lencap
Established
Greetings!
I'm reintroducing myself to the joys of 35mm film photography after a lapse of many years as, like many, I journeyed down the digital path. This isn't a post about digital versus film, but rather a post about the "journey" and the "bigger picture", something that is critically important to me as it's so easy to waste time and effort without knowledge or a plan.
The purpose of this post is to acknowledge the help that an experienced gentleman provided me, Ken Hansen, which gave me the opportunity to reenter film photography, a step that I may not have taken without his help.
I am an official "senior citizen", and have the luxury of thinking about what it was about photography that has kept my interest over many decades? While I'd love to say it was my skill at capturing images in my mind and translating them to photographs, that's not it. It has been the "Zen" of doing something so engrossing and enjoyable that I was able to fully engage in the present moment and be fully content right where I was.
I've realized that for me those moments came most frequently with film photography. I'm not an accomplished photographer, but I enjoy the rangefinder experience in general, and further enjoyed using Leica gear. It's been several years since I owned a rangefinder camera and I wasn't sure if the expense or effort were worth the energy. Despite my reservations I decided to retry film - a media that I enjoyed for many years in the past.
With that in mind recently began my search for my "last" film camera. I have a perfectly useful Nikon F3 HP, but as nice as that camera is, I didn't bond with it. I missed my Hasselblad and Leica film gear from years ago. At my age and skill level I thought it best to use the 35mm format, even though I love holding Hasselblad negatives, because there is more opportunity for me to use 35mm gear on most occasions.
As I was browsing eBay I came across what was advertised as an "as new" Leica M-A along with a new 35mm Summarit f/2.4 lens. I became interested in the ad and realized that the seller was Ken Hansen, someone whose name I've read many times on this and other forums. A quick search convinced me to contact him, and I'm glad I did.
Ken was very generous with his time and knowledge, patiently answering my question about his eBay items in particular, and film in general. Without any pressure at all he invited me to take my time and decide if the M-A was "the one". Turns out - it was, and I completed the auction after speaking with him and bought the M-A and lens combo.
The transaction was simple, quick and enjoyable. The camera arrived in two days, with full tracking info, and if anything it's in even better condition than Ken described. It looks to be new in every way. The price was very fair, and Ken's expertise, patience and friendliness were above and beyond my expectations.
My points are twofold: (1) If you are thinking about photography and you're not sure if this "is the right time", there may never be the exact "right time", and all that's gained by waiting for it is lost opportunity; and (2) if you do want to ignite what had been a past photography passion, or at least an enjoyable hobby, the pathway that made that possible for me involved working with a true gentleman, skilled and knowledgeable about photography, but also gracious in his time and love of photography to rekindle my passion and guide me to the right gear. For me, I found that with all the information and misinformation on the net having such a guide is invaluable.
Whether I succeed in creating "the photograph" isn't the point, nor is the price of what I bought ultimately the key to happiness. For me it's the knowledge that by dealing with a professional from the start I have the confidence that I'm on the right path with the right tools - and for me that's far more important to long term success and contentment. You may find that it's also true for you.
My thanks to Ken, and to this forum for all of the information and support that has now given me the tools I need to take the next steps.
I'm reintroducing myself to the joys of 35mm film photography after a lapse of many years as, like many, I journeyed down the digital path. This isn't a post about digital versus film, but rather a post about the "journey" and the "bigger picture", something that is critically important to me as it's so easy to waste time and effort without knowledge or a plan.
The purpose of this post is to acknowledge the help that an experienced gentleman provided me, Ken Hansen, which gave me the opportunity to reenter film photography, a step that I may not have taken without his help.
I am an official "senior citizen", and have the luxury of thinking about what it was about photography that has kept my interest over many decades? While I'd love to say it was my skill at capturing images in my mind and translating them to photographs, that's not it. It has been the "Zen" of doing something so engrossing and enjoyable that I was able to fully engage in the present moment and be fully content right where I was.
I've realized that for me those moments came most frequently with film photography. I'm not an accomplished photographer, but I enjoy the rangefinder experience in general, and further enjoyed using Leica gear. It's been several years since I owned a rangefinder camera and I wasn't sure if the expense or effort were worth the energy. Despite my reservations I decided to retry film - a media that I enjoyed for many years in the past.
With that in mind recently began my search for my "last" film camera. I have a perfectly useful Nikon F3 HP, but as nice as that camera is, I didn't bond with it. I missed my Hasselblad and Leica film gear from years ago. At my age and skill level I thought it best to use the 35mm format, even though I love holding Hasselblad negatives, because there is more opportunity for me to use 35mm gear on most occasions.
As I was browsing eBay I came across what was advertised as an "as new" Leica M-A along with a new 35mm Summarit f/2.4 lens. I became interested in the ad and realized that the seller was Ken Hansen, someone whose name I've read many times on this and other forums. A quick search convinced me to contact him, and I'm glad I did.
Ken was very generous with his time and knowledge, patiently answering my question about his eBay items in particular, and film in general. Without any pressure at all he invited me to take my time and decide if the M-A was "the one". Turns out - it was, and I completed the auction after speaking with him and bought the M-A and lens combo.
The transaction was simple, quick and enjoyable. The camera arrived in two days, with full tracking info, and if anything it's in even better condition than Ken described. It looks to be new in every way. The price was very fair, and Ken's expertise, patience and friendliness were above and beyond my expectations.
My points are twofold: (1) If you are thinking about photography and you're not sure if this "is the right time", there may never be the exact "right time", and all that's gained by waiting for it is lost opportunity; and (2) if you do want to ignite what had been a past photography passion, or at least an enjoyable hobby, the pathway that made that possible for me involved working with a true gentleman, skilled and knowledgeable about photography, but also gracious in his time and love of photography to rekindle my passion and guide me to the right gear. For me, I found that with all the information and misinformation on the net having such a guide is invaluable.
Whether I succeed in creating "the photograph" isn't the point, nor is the price of what I bought ultimately the key to happiness. For me it's the knowledge that by dealing with a professional from the start I have the confidence that I'm on the right path with the right tools - and for me that's far more important to long term success and contentment. You may find that it's also true for you.
My thanks to Ken, and to this forum for all of the information and support that has now given me the tools I need to take the next steps.
