Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: Ellis Vener on February 12, 2015, 09:17:29 am
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It's that moment when you realize you are actively shopping for accessories for your accessories.
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It's that moment when you realize you are actively shopping for accessories for your accessories.
There hopefully comes a point when you realize you got enough gear to produce and your gear is not what is holding you back. If you can't produce great work with lots of good gear one must accept the problem lies within themselves and is not gear related.
The only things I'd like to see come to market are:
An affordable Japanese Leica knockoff, ($2500)
An affordable 6mp FF back for the Hassy ($2500)
An M43 with a shutter speed dial / simple controls
A 'smallish' Fuji X super wide lens in 8mm, 9mm or 10mm with good manual controls.
A Fuji X circle fisheye with good manual controls.
Now, I have an excuse for wanting great manual control lenses and cams. I don't just have a bug in my head and lust for manual controls. I do lots of candid night shooting. The gear they have nowadays, designed by camera fondling engineers and built for camera fondling enthusiasts, is a pain to use in the conditions I shoot in. You have to fight it at every step.
http://rangefindercamera2.tumblr.com/image/110809006237
http://rangefindercamera2.tumblr.com/image/110808389532
http://rangefindercamera.tumblr.com/image/108383739969
All shot with Fuji X-E1, all candids...but I shot the Fuji as a Leica and not as a Fuji or I would not get anything.
Now, if none of my want list ever come to pass, I got enough gear to produce as is. The wants would just make life easier to produce.
It is a happy day for the photog when they can leave gear acquisition behind and only worry about what to shoot next...instead of what to buy next. But, our world requires constant consumption. So the camera companies need to keep designing to keep the engineers employed and they need the camera fondlers to keep buying to keep the cam companies in biz. It is an odd relationship, cause the more we buy and consume the less time we have to push the button and produce.
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That describes me to a T - the search for The Perfect Bag(s) for photo, for photo plus winter day hike (space for "10 essentials" including bivy bag, stove, fuel, ramen/cocoa/teabags), for camping with space for photo. :D
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I knew I was in trouble when I had more stuff than I was willing to hike with and due to security concerns was unwilling to leave any stuff in the car. When the epiphany struck I said "Screw the stuff, I'm going hiking."
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Having way too much stuff to justifiably carry … yup.
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My latest "camera bag" has a capacity of 158 liters (9600 cu inch). One advantage is that I'm really motivated to stay fit as it's required to get all gear with me... :)
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Let's just say that I saw the recent video of the ultra-stable, all-terrain robot dog and thought, 'Cool! Pack mule!'
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Now, I have an excuse for wanting great manual control lenses and cams. I don't just have a bug in my head and lust for manual controls. I do lots of candid night shooting. The gear they have nowadays, designed by camera fondling engineers and built for camera fondling enthusiasts, is a pain to use in the conditions I shoot in. You have to fight it at every step.
I do lots of low light shooting and modern cameras in my experience are much better in such conditions that old school cameras. Talking handling, not image capture here. Though that's waaaaay better.
All shot with Fuji X-E1, all candids...but I shot the Fuji as a Leica and not as a Fuji or I would not get anything.
Not quite sure what you mean you by 'shot the Fuji as a Leica'. ???
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I knew I was in trouble when I had more stuff than I was willing to hike with and due to security concerns was unwilling to leave any stuff in the car. When the epiphany struck I said "Screw the stuff, I'm going hiking."
I'm considering an Olympus system for such times. 16-300mm f2.8 [FF equivalent] in 3 small and very good lenses along with a tiny body and if you add a teleconverter than you also have a 450mm f4. That's a very light setup that will cover most outdoor shooting and if you need silly long lenses then a 600mm f4 [FF equivalent] is also available. With the 16-300mm range you could get away with carrying the two lenses not on the camera in jacket pockets, so not even a backpack needed. The excellent image stabilisation means a tripod is needed far less too, so that could be left behind as well.
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It's that moment when you realize you are actively shopping for accessories for your accessories.
You mean like trying to find the perfect filter wallet (I use 77mm Stack Caps)?
