The OLDER Photographer's thread

[Skygod44]

For any and all who are either over the hill, struggling to hold a 100-400 lens without shaking, need at least two pairs of glasses, or can't quite recall why they even take photos anymore.

 

[Yno]

Thanks for starting this up here on FoP! After passing 70 laps around the sun recently, I feel quite comfortable jumping in here. I am so lucky that I don't share any of the above issues, and I hope that continues for the near (or maybe far) future.

 

[Skygod44]

Great to hear from you, Dale.

And congrats on passing that milestone.
Or is it a "millstone"?

Anyone have an answer to that?????

 

[BirdsofBC]

metric please. depending on your age, cubits will be acceptable too.

 

[Yno]

Luckily, in my case, it has not been much of a millstone.

 

[Skygod44]

Like it, like it!!!


In fact, I was discussing this sort of thing with a friend the other day.

Was it, in truth, a good move for us to advance futher than needing the numbers "one, two, three, and many", of should we go futher back and not even have bothered to get beyond hitting each other over the head with sticks?
(Although in certain modern cities, around the world, they seem to be bringing that custom back with some real determination).

 

[StephenM]

Where I come from, "millstone" is always paired with "grit", which is what you need.

I admit that I need to put my 5x7 view camera on a tripod to use my 450mm lens. But then, I need a tripod even when using a 47mm lens on a miniature 5x4 camera...

Counting should however always be done outside of base 10. There's nothing magical about the decimal system, and we should be free to use whatever base we like. Personally, at the moment I prefer base-37, which makes me 20.

 

[Joeseph]

ipv4 make me use base 2, ipv6 is the work of the devil!

 

[Jeff USN Photog 72-76]

70 here, glad to have made it. Yes walking to my spot on the pond where I shoot birds is tougher, I had one total knee replacement but the other has been put off until spring until then I am using a walker to carry my gear and make the walking easier, I always felt that was for old people but then I am carrying a camera bag weighing 25 pounds or when I go to the bank to get 2 boxes of half dollars to search for silver that weight 50 pounds total, the walker makes it much easier.

I have a 200-800 on order and wonder just how bad the weight is going to be, supposed to be 4.5 lbs, my 150-600c was 4.3 and could be tough to hold for a long time unless sitting down, which I do more and more of my bird photography from a chair!

 

[Lubos-PM]

It's not really related to photography, but it's somewhat related to the topic. I have a girlfriend who is a few years older than me. She and her friends go on trips and events with strollers and instead of babies they have dolls in the stroller, called reborn dolls, which look very realistic. She says she gets a lot more mileage that way than if she was riding with a backpack on her back. So in a few years I'll get a stroller for carrying photo equipment too .

 

[BirdsofBC]

I've seen guys with wagons. you know, the kind we used to pull around when we were kids. and there's nice ones out there, not the crappy plastic ones. lightweight metal, and skookum wheels.

 

[Inse]

I think we should stop referring to "years old" and instead use "levels" That would make me level 69 now .

 

[StephenM]

Disclaimer. I am not a digital photographer unless I need photos in a rush, or in astronomic quantities (that means more than a dozen in a day). I also prefer large format film, and have given up on 35mm. I originally got into LF after a day spent in Wells (Somerset, UK) photographing church interiors with my RZ67 and shift lens. Going into a dealers in Bath to buy some more roll film, I started chatting. Long story short, I moved to 5x4 film to save weight and get a smaller camera. Now, to the point.

One thing I have found very useful is having a folding camera that I can slip into the side pocket on my jacket. With my light meter round my neck, I'm ready to go without being aware of the weight. And no bag over my shoulder. Plus a 6x9cm negative. Fixed lens, but shift lens apart I only once needed something other than the standard 110mm lens on my RZ67. It makes for easy travelling.

Edit to add. Does the 6x9 negative put me on level 69

 

[Skygod44]

It's not really related to photography, but it's somewhat related to the topic. I have a girlfriend who is a few years older than me. She and her friends go on trips and events with strollers and instead of babies they have dolls in the stroller, called reborn dolls, which look very realistic. She says she gets a lot more mileage that way than if she was riding with a backpack on her back. So in a few years I'll get a stroller for carrying photo equipment too .

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View attachment 2542

You're kidding? It's that a doll?

But back to your point, and here, some kind of basket on wheels is very 'normal' for carrying any gear.

At my local zoo, they have dozens for rental to anyone who wants to visit.

 

[gjl711]

Does it count if I feel old? I just started lifting weights again and i got muscles hurting that I didn't know were their.

 

[OhLook]

Does it count if I feel old? I just started lifting weights again and i got muscles hurting that I didn't know were their.

Nah. That can happen when you're 30.

Of course, some people think 30 is old.

 

[i-G12]

Old? Guilty as charged.

 

[BirdsofBC]

Does it count if I feel old? I just started lifting weights again and i got muscles hurting that I didn't know were their.

I've been rowing on my new rowing machine every other day for 30-40 minutes for the last 3 months. it was so tough the first few weeks.

 

[i-G12]

I ride my stationary bike every day for 30 minutes ... does this count for anything at all?

 

[BirdsofBC]

I ride my stationary bike every day for 30 minutes ... does this count for anything at all?

you bet. are you all rigged up with a heart monitor and a smart bike to record distance and cals burned etc?