The 8008 changed my way of thinking regarding automation. A friend of mine worked in our local photo supply and kept trying to get me into a couple of F4’s but I resisted and stuck with my F3 HP and F3P. At least until the 8008 came out.
A used one came into the shop one day and I happened to be there picking up film. I picked it up and fiddled with it some and then said what the heck. The price was right so I bought it as a trial to see how I’d get along with automation.
I think my first one was actually a non s and a few months later I traded it for a clean s. I used it as a backup for my F3’s but soon realized I could use the features of the F4.
Next think you know I sold my F3’s and bought a pair of F4’s. I didn’t rely on the auto functions but it was there when I needed them. I shot many thousands of rolls through them and eventually moved up to F5’s and F100’s as backups before going digital.
The 8008s was a very good camera. I put quite a bit of film through it and it was 100% reliable. It wasn’t perfect but it was a great intro into what was to come.