Big Birthday Ahead -- what to give myself

<p>It's the big Eight-Oh, so I don't think there will be many more.<br>

I have traditionally given myself something nice and photographic for my special birthdays (usually pre-owned). At 25 it was a Rollei 3.5F; at 40 a Leica M5; at the Big Fifty, a 50 year special Leica Cl still in original box; at 60 a new Leica M6, which I never liked and is still unused in the original box; at 70, a black Minox LX to replace the silver IIIs I carried for 45 years; and finally, something really special at 75 -- a quadruple by-pass.<br>

I keep eye-balling a Leica M240, but to tell the truth I've never really liked the M-Leicas, and I don't think that Leica has kept up with the mirrorless digital competition. Ideally, it should certainly be coupled with a Tri-Elmar, but the cost of that combination gives me the vapors!<br>

Currently I'm shooting digital with a Sony RX10, RX100M2, and Canon t2i. The Sony a7II looks interesting.<br>

There are 2x3, 3x4, 4x5, 5x7, and Whole Plate view cameras to play with (and occasionally use). And an obscene nest of Barnack Leicas and lenses, and old Zeiss folders, Contax, and stereo stuff -- all using film which are great for fondling, but I'll never use them for photography again.<br>

So -- shoot me your ideas. Please.</p>

Happy birthday. It is my birthday today also but just the big seven-one. I wish I had thought to use my birthday to indulge in camera acquisition. I can't come up with any suggestions since it sounds like you have enough stuff already. (Sorry. I guess that sounds a bit blasphemous for this forum.)

<p>No ideas, but a big Happy Birthday, Bill!</p>

<p>Happy Birthday, James. And thanks, Hosteen.</p>

80 is an achievement -that calls for special cameras! Hard to say what without knowing what and how you shoot, but

have you ever had a Hasselblad? Or maybe upgrade your digital kit to an X-Pro1 and a few XF primes?

<p>Happy birthday. Maybe you should give yourself a camera that has an 80 mm lens. A number of 120 cameras could fit the description. Along with a supply of Rollei 80s film.<br>

Seriously, hope you have many more birthdays.</p>

 

At 80 I'll be hoping for a blonde. I have all the

cameras I need already. But happy birthday to you

whatever you decide.

Ok, maybe skydiving at 80. Surely some kind of

experience rather than any more "stuff"

<p>Bill,</p>

<p>I think it is great that you still have much enthusiasm for the hobby. It is interesting that you mentioned the Sony A7 II. To me it embodies the high-tech present day but still has a link to the past with its ability to use a wide selection of older lenses. Plus the price tag isn't unbearable.</p>

<p>Happy Birthday.</p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>Bill</strong>, for the photographer who has nearly everything, a situation you appear to be approaching, the one must-have left in the world is a nice example of the Jager le Coultre Compass Camera, preferably with the rollfilm back and matching tripod. In my humble opinion, photographic things just don't get much more exquisite... There are currently a couple of nice ones on Ebay in the $4000-$5000 range.</p>

<p>Happy Birthday. How about a trip to someplace you've always wanted to go?</p>

<p>Just passed Eight eight and looking at a Sigma DP1M (which I've been looking for a couple of birthdays). Happy hunting.</p>

<p>Happy Birthday Bill. Many more to come is my wish for you. The Blondes may come and go, but a camera is forever. I'd look for a camera that was born in the year you were. Research out the best, or most quirky, or simply the one you may have lusted after and forgotten. Whatever you do, stay healthy and enjoy!!!</p>

<p>Happy Birthday. Maybe, you have it all? How about some lenses?</p>

<p>How about a nice carbon fiber tripod? That's about all I'd like these days.</p>

