Just for the enjoyment of it, or maybe it's Nostalgia

[willie_901]

Nostalgia for old cameras important to me lost its appeal about a decade ago. I kept two – my grandfather's Argus C3 and the camera that created my love for photography many decades ago (Mamiya-Sekor 500TL). These are on display. No doubt my heirs will pitch both of these.

The camera I "shoot, just for the enjoyment of using that camera" is my chrome FUJIFILM X100T. I have an X-Pro 2 and the Fujinion 23/2 lens. There is no logical reason to use the X100T except I simply enjoy using it. I will say the X100 lens has renders wide open a bit differently than the XF lenses I own. I think it has to do with veiling flare. Anyway, the lens render differently from at about f4 and above. The X100T does not have the original X100's odd asymmetrical haloing that often surrounded bright, post-source light sources in night shots.

 

[Timmyjoe]

What great replies.

Wanted to clarify one thing, the 'Nostalgia" I was referring to.

Like probably many of us who have used a current DSLR, where the camera can be Auto-ISO, Auto-Shutter Speed, Auto-Aperture, and Auto-Focus, I find that at times useful, but not much fun. Kinda like my kids and their iPhone photography, just point the phone and tap the white dot.

The nostalgia I was referring to was from my own experience. I started taking photography seriously in 1976 when I bought a Canon TX & 50mm f1.8 lens. It's when I fell in love with the process of each image made; thinking about film speed, aperture/depth of field, shutter speed/controlling motion blur, focus and composition (not to mention the whole darkroom end of the process). Probably the fact that it slowed me down, in a good way, and I was able to be in conscious control over each element in the image making process. I really like that and it is what the two cameras I listed allow me to do.

That's what I was referring to as Nostalgia.

Best,
-Tim

 

[B-9]

What happened to your 500c? Did you drop it?😱

I could have thrown it across the room,

One of the rear curtains broke free from its shaft. Inspecting it, the brake had long dried up and I had not noticed a small patch of rust developing.

I figure it's not worth repair considering It only cost me about a 100$

I'm thinking it will become a lamp base for the workshop something I found on Pinterest.

 

[PaulDalex]

Hi Tim,
I plan a partial return to film in the forthcoming summer
And in all honesty it is 95% nostalgia for me
I was just mumbling a thread asking to other film shooters what is their percent of nostalgia

 

[oftheherd]

When I get the chance, i still like my 40+ year old Fujica ST 901. it took so many great photos for me, personal and job related. Starting with a Yashica TL Super and then moving to an aperture preferred, EV -3 to 18, auto exposure was so satisfying and fun for available light.

 

[robert blu]

... But just because you love holding it in your hands, interacting with its controls, and making images with it...

For me is the Polaroid Land 340, which by the way was one of my father's camera.

It's exactly as you describe, I love the feeling when holding in my hands, operating the controls, and waiting for the image to appear...unfortunately only a very few pack of film left...than finish!

robert

 

[micromontenegro]

All of them

 

[Huss]

Zenit 12SD (updated TTL). Just love the look and crudeness of it. And boy is
it crude...

 

[RichC]

No.

To me, cameras are disposable tools, a means to an end. The photograph is all that counts.

My current cameras are a Mamiya 645 and a Sony A7R II - both efficient and boring, which are good qualities in my book: I don’t want character or quirks, I just want a machine that does its job. Getting nostalgic over a camera is like being sentimental over a hammer (assuming it’s not a family heirloom).

 

[Timmyjoe]

Hey Rich, to each their own. Having built houses as a finish carpenter for two summers when I was in college, I was pretty attached to my Vaughan finish hammer, and when you're swinging one for eight hours a day, how it fits your hand and the control it gives you makes a difference. At least it did for me.

Glad you enjoy your Mamiya 645 and Sony A7R II.

Best,
-Tim

 

[skucera]

I have only two cameras I shoot for nostalgia... my dad's Konica AutoReflex T3n and the first camera I ever owned, my Pentax Auto 110.

The other film cameras I shoot were just dreams when I was in college or in the years before digital photography caught my fancy. In those days I had almost no money and the cool cameras were unobtainable, but now many of them are dirt cheap in thrift shops. That doesn't seem like nostalgia, more like delayed gratification and runaway gadgetry. Oh, and it's really fun. 😀

Scott

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

I have a great old hammer Rich, it was my grandfather's, he died before I was born. It is a Cobbler's hammer I think. It feels so good in my hand when I use it, smooth and balanced. I get all nostalgic using it.

 

[farlymac]

Nikkormat FTn is my favorite. It was my first system camera after dabbling in M42 territory for a couple of years. Still love to get one out every so often with a three lens loaded day bag.

