I managed to find a good home for the two Rolleiflex's I had sitting on the shelf. I had them completely overhauled, new focusing screens installed, and calibrated over 6 months ago. One remained in the shipping package, while I did manage to run a few rolls through the other. I just couldn't keep my horizon straight. I have a Rolleicord, it's a gem, and I shoot with it from time to time. I can keep my horizon straight with that one for some reason, and it's a great camera for night shots. So - I'm happy to see them go - they'll be worked, I'm sure.

I have more stuff I'm going to sell, I'm just not sure what. I sold the 5D to John. I saved all my Canon lenses (I still have the Canon 1n and AE2, both of which I love). If Canon ever releases the follow-on to the 5D, and it has weather sealing, and some sort of dust removal technology, I'm game. Until then, it's all film for me.

Speaking of film. Amazingly, I've been shooting way more now using film than I ever did with my digital cameras. I don't know why. I think it's because film is what I've know for most of my life. There still is a magic in it for me - processing film - imagining what will be on the negative - or better yet, imagining what will be on the negative as I press the shutter. Yep. That's a good way to put it - the way I still feel, after 35 years of pressing the shutter and wondering what the negs will look like.

I think I've processed over 30 rolls in the past month on my own - and probably half that amount I sent out for processing. I'm still not doing all my own color. Sometimes it's just cheaper and faster to have the lab do it for me. Still, I developed a lot of black and white. I can't remember the last time I went through two batches of developer in a month! I'm happy with the results, too. I had lots of help from some wonderful photographers and masters of developing film. I've learned a lot, and will learn even more as I step things up even more.

The weather is cold and bitter, but I'd like to drag the 4x5 cameras out for a bit. I have a nice 4x5 film development kit, and I need to use it. I have some new ideas I'd like to try out, and the 4x5 will work perfectly for me.

I'm encouraged by all the email I've received over the last month or so, inquiries all about film. I'm always happy to help, it's fun to see people excited about something other than RAW converters and layers in Photoshop. The reality is there have been several new films introduced already this year. Also, about half of the professionals still use film as their primary media. All good. I'd like to see film stick around for at least another 35 years -- and -- I'd like to be around for most of those years.

I'm taking a break from posting until the first of the year. My Coolscan 9000 is in for repair (long story) - and I just want to focus on shooting film and processing. I have to make time to work on several projects I started but never got around to finishing.

I need to clear out a few cameras that I just don't use much. Okay - I probably have more than just a few, but it'l be hard for me to part with them all - so I'll keep it to just a few to begin with. I have two Rolleiflex's that I just had CLA'd ("just" means like 4 months ago - I haven't even taken them out of the packing!) -- I'll probably keep one and sell one.

Hell - I don't know. Just keep an eye on this blog if you're interested in picking up something nice at a good price. I'll probably make up my mind soon.

I've decided to shoot 99% film - yep - film. I like the 5D - but it'll probably be the first to go. I just don't use it all that much. I like it for night photography, but after shooting with film and seeing the results, I'm sticking with film for long exposures. I find it more challenging with film - and the results are heavenly when shot properly...

I like film best for most everything these days. Leica has the new M8 out - but who cares? Five grand for a camera that gives you a magenta cast - nice. I can scan a boat load of film for 5K... I'll stick with my Leica film cameras for now -- film is most certainly not dead.

For those few people who read this part of No Traces - have a great holiday - for me, I celebrate Christmas, so - Merry Christmas! and have a wonderful New Year!

Now that Ian at fiftymillimeter.com has shut things down, why go on? I jest -- Ian will get the itch again soon, I'm sure -- until then -- I'm going to sell some gear in his honor.

Keep in mind - I'm going to be out of town all next week. So unless you get to me today or tomorrow, chances are I won't be able to send anything out for about 10 days.

So -- here's what I have. I know some of you have sent emails --- this is a first come, first serve dealio -- so get on it!

Canon 20D - Great shape - 90% of my night shots were taken with this camera. My guess is I've shot less than 5000 images with this camera - maybe 7,500 - but that would be stretching it. I have a box around somewhere - I think it's in my storage place I pay way too much for each month - and never go to - and have tons of books stacked to the ceiling - and baseball memorabilia - and all sorts of stuff I just don't need but can't throw away -- and I don't feel like going over there -- so you'll have to take this camera AS IS -- no box. Tough it out. I have the instruction manual somewhere around - I can find it -- and I'm sure all the software that came with it - I've never used - and cables.

Battery grip goes with the 20D -- they're mated for life.

Canon 10-22mm lens -- LOVE this lens -- but it won't work with my 5D -- gotta go.

70-200L f/4 version -- wonderful lens -- took MAYBE 50 shots with it -- I just can't get into long zoom lenses -- not the way I see the world.