<p>How about a Pentax 6x7 with that lovely wooden handle and some lenses?</p>

<p>Happy Birthday Bill, and thanks for making feel so young at a mere 55 :-)</p>

<p>I hope I can still take photos when I am your age. Happy birthday</p>

<p>Bill, I wish you fun with whatever you 'll choose.<br /> IDK. - Myself I am crazy enough to go for Leica but I do like them. My M4-P impressed me. I was somewhat convinced by the M8 when it came out and grabbed an user-beater last year. - Toe dipping. The lesson happened quickly; strap got caught somewhere, camera dropped and I learned DSLRs handle that better than my then misaligned RF. Anyhow: I did read M 240 reviews but ended wanting the MM more. - Its a quirky, by now surely outdated camera, but it seems capable of taking pictures I want.<br /> From one of your recent posts I am recalling that you'd like the WA Tri-elmar. I fear it shines only on Leica? - Not sure. Those lenses are out of my comfort zone for now. Leica pricing is hard to digest, especially when we can't really afford risking what we have.<br /> Anyhow: I can't imagine you suddenly loving your M (240) when the M6 couldn't charm itself into your bag. Maybe the A7II is the best kind of similar choice? - I'm awaiting the A7S II.<br /> I don't know what else to suggest. - maybe the higher end Fujis current X100 / X-Pro1 /X-T1? - Some lenses might be worth them and JPGs look great.<br /> Other stuff: whatever increases your cameras' mobility. - carbon fibre tripod? A pedelec to haul everything into the field? Cycling my LF gear around is a remaining dream I should chase. <br /> Since you are shooting digital: Would a big high resolution screen like a 5K iMac or 4 - 5K PC screen make sense?<br /> I'm 35 years from reposting your question, envy you for your presented youth and hope you'll carry on. <br>

I know nothing about desirable collectible cameras. - I usually shopped for the shooting experience and guess you had everything?</p>

<p>Happy birthday, Bill. How about playing around the number 80? That's the normal lens for old classic 120 rollfilm cameras. If you're still doing film, how about a nice Rolleiflex or Hasselblad in mint condition, with an 80mm lens? That'd get people asking questions out in the field, or on the street!</p>

I suggest taking a nice trip with one of your old cameras and having a nice time.

<p>Nikon F3HP/T with three lenses would be on my own short list. It's a very pretty camera, and quite functional.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p>Thanks to all!<br>

This has been a rewarding and inspirational thread for me. (Everybody was so nice, which one doesn't see often on most forums).<br>

As of today, I'm leaning toward a Sony a7II or a Lomography "City Slicker," which really sounds like great fun. (I'll have to find someone to develop and scan/print the 120 for me.)<br>

I'd hoped to spend a couple of weeks in Amsterdam this May to finish a portfolio I started there in 1975, but the unfortunate state of my bank account and also my personal health will not tolerate it at present.<br>

It's always nice to have something to look forward to. Maybe next year (fo' sure!).</p>

<p>Bill, a few points stood out to me:</p>

<ul>

<li>The "nest" of Barnack kit. I can well imagine the ergonomics of a Barnack, already challenging for many people of many ages, are even more daunting if you should happen to have any eyesight or hand-steadiness problems at 80. But the lenses obviously are innocent in all that, and classic in use.</li>

<li>The M6 sitting unused.</li>

<li>The interest in the A7.</li>

</ul>

<p><em>If </em>you have no rule requiring the prior major birthday purchase to be retained, it sounds like a solution could be to sell the M6, fund or mostly fund an A7 purchase with the proceeds (depending on which A7 model you get), and get an adapter to bolt on your nice little compact Barnack glass. (I can tell you to <em>not </em>get the Fotodiox LTM to E mount adapter; mine mounts LTM lenses upside-down on the A7, and I'm not the only one, according to buyer comments on Amazon.) This is the wrong forum for touting a digital, but the A7 is great. I have joined the legions of shooters bolting on all manner of old glass via adapters, and almost never use the kit lens.<br>

Happy birthday, in any event!<br>

<em>--Dave</em></p>

I suggest you update your will so that all your photographic equipment goes to me. But seriously, may you be blessed with having to think

of birthday presents for many more years to come.