Do I have GAS or am I just your every day idiot?

campy51 · Mar 31, 2020

I recently won and auction for 4 Bronica lenses that fit the S2/S2A/EC cameras thinking I might buy a body to use them on, but I am having second thoughts on my purchase. At least I think the price was good. The 4 lenses are the 75mm,150mm and two 50mm but one 50mm is a Super Komura which I believe is on the lower end of quality. I don't need another medium format especially a 6x6 since I have a Hassy 503CW, Rolleiflex 2.8 E, Kowa Six, and a Minolta Autocord. Should I just sell the lenses for what I paid or bite the bullet and buy a body? BTW I have a growing collection of old film cameras that I display when not using but I have run out of room in the case.

Vaughn · Mar 31, 2020

Sick, man, sick...no vaccine strong enough for this one.

Self-isolate and send me the Rollie...

Fraunhofer · Mar 31, 2020

You know, if have to ask yourself whether you're an alcoholic... so by (bad) analogy...

Dan Fromm · Mar 31, 2020

Man, you're setting a bad example. Here I sit, thinking about buying a lens that is much the same as several I already have. I don't need it. Having it won't improve my life. The only positive thing about it is that the price is below where the market was. I want it. I'm resisting. I'm being strong. I might crack. Did I mention that I don't really have the money?

And there you are, having done very much what I'm contemplating doing and no deity has punished you. Lightning hasn't struck you yet.

removed account4 · Mar 31, 2020

tax day has been postponed for 4 months. you did the right thing.

Sirius Glass · Mar 31, 2020

Gas is good. Or as Yoda said, "Resist GAS you cannot. Give into GAS one must."

Take that GAS energy and invest in more Hasselblad lenses. At some point then you, like I am now, be impervious to GAS. The only things photographic that I buy are film, chemicals and paper now that I own the 30mm Fisheye, 903 SWC [38mm], 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm and 500mm lenses. The other day I even passed up an opportunity to buy the 40mm lens at a great price.

campy51 · Mar 31, 2020

The truth is I couldn't find any toilet paper to hoard so I will hoard film equipment. I had to use a dollar to wipe myself today. 3 quarters, 2 dimes and a nickel.

BrianShaw · Mar 31, 2020

Stick to nickels and cents... the reeded rims of quarters and dimes aren’t good for your rim.

logan2z · Mar 31, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
Gas is good. Or as Yoda said, "Resist GAS you cannot. Give into GAS one must."

Take that GAS energy and invest in more Hasselblad lenses. At some point then you, like I am now, be impervious to GAS. The only things photographic that I buy are film, chemicals and paper now that I own the 30mm Fisheye, 903 SWC [38mm], 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, 150mm, 250mm and 500mm lenses. The other day I even passed up an opportunity to buy the 40mm lens at a great price.

You're a bad influence. I've been thinking seriously about picking up the 150mm as a shelter-in-place gift to myself. I've had my eye on a nice example for a few weeks. I don't really need it but since when does need factor into these decisions?

Trask · Mar 31, 2020

Well, as a fellow Bronica user, I sympathize with your dilemma. If you decide you need a body, let me know — I have a nice EC-TL that is surplus to my requirements. This body would give you a capability you don’t have with your other cameras”: through the lens aperture-priority auto exposure. And you can hack other, older lenses onto the EC-TL and rely on the internal meter to get you the proper exposure.

Sirius Glass · Mar 31, 2020

logan2z said:
You're a bad influence. I've been thinking seriously about picking up the 150mm as a shelter-in-place gift to myself. I've had my eye on a nice example for a few weeks. I don't really need it but since when does need factor into these decisions?

You did not read the APUG Photrio paperwork before you signed up. This website's charter demands that we enable and encourage frivolous spending on photographic equipment of all kinds.

Horatio · Mar 31, 2020

It happens with vintage bikes, too. Ask how I know...

logan2z · Mar 31, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
You did not read the APUG Photrio paperwork before you signed up. This website's charter demands that we enable and encourage frivolous spending on photographic equipment of all kinds.

