A Blast From the Past

[Phil_F_NM]

The only "blast from the past" I own is a Nikon F3HP. A camera that would take me back much further would be a Pentax Spotmatic. There are all sorts of cameras of different marques for different time periods in my life.

Phil Forrest

 

[oftheherd]

^ Shouldn't the Pentax K-1000 be the king of nostalgic SLR's ? They were everywhere . Peter

Youngster!

My first SLR was a Yashica TL Super, bought late 1970 or early 71. Battery was only for light meter, but I had been using the film data sheet for quite a while anyway.

 

[Godfrey]

For when I really don't want to deal with anything, do any processing or whatever, I just grab a Polaroid SX-70 and go make photographs. One pack in it and I have eight great opportunities to see the magic happen before my eyes. I can dally over shooting through that pack for a week and more...

G

 

[oftheherd]

Oh, cars from the sixties! I always wanted a VW Beetle, but somehow I never got one. I did have a Volvo 544, a Volvo 122S, a Renault R10, and a Renault R16 - all really neat cars. (I would still love to have a Bug, though.)

Photographically, my memories go back to early childhood. I took a photography course in summer school 1961, and the teacher had a Leica and a Rolleiflex. I had a Kodak Duaflex IV, at the time, which I thought was pretty hot stuff. I was absolutely gobsmacked by the Rolleiflex, however, and resolved that I would get one some day. Now I have nine TLRs, including two Rolleiflexes (a T and a 3.5F Planar), but my favorites are actually my Minolta Autocords and my Mamiyas.

My first "serious camera" was a discounted demo-model Yashica TL-Super SLR. I was really impressed with SLRs and how one saw the scene through the taking lens, itself. I was also impressed by TTL metering. I would say I did my freshest, most wide-eyed photography with this camera. I have an old TL-Super that needs repair, but just handling it and looking at it brings back memories.

- Murray

See my post above. I bought it on my second time in Vietnam. I wanted one of them modern cameras, and I knew the name from a movie camera I had had. I really didn't use it much until I got to Korea in 1974. Then I got back into photography with a passion. Actually good cameras and great lenses. Those old Yashinon lenses never tended to get the credit they deserved, just like the Fujinon lenses.

A while back I acquired a TL Electro X ITS. Somehow I just like the feel of it.

 

[oftheherd]

Dave - maybe you are getting closer to what you want to do at retirement? I have the same problem, but with a little more time to decide. My wife want me to get a good digital and lenses. That is an attractive offer, but honestly, I would then be tempted to jump for a full frame, and those are expensive. I might opt for a less expensive digital, as long as I have some control over aperture and shutter speed. I could just as easily be happy with my Fujica ST 901 and 9 lenses. Or my Contax 167mt and three zoom lenses from 18mm to 150mm. Nice kit. It would fit easier into a small camper as well. Let's see, then there is the 4x5 Cambo, and where in the world would I put the 4x5 Super Chromega enlarger?

Now see what you have started?

You know, I really might end up with a small digital that has controls as well as everything auto. I think at my age I might be satisfied with that and GIMP.