Camera bags are out of bounds. There just isn't a perfect camera bag for all occasions. I'm looking at 6 of them stuff in a shelving unit that each comes out to play from time to time. And I'm actively trying to decide between the Thinktank StreetWalker and StreetWalker Pro at the moment. ;D
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Yeow! 9600 cu.in. / 158 L - that's not a backpack, that's a steamer trunk. That's about 50% more volume than the largest expedition pack that I know of (105 L). So how much does this camera bag weigh, and does it have wheels?
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I'm considering an Olympus system for such times. 16-300mm f2.8 [FF equivalent] in 3 small and very good lenses along with a tiny body and if you add a teleconverter than you also have a 450mm f4. That's a very light setup that will cover most outdoor shooting and if you need silly long lenses then a 600mm f4 [FF equivalent] is also available. With the 16-300mm range you could get away with carrying the two lenses not on the camera in jacket pockets, so not even a backpack needed. The excellent image stabilisation means a tripod is needed far less too, so that could be left behind as well.
Hmmmm…. buy more stuff so I can leave the good stuff in the car? Ummmm… no.
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Everyone needs to get a llama. That would be the ultimate accessory for your accessories.
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Hi,
- Spending on MFD, but I am quite happy with it
- RRS B150B focusing rail
- http://www.cognisys-inc.com/products/stackshot/stackshot.php, but I am quite happy with it
- Leica Photar 25/2.5
- Lot of tripods, heads and bags
I have bought to much MF film gear, Pentax 67, Minolta MF scanners and projector, just before digital washed all that away.
Best regards
Erik
It's that moment when you realize you are actively shopping for accessories for your accessories.
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That sounds like some serious macro, Erik.
I admit to being a tri-holic. I own (and actually use, as opposed to leaving them in the closet) three tripods and one monopod, which is probably three more tripods than the average amateur. Each one has a different type of head for different uses. Arca-adapted Manfrotto 410 geared head on Manfrotto 055 aluminum legs, Arca-Swiss Z1sp on largest carbon fiber Feisol, Arca-Swiss p0 on "travel" sized Feisol, tilt head on monopod. Plus, a Custom Brackets Basic Gimbal side-mount arm which mounts onto the Z1 with the ball tipped 90 degrees into the slot. The small Feisol gets the bulk of use due to its being the "just in case" one I take when I am hiking without heavy or long-lens gear.
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Hmmmm…. buy more stuff so I can leave the good stuff in the car? Ummmm… no.
Two things. Car not needed to carry stuff in first place as cycling with a smaller kit would be more practical for me. The other kit would be left at home not in car anyway.
The Olympus kit is good stuff too. Lenses are better than my L lenses that's for sure.
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The real problem is just about the point I feel satisfied with the capture side (cameras, lenses, shooting accessories), I start wanting to upgrade the post processing side (monitors, processing, printers, etc.)!
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Aloha,
When you are arguing with the Arcteryx customer service guy about how much weight there biggest backpack is rated for, and asking them why they don't build a bigger stronger bag!
Attached carry in bag for a 10 day carry all in photo shoot
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Two things. Car not needed to carry stuff in first place as cycling with a smaller kit would be more practical for me. The other kit would be left at home not in car anyway.
Hmmm… not terribly practical on a Sacto -> Wisconsin -> Sacto road trip. Or try riding the bicycle from Elko NV up Lamoille Canyon for a hike in the Ruby Mountains. Are you going to leave the bicycle at the end of the road for 12 hours while hiking?
The Olympus kit is good stuff too. Lenses are better than my L lenses that's for sure.
There's better, and my biggest investment is time. Not gonna waste my time to get something other than my best photos.
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Hmmm… not terribly practical on a Sacto -> Wisconsin -> Sacto road trip. Or try riding the bicycle from Elko NV up Lamoille Canyon for a hike in the Ruby Mountains.
Notice the qualifier
Car not needed to carry stuff in first place as cycling with a smaller kit would be more practical for me.
Plus I doubt could pack the car in my luggage for plane flight to those locations you mention. :P
Are you going to leave the bicycle at the end of the road for 12 hours while hiking?
