My boss is off today, so I call these days "Bonus Vacation."
So on my way to work this morning I come up with this idea to promote next February's big event. So in the outlined SLR competion I decided to riff off of John's comment that I own a camera museum, yes the cameras are displayed on a shelf, and if you saw them it looks like a small section of Adorama's or B&H's used department.
So for the SLR competition I want to elevate it to "curating" to where the assembly of cameras is more than a collection, but is rather a statement. Perhaps in this competition, although about SLR's, is really who is or has the most obsessive personality.
My competitor I know is equally crazy, but in a different manner. His collection of very recently a massed cameras is form-it-able because the cameras are in remarkable condition, are securely revered as the best of their time, and are remarkable in condition and rarity.
So here are my weapons that I bring to this competion: A 1975 SL2-MOT (only about 1000 ever made) that was built and assembled from two parts cameras by Sherry. I own a 35 Lux 3-cam and a 50 Lux "E60" that is a rare lens where about only 2700 were ever made.
I have a F3P that back in the day was a real "Press" camera and was owned by the Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper "Newsday." My F3P documented "Operation Desert Storm" and was overhauled by Nikon just before I bought it. I have owned this camera for more than two decades, and currently it is optimized/ultimized for shooting a Noct-Nikkor which will be displayed with the camera.
The F5 (Free Camera mentioned above) is ultimized for shooting my 28/1.4 AF-D that displays that classic crinkle finish over a metal barrel. This is set up as a fast street shooter that exploits auto focus, narrow DOF with a wide, 7 segment matrix metering and weaponized with a modified AH-4 Handstrap. The 28/1.4 AF-D is more rare than my Noct-Nikkor.
I have a F3 HP that is a fashion statement because it is recovered in soft Italian Goat leather. Someone called this F3HP a F3P saying the "P" is for Prada.
Also know that I own and use an aftermarket grip on the F3's that is both unusual and rare. BTW know that grips on cameras annoys John. LOL.
BTW Let's refer to February's event as "The Camera Circus." Every year we make it a different spectacular event, and I think a circus suggests and captures the spirit of the event.
I have a secrete weapon, and also I'm thinking of curating other exhibitions like maybe a "Texas Leica" kit that includes a complement of lenses and covers 6x7 and 6x9 formats. I even have a one off lens that I created by befriending a semi-retired repairman (Frank Marshman) and having him build me a custom lens that is basically a one off.
Cal
