Hello all,
I've not posted in a while, but I hope this post finds everyone doing well as we approach the holidays. I'm sort of at a crossroads here in my photographic activities and am looking for input.
I own the following C/Y mount Zeiss lenses:
28 f/2.8
35 f/2.8
45 f/2.8 pancake
50 f/1.4
50 f/1.7
85 f/2.8
100 f/3.5
135 f/2.8
200 f/3.5
80-200 f/4
I've some of the other CZ lenses such as the 35-70 (great lens) the 28-85 (huge) and the 28-70 (embarrassment to Zeiss). I find I'm happier with fixed focal lengths. I keep the 80-200 around since it is so dinged up from years of use I doubt it would sell for anything, and sometimes you just need a zoom.
I also own a bunch of Contax bodies to include a very clean RTSI, a couple of 137's, a 139, and multiple 167's which all work, and all the flashes and cords, etc. to last two lifetimes. In addition, I've got a lot of aftermarket glass for these bodies, almost all of it Tokina in focal lengths from 24-500 mm. I've also got the G-system to include one G2 and two G1's with the 28,35, 45, and 90mm lenses and various shades, accessories, etc.
The problem is that I'm not using this gear very much. I've got a new baby and a new job, and I really haven't used any of this gear except the G system for the last year. It all just sits in a locker, waiting for me to pull it out and do something with it. I do like the results I have gotten with my gear in the past, but am not sure where to go from here.
For the most part, when I shoot, its street photography in black and white, for which I think the G's are about perfect for me. For work-related stuff (evidence) and casual snapshots, I use an Olympus digicam which suits me at the moment, although a DSLR intrigues me. For anything that involves slow deliberate high-quality shooting off a tripod, I've got Mamiya medium format gear with multiple lenses which works great. I've tried using both the SLR stuff and the digicam for street work, but nothing has worked quite as well for me so far as the G's loaded with ASA 400 B&W film.
Considering all of the above, what would members of the group advise me to do with this gear? Part of me says shoot photos of all of it except the G-stuff and put it on auction, but another part of me knows what great lenses these are and wants to keep them. Another part of me says sell it all and get a digital SLR with a couple of lenses, which I have been fighting for some time now. Seems a shame if they are not going to be used though.
Any thoughts?
I've not posted in a while, but I hope this post finds everyone doing well as we approach the holidays. I'm sort of at a crossroads here in my photographic activities and am looking for input.
I own the following C/Y mount Zeiss lenses:
28 f/2.8
35 f/2.8
45 f/2.8 pancake
50 f/1.4
50 f/1.7
85 f/2.8
100 f/3.5
135 f/2.8
200 f/3.5
80-200 f/4
I've some of the other CZ lenses such as the 35-70 (great lens) the 28-85 (huge) and the 28-70 (embarrassment to Zeiss). I find I'm happier with fixed focal lengths. I keep the 80-200 around since it is so dinged up from years of use I doubt it would sell for anything, and sometimes you just need a zoom.
I also own a bunch of Contax bodies to include a very clean RTSI, a couple of 137's, a 139, and multiple 167's which all work, and all the flashes and cords, etc. to last two lifetimes. In addition, I've got a lot of aftermarket glass for these bodies, almost all of it Tokina in focal lengths from 24-500 mm. I've also got the G-system to include one G2 and two G1's with the 28,35, 45, and 90mm lenses and various shades, accessories, etc.
The problem is that I'm not using this gear very much. I've got a new baby and a new job, and I really haven't used any of this gear except the G system for the last year. It all just sits in a locker, waiting for me to pull it out and do something with it. I do like the results I have gotten with my gear in the past, but am not sure where to go from here.
For the most part, when I shoot, its street photography in black and white, for which I think the G's are about perfect for me. For work-related stuff (evidence) and casual snapshots, I use an Olympus digicam which suits me at the moment, although a DSLR intrigues me. For anything that involves slow deliberate high-quality shooting off a tripod, I've got Mamiya medium format gear with multiple lenses which works great. I've tried using both the SLR stuff and the digicam for street work, but nothing has worked quite as well for me so far as the G's loaded with ASA 400 B&W film.
Considering all of the above, what would members of the group advise me to do with this gear? Part of me says shoot photos of all of it except the G-stuff and put it on auction, but another part of me knows what great lenses these are and wants to keep them. Another part of me says sell it all and get a digital SLR with a couple of lenses, which I have been fighting for some time now. Seems a shame if they are not going to be used though.
Any thoughts?