USER Leica M4 body -- anyone who knows Leica, will know what user body means -- speeds all seem fine - bright viewfinder - it's good to go. I've taken some great photos with it - I love it -- but I have way way way too many camera bodies right now. This one is really nice.

Prices:

Price includes shipping to anywhere in the US -- outside the US -- we'll have to talk.

20D WITH battery grip - no batteries (I need them) 512M Ultra II card ---- $800

Canon 10-22mm lens --- $590

Canon 70-200L f/4 --- $ 500

Leica M4 body --- $ 650

I can take PayPal -- and prefer to -- I'll pick up the fees -- no problem.

Anyone who has bought from me knows that I keep my stuff in nice condition. All of these items are of no exception. The only thing I can think of that might need a little elbow grease is the 20D - it may need to have a quick sensor cleaning -- but other than that - it's a fine camera - low useage... I love the 20D / 10-22 combination -- it's just fantastic. I'm going to miss that lens a lot.

There you have it -- I think I have the original kit lens that came with the 20D - not sure -- but if I do, I'll just toss it in the box with the 20D.

Remember, I'll be gone all next week - starting Sunday - so if you don't get to me today or tomorrow, I won't be shipping out until I get back.

I'm just getting back from a wonderful week up north. I should have gone for two, but it'll have to wait.

I'm going to sell a few things that I just don't use all that much. If not for taking night shots, I'd probably sell the 5D - I love film that much - but the 5D is just so great to use for long exposures.

That being said, I'm going to sell:

The 20D with battery grip AND Canon 10-22mm lens - all in one package. I shot most of my night shots with that combination. I love the camera, I just don't use it all that much.

I'll probably sell the 70-200L -- I think I've taken maybe 200 photos with that lens. It's great, but I swear, I rarely use any focal length over 85mm. Most of the time I'm in the 12-35mm range -- just what I love.

I have two Leicas I'm seriously thinking of selling -- A really nice M3 and a user M4. I'm going to have to think long and hard about this one. More than likely I'll sell just the M4.

I have a Mat G that I think I ran a roll of film through. I just don't use it. I have several Rollei's -- and love using them much more than the Mat G -- and now that I have the Hasselblad -- well, there's nothing like it.

I may sell one of my T3's, but I'm sure Jimbus and Ross will talk me out of it.

Stay tuned. I just thought I'd give sort of a pre-auction look-see. I'm still noodling pricing, but anyone who's dealt with me knows I price to move, and my stuff is always in better shape than I describe.

Oh -- the Nikon Coolscan V was sold - and the XT.

If you live in Chicago, be sure to stop by the Chicago Photography Center. They have a sneak preview of their show called "Within Sight" coming up on the 19th of this month. I've seen some of the work and I can tell you it's magical. Don't miss it!

You probably get tired of me writing about how tired i am all the time. I need to change some things around in my life - soon - and I'm working on it. The problem for me is I think I'd be happy walking away from what I do every day, but the reality is I really live for the art of the deal. I was born a businessman first - a photographer second. I have to admit this to myself. (Self - I admit it).

The good news is I now realize I can put the two things together and maybe make something of it all. I talk with a number of photographers / designers / artists / writers who have great and wonderful talents but have little or no desire to sell themselves. As a result, they struggle when they shouldn't have to. I have no desire to be anyone's agent - so don't get any ideas. I do think maybe I could figure out a way to build a business encompassing all the things I love. I just have to noodle it all in my head. I can sell, I can manage a business, I can work relationships, I can create images and I love it all. That's good, right? Yep. It's good. I just need to figure out what to do with it all.

My friends tell me to to just figure something out and do it. My challenge is I'm so busy with the work I do now that I just can't seem to find the time. I barely have time to keep No Traces running with decent images. I haven't been out under the moonlight in what seems like forever. I haven't had time to get around to all the great photos sites out there. I haven't been returning emails the way I should -- and as I write this I begin to feel so anxious. Why? Because I love doing all these things, yet I'm strapped into work - but I let myself be that way. It's crazy, I know.

I like what I do for a living. No. I love what I do. However, I realize things are changing - good people are leaving and the workloads to fill the gaps are unbearable. Something's going to give way soon. I'm just not sure I want to be around when it all happens. Or maybe I do. See? I'm nutty.

The other good news is I'm at a point in my life where it's just me and my dog, Lainey. My kids are grown up and doing their thing. I'm relatively debt free and have a few eggs in the nest. All good things. And each morning I go to my local coffee shop for my nice soy latte, I see the same guy there -- he's happy - whistling a tune -- telling a story -- being the mayor of the place. He used to work in the corporate world - like me. He thought the same things I'm thinking now. He has talents of his own - and he did something about it. He's happy he's out. He's doing what he wants with his life. A few hours a week to pay for a few things, and he's building his own little business - at his pace - doing things his way.

Something for me to think about.