See 'em and Weep

[DUCeditor]

It is not unusual for we older photographers to find ourselves lamenting over things -- camera systems -- past. I for one, while both enjoying and appreciating the advances in technology, including, but not limited to the replacement of film with a digital sensor, modern science has wrought, do miss a lot about what photography was when there were no instant anythings; when every judgment that made up an image came from the mind of the man making it.

Cameras and camera systems too were different then. Especially early on when fine cameras were carefully made by true craftsmen out of fine materials like brass, steel and leather.

Having spent my entire life in various aspects on the imaging field, from cinematography early on to my many years developing techniques fo use in science and biological imaging, I've handled about everything. From large sheet-film systems that required the photographer to view the image (upside down) on a sheet of ground glass from under a black drape,through the latest in high-tech digital wizardry.

This morning, after commenting on TheRabbit14's thread about fitting and older lens to his modern Nikon 2000 body, I got that old lament - Boohoo! - for all that I miss.

Here is just one draw's full - a fraction of the old gear that for years and years provided my livelihood - simply taken out and plopped unceremoniously on the floor. If you love old gear I think you'll understand my feelings. See 'em and weep.


Some of my medium format gear. A Pentax 6x7 120 roll film camera system. I used this primarily for producing the images used in innumerable scientific journals and books.

And my old (indeed, every working photographer's) kit. Part of my Nikon F3 motorized system. How many thousands of images for publications and presentation this faithful gear produced without a single (remembered) technical failure. And it fit in my hand like it was custom made just for me. Thank you Nikon!

Other shelves and draws hold yet more. Further gear for these systems plus yet others -- each used and loved. And now (alas) nearly forgotten.

-don

[Bill_Anderson]

Your post reminds me of my other hobby, trains. Old timers who photographed trains back in the 40's lamented the coming of diesel engines, which completely replaced steam locomotives on most Class I railroads by 1961. The diesels were technically superior to the steam engines they replaced, but the steam engines had a certain appeal (Ducatistis call it "soul") that the diesels would never have.

[therabbit14]

the rabbit wants some of those nikon lenses

[scott]

I have a sweet ol' Leica that was my dad's. I get a photo and post it soon, drool worthy for sure.

[DUCeditor]

Originally Posted by scott

I have a sweet ol' Leica that was my dad's. I get a photo and post it soon, drool worthy for sure.

Love to see it!

You post that and I'll post my Rollieflex stuff.

-don

[therabbit14]

actually i have a very very old canon camera i bought in maine last august when i was up there for a week from an antique shop. i also bought 2 japan made telephoto lenses. when i get home ill take a photo of them. there pretty cool. when my land rover broke down last month i used them to shoot some pictures of planes coming into logan. i just havent developed the film yet.

[IN2VWS]

Love the old stuff, thanks for sharing.

I remember the Pentax 6x7 cameras, I was always 'going to get one', bet never did.
I had a Bronica S2, heaps of Rolleiflex twin lens cameras. As a pretty average amateur, it was hit and miss with me. I did get some good shots out of them though.

It is a lot easier these days with digital. Instant previewing to see if the shot worked or not.

I am loving my new Fujifilm X100, which is built like an old camera. Not much plastic on it, the it has the modern conveniences of the digital cameras.

[mlukason]

Originally Posted by IN2VWS

It is a lot easier these days with digital.

While I agree that digital has lots of advantages...I just find myself taking a greater quantity of bad pictures! So, getting results is easier, getting nice photographs is still (thankfully) just as challenging!

Actually I really do love the digital medium. Since electrons are free, I find myself experimenting a lot more than in the old days. I would always feel constrained by cost...both money and time (nothing like spending a day in the darkroom and not having anything worthy of hanging on the wall). But I do miss the overall "feeling" of quality with the new stuff.

[therabbit14]

Originally Posted by IN2VWS

Love the old stuff, thanks for sharing.

I remember the Pentax 6x7 cameras, I was always 'going to get one', bet never did.
I had a Bronica S2, heaps of Rolleiflex twin lens cameras. As a pretty average amateur, it was hit and miss with me. I did get some good shots out of them though.

It is a lot easier these days with digital. Instant previewing to see if the shot worked or not.

I am loving my new Fujifilm X100, which is built like an old camera. Not much plastic on it, the it has the modern conveniences of the digital cameras.

if you want an all metal camera. check out the nikon d100 which is fairly old or the nikon d1 which was the first digital slr. there both extremely heavy built like tanks and can withstand a serious beating. not big on the mps though. but they have that old school feel. the nikon d1 technically shares the same body as a 35mm film camera i believe. you'll have to look it up but buy one on ebay. itll be fun.

[Bill_Anderson]

Originally Posted by mlukason

While I agree that digital has lots of advantages...I just find myself taking a greater quantity of bad pictures! So, getting results is easier, getting nice photographs is still (thankfully) just as challenging!

Actually I really do love the digital medium. Since electrons are free, I find myself experimenting a lot more than in the old days. I would always feel constrained by cost...both money and time (nothing like spending a day in the darkroom and not having anything worthy of hanging on the wall). But I do miss the overall "feeling" of quality with the new stuff.

I have found digital cameras to drastically lower the cost of the photography learning curve. I usually take at least 500 shots/day and have taken up to 1,400 in one day. More than 90% of these get deleted. I could never afford to buy and develop that much film to practise taking photos.

My prefered method of photographing birds is "walk & stalk", so I really appreciate the light weight of the new equipment.