Going to go cold turkey... Ditching digital

Meow7 · Aug 19, 2017

Hello again folks...

I have, maybe in an impulsive moment decided to sell all my digital gear (Fuji X-T1 and all assorted lenses and accessories) which I love but since I began shooting film again even the fabulousness of the Fuji just mostly underwhelms me. I am also selling the EOS1, the Super Fujica 6 and the Krasnogorsk K3 affectionately known as the Kalashnikov. I still have the GSW690II, GS645S and a Canon EOS 630. Oh and the Kodak 1A.

Since taking ALL my kit on a trip to the Olympic Penninsula I am worn out and geared out. Not all...

I'm looking at a Leica M6, a Konica Hexar RF ( I had a Hexar AF) or a Contax G2. The Leica will set me back far more than my sales intake. I am leaning toward the G2, it's light, has impeccable optics and can be either pretty auto or completely manual.

I'm looking for some input on these. I know the Leica is the way to go but...

Thanks
Adria

Theo Sulphate · Aug 19, 2017

First, I hope your trip to the Olympic Peninsula was more productive than mine. Twenty years ago I drove there from Portland, taking a Nikon F2 and two rolls of film. It was a 16 hour trip overall. After I had the color negatives developed, I realized I got the rolls mixed up and shot the same roll twice. Haven't been back.

Fuji X series is very nice. A photographer's camera.

Anyway, I would vote for the M6 not because of the name or the optics, but because its inherent simplicity makes it highly reliable. I have two of them, over 20 years old, and they are still perfect. Shutter speeds are still spot on.

I don't have the same faith in the G2; too many electronic subsystems. If one fails, the camera becomes a pretty silver paperweight.

Down Under · Aug 19, 2017

Don't be too quick to sell your Fuji gear. Chances are it won't return what you paid for it, and you may change your mind yet again and decide to go either fullyback to the big (bad) D or part D, part F. As I did.

Put the D gear away for a time and go minimalist. Limit the gear you take with you when you go out shooting. Enjoy the simplicity of using one camera and one lens.

Your photo shoots will be be all about finding and capturing the right images and not about what camera, lenses, films, filters to use. They are merely Things. Tools. Means to an end.

Leicas cost a small fortune and a Leica will not make you a better photographer.

Contax G1s and G2s are fine tools but they are just that. If your G dies on you, get another one. Needs must.

Put me in your shoes, and I would go with a Nikon or Nikkormat with a 35/2 (or its equivalent in other camera brands. Such a kit can be a powerful tool in the right hands.

It is all about cherishing the moment. As all life should be.

RichardJack · Aug 19, 2017

Maybe you should ditch your digital gear and get better digital gear, like a full frame Canon, Nikon, or Sony DSLR with some decent glass. Unless your going 4x5 film your not gaining anything.

kivis · Aug 19, 2017

I went Nikon FM2n and an old converted Nikkor 50 mm 1.4. Like a mini tank.

Huss · Aug 20, 2017

Meow7 said:
I'm looking at a Leica M6, a Konica Hexar RF ( I had a Hexar AF) or a Contax G2. The Leica will set me back far more than my sales intake. I am leaning toward the G2, it's light, has impeccable optics and can be either pretty auto or completely manual.

I'm looking for some input on these. I know the Leica is the way to go but...

Thanks
Adria

The G2, if it breaks, may be an issue getting fixed. It's completely manual experience - as far as focusing goes - is not. You do not get a proper rf to focus w/ but the electronic system working w/ a scale readout in the vf.
The Konica is another electronic marvel that if it breaks (the notorious E10 and E20 error) will have issues due to lack of parts. It has proper manual RF focusing though.
Any film Leica will be repairable, and by many people. If it needs it. As well as being the definitive RF experience.