Nope, a major point of using a bike for me would be to ride on the trails. Maybe even to photograph bikes.
Not sure what you mean with this part of your reply...
There's better, and my biggest investment is time. Not gonna waste my time to get something other than my best photos.
Lighter kit may enable one to get better photos or travel further/faster under one's own steam to get to the better location. And as I mentioned the Olympus pro lenses are better than some of my L lenses.
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Ta.
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Sadly, it takes me one day to charge up stuff, clean sensors, and pack my car full of gear. And then it can only hold one person (me) as the back seat is full of stands, tripod, gimbals, lights, trunk full of stuff like scrims, barndoors, tools, snoots, portable printer, and the front passenger seat full of camera bags, lenses, tablet, phone and GPS, etc. Then there is stuff used on location too like some model's outfit and accessories that gets tossed on top. Better safe than sorry with backup stuff.
I really do need a trailer since I've outgrown any camera bag. :-[ I knew I was heading into gear trouble when closets began getting stuffed and doors would not open due to all the crap falling against them. Five printers now residing in the living room is another matter too - and that isn't all the printers I have either.
"When one isn't enough, buy more!"
SG
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Sadly, it takes me one day to charge up stuff, clean sensors, and pack my car full of gear. And then it can only hold one person (me) as the back seat is full of stands, tripod, gimbals, lights, trunk full of stuff like scrims, barndoors, tools, snoots, portable printer, and the front passenger seat full of camera bags, lenses, tablet, phone and GPS, etc. Then there is stuff used on location too like some model's outfit and accessories that gets tossed on top. Better safe than sorry with backup stuff.
I really do need a trailer since I've outgrown any camera bag.
You need a much bigger vehicle. Not a car.
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You need a much bigger vehicle. Not a car.
Sadly, you're right. I'm getting tired of packing and unpacking gear at locations.
I saw a bunch of surveyors once who had a really nice service truck with a slide-out tray for their tripods and side-entry panels for their GPS heads and transits. I thought "That would make a great photographer's truck!" as it even had tandem rear wheels for off road and stuff. Probably $80K+ though. Made it easy for them to set up fast, and then toss it back into the lockable compartments and leave without resorting to jumping on stuff to make it fit back into the car.
Friend had a Landcrusier where he built wooden gear compartments in the back. He thought he solved the issue. Problem got bad when he had to pile stuff on top of the compartments and then had to unload everything to get to what he wanted by the side of the road and then repack it all. A side-entry service panel truck might be better than stacking gear.
SG
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If I was a [rich] photographer who needed access to remote places I think I may like to get one of these (http://earthroamer.com/).
Company was founded by a photographer IIRC.
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Friend had a Landcrusier where he built wooden gear compartments in the back. He thought he solved the issue. Problem got bad when he had to pile stuff on top of the compartments and then had to unload everything to get to what he wanted by the side of the road and then repack it all. A side-entry service panel truck might be better than stacking gear.
Something like this but with bigger wheels and an engine. ;)
Along with a sliding lockable cover to secure compartments.
(https://www.professionaltoolstorage.com/core/files/professionaltoolstorage/presentation/e9500721d40b66428df6dcf14cdeea03.png)
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Vans fitted out like this (http://www.gripvan.com/gripvan/) are a sensible way of transporting kit. Or if that's not big enough, a truck like this (http://www.filmlitesmt.com/grip-trucks/)....
(http://www.filmlitesmt.com//wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Grip-Truck-in-teton-national-park.jpg)
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Vans fitted out like this (http://www.gripvan.com/gripvan/) are a sensible way of transporting kit. Or if that's not big enough, a truck like this (http://www.filmlitesmt.com/grip-trucks/)....
(http://www.filmlitesmt.com//wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Grip-Truck-in-teton-national-park.jpg)
Now I like that truck! An entire truck devoted to lighting gear! Now I'd need one for the camera stuff too. ;D
Could you imagine the looks on people pulling up with two trucks like that? No doubt they'd pay whatever you ask them to pay, rather than trying to barter the prices down all the time - or "Could you do it for free since my kid with a cell phone can do the job."
