fraley
Beware of Claws
Last weekend I stopped at a gas station on Upper Market, a hilly area of San Francisco. There was a fellow talking to the cashier. He eyed the Bessa R2 around my neck. He said I'd better not leave it laying around or he might grab it. So we got to talking... He had heard of the Bessa's but not handled one, so I passed it over to him. In turn he took a small wooden box out of his hip bag. It turned out to be a pinhole camera. He has a larger one that he uses for 4x5 contact prints. The smaller one is for 120 film. He also has two Leicas, a Hasselblad, etc. His opinion is that Leica optics are over-rated given the general quality of optics today, and the developments in film. He said it's too bad there is no longer any research being done to improve black & white film. I asked if he is on the Internet, thinking he might enjoy RFF. However, he said he's so old-fashioned he doesn't even own a toaster. He doesn't want to be owned by his possessions. Interesting guy. He got on his bicycle and pedalled off. I thought to myself that it was nice talking with someone who enjoys taking pictures more than anything...