Going minimal

[mooky]

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Mehmet,,,,I used to have about the same amount of equipment and after a while it became a bit much.

 

Unless you find the need, I'd recommend ridding yourself of half the lenses and keep the bodies. Starting at the wide end either with the 19 or the 24 (and I found that the 24 is sharper than the original 19). Then go every other lens for example, 24, 50, 100, and so on. Or just look at what you use the most and keep those. Photography like other creative mediums will find us wanting at times.

 

Or, you can just put the equipment away in the case for a week, but, keep one out and take it with you on walks and be at the ready, camera in hand. Find a creative release for the 'slow times'. I liked to push abstract themes when I was in such 'moods', so I would use wider angle lenses, and so on. It all works out,,,,good luck......

[bill]

Mehmet, I sympathise with your dilemma, and you have already had some thoughtful and sound advice. For my part, having gone through periods of a lack of motivation and "flat" creativity in the past, I would suggest the following. Put all except one lens and one body in a box. Seal the box, and put it somewhere "out of reach" - in the attic, or with a relative. Then use - really use - the limited equipment you have left. The lesson I have learned - by carrying just a Leica II with one or two lenses at most - is that the less you have, the harder you have to work, and the harder you have to think. This may feel constricting at first, but the more you triumph against the self-imposed restriction, the better you will feel when you look at your results - success will be all the sweeter for being harder to come by.

 

I hope this helps,

 

Bill

[wda]

Mehmet -

 

Perhaps a month with V-Lux 1 or it's Panasonic equivalent will get you back into it, avoiding the processing and film purchase problems. The V-Lux might be an all -in-one, simple good compromise for you.

 

Mehmet,

 

If I am not mistaken, you posted some beautiful pictures last year when I first became a member of this illustrious forum. If so, I am doubly saddened to hear about your sad feelings.

 

There are many good suggestions in this thread. While I agree with Stuart, who also enjoyed your pictures, unless you desperately need the money do not sell your fine Leica film cameras and lenses. I feel eventually your will find a solution which will light up your life again.

 

You are not alone in the world which is entering an extremely difficult phase economically and socially. Many photographers will be faced with difficult choices. I take a more optimistic view and believe good will eventually prevail and life will become more enjoyable and challenging again.

 

I visited your country in the 1980s and can imagine that in many rural areas little has changed. True there are vast empty spaces but it isn't long before your find communities and natural beauty. Beyond your boundaries, well you have returned to this forum and must sense that you are among friends again.

 

Take one of your cameras and a single lens and travel light. I recall you were expert with your 60mm macro lens. Why not resume using that wonderful lens. Keep film and processing simple and try to do it yourself. Many fine photographers have survived under the most arduous and difficult times and survived. So must you!

 

My kind regards,

[wda]

Hello dear friends,

First of all Admin if this is not the right section pls move this where it belongs. I decided to go minimal with my leica gear. Photography must be fun and it is not these days for me. I am even thinking about quitting all together.

 

I need your invaluable opinions about which equipment should I keep or not?

The minimal set up pls.

 

Here is what I have

1 R9 body

2 LeicaflexSL bodies

1 19mm f2.8 older big one

1 24mm f2.8 dropped, cannot be fixed but works

1 35mm f2.8 older version 2 cam

1 50mm f2

1 60mm f2.8 macro with 1:1 adapter

1 100mm f2.8 APO macro with ROM

1 180mm f2.8 APO elmarit with ROM

1 250mm F4 telyt

1 400mm F5.6 Telyt

 

Thanks,

Mehmet

 

Mehmet, I have re-read your posting and realize that I did not deal with your fundamental question. Looking at your list of equipment you will know, better than anyone else, which kit rarely gets used. If there is not a plausible reason for keeping those items, put them on the list for sale.

 

There is quite a lot of redundancy in your list. If all lenses work on all bodies I would be inclined to keep the R9 body. It is the most modern and will allow you to extend in the future if you so wish. Then decide which three lenses would form the best balance of coverage, subject to your being satisfied with their performance and keep those lenses. You will end up with one camera and three lenses which should meet all your reasonable needs. I would also be inclined to keep one other body as a backup should the main one fail at any time.

