Favorite Gear
I have a conflicted relationship with gear. On one hand, I know that “things” are inconsequential in any meaningful measurement in happiness. But on the other hand, I can’t shake the satisfaction that a well designed “thing” gives me.
Below are a few of the items that make me happy when I use them.
Pentax Super Takumar 28mm f3.5 lens
This lens oozes craftsmanship. It’s obvious from the second that you handle it. Most analog equipment is heavier and more tactile than their modern day counterparts, but this lens is a step above even other vintage lens that I’ve used. The aperture ring gives a triumphant snap every time the diameter is changed and the focus ring glides like butter. Best of all, it is in pristine condition. It’s like I went back in time, snatched it out of a 1970’s beat reporter’s satchel, and came back to 2020.
Vortex Core 40% Mechanical Keyboard
I use this keyboard as part of my mobile set-up with my iPad and Apple Pencil. Is it practical? Not really. Do I type as fast on it as I do on a bigger keyboard? Nope! I don’t really care though. Using it is downright fun. I got the overpriced turquoise cable from a company out of Germany that took six weeks to ship just to round out this combo as the most impractical and indulgent piece of tech I own.
Fujifilm X100S Digital Camera
This camera has a cult following and it’s easy to understand why. It’s the best of the analog world and the digital world. It provides the satisfaction of turning a manual shutter speed dial and aperture ring like a film camera but you don’t have to have your images developed. I’m still learning the general photography principles so I like to set the ISO to a static sensitivity and then act as if I’m shooting on a manual film camera. This way, I get the value of practicing the exposure balancing act while also avoiding the high cost of actual film.
Wilson Staff 8802 Putter
The Wilson Staff 8802 putter hits a lot of the same categories as the other items here — timeless design, superior craftsmanship, and niche usability. Nowadays there are a thousand and one putter designs, all selling themselves as the latest way to make more putts. But at the end of the day, they all have a flat surface that hits a golf ball across short grass. This minimalist design provides that essential element and little else.