It's tough

[frank granovski]

It's tough deciding on an expensive rangefinder so that one may look

professional. The Electro GSN doesn't fool everybody. ;*)

[aizan_sasayama]

so, which one are you thinking of getting?

[terrypittman]

Paint it black...

[jury]

jesus, how many threads must you have in a day regarding your inability to decide on what

camera to get? are you for real?

[stephan_hugel]

Buy an MP or <s>the Terrorists win</s> Leica will go bust.

[andy m.]

<i>expensive rangefinder so that one may look professional?</i><p>

 

I'm sure I saw a picture of one of the Magnum picture agency photographers using a Canonet, I think the image is in the "Magnum Stories" book.<p>

 

I don't think he was worrying about looking professional ;-) The images more than spoke for themselves. <p>

 

If you do want a rangefinder that will make you <i>look</i> professional- you could do a lot worse than getting a black MP ;-)<p>

 

One of my favorite current photographers runs a little store in a market in Cambridge, UK. His work is stunning - and very original- mostly B+W standard and infra red. He apparently used an old OM1 and latterly a couple of "amateur" EOS cameras.

[terry_rory]

This looks the part and in E++ condition will cost under a third of the price of a new M7/Summmicron 50...<div></div>

[stephan_hugel]

Of course, purchasing the Hexanon will result in your immediate and permanent banishment from this forum - to the 5th circle of Hell (Leica detractors and Bob Atkins fans)<br /><br />

 

Your choice: Good Deal (though your eternal soul is part of it) or Leica and you get to go to heaven some day.<br /><br />

 

<small>disclaimer: not a guarantee</small>

[monkey]

Wear a hat; that'll make you look professional.

[monkey]

Nothing makes you look more professional than the right headgear...<div></div>

[cheec]

Oh, for God's sake. Just go out and buy one.

 

Here: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?

ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=leica

+mp&image.x=7&image.y=7">Leica MP</a>

 

or here: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?

O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=279664&is=REG">good alternative</a>

[monkey]

LOL :)

[cheec]

Hey watch it Monkey C, I have both.

[mark_goody]

Andy - Who is he?

[paul t]

Frank, we're interested in your long-running dilemma, really, but maybe

limiting yourself to one thread a day would be a good thing? <p>

Update on my Hexar RF (which has titanium top and bottom plates, which

makes it feel sold, but the pain get chipped off easily), is that I am now being

quoted $550 for rangefinder replacement! This is up from $150 a couple of

months ago. So if you do buy one, get return privileges. <p>

Oh, and if you want to look professional, buy a hexar AF. I think I can find a

photo of Annie Liebowitz using one -- you could show it to people if they ask

whether you're for real.

[cheec]

I didn't notice that Frank wanted something that looks professional.

 

Well, get one of those Canon 1Ds (apologies for suggesting digital SLR in this forum) and a

super duper long white lens.

 

Let's not forget about a khaki-coloured photo vest, a large black lowepro bag, an assistant

carrying the second and third back-up bodies, tripod, lighting equipments and battery

power packs and any manual Leica camera plus 35mm 'lux (in case of EMP

discharge destroying all the electronics in the lowepro bag).

[albert_smith]

<I>It's tough deciding on an expensive rangefinder so that one may look professional.</I><P>

 

From my experience, to the average person on the street, you can walk around with a 2000 Dollar Leica M with a 1000 Dollar lens, and some guy with a 300 Dollar, plastic clad "flavor of the month" consumer Nikon will be perceived as more professional. In many ways, this is a good thing. People ignore someone with a crappy little camera that isn't even an SLR, and many more opportunities can open up.

[ian_kennedy1]

i need that hat.

[stephan_hugel]

Like you'd wear a hat that doesn't say "John Deere" on it.

[max_fun]

Why is it important to look pro? I find it easier to look like a tourist; this way people have no qualms about me just snapping at everything and everywhere.

[al_kaplan1]

Until about 10 years ago I always had an Olympus Pen S in my jacket pocket, a single frame scale focus with a 30mm f/2.8 lens. I finally wore it out and replaced it with an old Leica CL. There were plenty of times when I'd be with a client or at a party and I'd hear "Oh, too bad you don't have a camera with you!" I'd whip out that little "toy" (about $35 brand new) camera, shoot the photos, and deliver prints the next day along with an invoice. Nobody ever complained that the Pen S didn't look professional. If you're in a "people situation" it has a lot more to do with your attitude and how you handle the situation than what you're shooting with, and most people couldn't tell a Leica from a Canonette from an Olympus Trip 35. Who cares? You're a pro, you take pictures. (Thanks to Japanes colectors that little Pen S in non functioning condition was worth a couple hundred dollars on Ebay.)

[davidv1]

Frank,

 

There's a Hexar kit in the pn classifieds right now for $850. Described as "near mint"; no, I don't know the seller.

[blakley]

How about this one?<div></div>

[peter_evans4]

<p>Eh? It's extraordinarily easy, Frank. You decide on <a href="http://www.dantestella.com/technical/g690bl.html">this one</a>. Even dimwits will <em>know</em> you mean business because of the exceptional size of your tool and the way it has "Professional" stenciled on it.</p>

[john_noble1]

Base length is pretty good on that rangefinder (should be able to focus a 800mm f1.0

lens), and the grey hammertone should make the LHSA folks happy, but how quiet is the

shutter? Can't take good butt shots with a noisy shutter!