 

Does that help? If so, I suggest you think about a few local projects which could stretch your imagination.

 

Assuming you live in a community of some size, (a town or village?), and you are still relatively young compared with the age range in your community, why not start a project with the oldest members who will have memories which are living history to them but unknown to you. Get to know them, win their confidence and seek their cooperation in some wonderful portraits of them. Include their environments, if possible, because over time they can change. Try to build up a varied portfolio of work which could form the basis of an exhibition or even a book! Set yourself some interesting goals!

 

Good Luck and please let us know how you get on.

 

Kind regards

[darkness30]

This is what I am leaning towards

 

1 R9 and 1 FlexSL 24mm, 50mm, 100mm, 180mm lenses will stay

 

1FlexSL, 19mm, 60mm, 250mm,400mm will go

 

Thank you for your kind friendship.

 

Mehmet

[hodimeyer]

Hello dear friends,

First of all Admin if this is not the right section pls move this where it belongs. I decided to go minimal with my leica gear. Photography must be fun and it is not these days for me. I am even thinking about quitting all together.

 

I need your invaluable opinions about which equipment should I keep or not?

The minimal set up pls.

 

Here is what I have

1 R9 body

2 LeicaflexSL bodies

1 19mm f2.8 older big one

1 24mm f2.8 dropped, cannot be fixed but works

1 35mm f2.8 older version 2 cam

1 50mm f2

1 60mm f2.8 macro with 1:1 adapter

1 100mm f2.8 APO macro with ROM

1 180mm f2.8 APO elmarit with ROM

1 250mm F4 telyt

1 400mm F5.6 Telyt

 

Thanks,

Mehmet

 

 

Dear Mehmet,

if you do not know, what you like to do with your equipment - forget your question. Try to answer yourself for what and for what reason you owned (buyed) this equipment - best regards hodimeyer

[kenneth]

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I agree with the comments made by David. Look at James Ravilious - photographer of rural life 1939 - 1999

 

he documented the lives of people in a rural part of England. A life which has now gone forever. It is only because James Ravillious spent time recording this fascinating era that we have any idea what life was like then. This would make you a socially responsible photographer and give you a feeling self worth. But, yes ditch some of the kit. You don't need it and it is holding you back. Of take a leaf out of H. Catier-Bresson's book. One camera + one lens = one legend

[gvaliquette]

Mehmet:

 

I remember looking at many of your posts here on the Leica camera forum, and enjoying them all. So, please do not give up; it would be a loss for all of us.

 

Try to find a DMR on e-Bay; it will allow you to experiment with your R9 at essentially zero cost, get top quality photographs and rekindle your enthousiam for photography.

 

All of us probably met one of those brick walls. Being able to "fire off" at no cost is a wonderful opportunity to get you to experiment again and get restarted in your enthousiasm. All you need is a DMR.

 

Guy

[darkness30]

Guy, problem with finding and buying Leica gear from Turkey is near impossible.Any gear above $130 is subject to all customs taxes + ridiculous procedures. Finding it in Turkey is impossible since no one has DMR. I will try Olympus + R lenses though.

 

Mehmet

[dspeltz]

Coincidentally, I was scanning and reviewing photos (film) I had taken in Turkey on my first trip in 2001 (been there twice now) yesterday. It is an astonishing country and no matter what camera (Holga, view camera, film, digital, whatever) it is a endless place to photograph. The tools matter, but the subject matter is more important and it is in your backyard. No matter what you use, even a point and shoot, the diversity of opportunity is right there for you. Shoot anything, and send it up for us to enjoy. And don't get caught up in the gear mess.

[gutguido]

Sorry you're going through a funk.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way. When I hear you say you feel "people are ignorant", I think you will find more joy in both photography and your life if you try to be less judgmental. Try to take people and places as they are, not as how you wish them to be.

 

I'm really not criticizing in any way, just want you to feel better. Cheers.