Camera Equipment,  People/Portraits,  Self-portraits

A Better Photographer, Not!

September 30, 2011
At the Desk

Last week I went out and purchased a new Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF-S lens. My intentions were to buy the new 50mm f1.8 AF-S but they did not have any in stock. The salesman suggested I look at the f1.4. After holding that piece of glass in my hand, I succumbed to it’s allure. Before I knew it my wallet was much lighter than when I walked into the store. However, I must say with the limited time I’ve had shooting it, I think I can already see an improvement in my composition and my vision. It looks like this investment is going to make me a better photographer. Makes me wonder how good I’d be with an M9 in my hands. 🙂

And, of course as Murphy would have it, two days ago I received a call from the young man renting my condo informing me the washing machine croaked over the weekend. The inside spindle came off, even tore up a couple of his shirts. And, of course it is no longer under warranty. Sigh!

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

9 Comments

  • Paul

    September 30, 2011 at 11:18 am

    Dang washing machines! Congrats on the purchase of the lens … I think. Now, as for that M9, sure, it makes you a much better photographer! 🙂

    • Monte Stevens

      September 30, 2011 at 12:54 pm

      I figured you’d agree with me and I imagine any Leica owner would. Maybe I could ask Scott not to wash anymore clothes then I wouldn’t have to fix the dang machine. I imagine his girlfriend probably wouldn’t like the idea. 🙂 Have a good weekend, Paul!

  • Earl

    September 30, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    You’ll enjoy that new lens. The timing of events gets mighty suspicious sometimes doesn’tt it? We just had to replace both our washing machine and the dryer…then two days later a hot water pipe burst under the house and we’re still drying things out to see what of the insulation can be saved. We must have pissed someone off taking this recent trip. But , that’s life — you’ve got to grin, pay your dues and get on with it. Have a good weekend.

    • Monte Stevens

      September 30, 2011 at 2:41 pm

      Oh no! Sounds like the trip just became more expensive. This always brings up an aspect of our cultural thinking: we expect things to last, when nothing does. And, this includes the body. I all most returned when I heard about the washing machine but I’ll just suck it up and keep it. Hope you two have a good weekend.

  • Ken Bello

    October 1, 2011 at 11:23 am

    After looking at a Sears ad, you can buy 11 washing machines for the price of an M9. That’s probably 6 or 7 machines mare than most folks have in their entire life. And washing machines are a bad investment anyway.