Originally posted by BigMackCam Well said, David!
Though I'm fortunate to own good, capable, modern gear that I like shooting, much of my enjoyment and artistic output over the years has come from using equipment that many folks look down upon. My so-called "lomography" film cameras, compact digital cameras, vintage lenses, the brands and models I choose to shoot... all of these things and more are derided to some extent by numerous folks in these and other forums and the online photographic review community (some of whom don't even have experience of the equipment they're criticising).
Thank goodness I make my own decisions (and my own mistakes), otherwise I'd have missed out on a great deal of fun, learning and some unique and pleasing photographic results...
Another "well said", IMHO.
For my part, I am just a Dad with a main FF camera that works well for me and my needs. And it's a FUN hobby for me, too. Key word being "fun", closely followed by "hobby".
I have (way too much) Pentax gear which I like a lot, and a bunch of other digital and film gear as well ... plus I make, "create", experiment for my own fun and curiosity. (Examples see -
The "Projector Lens" Club ... - PentaxForums.com &
Pentax-110 system film lenses on APS-C - PentaxForums.com ... yes, blatant self-promotion and please join in on the fun).
I agree that my vintage gear collection might not please all ... and I do not give a
"merde". My fun. My hobby. I never shot medium format film seriously until the last ten years and I may build my own large format soon. I never started home development with Caffenol recipes until a few years ago. Again, for the fun and for the hobby.
I hit the swap meets and boot sales and thrifts shops to collect odds and ends ... and more than a few "treasures" here and there. I repair, clean out fungus, swap and sell regularly. Fun. Hobby. Plus an artist outlet as well ... which is nice. I am in a local photo club and an association that puts on a large bi-annual expo. Met a lot of nice and interesting people in the process. Many are very good French friends now, plus a few foreigners thrown in there, too.
I would like for THE BACK to succeed ... who cares that it is not going to shatter some DXOMARK record or any other award. That's not the point. Never was. THE BACK would be fun to try out and watch develop. Again, key word: fun.