Argenticien
Dave
Part I: The Family
So I've seen many stories of handed-down cameras with sentimental value. I never thought I'd have such a story myself. Now I've stumbled into one. A few weeks ago, my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Last week we flew up to where he lives to be with him for his surgery, and some time together before it. On the day before the surgery, despite our efforts to keep him optimistic instead of thinking "I'm dying," he went into bequeathal mode with a few things. To that end, out he walked with a TLR, knowing my interest in old cameras. I knew he had a Rollei Magic, but I had never expressed interest, as I've read they're the dog in the Rollei TLR line (auto only + reliant on selenium meter = brick). Great was my surprise, then, when he handed me a Rolleiflex, and I immediately recognized the larger glass of a 2.8, not a 3.5. Some later serial number research revealed that it is a 2.8E. Dad then goes on to inform me that it was handed down to him long ago by his uncle, who was this immigrant family's first beachhead in USA. Dad's uncle is still living, having finally last year, in his 90s, shuttered his business that provided for so many in the family (including my father-in-law) as they came over.
Not knowing whether I should accept the camera at all (given that could imply "yes, then I do think you're dying") or accept it but offer him the 500 to 800 USD that it's worth (as my in-laws are not in great financial situation), I conferred with my wife. She said rather firmly that if her dad handed it to me outright, then he wants me to have it, and I ought not question him.
The good news is, the surgery the next day went seemingly well. We won't hear a pathology report for awhile, but the tumour is out, no obvious metastasis was found, and Dad is recovering, though slowly, and of course is not enjoying the pain from a large incision. But if things stand as they are, apparently he has been lucky. And the family have made a very strong showing of support--to an extent that has impressed the hospital staff--with numerous people going quite out of their way to visit Dad in hospital.
So home I went with a 2.8E, with a mix of awe (about the camera) and sadness (at how I came into it). I'm definitely going to cherish the family Rolleiflex and hope to hand it down to a nibling on the wife's side (as we do not have kids). I definitely feel like a caretaker of it, not its owner. I'm thinking Priority One for the camera should be to make some portraits for Dad, of his daughters and grandchildren. I know I can't possibly do all the travelling needed to photograph them all in time for Dad to have the portraits as a "what you have to live for" inspiration while he's still recovering, but it seems like the right kind of "thank you," no matter when I can do it.
Still to come: Part II (The Camera -- Wherein The Author Poses Technical Questions To the Erudite RFF Community) and Part III (The Test Roll).
--Dave
So I've seen many stories of handed-down cameras with sentimental value. I never thought I'd have such a story myself. Now I've stumbled into one. A few weeks ago, my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Last week we flew up to where he lives to be with him for his surgery, and some time together before it. On the day before the surgery, despite our efforts to keep him optimistic instead of thinking "I'm dying," he went into bequeathal mode with a few things. To that end, out he walked with a TLR, knowing my interest in old cameras. I knew he had a Rollei Magic, but I had never expressed interest, as I've read they're the dog in the Rollei TLR line (auto only + reliant on selenium meter = brick). Great was my surprise, then, when he handed me a Rolleiflex, and I immediately recognized the larger glass of a 2.8, not a 3.5. Some later serial number research revealed that it is a 2.8E. Dad then goes on to inform me that it was handed down to him long ago by his uncle, who was this immigrant family's first beachhead in USA. Dad's uncle is still living, having finally last year, in his 90s, shuttered his business that provided for so many in the family (including my father-in-law) as they came over.
Not knowing whether I should accept the camera at all (given that could imply "yes, then I do think you're dying") or accept it but offer him the 500 to 800 USD that it's worth (as my in-laws are not in great financial situation), I conferred with my wife. She said rather firmly that if her dad handed it to me outright, then he wants me to have it, and I ought not question him.
The good news is, the surgery the next day went seemingly well. We won't hear a pathology report for awhile, but the tumour is out, no obvious metastasis was found, and Dad is recovering, though slowly, and of course is not enjoying the pain from a large incision. But if things stand as they are, apparently he has been lucky. And the family have made a very strong showing of support--to an extent that has impressed the hospital staff--with numerous people going quite out of their way to visit Dad in hospital.
So home I went with a 2.8E, with a mix of awe (about the camera) and sadness (at how I came into it). I'm definitely going to cherish the family Rolleiflex and hope to hand it down to a nibling on the wife's side (as we do not have kids). I definitely feel like a caretaker of it, not its owner. I'm thinking Priority One for the camera should be to make some portraits for Dad, of his daughters and grandchildren. I know I can't possibly do all the travelling needed to photograph them all in time for Dad to have the portraits as a "what you have to live for" inspiration while he's still recovering, but it seems like the right kind of "thank you," no matter when I can do it.
Still to come: Part II (The Camera -- Wherein The Author Poses Technical Questions To the Erudite RFF Community) and Part III (The Test Roll).
--Dave