"Mr. Ansel Adams Jr. has arrived with his crew, and he's asking for cash! And a lot of it too." :o
SG
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That's a grip truck and they are common in the film and video production business. I've rented grip trucks before with a crew to light for me. They are not cheap, but worth every penny.
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Could you "adapt" a roof bike rack to take your C-stands, or use one of those sealed aerodynamic roof containers to hold smaller stands, tripods, scrims, etc? Then take a folding footstool to be able to easily access the container?
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Could you "adapt" a roof bike rack to take your C-stands, or use one of those sealed aerodynamic roof containers to hold smaller stands, tripods, scrims, etc? Then take a folding footstool to be able to easily access the container?
I've thought of the top carrier for the car (Prius) as I know one photographer that uses one on their van. Problem is I would probably fumble the heavy Matthews stands and damage the car at some point as it is sloped over say a van.
The C-stands with the removable turtle base aren't that much of a problem in that the upright is just a pole and doesn't take much room so I can put three in the back seat easily. The bases are a bit much stacked. The problem is my flash units are too big (Circa 1990) in their large carrier cases that hold 5 heads. A new smaller head might be better as they weigh less and are half the size now, but not too crazy about tossing working gear. Sundry stuff like spools of 100' extension cords, snoots, barndoors, even a smoke machine, etc. make my packing a bit frustrating.
The Prius oddly has a hitch that I have used in the past to haul a motorcycle trailer. Gas mileage took a hit though from 45 to 22 mpg. A top carrier might affect it too. I think the newer ones have a bit more storage space, but can't beat it for location traveling, other than packing the thing tight with gear. Some small aerodynamic trailer with side-load compartments maybe that I could leave packed with the stands and lighting stuff in the locked compound.
Example, this one for some clothing outfit shot down inside a working gold mine took three C-stands and flash-heads, dishes and umbrellas, and 300' of extension cords for the lights. I had battery packs for the flash units, but I needed the modeling lights on as it was pitch dark down there and doing that kills the batteries. Was sort of creepy in there with only the kerosene light lit or her helmet headlamp on. People got claustrophobic otherwise so we had to add music too for distraction.
SG
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Search this forum for the old thread on "landscape photography support vehicle" - lots of suggestions, including panel vans, trucks, etc - some people said they camped (slept) in the vehicle. If you have enough kit to warrant a panel van, that's excellent security because no one can see in, and you keep the outside of the van unmarked. Consider moving up to the largest Prius?
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Notice the qualifier
Car not needed to carry stuff in first place as cycling with a smaller kit would be more practical for me.
Plus I doubt could pack the car in my luggage for plane flight to those locations you mention. :P
You've heard of renting cars?
... Lighter kit may enable one to get better photos or travel further/faster under one's own steam to get to the better location. And as I mentioned the Olympus pro lenses are better than some of my L lenses.
Having used L lenses, saying the Olympus lenses are better doesn't wow me. I'm accustomed to Leica APO lenses, and I'm willing to carry them on my back or on a bike or on a plane or train.
EDIT: I hesitated dropping the Leica bomb because it usually results in some jackass de-railing the thread with an anti-Leica rant, but… returning to my previous comment, I bought the Leica to use and I carry it with me everywhere so that I can use it. I'm not going to buy more stuff so that I can leave the Leica in the car at a trailhead.
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You've heard of renting cars?
You haven't heard of humour obviously despite the smiley emphasizing that my remark about cars on planes was not serious. In case it wasn't obvious enough.
Having used L lenses, saying the Olympus lenses are better doesn't wow me. I'm accustomed to Leica APO lenses, and I'm willing to carry them on my back or on a bike or on a plane or train.
EDIT: I hesitated dropping the Leica bomb because it usually results in some jackass de-railing the thread with an anti-Leica rant, but… returning to my previous comment, I bought the Leica to use and I carry it with me everywhere so that I can use it. I'm not going to buy more stuff so that I can leave the Leica in the car at a trailhead.
Yes a big yawn to the Leica reference, particularly as you also missed that point that was being made there too.