Espresso or Medium Format Negatives

[modafoto]

To buy or not to buy?

My father gave me some money because he got a bonus for a business trip and wanted to share it with me...

Now I have got the money for a Hasselblad or some other MF camera. But I also want nice espresso machine...

What is a boy to do?

Greater negs or greater coffee? Tough one!

Morten

 

[colrehogan]

Go for the camera. Coffee is overrated.

 

[modafoto]

Go for the camera. Coffee is overrated.

Coffee is NOT overrated. Large Format is

 

[Nick Zentena]

http://gauchogourmet.com/Merchant2/...de=G&Product_Code=4010IT&Category_Code=4000IT

Put the rest of the money towards an 8x10-)

 

[arigram]

I think you have too much coffee Morten.
Get a camera.
Going out for coffee with that camera is better for your social life too.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Briel Estoril ES-33--they put all the money into the pump, but the body is plastic, so it makes a perfect espresso, but doesn't cost too much, leaving plenty left over for a 500 c/m. I think ours was around $150 five years ago. The only downside is that there is one heating element for both steam and coffee, so if you steam milk, you have to let it cool a bit or run some water through it (which is what I do) to cool it down to the appropriate temperature for coffee. If you're not making cappucino for 20 people at a time, it works just fine.

 

[Ole]

I have had coffee from a 50+ years old Italian espresso machine in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. That is the best espresso I have ever tasted.

I have also seen 100+ years old LF photographs - they are among the best pictures I have ever seen.

I would only settle for both

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Go for the camera and buy a jar of instant coffee and eat it by the spoonfull. You will soon think you're drinking espresso.

 

[removed account4]

pavoni *then* camera

or this vacuum-pot
http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/line.a...SLT=&mscssid=1EL90Q7FGV958H4HCFL52MQF4J9H5ER5

coffee is good and lots of $$ for the camera

 

[Donald Qualls]

Oh, heck, do both. You can pick up an inexpensive espresso machine (for single servings, up to a double shot) for around $200, brand new, and a nice grinder for $50 or so; that should leave enough to get, not a 'Blad, but a Kowa or Kiev 6x6 SLR and a lens or two, from money that would have gotten you a used 'Blad. I'd be amazed if you could tell the difference in the images, though the coffee might make your hands shake enough to show as motion blur...

 

[Ole]

Donald is right! Spend some money on a good grinder (kværn, ikke "hakker"), a decent espresso machine, and you could still have enough money for a good MF camera (or a great LF camera with one lens).

 

[oriecat]

Man, now that's my kind of dilemma! Coffee and cameras, my two favorite things.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[chuck94022]

Get the camera. You find a shop to sell you an espresso. Sell some of your great MF created prints, then use some of that money to buy an espresso machine.

Or, buy a really good espresso machine, start selling shots, use that money to buy a camera. Either way, you'll get both eventually.

 

[Bob F.]

Learn to love tea...

No expensive nicknacks required (unless you insist on a 17th century silver teapot) leaving lots of space in the wallet for that camera you just KNOW you are going to buy anyway....


Bob.

 

[Ed Sukach]

I have a Krupps coffee grinder (~$20 ? - been years now, and I've forgotten) and a Bodun Coffee Press (~$30 ? who counts?).

To hell with espresso.

 

[eagleowl]

try...

...other types of ground coffee and get a caffetiere instead-they're EXTREMELY cheap(leaving you plenty of money for a nice MF camera),and ideal for coffee for one.
Alternatively,buy a Mamiya tlr-6x6 negs,7 lenses(which you can still find if you look hard enough),and very reasonably priced on ebay,which leaves you plenty of money for the coffee machine.

 

[colrehogan]

Coffee is NOT overrated. Large Format is

You can tell that I don't drink coffee.

 

[Ole]

... Just as you can tell that mny of the people here have absolutely no idea of how good a good coffee can be. Go wit hyour instincts - and your nose. If you can't tell the difference between British and Ethiopian coffee, you deserve what you get.

 

[BWGirl]

You can tell that I don't drink coffee.

ditto....
Doc!!! Go for the CAMERA!!!!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

And if I can put in a plug for my favorite coffee, check out--

www.molokaicoffee.com

I recommend the Malulani Estate coffee, the Espresso Roast if you prefer a darker roast (more of a chocolatey flavor than the Malulani Estate, but both make a good espresso), and the Island Princess with Tahitian vanilla if you like flavored coffees.

I don't particularly recommend the "Muleskinner" or "Gold" labels over the others, and haven't tried the decaf.

The Malulani Estate coffee has gotten to be better than 100% Kona, in my opinion, but is about half the price. I just ordered another 5 lb.

 

[gandolfi]

check out www.lauritz.com

under the section "elektronik". there are several hasselblad's for almost nothing!
you could find a nice espresso machine there also...

(but why use hasselblad if you can get Rollei??)

 

[chuck94022]

Or, buy a Kiev 88. You'll think it's a hassy (well, at least until you process your first roll), and still have money left for that espresso machine!

 

[Shmoo]

Go for the camera. Too much coffee/espresso makes for blurry pictures!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

How do you plan to get up in time to be set up for the good light? Definitely go for the espresso maker.

 

[jimgalli]

It's a no brainer. Buy the camera then pester your dad often about not having any decent coffee. He'll spring for a machine to get you off his back.

OTOH you could wait 5 years and a Hasselblad and a cup of good coffee will be the same price.