Chan Tran · Aug 20, 2017

I think you have a problem. Getting bored and the grass is always greener ...
The M6 and its lenses are excellent but I don't think you would take better photo with them than a cheap Nikon SLR.

aparat · Aug 20, 2017

The GSW690II, GS645S are capable of making amazing negatives. I think you already have enough analog equipment. My advice would be to invest in learning to process and print your own film, and in the basic (or advanced, depending on your budget) equipment with which to do it. Then, after you've established a reliable and enjoyable all-analog workflow, you can decide if you need another camera.

John Wolf · Aug 20, 2017

I recently went cold turkey -- M-Monochrom to M6. I'm committing to film for one year to see how it goes.

I think you first need to decide on auto focus and auto exposure vs manual. They are such different user experiences and something only you can decide. The next factor for me would be the viewfinder. Not sure I could live with the G2 VF as my only camera. It's tough to beat an M in that regard. And you won't lose much if you decide to return to digital.

BTW, I notice Classic Connection has a Ex+ Hexar RF available. Might be worth a look.

bimmey · Aug 20, 2017

Went through the opposite "impulsive moment" years ago. Sold off my film equipment to fund a digital workflow. After fifteen years of shooting digital I'm returning to film. It's not like I have to shoot one or the other. There are times digital will meet my needs better than film. It took a long time for me to gain the darkroom skills needed to produce prints I am happy with. The same was true with digital.

So now I am comfortable with working in analog and digital because I spent enough time working exclusively in each medium. The only mistake I made was unloading my film equipment when changing to digital. I'm putting a nice kit together, but I doubt I'll be able to replace the M6 and 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses that I sold off for quite some time. It was the camera I enjoyed using the most in all my photography. I'm in agreement with the others here to shelve your digital gear for a while. Yesterday I went to an agricultural fair with a film SLR three lenses and four rolls of 36 exposure B&W film. Ran out of film and wish I had brought my digital (Fuji XE-1 and 3 primes) and left it in the car. At least until I figure out how much film to bring to an event.

eddie · Aug 20, 2017

Impulsive moments rarely turn out well...
You have some fine film equipment. I don't see why you can't use it, revisiting selling of your other stuff if you find yourself firmly in the analog camp.

G1DRP · Aug 20, 2017

Go for it! I shoot film exclusively but I still have my iPhone in my pocket just in case I need to grab a shot when my XA isn't with me.

tim_walls · Aug 20, 2017

eddie said:
Impulsive moments rarely turn out well...
You have some fine film equipment. I don't see why you can't use it, revisiting selling of your other stuff if you find yourself firmly in the analog camp.

I'm not sure I'd agree - a few (ok, probably many now) years ago I had a Canon consumer DSLR (350D maybe?) but had recently also acquired an A1 which I was enjoying very much.

I had saved up enough for a good DSLR over a couple of years - I think it would have been a 5D - and was excitedly ready to buy.

On a whim, before I pressed "order now", I checked and realised for the same money I could get (new) the EOS-1V and f/1.2L lens (instead of DSLR+kit lens.) Entirely on impulse I figured "sod it, I'm gonna buy the camera that will last me a lifetime", and haven't taken a digital photo since (other than phone snaps for Instagram - I'm not a total denier of the modern world ;-)). I gave away the little DSLR to friend...

I haven't regretted that impulse for even a second. (That lens is still one of my favourite things in the world, and I have no reason to believe the 1V won't outlive me, as planned, since it's basically bulletproof.)

tim_walls · Aug 20, 2017

tim_walls said:
On a whim, before I pressed "order now", I checked and realised for the same money I could get (new) the EOS-1V and f/1.2L lens (instead of DSLR+kit lens.)

There's a missing 85mm in that sentence, but I can't find the edit button on mobile

Meow7 · Aug 20, 2017

Wow, great insightful comments! Now I am rethinking this. I do like the X-T1 but I mostly like it for night time long exposure shots. Like many D cameras it blows highlights.

RichardJack said:
Maybe you should ditch your digital gear and get better digital gear, like a full frame Canon, Nikon, or Sony DSLR with some decent glass. Unless your going 4x5 film your not gaining anything.

