The perfect item that you bought & you're done searching for another

**Lee Hamiel** · 1-Sep-2006, 15:06

How many times have you bought equipment & hoped it was what you wanted - then sold it or traded away - then you buy an item that is simply just right & you are done searching for that item any more & you can put the serach to rest?

For me as far as tripod heads it's an Arca-Swiss B2 head that is great - not my lightweight head but for solid controlled usage is perfect so far as I am concerned - very pleased with it & I am done searching for the "ideal" head so to speak.

We all tend to spend a fair amount on photographic accessories & I for one will not hesitate to sell an item I am not happy with.

With that said - what item/camera/lens/etc. have you bought that "ends the hunt" for the perfect item in need?

I know that for many it's the desire to buy an Ebony camera/this lens or that/a Gandolfi or other camera/a Ries tripod/etc. ...

Simply curious as to what ended the search per se for a specific item however large or small for the photographic process.

Regards

**Eric James** · 1-Sep-2006, 15:38

1) A small multipocket REI accessory bag that I hang from the center column of my tripod - it holds everything I need at the ready, from spot meter, to tape measure, to quickload holder and film sheets; and there's even a mesh pocket for the ground glass.

2) 5+ prescription glasses for focusing - actually I do plan to change the glasses to either a reading glasses frame or bifocals with 0 diopter upper lenses, so that I don't get dizzy when I emerge from beneath the dark cloth.

3) Fuji 240mm f9

**Ken Lee** · 1-Sep-2006, 16:06

Rodenstock 150 APO-S
Fujinon 240A
Fujinon 300A
Fujinon 450C
Mac Powerbook
OmniWeb Browser

**Ron Marshall** · 1-Sep-2006, 16:07

My Toho 4x5, Photog's vest and Kelty Coyote backpack, all of them suit me perfectly.

**Michael Graves** · 1-Sep-2006, 16:11

Happened just today in fact. Even though I was perfectly satisfied with a 180mm Schneider Componon enlarging lens I bought a couple of months ago, I kept reading the praises of the Apo Rodagon. Then I got stupid and bid too much on an AR and won it. Damn thing arrived yesterday and today I printed with it for the first time. As nice as the Schneider is...the Apo just took her place. Good thing my wife doesn't watch my credit card bills!

**Kerry L. Thalmann** · 1-Sep-2006, 16:46

It's not a single item, but rather something I've accumulated and customized to meet my exact needs. I'm very happy with my 4x5/4x10 ARCA-SWISS/Lotus hybrid camera. By mixing and matching parts, I think I've managed to pretty much assemble the perfect camera for my needs. It's easy to switch between 4x5 and 4x10 configurations. It's fast to set up and folds down compactly for carrying. It's smooth and rigid and has full monorail movements, yet it's small enough and light enough to use in the field. The controls are logically and consistently located, very easy to get at and can all be operated with ease - even while wearing gloves. The small 110mm front format frame uses reasonably sized lens boards and the self-arresting geared front movements (rise/fall and axis tilt) are an absolute pleasure to use. It easily accomodates my full range of lenses and can be expanded further if I ever want to use some REALLY extreme focal lengths. It's pretty much everything I've ever wanted in a camera.

In terms of items I've bought, it would be hard to improve on the combination of lightweight and rigidity of my Gitzo carbon fiber tripods. I've gone through multiple cameras and lenses over the years, but once I bought my Gitzo carbon fiber tripods (modified 1227 for backpacking - 1325 for everything else) my tripod hunting days ended. I still look at new models when I'm in the store, but nothing yet has come close to making me reach for my wallet. Even after almost 10 years, I haven't seen anything that comes close to matching the Gitzos for my needs. Everything else is either substantially less rigid, a lot heavier, or usually both.

Kerry

**Ted Harris** · 1-Sep-2006, 17:29

Two lenses fall into that category. I have to admit that I wasn't even sure I was on the hunt when I got each of them since each was purchased to meet one specific need but after just a few uses they proved themselves to be 'perfect things.' Eachhas become a standard that travels with me constantly and just feel 'right' (wnderful, high tech descriptons and explanations here). The lenses are the Super Symmar 110 XL and the Apo Sironar 150 W. Why, because I find their prformance to be superb and their coverage all I want and need for the formats I shoot.

**Bill_1856** · 1-Sep-2006, 17:50

A Smth "New Yorker, Jr" camera bag (the original Domke manufacturers,) purchased from Ken Hanson. The perfect bag, and I lost mine in a home burglary. They just don't make 'em like that no more.

**Gordon Moat** · 1-Sep-2006, 18:05

Well, in tripods I find that the Manfrotto 3047 three way pan head is exactly what I have wanted, and I see no need to change to something else. The legs are a different matter, currently with 3021N, though I might consider different legs, perhaps even Berlebach.

The TOYO 3.6x focusing loupe does all I need it to do. It is simple and rugged, and easily fits around my neck at a ready to use height. I might add a stronger magnification loupe, but I will keep the TOYO 3.6x.

The camera and lenses I consider more variable. However, I have standardized on Fuji Quickload and Kodak Readyload films. I like these systems so much that I have no interest in owning regular 4x5 film holders. I do wish there were a few films I use in 35mm and medium format that were available this way, but I could always add a roll film back to my 4x5.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio

**Frank Petronio** · 1-Sep-2006, 21:36

No direct money was exchanged in the transaction, but my current wife is a "keeper" after loosing tons of $ on the earlier model. I liked trying the demos and loaners, but they had a lot of maintenance issues.

(sorry, it was just too good a set-up to let pass.)