A horrible confession

[rbiemer]

Forgive me RFF for I am a bonehead.
Yesterday I had an unexpected day off from work and decided to try to get my bookshelves organized.
So I took every thing off of them and as I was figuring out where things shpuld go as I put them back, I had an awful realization. I almost can't say it but : the Canonet GIII QL 17 I bought in june this year has not had any film through it since I got it! I had a plan I swear.
I bought two of them from the goodwill web site and they arrived within days of each othe.Good so far. One is pristine in appearance but doesn't work. The other is not so pretty(ID# engraved on it and the filter ring has a small ding) but there is a good battery in it, the foam seals are slightly sticky but not crumbling.
I decided to use the working one until either the battery quit or the seals went and then send both of them to Mr. Gandy, have him fix one(adjust for current battery, replace foam, and CLA) and let him keep the other for parts or whatever (with the appropriate compensation). Good plan I sez to myself. For no good reason these two cameras have been sitting on my shelf since then. Well my FSU flu came back with a vengence but that's an excuse not a reason.
I couldn't think of a sufficient punishment that wouldn't be fatal or silly so I have decided to reward myself instead. First I am going to use ONLY the QL17 until it needs an overhaul. Second(this will be the hard part) I am not buying any photo stuff but film til that happens.
Third I think I should donate to the forum what I spent on the cameras.
I hope this teaches me a lesson!
I hope you folks will still let me hang out. I'll sit quietly over there in the corner.
I didn;t start out to be a camera collector.🙄

 

[RML]

Hello, rbiemer! Welcome to RF Collectors Anonymous. Thank you for your confession. Realisation is the first step to healing. 🙂

Now, go out and use the Q!

 

[Oldprof]

Re: A horrible confession

... I didn't start out to be a camera collector ...

It creeps up on you. You are forgiven. :angel:

 

[nwcanonman]

Welcome Brother,
You're on the RFF 12 step program. If you are successful in your present goal ....... you'll be the first ~ ; - )
LOL

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Neither did I, in fact, I don't know why I am surrounded by filters, cameras, lenses, books on photography, film canisters, slide storage sheets and other gizmos (who needs a light meter!).

I don't know where they came from, who found them, how they got here.

But I do know how to use them. Is that a sign of something? 😕

Welcome to the forum, rbiemer, and, of course, apologies accepted! 😀

 

[Sonnar Brian]

What's wrong with the Canonet that does not work? Nothing to inspire camera use like a do-it-yourself repair?

Camera collecting is a great Hobby! Better than coin collecting or stamp collecting! Take a picture with a classic camera, you get a great picture and still have a classic camera! Collect a stamp, use it to mail a letter, it's worthless! Collect a rare coin, go to buy something with it, you get face value and its gone!

 

[pshinkaw]

Sometimes you have to be very patient in accumulating parts cameras to make a repair or restoration. Last night I assembled an Exa from the parts of 4 parts cameras I have been accumulating for the past 2 years. The lens flange was the last needed part.

One of these days that Canonet will work. It's just not the right time yet.

-Paul

 

[rbiemer]

I don't really have a problem with being a camera collector, my shame is that the working Canonett has been not getting used. As for the nonworking one, I don't know enough about em to say why its not working. The film will advance and advance and advance for as long as I want to keep winding on. The shutter will not cock and the release will not depress. I tried putting the good battery in this one from the working one--no response in the check light or meter. Not on auto and still nothing. Its way purty though. So it sits on the shelf next to the few other cameras I did get just for looks. A nishikka 3d(which does work but I'm not sure who could process the film and I don't see in 3d anyway), a Nickelodeon Blaster(4shots on one 35mm frame) which also works but I'm not really into the toy cameras, and an Ansco folder that uses 620 film(which I will use when I get a darkroom again so I can respool 120).Oh and a roll film Polaroid(can't recall which one).
Rob