what if...

[gandolfi]

you, as I have; inherit some money...

not a fortune but some money. In my case I just inherited about 6000$...
both parents now gone..

some of the money, I'd like to spend on something permanent. As if they gave me a present, and something I wouldnt spend on stupid things as heat- food - drinks or travels..

what to do?

I have a GANDOLFI camera - do I want two?
I have a rolleiflex SL 66 E - should I "upgrade" to the "SE" ?

what?

 

[Loose Gravel]

Buy something that you use all the time and every time you use it, you think about your parents. My father just passed and I needed a new camera like I needed a hole in my head; so I bought a new tripod and head for the 5x7. I didn't have to have it. No when I set it up, I enjoy the thoughts. Just my two bits. No right answers. A very personal question, I know.

 

[gandolfi]

but a good one.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Wow. Until I read to the bottom I was thinking "good 4x5, good lens in shutter, and a freezer full of good film" -- but you've got all that.

No idea what else to suggest...

 

[gandolfi]

hmm - and I even have a 25 year old VOLVO!! a classic!

 

[Loose Gravel]

What if you buy yourself some time and print a portfolio?

 

[jd callow]

Only you know what it is that you lack and would do justice to their memory.

I would buy a specific camera for street and possible a lens and RFH if I were to buy camera equipment.

I might buy something that we had in common, that would get used often and last.

 

[Gay Larson]

I would improve my Darkroom with the best possible equipment for the money. I spend lots of time there so I could think of them often.

 

[david b]

Buy some photographs. Something that inspires you and will increase in value.

For me, I might buy a Friedlander or a Kenna or a ....

 

[jimgalli]

You could buy an Ebony 5X7, but then you'd have to change your name and we wouldn't know it was you. Dream darkroom isn't really a bad suggestion.

 

[Jim Chinn]

Buy some photographs. Something that inspires you and will increase in value.

For me, I might buy a Friedlander or a Kenna or a ....

I agree. You could use a portion or all of it and buy 2 or 3 prints from photographers you enjoy or prints from a gallery. Equipment comes and goes. Art on the walls is good for a lifetime.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

My suggestion - spend at least some of the money taking a trip which will give you plenty of opportunity to use the cameras you already have. The most valuable commodity today is time - if you can buy some, I recommend you do it!

Regards,

David

 

[Soeren]

My suggestion - spend at least some of the money taking a trip which will give you plenty of opportunity to use the cameras you already have. The most valuable commodity today is time - if you can buy some, I recommend you do it!

Regards,

David

Thats a great idea. Come to Naestved and give me whats left of the money
I promise to use it wisely.
85mm PC Micro nikkor and 200mm Micro nikkor=4362$
Bronica SQ 40mm f4 PS Zenzanon Lens=922$
You see, no problem
No Emil, take a trip somewhere. Down under, China, South America or where ever you really want to go. just remember to post the resulting pics here.
Søren

 

[Steve Roberts]

what to do??

A trip sounds the best idea to me. With the right one, you'd return with both photographs and memories (and perhaps even an expanded waistline if the food was good!!)

Enjoy it, however you spend it.

Steve

 

[gnashings]

I think a trip and something very permanent - something that you can pass on to someone dear to you (children, other loved ones). Perhaps the idea of a fine print is a great one - just make sure you buy it through the eyes of a human being not an investor.
Do you have a camera related purchase that has always been way too expensive to justify? Something that you always thought was great but thought "It is - but NOT $XXXX.XX great!" That may be another way to go - those things tend to last many lifetimes.
Sorry to hear about your loss by the way.

Peter

 

[modafoto]

I would get some great lenses (20 mm, 28 mm, 35 mm, 85 mm and a macro lens) for my Canon EOS cameras and then I would order 1000 rolls of film.

Otherwise...a double bass and go play some JAZZ!!!!!!

 

[gandolfi]

good suggestions.

I don't want to travel - for the travel's sake, BUT if I wanted to travel, it would be for the reason to get to someone that could teach me something.
ex. Kerik... I'd LOOOVE to learn about the wet process...

Buying a print.. yes. I might do that. I know one who has Josef Sudek's for sale...
(or a Sally mann... Irvin penn... so many choises, but I think they are too expensive..)

I'm thinking..

 

[Ole]

A Sudek print seems like a good idea to me!

Or a Gandolfi tripod, if you don't have one already?

 

[modafoto]

You should buy some great prints by a danish photographer who tortures his negs and prints. His name is Emil Schildt...oh...eureka! Hi, Emil

 

[Soeren]

How about attending a workshop and learn the basics ?
Oh........ no wait....... wrong forum
Does it have to photografic things ?
How about repainting your car ?
Some nice furniture ?
Some ULF stuff......Whoops
A new stereo for your darkroom ?
Booze ?
Something nice for your girlfriend ?
How dare you ask such difficult questions, Emil
Søren

 

[modafoto]

Booze ?
Something nice for your girlfriend ?

Isn't it the same?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

You have a Gandolfi, but is it big enough? You definitely need a bigger one, however big your current one is. You can't just work in that small format forever, whatever it may be.

 

[Struan Gray]

A good studio stand.

 

[unohuu]

85mm f/1.4 Minolta for portraits and the 200mm f/2.8 for some sports and short wildlife. The rest I would have to save for film and travel. New Mexico has been calling me...so has Iceland.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Something nice for the girl friend is also a good suggestion of course - the only problem would be figuring out exactly what kind of LF camera she'd like .