Shooting any of my TLRs I get nostalgia for my old Mamiya C330f outfit. It was something else to handle, but having all the lenses, and most of the accessories made for some interesting photo trips.

What I really wax nostalgic for was my first rangefinder, a Voigtlander Vitessa L. It had the Ultron lens, and I could carry it with me wherever I went. Maybe someday I'll get another one.

PF

 

[farlymac]

Hey Rich, to each there own. Having built houses as a finish carpenter for two summers when I was in college, I was pretty attached to my Vaughan finish hammer, and when you're swinging one for eight hours a day, how it fits your hand and the control it gives you makes a difference. At least it did for me.

Glad you enjoy your Mamiya 645 and Sony A7R II.

Best,
-Tim

Like cameras, I had too many tools, Tim. Just took a 10x10 locker full down to the auction house since I haven't done any building maintenance for eight years, and I got tired of paying the rent. Took 13 eight foot tables to spread them all out. There's a Vaughn or two in there somewhere.

PF

 

[Timmyjoe]

When you find a tool, that just fits your hand, and allows you to do what you're trying to do, in the simplest way possible; that tool is a keeper. At least for me.

Best,
-Tim

 

[rbiemer]

Two of my cameras fall into that area: I have my grandfather's Arguc C3 and I have a pretty good Pentax Auto 110.
The Argus is definitely about nostalgia--I only use it a couple time a year and every time the smell of the camera ( and case, and the bag it has always been with) brings on very strong memories of grand dad. The memories were strong enough that I couldn't use the camera at all for several years after he died.
And the Pentax is pseudo-nostalgic but al fun for me. It is a camera that I thought was the greatest thing since Betty White (who is earlier and greater than sliced bread! 🙂 ) when it originally came out. Could not afford one then so when I found a major kit for a really good price last year, I bought it. And, honestly, the 110 film format is pretty silly but I just have a blast every time I use it.

Rob

 

[dave lackey]

Two of my cameras fall into that area: I have my grandfather's Arguc C3 and I have a pretty good Pentax Auto 110.
The Argus is definitely about nostalgia--I only use it a couple time a year and every time the smell of the camera ( and case, and the bag it has always been with) brings on very strong memories of grand dad. The memories were strong enough that I couldn't use the camera at all for several years after he died.
And the Pentax is pseudo-nostalgic but al fun for me. It is a camera that I thought was the greatest thing since Betty White (who is earlier and greater than sliced bread! 🙂 ) when it originally came out. Could not afford one then so when I found a major kit for a really good price last year, I bought it. And, honestly, the 110 film format is pretty silly but I just have a blast every time I use it.

Rob

Very cool!!!!!!🙂

 

[seany65]

I use one camera at a time until the film in it is finished then I move onto a different camera. I have different types and sizes.

I like using my Agfa Super Solinette, partly 'cos it's pretty and partly the method of use gives me things to think about.

I like using my Agfa Super Silette even though it's not as pretty and the method of use is different and that gives me things to think about.

I think I'll like using my Welta Perle 6x9 though to get the best out of it I'll prolly have to drag a tripod around with me. I won't use it much though as she's an old girl.

I'm looking forward to using my Gevaert Gevabox 6x9, even though I'll have to use a tripod and will have to use ND filters to get to the equivalent of any fstop smaller than f16, and multi-exposures to get equivalents of f5.6 and f4, and I'll have to find a way to get the best out of the 3 "unknown actual focused distances" on a lens that can be freely turned from about 7 1/2 feet to about '50 feet possibly', and trying to decide whether to use in-between distances.

I'm looking forward to using my Ferrania Elioflex as it at least has a couple of hand-holdable speeds so no real need for a tripod. I've got a colour film in but I've seen some mono photos that suggest it can produce pics that look they are from 1920's silent films.

 

[willie_901]

What great replies.

Wanted to clarify one thing, the 'Nostalgia" I was referring to.

Like probably many of us who have used a current DSLR, where the camera can be Auto-ISO, Auto-Shutter Speed, Auto-Aperture, and Auto-Focus, I find that at times useful, but not much fun. Kinda like my kids and their iPhone photography, just point the phone and tap the white dot.

..

This is certainly common. But we can choose to use many current digital cameras as we once used nostalgic cameras. No one forces is to select all-auto operation.

I agree that just pointing and pressing is not much fun.

 

[raydm6]

Nostalgia for me: Being gifted several years back, a Miranda Sensorex 35mm w/Auto Miranda 50 - my first SLR in the 70's. And, my M6 which I purchased new in 1985.

Of course, looking through some of my old photos and family photos.

Brings back lots of memories.