overrated equipment

[eddie]

I’m apprehensive of the cult surrounding the camera. And the marketing used to sell it.

I think every camera has its cult. Leica, Nikon, Hasselblad... people are understandably loyal to their chosen brands. Same is true for cars, electronics, beer, etc.

 

[faberryman]

Insisting can be many things. It doesn’t entail exclusiveness if that’s what you think.

Why would you think I think insisting has anything to do with exclusiveness?

It’s when you hear photographers declaring it as their favourite camera, or the one where they feel the most free.

Is there a problem having a favorite camera or a camera with which you feel most free?

The basic Brownie is a better and far more flexible (as in modable and durable) photographic tool.

A Brownie is better for some things. A Holga is better for other things.

Same goes for the standard Nettar.

A Nettar is better for some things. A Holga is better for other things.

Surely the photographic tent is large enough to admit people who enjoy creating images with Holgas?

 

[Vaughn]

Should've bought Graphic View cameras - those things are tough. (I realize they would have been long out of production - but I think they're all still around.)

We had one...and I have one I need to get rid of to a good home. Solid beasts!
I bought a couple Horseman Woodmen 4x5s for the Art Dept while I was there instead -- they last! Calumets were our 'standard' studio cameras...we had 3 or 4.

 

[faberryman]

Look, I’m not dismissive of the photos taken with a Holga (of course not).
I’m apprehensive of the cult surrounding the camera. And the marketing used to sell it.

Why are you apprehensive.of a cult surrounding a camera?

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

I think every camera has its cult. Leica, Nikon, Hasselblad... people are understandably loyal to their chosen brands. Same is true for cars, electronics, beer, etc.

Drink Kirin, drive Mitsubishi, and shoot Nikon.

Not necessarily in that order

Burma shave

 

[Cholentpot]

TROOOLLLLSSS IN THE DUNGEON! I mean thread.

I got some pretty dang good results from my Lubitel 2...until it fell apart on me. Now I use a slightly less awful Yashica A.

 

[Helge]

Surely the photographic tent is large enough to admit people who enjoy creating images with Holgas?

Sure, but we are here to talk about overrated cameras right?

 

[Helge]

Why are you apprehensive.of a cult surrounding a camera?

I can see I entered the den of the high priests of a low cult. ;-)

 

[Vaughn]

I do not think many people have ever over-rated the Holga...perhaps the Diana, though...

Carbon print, Diana Camera, Tech Pan film

 

[Cholentpot]

I think people rate the Lomography cameras as they are and they are fine with it.

 

[eddie]

I think the only overrated cameras are the ones which are put on pedestals, rarely being used, but worshiped like idols.

 

[eddie]

I do not think many people have ever over-rated the Holga...perhaps the Diana, though...

I prefer my Dianas, too.

 

[awty]

Digital equipment. You can make fine pictures without.

 

[Vaughn]

I prefer my Dianas, too.

I just rate my Diana as cool, sometimes, fun. Running out-dated Tech Pan gets me the contrast I need for alt printing, too!

Accidental double exposure...carbon print

Edited to add: So strange seeing this image enlarged on the screen...I am so use to see it living as a (approx) 4.5cm x 4.5cm print. As a platinum print (no contrast agents used), I have trouble keeping detail on Calder's face. Carbon printing eats that sort of thing for snacks.

 

[Helge]

Noodle armed teens dragging around the RB67 dad bought them all over town.
That’s a grail that belongs in a studio or at least on a tripod.

Crypto hipsters taking a Fuji GSW690 into an art museum casually dangling from a strap for everyone to see.

Not an overrated camera per se, but to those people it is.

 

[eddie]

I've carried around my RB and GSW690. I haven't been a noodle armed teen for 45 years.
You need to get off your high horse.

 

[Cholentpot]

I just lugged around a Bronica S2 for a day. I'm not going to do it again anytime soon even if the photos are awesome.

 

[removed account4]

thanks for cheering me up with this thread !
I guess ALL cameras are kind of over rated from the top of the heap to the bottom ..
you know ... except for the cardboard thing that comrade Miroslav used
that was a piece of junk and I think he knew it...

 

[Helge]

I've carried around my RB and GSW690. I haven't been a noodle armed teen for 45 years.
You need to get off your high horse.

Only when you step down from yours.

 

[NB23]

Holga, totally over rated.

Where’s the fun in “getting a usable image out of a junk camera”?

 

[eddie]

Only when you step down from yours.

I'm not the one making judgments on what constitutes an acceptable camera, photographic movement, or those who use (and practice) either.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

Maybe Yashicas?



Old camera commercials on youtube? yes please

 

[Helge]

I'm not the one making judgments on what constitutes an acceptable camera, photographic movement, or those who use (and practice) either.

You are judging me and what I write.

 

[Pioneer]

For most photographers I would say any high-end SLR is over-rated, mainly because a medium- to low-end SLR from the same manufacturer will do 99% of what 99% of most photographers want to do 99% of the time. This is not to say that high end SLRs don't have their place. They do, especially with professionals for whom that 1% difference truly makes a worthwhile difference, or perhaps a few non-professional photographers as well, and it's not to say that I would not like to have a high end camera (like a Canon 1v for example). It's just that most of us can get by just fine with a lesser camera. A case in point: I have a Canon 7ne (which itself is more mid-level than high-level) that I seldom use because in my hands my lowly Canon T2 is easier for me to use, and it's smaller, which is something I like.

This is very true but I think what most professionals are looking for is the support that comes along with the flagship body they intend to use. The features are certainly nice but knowing that someone is going to jump through hoops to rapidly get you a replacement if something goes wrong is worth the money spent. Include the rental benefits that often accompany that purchase and it can make a difference between a successful assignment and a catastrophe.

 

[Paul Howell]

I dont think that the cameras are overrated, just overpriced as they for what ever reason became collectable or desirable. The K1000 is a very good camera, just not worth to me what they fetch, same with Leica, Konica M mount rangefinder, Yasicha T, and for that matter the Konica Hextar AF RF, all good cameras, but supply is low price is high.