Serves me right for not reading the fine print.

AndyH · Mar 31, 2020

On most systems, I would be on the side of not starting a new system. But I have to say that the Bronica system is one of the few real bargains out there, and is probably not going to be for much longer. If your film photography is going to last more than a few more years, you might well think about adding this particular system. There are a couple of cameras and systems I regret not getting into when they were at the bottom of the market. I've got my eye on a couple right now, while I can still afford to pick them up at a reasonable price.

Andy

johnha · Apr 1, 2020

campy51 said:
I recently won and auction for 4 Bronica lenses that fit the S2/S2A/EC cameras thinking I might buy a body to use them on, but I am having second thoughts on my purchase. At least I think the price was good. The 4 lenses are the 75mm,150mm and two 50mm but one 50mm is a Super Komura which I believe is on the lower end of quality. I don't need another medium format...

BTW I have a growing collection of old film cameras that I display when not using but I have run out of room in the case.

The S2/S2A bodies are the best looking 6x6s out there to my eyes.

eli griggs · Apr 1, 2020

You will find your way, hopefully, so for now, enjoy yourself and leave out the stress and remember, there is nothing to worry about but plenty to think about, so, think about this; do you go into areas where you loath to take your Hasselblad, and the fine Minolta Autocord has no the advantage of an SLR with interchangeable lenses?

If the answer is you do no want to risk the Hasselblad and the Autocord is simply no enough tool for the job, then yes, buy the Bronica.

If no, sell them for a profit, and buy other kit you also do no need.

Gas is a cruel Mistress, and she'll blow your mind as she twist sound reasoning into a toy to get her through the afternoon.

IMO.

BMbikerider · Apr 1, 2020

IF, and it is a big if, you can find a Bronica EC because they are now very very scarce.They are a wonderful camera. Sort of between a S2 and a Sq. The main advantage is you don't have the interlock between removing the lens and having to wind on and the focal plane shutter which I found to be very accurate and went up to 1000th second. If you locked the mirror up it was very quiet unlike the S2 or the S2a.The downside is, as with most medium format SLR's if they go wrong it will be terminal if it is the electronics. Almost certainly I may add this includes the the renown Hasselblad. Some things are had to find including the neck strap with a unique fitting but anything else, Backs prisms are not that rare

As for the Komura lens They are not the real top shelf with the finish and the click stops are a bit 'clunky';when compared to genuine Bronica lenses there is nothing wrong with them optically.
I had a 200mm and a 40mm Komura with 3 others which were Bronica branded. With a film when it was processed I was unable to tell which lens gave the better quality results. They far outpaced my darkroom equipment for size of print I could make.

eli griggs · Apr 1, 2020

The Hasselblad 500 series, at least to the legendary C and CM, does no require a battery and the EL can always use common batteries with an adapter, but, BMBikerider is correct, if it craps out, you're done.

IMO.

campy51 · Apr 9, 2020

Well I bought a very nice EC-TL from member Trask and hope to get a roll shot in the next couple of days. I shot a few indoors just so I could use it. It's bigger and heavier then the Hassy 503CW but I think it focuses easier and it's just as nice looking as the Hasselblad. I really should sell a couple of my medium format cameras since they don't get any use but I can't bring myself to giving up what I think are some classics. I know I don't need all of them but do you think if I pass these down to my kids they might be worth a lot more in 10-20 years then they are now?
Here's what I have and all are in what I consider to be excellent condition.
Kodak Medalist II
Hasselblad 503CW
Rolleiflex 2.8E
Minolta Autocord
Kowa Six
Bronica EC-TL
I also have a very nice 4x5 top rangefinder Crown Graphic I hope to use hand held in the warmer weather at outdoor family gatherings. Hopefully my abilities will catch up to my equipment over the summer.