I have enough EF lenses to go to full frame D... But, then I'm back with a kit full of heavy D gear and lenses.

aparat said:
The GSW690II, GS645S are capable of making amazing negatives. I think you already have enough analog equipment. My advice would be to invest in learning to process and print your own film, and in the basic (or advanced, depending on your budget) equipment with which to do it. Then, after you've established a reliable and enjoyable all-analog workflow, you can decide if you need another camera.

aparat, I do process and print my own film, the GSW690II is AMAZING and by far my favorite camera! But it is a tank to haul around... The Texas Leica. I doesn't fit into my purse very well

I could sell the EOS1 and the Super Fujica 6. I then have the EOS 630 and a EF50 f1.4 and the EF 17-40 L and a cheap EF75-300 I should just carry the 630 with the 50mm and see how that goes, that would mimic in a way a Leica with 50mm. Even with the X-T1 and also the EOS cameras I only ever shoot manual. The GSW690II is more challenging due to no meter and filter factors. I do like the autofocus at times as my eyes are not what they once were, lol.

My son was looking into an F1, to replace the AE-1 P that he needs to give back to his brother. I could try an F1 see how that works for me. Again, fraction of the Leica price.

bimmey said:
Went through the opposite "impulsive moment" years ago. Sold off my film equipment to fund a digital workflow. After fifteen years of shooting digital I'm returning to film. It's not like I have to shoot one or the other. There are times digital will meet my needs better than film. It took a long time for me to gain the darkroom skills needed to produce prints I am happy with. The same was true with digital.

bimmey, I went through the same moment as well and I'm regretting it, mostly I'm regretting selling my Konica Hexar AF, although a glorified point and shoot, the photos it took were amazing. I agree that there are times when digital meets my needs, like at the Sufjan concert in Brooklyn, the XF55-200 was so great.

Thanks for the great input as usual!

eddie · Aug 20, 2017

I did say rarely, not never.
My point, though, is it's not necessary to jump to the extreme of divesting. She has some superb film cameras, capable of excellent results. Load 'em and shoot 'em...

Meow7 · Aug 20, 2017

tim_walls said:
I'm not sure I'd agree - a few (ok, probably many now) years ago I had a Canon consumer DSLR (350D maybe?) but had recently also acquired an A1 which I was enjoying very much.

I had saved up enough for a good DSLR over a couple of years - I think it would have been a 5D - and was excitedly ready to buy.

On a whim, before I pressed "order now", I checked and realised for the same money I could get (new) the EOS-1V and f/1.2L lens (instead of DSLR+kit lens.) Entirely on impulse I figured "sod it, I'm gonna buy the camera that will last me a lifetime", and haven't taken a digital photo since (other than phone snaps for Instagram - I'm not a total denier of the modern world ;-)). I gave away the little DSLR to friend...

I haven't regretted that impulse for even a second. (That lens is still one of my favourite things in the world, and I have no reason to believe the 1V won't outlive me, as planned, since it's basically bulletproof.)

Soooo, perhaps I shouldn't sell the EOS1?, It's not a V or N, just the first model. I won't get much money for it anyway. The biggest problem I have with that camera is that it literally eats batteries. Like every two months. The EOS630 does pretty much the same job, without all the bells and whistles.

Meow7 · Aug 20, 2017

But you're right, at some point in the near or far future I would probably regret selling the D stuff. I can shelve it and act like I don't have it for awhile. Like I said getting into a Leica will cost me far more than my sales revenue... I do have some great film cameras, more often than not I do reach for the medium format, although not so easy for casual shooting, the results are worth it, especially the 690.

Meow7 · Aug 20, 2017

I could, however, get another Hexar AF for a mere $500 or so, maybe that will soothe me a bit....

Meow7 · Aug 20, 2017

G1DRP said:
Go for it! I shoot film exclusively but I still have my iPhone in my pocket just in case I need to grab a shot when my XA isn't with me.

