Friday, January 28, 2011

One and Done

I've been getting a lot of emails about my lack of posting as well as my lack of participation at social events. There are many reason's for my ghostly existence but the major is a lifeless camera. I've always used Canon Digital Cameras for the majority of my work and have always been pleased to the highest level with every one that I have owned. Those who have spent a decent amount of time with me know that I don't exactly pamper my belongings. Being a photographer means that you have to put yourself in situations that are out of the ordinary. They can range from putrid to beautiful. The path to find these situations may be warm and sunfilled but can also be dirty, wet and or cold. I am not about to put away my camera because it could be in danger of damage. I want the shots that photographers don't take for fear that their camera might get wet or because they are afraid to risk being hurt. I suppose it's a rush for me and maybe I should protect the thing that is my life..... but I just can't bring myself to that if I can capture something unique.

I bought this camera in May, right before the first good ride of the year which was a ride to the Church Of Choppers/DiCE party in Des Moines. In November it stopped working on my very last ride of the year when I got caught up in a wet tornado. In the six months that it was working, it saw a lot of abuse and probably shouldn't have lasted as long as it did. It was wounded in two motorcycle crashes and ripped apart by the rubber of a rapidly rotating tire. It rode hundreds of miles in sunshine but hundreds more in rain. It was sandblasted by dessert winds and never ending gravel roads. It got intoxicated on many nights of moonshine, whiskey and suffered a regular contact buzz. It bathed in blood, sweat and stripper tears. Inhaled the moist air atop the Alps and visited Brooklyn's finest. It only lasted one riding season.

When I sent it to canon I didn't think it would be an issue to get it fixed. They were able to get all of the sand and dust out from between the lenses of my lens but I was pretty devastated to learn that my camera is now better used as paper weight. I suppose you should always look at the brighter side of things in these situations. It has forced me to get more organized with the work the I have already shot in order to generate cash to purchase the next camera. It has also made me try new equipment. My lens quality degraded so much after Sturgis that I went out and bought a hundred dollar 50mm standard canon lens that I actually really like but would have never bought. In time the weather will warm up and things will get back on track. I have a lot of great friends that let me borrow the equipment I need to stay afloat which is crazy to me because I wouldn't let me borrow my equipment.

Thanks to all of the people that have helped and thanks for staying in tune through the highs and the lows.

21 comments:

mindpill said...

that`s funny josh............

georgethepainter said...

Do you prefer the fixed lens over the zoom? I am still running basically the same equipment you suggested around the time we first met. Very reliable but I constantly wear out the zooms. I was thinking of goin' with a good quality fixed lens. Do you recommend the 50? "GTP"

Kid Kurpius said...

Nash.... I'm happy that you could find the humor in the downturn of my life.... can I get some of those Pills?

George... Been meaning to call you but my mind has been a bit recluse lately. Just tried calling and got some weird Rosa lady's Voicemail. If it isn't your number anymore I'd hate to be the woman that got your old number.

Fixed lens are restricting in the fact that you have to physical move to make the subject bigger or smaller in your view finder but they are much sharper lenses and in most cases much faster.... Plus one big advantage is that they are small, light and compact. I like the cheap 50mm canon lens because you can find it for 80 bucks new if you look hard enough so it is almost disposable at that point. It's very sharp but has very cheap outer construction and the auto focus sucks so it forces you to really think about your shot. the 50mm is to long in most cases for riding shots. I like a wide lens for riding.

Seth said...

get a square trade extended warranty with accidental drop and handling for 3 or 4 years they give you a one time full refund to your paypal account within 5 days if dead. Didn't know about it till recently but best deal out check into it on the next investment. Heard Sony us coming out with a 24 Meg translucent mirror this summer maybe well see.

CHVRCH said...

Grandpa always said " Son, let the tool do the work " ..looks as if you used your tool correctly to me. Your photos kill!
Cheers Josh!
Pentex x1000

Antonio Cellini said...

Pictures for life.
You're great!!

slidelines said...

hey so much for the new weather sealing, id go for a second hand 5d shoots as good depends if u use the hd vid on the mk11 sweet shots man

Robert Turner said...

Buy your new one through B&H and get the protection plan. If it can't be fixed, they replace it. Its a few hundreds bucks but if you destroy your shit its worth it.

Doug Rock said...

Sucks about the camera, but I believe the old adage that it is not the camera but the person behind it who makes the picture. You have a eye for it plain and simple.

bobx said...

gonna get another canon or try something else?

Michael said...

You can find old Canon AE-1 SLRs for a hundred bucks a pop and they give the lenses away. I have taken amazing photos with them for 20 years. If it breaks, buy another. Just saying, you don't have to have Snap-on, Craftsman will get the job done. Good luck, I know it's hard to be an artist without a brush.

Anonymous said...

Is it going to get a viking funeral? It sounds as though it should.

Mad River Motor Company said...

Panasonic has GH1 for 395 on their website right now -

Mad River Motor Company said...

and the 4/3rds cameras will take all the old glass you can throw at them

Future Primitive said...

guess now its time people start taking photos of josh ruling on his motorcycle.

Joe Jewett said...

I feel for ya Josh! Back in '88 I strapped my K1000 onto my shovelhead and took off for the 85th in Milwaukee. That ride killed that camera DEAD! Best damn camera that I ever owned.

Joe Jewett said...

I feel for ya Josh! Back in '88 I strapped my K1000 onto my shovelhead and took off for the 85th in Milwaukee. That ride killed that camera DEAD! Best damn camera that I ever owned.

Stone said...

Harsh. Probably one of my biggest fears, right there. I had insurance on all my shit for years... lapsed about 2 months before I spilled all my shit (and myself) down the freeway at 85mph. A year and a half later and I still haven't had a spare chunk of cash to reinstate the policy. Luckily, all my primes survived (the build quality on the prime USM's, usually in the $350 range is mad decent), and the body walked away clean. Lost a couple L series zooms and point and shoots, though. I still haven't replaced it all.
But damn. Losing the body would kill me. Renting glass is cheap in comparison.
Anyway, I'm bummed to see that. We need you in the game. I'll keep my eyeballs peeled for any screaming deals, hombre.

Davidabl said...

Canon G12 for some of the really hairy stuff?
@ 120z/ $450 new almost a throwaway in comparo
to the 5D. Much,much less responsive cam 'tho :-(

DeVillier said...

Leica time homie. 10+ years. Rodeos, travel, wet cold dry hot, drops, rides. Whatevers.

BOB'S BLOG said...

Dropped my Sony in a river one time...odd pics after that so bought a Nikon and bashed it about a lot. Still going strong so I feel for ya...Yours are the best and I can't wait to see more again. Good Luck Man!