KenS · Apr 10, 2020

campy51 said:
I recently won and auction for 4 Bronica lenses that fit the S2/S2A/EC cameras thinking I might buy a body to use them on, but I am having second thoughts on my purchase. At least I think the price was good. The 4 lenses are the 75mm,150mm and two 50mm but one 50mm is a Super Komura which I believe is on the lower end of quality. I don't need another medium format especially a 6x6 since I have a Hassy 503CW, Rolleiflex 2.8 E, Kowa Six, and a Minolta Autocord. Should I just sell the lenses for what I paid or bite the bullet and buy a body? BTW I have a growing collection of old film cameras that I display when not using but I have run out of room in the case.

The best/easiest 'cure' for your 'addiction' might be " "Sell (or gift to a someone 'in need) or... Throw them all into the garbage can and "go large format (4x5, 5x7, 8x10 maye even 11x14) either...or each of which which allows you to process the one (or two) images you just exposed and you don't have to 'wait' until the all the unexposed film has been exposed.... BEST OF ALL.. you "don't have to" enlarge all the exposed and processed films... contact prints 'may' fill your 'creative needs'.

Ken

AndyH · Apr 10, 2020

campy51 said:
Well I bought a very nice EC-TL from member Trask and hope to get a roll shot in the next couple of days. I shot a few indoors just so I could use it. It's bigger and heavier then the Hassy 503CW but I think it focuses easier and it's just as nice looking as the Hasselblad. I really should sell a couple of my medium format cameras since they don't get any use but I can't bring myself to giving up what I think are some classics. I know I don't need all of them but do you think if I pass these down to my kids they might be worth a lot more in 10-20 years then they are now?
Here's what I have and all are in what I consider to be excellent condition.
Kodak Medalist II
Hasselblad 503CW
Rolleiflex 2.8E
Minolta Autocord
Kowa Six
Bronica EC-TL
I also have a very nice 4x5 top rangefinder Crown Graphic I hope to use hand held in the warmer weather at outdoor family gatherings. Hopefully my abilities will catch up to my equipment over the summer.

I just cruised around the 'bay, and I was extremely impressed with the bargain prices on Bronica medium format gear. I've always found them aesthetically beautiful and, from my camera store days, learned that their fit and finish was a solid as better known Swedish and German makes. Couple that with a superb lens assortment, and I think it's probably the best bargain out there in used MF gear. If anyone has been priced out of the Hassy market, or wants to get a head start as an investment, I think this is going to be it.

Andy

abruzzi · Apr 10, 2020

the only really expensive bronicas are the first and last--the original D and the RF 645.

Sirius Glass · Apr 10, 2020

The best cure for GAS is to keep buying cameras, lenses, and darkroom equipment until the symptoms subside. It did for me.

AndyH · Apr 11, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
The best cure for GAS is to keep buying cameras, lenses, and darkroom equipment until the symptoms subside. It did for me.

I do know what you mean, but there's always a new system for film shooters to explore. I have almost everything I want for my Hasselblad system, lacking only an accessory shoe and a spirit level, which I can manage with other non-Hassy gear. But then, there's also that 40mm lens, and ohhh, that Felxbody would be fun to play with....

Okay, I guess there's always something more to buy.

But seriously, I find myself more interested in taking on new systems rather than expanding to things I don't need and won't use on my present ones. I have fairly complete outfits for Hasselblad V, Rolleiflex, Leica L39, and Pentax M-42 systems, but lately I've been eyeing the incredible prices on Bronica and Nikon F systems, and thinking about going in that direction.

There's always something new to explore in photography, and often exploring it does require new gear. I guess that's the nature of any hobby.

Andy

Dan Fromm · Apr 11, 2020

I just read this discussion from the top. I'm ashamed of all of the responders, including myself. None of us gave the OP the answer he was obviously begging for or the answer he needs.

Campy, having Gear Acquisition Syndrome and being and everyday idiot aren't mutually exclusive. So, to answer your question, yes. That you bought into a whole 'nother system proves it.

Do I have GAS or am I just your every day idiot?

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