{"id":62221,"date":"2017-08-11T21:16:53","date_gmt":"2017-08-12T04:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=62221"},"modified":"2017-08-11T21:58:31","modified_gmt":"2017-08-12T04:58:31","slug":"timeless-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/11\/timeless-cameras\/","title":{"rendered":"TIMELESS CAMERAS"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve
I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve eaten all the cameras out there, yet my GAS has still not been resolved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Does a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153timeless\u00e2\u20ac\u009d camera truly exist?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen it all.<\/h2>\n
\"dark
DARK SKIES OVER TOKYO<\/a>, 2011.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As of writing this (in Kyoto in 2017) I am no longer the doe-eyed 22 year old, who first stared traveling the world (I first went to Tokyo in 2011). I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned a lot the last 6 years.<\/p>\n

I remember when the Leica M9 was all the rage in 2011. This hyper mania for the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153full frame\u00e2\u20ac\u009d was in full effect.<\/p>\n

Now, the M9 seems like an odd antique… the M10 has taken all the attention. But to be frank, after the last 7 years… there hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been that much of a change. The M10 is slimmer (good thing), has an ISO dial (cool, but more gimmicky), and has better image quality (I actually still prefer the CCD sensor of M9 over the CMOS sensor of M240 and M10).<\/p>\n

Anyways, this is not meant to disparage any cameras. But, it is to say… none of these digital cameras are timeless.<\/strong> Never buy into the hype, of some revolutionary new camera, until you wait a few years.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All digital cameras will quickly get outdated.<\/h2>\n
\"Tokyo
Tokyo. 2015. Shot with RICOH GR II in P MODE, with flash, through a translucent umbrella.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I remember when the Fujifilm x100 first came out. Now there has been many iterations, and the older models are quickly outdated.<\/p>\n

Same goes for the Fuji x-pro and x-t models. Quickly outdated.<\/p>\n

The same for all Sony A7 series cameras, it seems there is a new version every 6 months or so.<\/p>\n

HAPPINESS IS MAKING MORE PHOTOS!<\/h2>\n
\"Tokyo.
Tokyo. 2016. Shot in P MODE with Ricoh GR II.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The problem with all this camera mania is this\u00ef\u00bc\u0161<\/p>\n

\n We always make excuses about our cameras, instead of CREATING IMAGES with the cameras we already have. Therefore, we feel DISCOURAGED because we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the latest, best camera.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For example, when I had a Canon 350D, I always felt like I \u00e2\u20ac\u0153needed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a full-frame Canon 5D to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unlock my creative potential\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. I took $1200 from a college loan, and bought one. It was a great camera, but to be honest… I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really any more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153inspired\u00e2\u20ac\u009d nor \u00e2\u20ac\u0153creative\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with a full frame camera.<\/p>\n

\"Tokyo,
Tokyo, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The same when I got the Leica M9. It was a great camera, but I want any more motivated to shoot more. Even after a while, the M9 was a hassle to carry with me on a daily basis… even compared to the Canon 5D.<\/p>\n

Fast forward, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m currently shooting with a digital RICOH GR II, and it is starting to annoy me a bit with the slowness. But, I know it is a great camera… because it is small, easy to shoot with, and has encouraged me to shoot more (because it is a simple to use, point and shoot camera).<\/p>\n

I realized this\u00ef\u00bc\u0161<\/p>\n

\n True joy and happiness in photography is CREATING MORE PHOTOS.<\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Anything that encourages you to CREATE MORE ART is a good thing (like listening to music, walking, collaborating with other artists, finding inspiration in the artwork of others, etc).<\/p>\n

No such thing as a vintage digital camera<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Tokyo, 2011. Film Leica M6, flash, f16<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking it back to the idea of a timeless camera.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Bellamy Hunt with Hasselblad Xpan in Tokyo, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bellamy Hunt (Japan Camera Hunter) told it best\u00ef\u00bc\u0161<\/p>\n

\n There is no such thing as an \u00e2\u20ac\u009dvintage\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153classic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d digital camera.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why? No digital camera increases<\/em> in value as time advances. All digital technology (including phones, gadgets, devices, electric cars, digital cameras, tablets, laptops) will decrease<\/em> in value and utility as time goes on.<\/p>\n

Therefore, to feel less stress and choice anxiety when shooting, to use a film camera is good… because you already know that it is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153outdated\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change. And you can no longer blame your equipment, only yourself.<\/p>\n

Why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you shoot more?<\/h2>\n
\"RICOH
RICOH GR II<\/a> x ERIC KIM NECK STRAP TEASER by HAPTIC<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s think about this some more.<\/p>\n

Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say you have a digital camera or a phone. What prevents you from MAKING MORE PHOTOS? Is it really the fact that your camera isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d which prevents you from clicking the shutter more? Or something else?<\/p>\n

1. BUY BOOKS, NOT GEAR<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"Tokyo
Tokyo Glass by CINDYNGUYEN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I can buy a shitload of very good photo books to truly inspire me to CREATE MORE PHOTOS AND ART, than buying any new digital camera.<\/p>\n

Not only that, the value of most of my photo books have GONE UP.<\/p>\n

Buying photo books has been a better financial investment than the stock market.<\/strong> Therefore, there is a Two told advantage to buying photo books\u00ef\u00bc\u0161<\/p>\n