Grunge Camera ?

[dee]

Do you like a Rat / Grunge camera ?
I sent a Contax II as spares donor and inadvertently it was sorted and appears to be working sweetly .
Rather like a Rat VW Bus which I think are awesome .
How do you feel about a rough looking camera , showing it's history , knowing it's perfect mechanically ?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I use a Nikon S2 that was used professionally by an artist for 30 years, looks like he used to pounds nails with it and use it for photography. It's the 219th S2 made. I like that. Works perfectly, and no need to worry about putting more dents in it. I could never find the new ones amidst the old ones.

 

[radiocemetery]

I like "survivor " cameras. I like the history and the stories behind them if known. The beat up cameras somehow have more appeal to me than one that is perfect and has spent its time locked in a cabinet somewhere.

Steve

 

[dee]

Thanks - I was going to keep the parts Contax II as it came - with a piece of new/old leather , but needing a Kiev II shutter made it too wrong .
This one is genuine , so I think I will keep it as it comes - maybe new covering .

 

[radiocemetery]

Hi Dee,

Go for it. I would like to see a before and after picture. Keep the vibe of the camera as much as you can. You could even make new leather look as aged as the camera.😎

Steve

 

[radiocemetery]

Dee,

I know you are doing well. I enjoy reading your posts. Show some Kievs and the Contax when you get a chance.😀

Steve

 

[jackbaty]

My favorite camera recently has been a beat up OM-1n that I bought as part of a bag full of OM gear from a geologist. It was a mess, apparently due to falling down the side of a volcano. A local shop straightened the base plate, replaced a few missing bits and it's been working great ever since.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Go for it Dee! I'd rather be judged by the way my photos look than by how dapper my cameras appear. I hear enough of the "Oh! You're still shooting with film!" crap but as long as they like my photos and their checks don't bounce, hell, why not?

I like to think that a camera gets imbued with the spirits of previous owners and probably some of the people and places that it's photographed. A pretty eclectic collection of spirits to be sure! What the heck, it inspires me, and if that inspiration gives me better photographs then that's what it's all about.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com

 

[radiocemetery]

I believe what you say is true Al. I have been to places that definitely give you a sense of the history that happened there. Mesa Verde comes to mind. Westminster or The Tower of London are examples. We are time bound creatures but the places we live, or visit, and the tools we use carry a weight of the history and people that have passed.

 

[Stephen S. Mack]

I've got three FSU cameras that I got from Yuri at fedka, and I love 'em! I'm especially partial to the FED 1g. Although they're old and peculiar looking (by today's standards), I tend to use them more than my others. In fact, I like the FED 1g soooo well I'm looking to pick up a Leica III, squinty viewfinder included!😀 They have a nice solid feel!

With best regards.

Stephen

 

[FS Vontz]

I love the look of this

http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00A/00AHhe-20694384.jpg

 

[Ronald M]

No grundge cameras. Have a semi grundge 1983 Olds station wagon I inherited. 90K on it no rust and runs like a swiss watch. I am not afraid to park it anywhere as opposed to my new car. Hauls 10 foot wood inside on a special rack I made and 4x8 plywood inside. Beats all the SUV outthere and was free to me except for repairs.

 

[crawdiddy]

http://www.cameraquest.com/TAnotcoll.htm

I like the purple one.

I wish I had a non-collection like Tom's.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

With the beat-up Nikon S2 and a Menopta 53/1.8 shimmed for it.

Snow was good to the last drop - for sledding.

 

[mark-b]

I agree

I agree

"I like to think that a camera gets imbued with the spirits of previous owners and probably some of the people and places that it's photographed. A pretty eclectic collection of spirits to be sure! What the heck, it inspires me, and if that inspiration gives me better photographs then that's what it's all about." (Al Kaplan)


There is a measure of truth in that; how much, I don't know, but it's there.

 

[dee]

Thanks for all your comments - I love that brassed Leica M !

I DO like over restored black cameras . There , I have said it . I hope for a rich gloss black Kiev III / IV [ IIIa body , early K 4 top ] as part of my non-collection of Kontax cameras .
My BlueBelle KIEV IIIa should be ready soon - in metallic blue with matching lens ,
tan leather ... with KIEV in English on the meter window .

Some of my Kievs are just dirty and scratched - chrome / leather / paint - it's not ' patina ' its cruddy .
Frankly , they don't call me to use them , and have no hesitation with donating them to the cause .
Later Kievs are just crudely finished , most awaiting re-homing !
Maybe it's the matt-ish chome finish and poor black paint , which does not wear so well - the Contax and Leica cameras DO seem to have aged more gracefully ... hence the Rat Contax .

I guess I cross over all of those categories - from an unexpectedly near mint - Kiev II 1952 , Nicely used - Kiev II 1951 , Twin clean Leica IIIc and Contax III chrome , Georgeous patina - twin Black / nickel Leica II , several ex-Ussr mint Leica-likes , Restored ex-USSR cameras , special Contax II tan leather and now , a true rat Contax .

I do have a problem though - I tend to use my cameras - my chrome Leica M8 , twin Leica Dig 3 and Panasonic L1 , whichever Kiev ... they are not in cases , they get marked , and in no way stand up to wear as older brass cameras do . I try not to be careless , but dee'spraxia from my ASdee is never far away , though I have yet to bounce one ! If I were to worry about resale value etc , I would not be able to use them [ I have a slight problem with the twin Leica IIs - feeling more of a caretaker than ' owner ' as if they are loaned to me as a tiny part of ther journey ]

In the event , it's a non-collection for me - I take snapshots for my pleasure - indifferent or otherwise , though most seem to like them ...

This has been a one off for me - sales of Dinky Toys and a modest inheritance permitted this extravagance -
once this brief moment in time [ crime ? ] is over , it's scrabbling around to afford reversal film again !
But WHAT an awsome few years from late 2005 !
Some might go on a world cruise , some buy that classic car - me , it's my classic cameras which ground ' me ' in the hidden chaos of ASdee .