Autocord, Leica III, USSR Leica Copy, Rollei 35, Nikon SLR OR something else?

[Dralowid]

I would buy them something else...if you have seven classic camera freaks at your wedding it is going to be one hell of an affair!

 

[Dralowid]

Maybe some very good bottles of malt with a use by date only 24 hours away...

 

[Spicy]

Can anyone tell me why they object to engraving a camera? I don't get it. If anything it will drop the resale value (they shouldn't sell a weeding gift anyway) and make it uninteresting for collectors. So, if they sell it, it will be most likely bought by someone who wants to use it and not put it on a shelf. Kind of a win-win situation if you ask me.

It is like buying a cherry mid 70s Porsche 911 and then slapping a turbo and a wing on it and giving it a paintjob. It can a) never be undone, b) everyone who ever owns it in the future will know someone screwed with it, and c) people in the future will not get to enjoy it do the same degree that we have.

Thinking "well, it's a gift, it shouldn't be sold anyway" means virtually nothing. I doubt the groomsmen are planning on outlasting the cameras, which means likely 50-60 years down the road, they will be owned by someone else. Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Doing it to a Canonet is one thing, but doing it to the Rolleis and doing it to Leicas equate to fairly similar violations in my book.

 

[NeeZee]

Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Oh come on, it's not like he wants to put a Hello Kitty stamp on the the Blue Mauritius. The Rollei 35 is by no means a rare camera...

 

[bitfeng]

Agree. I feel good every time I bought and fixed a part Rollei 35 which otherwise would be salvaged by NEX lovers. I don't really need that many though. To me Rollei 35 is a timeless piece deserving more care than engraving.

It is like buying a cherry mid 70s Porsche 911 and then slapping a turbo and a wing on it and giving it a paintjob. It can a) never be undone, b) everyone who ever owns it in the future will know someone screwed with it, and c) people in the future will not get to enjoy it do the same degree that we have.

Thinking "well, it's a gift, it shouldn't be sold anyway" means virtually nothing. I doubt the groomsmen are planning on outlasting the cameras, which means likely 50-60 years down the road, they will be owned by someone else. Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Doing it to a Canonet is one thing, but doing it to the Rolleis and doing it to Leicas equate to fairly similar violations in my book.

 

[JChrome]

It is like buying a cherry mid 70s Porsche 911 and then slapping a turbo and a wing on it and giving it a paintjob. It can a) never be undone, b) everyone who ever owns it in the future will know someone screwed with it, and c) people in the future will not get to enjoy it do the same degree that we have.

Thinking "well, it's a gift, it shouldn't be sold anyway" means virtually nothing. I doubt the groomsmen are planning on outlasting the cameras, which means likely 50-60 years down the road, they will be owned by someone else. Film is already in a precarious position. I don't think it needs beautiful jewel-like cameras with JERRY LOVES MARY carved into the sides.

Doing it to a Canonet is one thing, but doing it to the Rolleis and doing it to Leicas equate to fairly similar violations in my book.

It would be one thing to engrave a Leica for sure... but the Rollei 35's had productions in the millions. So instead of it being a cherry Porsche... I would prefer to compare it to a cherry Volkswagen Beetle.

That said, I can appreciate how people wouldn't want me to engrave the outside. But I still want to add a mark on it that makes it my wedding cameras... maybe something on the inside?

 

[NeeZee]

It would be one thing to engrave a Leica for sure... but the Rollei 35's had productions in the millions. So instead of it being a cherry Porsche... I would prefer to compare it to a cherry Volkswagen Beetle.

That said, I can appreciate how people wouldn't want me to engrave the outside. But I still want to add a mark on it that makes it my wedding cameras... maybe something on the inside?

Wasn't one poster hinting at the metal screw in lens caps for the Rolleis? Would be a good compromise to engrave them if you can find 7 of them...

 

[Davids]

Your groomsmen are lucky to have such a thoughtful friend! I like the camera idea and the Rollei, though I prefer the Autocord because for me a TLR is more symbolic of marriage. Would it be possible to get leather carrying straps and have those engraved? Engraving a lens cap is a great idea also if you can get the caps.

 

[uberjuan]

I like the idea, especially if it represents you and your future wife well.

Maybe embossed leather straps with the groomsmen's initials?