camera greed?

No you are not gready
I feel the same way (Pentax6X7 and Nikon). I'd like a M7II and a Leica too.
I must admit though that I don't believe either will change my photography alot. The M7II maybe because of its small size and big format. That would be a great travel camera for me,.... I think.
Leica and Hasselblad Hmm well it's the names and the myths following them aint it. Great cameras top quality but they aren't magic bullets and you still have to do the work.
Cheers, Søren

 

Oh sorry, Yes your life will change since you won't need as much ergotherapy when not hauling your RZ67 around
Cheers, Søren

 

Well I don't shoot RF's But did have a QL17 GIII. The big difference is the finder. Some like the bright all sharp view in the RF, some don't. I guess I'll live with it in a 6X7 camera but in 35mm I really like the SLR style.

When it comes to difference in quality I doubt you will tell unless its a side by side comparison.
I think Martin Parr uses a M7II for street(portraits)
http://www.martinparr.com
Cheers, Søren

 

No, no, not greed. You want to improve your work, broaden your horizons. Do not let your tools limit yourself to negatives you can put in your pocket. Remember Edward Weston made 10,000 portraits with 8x10 cameras. The standard in portraiture for years was 11x14. One friend is doing great portraits on 12x20, another is doing wonderful nudes in 8x20.

Please do not introduce me to your wife or her moher.

John Powers

 

Us boys and our toys. And one girl, so far!

We're just talking traditional camera toys here on this site. But I know sites for digital camera toys, car toys, fishing toys, boat toys, home DIY toys, computer toys, sound system toys, SCUBA toys, mountain bike toys, ... and the list goes on and on.

Regards, Art. (One can get very greedy!)

 

As long as you want the gear for a specific reason (weight, lens selection, etc...) and not just to be able to holler out in a crowded room "Touch me! I shoot with a LEICA!" or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I'm thinking of getting a IIIA later this year (to replace my Zorki I), but you are leaning more toward the greed side if you just want the flashy names and more toward the practical side if you want the technical advantages.

- Randy

P.S. The fact that my wife sometimes reads my posts has nothing to do with the nature of my comments. <cough>

 

I always bring up the number of shoes my SO has compared to the number of cameras I have. That usually settles the arguement. Well, sort of...well, not really...but I know I'm right.

Art.

 

I use a 7II with a 65mm lens for walk-around journalistic and landscape shots and find it to be perfect for that type of situation. For me this camera/lens combo is extremely light for the 6x7 neg size, and produces very sharp results. I tried it with the 150mm and its accompanying viewfinder for portraits, but found it not to be for me. The 7II is my first rangefinder so that may of been the problem. I shot portraits professionally for 15 years with Hassy gear and became accustomed to the WYSIWYG SLR design. I found looking through the 150'mms viewfinder difficult for me to decipher a quick composition. I eventually sold the 150mm lens and viewfinder. I would suggest looking through the 150mm lens on a Mamiya 7 before you purchase it.

 

What's wrong with the portraits you shoot with you'r R.Z 67 ?

 

The problem is obvious. You're suffering from GAS. Gear Acquisition Syndrome, that is. The early signs of this condition are relatively subtle, so while it might seem that there may still be hope for you, there isn't. There is no cure for GAS. It's terminal, but doesn't usually speed things up (unless you have an unsympathetic spouse).

Go ahead and get the the Mamiya 7II, the Leica(s), the Hassy (or two), a 4x5 monorail, a 4x5 field, and an 8x10 or two before jumping into ULF. You'll feel better, and will be doing your civic duty by contributing to the economy.

 

To think about equipment is normal. If you have a Nikon and a RZ you already are equipped to take quality photos. I beleive that the first priority is to consider the end usage of the equipment. What interests you and what are you trying to accomplish are the first questions to ask yourself. Then what necessary equipment is properly suited to accomplish that end is the next question to be asked as well as how you like to approach your work.

If you want 8x10 photo of children being themselves than a good rangefinder camera is very suited to that task. If you are interested in sports photography then your Nikon may be much more suitable. If you are taking formal portraits and have 16x20 prints as your upper print size then a Mamiya RZ can hardly be be beat in roll film.

Once you have made such decisions then expand that system. For example a Nikon with 5 good lenses that is well to a photographic application will be a better choice than 5 cameras each with only a normal lens.

Make sure you have good quality darkroom equipment and lust after good print quality not more cameras. Do your work. Do your work. Do your work.

 

Is there a difference between camera greed and camera lust? I find I can get infatuated with cameras, mostly older ones, like the Contessa I saw at the camera show and just had to take home.

 

Mamiya 7II

I like my Mamiya 7II for travel, landscape, street shots and such, and I have even used it at weddings and other social events occasionally. The camera is a very good balance between weight/size and image quality. The lenses are very good, and you know what kind of results to expect since you have a 6x7 SLR already.

But please keep in mind that there is a certain limitation for close-up focus, so if you want a very close portrait, the 7II is not going to work well. Consult the documentation.

 

Lucky lad, you.

Jon
from Deepinaharta, Georgia