Kinda my thought as well...

rpavich · Aug 20, 2017

Meow7 said:
Hello again folks...

I have, maybe in an impulsive moment decided to sell all my digital gear (Fuji X-T1 and all assorted lenses and accessories) which I love but since I began shooting film again even the fabulousness of the Fuji just mostly underwhelms me. I am also selling the EOS1, the Super Fujica 6 and the Krasnogorsk K3 affectionately known as the Kalashnikov. I still have the GSW690II, GS645S and a Canon EOS 630. Oh and the Kodak 1A.

Since taking ALL my kit on a trip to the Olympic Penninsula I am worn out and geared out. Not all...

I'm looking at a Leica M6, a Konica Hexar RF ( I had a Hexar AF) or a Contax G2. The Leica will set me back far more than my sales intake. I am leaning toward the G2, it's light, has impeccable optics and can be either pretty auto or completely manual.

I'm looking for some input on these. I know the Leica is the way to go but...

Thanks
Adria

I've owned a bunch of cameras, not maybe more than other folks here but I can tell you that when I went to film, I ditched Digi completely. I also was a fuji shooter. My first film camera was a Leica M6...I HAD to scratch that Leica itch, I would have never been satisfied with anything unless I found out for myself, what the hype was all about.

Well, I learned something; a camera is a camera and regardless of what brand, or where it's built, you have to live with it and love it and in the end, I found that as amazing as Leicas are, they weren't for me. I was never comfortable hauling around a $1,500.00 worth of camera and lens around my neck. Certainly the Leica does some things very very well but for others, it just isn't the right tool.
In the end, I settled on what works for me; an Oly Trip 35 for every day use, and a Nikon FM2n with some lenses for anything the Oly can't do well.

I guess you'll have to find out for yourself if you are a "Leica man" or not. You won't lose money if you sell it (or not much).

My advice? Borrow or rent a Leica M and see what you think.

Also, give some serious thought to setting up a modest darkroom; ditch digi all the way; don't scan, wet print. You will love photography that much more when you do.

PS: If you are just getting bored and this is only a bout of "gear lust" then in my experience, the cure is to GO SHOOT PICTURES!

ac12 · Aug 20, 2017

If you want to cut on the weight, another option is an Olympus OM camera.
I built a 3-lens OM kit for when the Nikon kit gets to be too heavy for this senior citizen to haul around.

And as has been said, there is something about going back to 1 or 2 prime lenses, and forcing yourself to work within that limitation. That may force the creative juices to flow. Heck get a TLR and you only have that one fixed lens and 12 shots on a roll.

tim_walls · Aug 20, 2017

Meow7 said:
Soooo, perhaps I shouldn't sell the EOS1?, It's not a V or N, just the first model. I won't get much money for it anyway. The biggest problem I have with that camera is that it literally eats batteries. Like every two months. The EOS630 does pretty much the same job, without all the bells and whistles.

Hmm, my 1V is decidedly economical with them, which can be a pain since when it runs out it's always a surprise. Leading to occasional pleas on APUG along the lines of "does anyone know where I can buy a 2CR5 battery in Moscow?" (Pleas that were, naturally, helpfully answered.)

After the last time this happened (Bangkok IIRC, obscure battery shopping fans) I bought a rechargeable one and charger when I got home and haven't looked back. Maybe a rechargeable is a better bet then ditching a nice camera .

Personally, I'd I had a choice of which of two EOS mount cameras to keep, "the one with the weather sealing" would always win. And if the EOS-1 has multi-point spot metering (the 1V does) I'd keep it for that alone - particularly if you ever plan to shoot slide film.

Meow7 · Aug 20, 2017

and... I have come to a decision. Sell X-T1, buy full frame Canon D, this eliminates my problem of 2 systems with 2 sets of lenses. Canon EF works on all applicable cameras!

Sirius Glass · Aug 20, 2017

Good for you. Ditch digital and go analog.

Going to go cold turkey... Ditching digital

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