASmithV]

1)
2) A Speed or Crown Graphic with a large flash attachment and flash bulb. Fire the flash at people as the get out of a car or exit a building.

winning combo

 

[Thomas Wilson]

What the hell is a "Bling?"

 

[apconan]

I never would, it is an instrument to me so I can express my self.

Peter

Why are people taking this so seriously.... it's obvious that no one actually would do this.

 

[Roger Thoms]

What the hell is a "Bling?"

Isn't Bling a type of cherry???

 

[archphoto]

Apconan: yes there are !
Like the people that get busy with their Holga's and so on.
People that love their goldplated with exquisite leather covered camera......

Peter

 

[dougjgreen]

I would say that a Tachihara 8x10 camera makes for some serious photo bling. And in this case, yes it certainly is some sort of Cherry(wood).

 

[Paul Jenkin]

As bling generally refers to something attention-grabbing, usually shiny, pointless and tacky, I recokon the new "white" limited edition Leica M8.2 fits the bill perfectly. I'm not taking a pop at the camera as it produces superb results. However, it beggars belief that Leica should want to put out a brilliant white metal body, covered in white leather which, with a chrome 28mm / f2.8 elmarit will retail in the UK at £5,990 ($9,600 US)

If I had to vote for a strictly analogue camera, I'd go for the gold-plated Hasselblad I saw in a camera shop in London. Awesome camera but it might as well have a six foot neon sign attached which flashes a sign saying "the owner of this camera is a total arse" as I could not imagine ever wanting to own such an overt piece of tastelessness.

 

[archphoto]

@dougjgreen: a camera like your Tachihara in natural wood and copper is not BLING: it is just beautifull, like more wooden camera's....
I love them, had a Wista and now I have a Shen Hao and a full plate tailbaord, the last one to be restored.

Peter

 

[thisismyname09]

Cross-posted image from a thread I started about using a pistol grip on an rb67~

Can you? Yes.

Should you? Hmmm...

There's also the golden "50th anniversary" rb67 that floats around ebay for $3,000. (I assume its fake.)

There's also the lizard skin one, which I think is actually legit.

 

[Fred De Van]

An early Fed with green mold growing at the edges of the fake leather covering, --- and/or --- the shrunken heads of 10 of the most obnoxious camera collectors who believe that great cameras are best collecting dust locked away instead of in the hands of those who can create something wonderful with them.

 

[nicefor88]

All those gold edition cameras such as Nikons and Leicas look pretty bling to me. With their golden matching lenses they're just too ugly and ridiculous... but if one wants to show off and attract the crowd's attention (and the real photographers' giggles), then they're just the right choice.

Would a sensible photographer ever take a picture with these?