Oh, what a find!

[ericajeanette]

Once upon a night, when the stars were out the the moon shone bright, my significant other was in desperate need. His four wheeled mobile had developed mechanical issues and had been declared unable to be driven. After receiving a distress call for a ratchet set, I made my way to the carport in search of some tool that seemed to resemble in some faint way what I remembered my dad showing me being a ratchet.

Failure.

I searched and searched through my father's old tool box and absolutely could not find a ratchet set. Near giving up, I took a breath and stepped back. I took a moment to collect myself in my frustration and impatience, and in my line of sight, I saw a box.

Picture 43 by ericajeanette, on Flickr
​

This box appeared to me to contain tools.
But this box... oh this box it did not contain tools.
Instead, it contained a myriad of goodies.


Picture 44 by ericajeanette, on Flickr



Picture 55 by ericajeanette, on Flickr


Flashes! Bulbs! Undeveloped film! Film processing envelops!
And cameras!

One camera is a rather old push box camera.


Picture 79 by ericajeanette, on Flickr


Another is an Olympus whose shutter is sick.


Picture 72 by ericajeanette, on Flickr


Picture 74 by ericajeanette, on Flickr


And my favorite, is a Canon rangefinder. My new baby. Mostly perfect working condition.


Picture 64 by ericajeanette, on Flickr


Picture 66 by ericajeanette, on Flickr


Picture 68 by ericajeanette, on Flickr

II-F. I know, you're thinking, "Hold on a skinny minute! That there is a Leica model!" And yeah, you're right. I haven't been able to find much information about this camera, other than that it belonged to my grandfather - whom I just so happened to never know. He was in the Air Force and it seems that he bought this camera in Japan in the mid fifties.

My love for this treasure could be compared to a mother's love of her first born.

I found this excellent forum and joined in the hopes of sharing my story and hearing yours, and of course learning more about this lovely girl.




Too long, didn't read?
I found cool stuff.

postscript. I apologize for the poor quality of these photographs, as I used but a simple webcam.

 

[paulfish4570]

Oh my, what a find ... 🙂

 

[Bill Kapinski]

That's like winning the lottery! and that they belonged to your grandfather even that more special. Have fun with your new toys and welcome to the forum

 

[nikon_sam]

WOW...nice find...okay now that you're in love with the Canon you can send me the Olympus...just kidding...no, send it...

 

[ericajeanette]

Oh, the fact that the belonged to my grandfather is was really got me. I can honestly say the estrogen in me was flowing and I cried. A teensy bit.

Sam, I'm not so sure my father would be pleased with that! Ha.

 

[FrankS]

Welcome to RFF! You have found kindred spirits.

 

[wlewisiii]

That speed graphic is beautiful. Probably the nicest camera of the three depending on the lens. There is a button under the leather on the top at the front of the camera that opens up that one. Where you have it open is the rear - you focus on that ground glass. Once the front pops open you can fold it down flat and a very different world from 35mm miniature cameras opens up 🙂

William

 

[wlewisiii]

I should also add, you'll want to read at http://www.graflex.org to learn more about it.

William

 

[FrankS]

Yeah, it's got a secret button! How cool is that.

 

[russelljtdyer]

Finally!!!

Finally!!!

Erica Jeanette,

You're now my favorite member of RangeFinder Forum. Everyone else, please don't read this post of mine: it's private! What a great post and set of photos, Erica Jeanette--if I may be so familiar as to space and capitalize your user name. Best of all, you gave us this account in a story board format. We need some entertaining posts around here, some posts with a sense of adventure. I think we've all become tired of each other a bit: or maybe, and probably more likely, they've become tired of me. We've polled and surveyed and compared ourselves and our equipment into boredom. We've aired our equipment desires and our wish lists until they've become stale. You can save us from ourselves and become the fun moderator. We need that kind of assistance, desperately. If you don't believe me, watch how this post which no one else is supposed to read will be attacked and picked apart. Or worst of all, how it will be ignored. Anyway, welcome to the forum and to rangefinder photography and congratulations on your find.

-Russell

 

[Bingley]

Welcome to RFF, and congrats on the find! How cool is it to be able to use a Canon rf owned by your grandfather! It sounds like it's a good user, and in your hands will be put to good use!

 

[cliffpov]

Congratulations on your new found treasure. Great story.

I wonder if in 60 years such excitement will be had when someone opens up a cannister to find a Canon EOS Rebel?

 

[robklurfield]

great find and a great post. read it all. make good use of those Canons and post lots of results here. and keep writing, too. fun to read your prose.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

wow real treasure! You must have felt like a child finding a favorite toy! 🙂

 

[newspaperguy]

Congratulations, and welcome.

 

[sreed2006]

But the car! What happened to the car?

 

[Bingley]

BTW, there's a Canon rangefinder group on Flickr, as well as a group devoted to photographs taken w/ Canon rf lenses. Please post a photo of your IIf in the former, and photos taken w/ your IIf on the latter.

 

[raid]

Welcome, and Congrats.
You sound very happy. Enjoy the find.

 

[nikon_sam]

Oh, the fact that the belonged to my grandfather is was really got me. I can honestly say the estrogen in me was flowing and I cried. A teensy bit.

Sam, I'm not so sure my father would be pleased with that! Ha.

Erica,


I think the fact that these items did belong to family adds a value like nothing else can...I hope you enjoy using them...do your family proud...

Oh...I have a hard time believing you cried just a "Teensy" bit...😉

 

[lmd91343]

Welcome,

Congrats on the find. Wow, you grandfather's camera! You'll enjoy using it. That Canon RF is fun and those lenses are great.