requiem for a rangefinder

[JoeFriday]

I regret to inform you all that one of our members is passing away.. my Vivitar 35ES, a faithful and devoted companion on many of my photo safaris, attempted suicide this weekend

accompanying me to a vintage car show, she jumped out of my hand and brought herself down on the cement directly onto her lens barrel.. resulting in much gnashing of teeth and averted eyes

the attempt was not immediately successful, however Viv is incapacitated and not expected to recover

I told her that the return of my CL from DAG would not affect our relationship, and that she would always have a roll of film in her.. but already playing second, or rather third, fiddle to my M3 and Contax T, she preferred to be remembered for the photos she took, rather than becoming part of a lesser used camera collection

she shall not be forgotten

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Brett,

I fear your Viv succumbed to the "Scorned Camera" syndrome. They do those things... and "hell hath no fury" is just an understatement in this case.

Are you sure all the exposures up to her demise were correct? Do you believe she made sure to open and close the shutter? Have you checked if the shutterspeed wasn't up to something?

Other than that... allow me to offer my sympathy.

RIP.

 

[Kat]

Oh no! I can just imagine the horror. How about a "remembering" of the photos she had taken in her time?🙂 I just picked up one of my own, I have been alternating between sheer joy and buyer's remorse, so I fervently hope she will be as nice as yours had been for you.

 

[c.poulton]

Ouch!

I hope she will be fondly remembered for the good times you had together, now resigned to gather dust on a high shelf somewhere.........🙁

 

[thanatos]

Sounds to me like she was just trying to get your attention and it went horribly wrong. That's what you get for being a harsh parent. Expect a visit from Camera Services! You'll be lucky if the rest of your cameras aren't taken into care.

If you like, send your remaining cameras to me and I'll look after them until the dust settles. No one saw nuffin, OK?

 

[zuikologist]

Pull yourself together man. She knew her time was up when she was replaced by an older model :-0

 

[lubitel]

Brett, may be you should get her a german companion Revue 400SE to help her recover psychologically?

 

[vicmortelmans]

You're not considering organ donation for brothers and sisters of her that have severe illness, but can be cured?

 

[JoeFriday]

I believe her cry for attention went awry and she did serious damage to her element.. there's an awful ding to the lens barrel, and the last photos shot after the 'incident' all exhibit vignetting, and the focus is uneven, not unlike a Holga.. I think the front element shifted and is no longer parallel to the film

but in her remembrance, here are a few photos from her better days.. she was a very traditional lady, and had a strong preference for black and white film, and always paid attention to details

 

[jan normandale]

Joe Friday... Kamera Killer!! .... ;- )

 

[zuikologist]

I believe her cry for attention went awry and she did serious damage to her element.. there's an awful ding to the lens barrel, and the last photos shot after the 'incident' all exhibit vignetting, and the focus is uneven, not unlike a Holga.. I think the front element shifted and is no longer parallel to the film

but in her remembrance, here are a few photos from her better days.. she was a very traditional lady, and had a strong preference for black and white film, and always paid attention to details

Her lens quality never failed to impress. I sympathise, but perhaps there is a new career ahead for her as a Holgaiste - with colour film of course.

 

[John Rountree]

Wait a minute!

Wait a minute!

Mr. Friday, exactly where was the strap when this "incident" took place? I think there might be something deeper going on here.

 

[JoeFriday]

the strap.. well, I used the original wrist strap with Viv.. it didn't have any adjustment to tighten it and it was always slightly loose

it hurts to talk about this, but I'll try..

when the... incident... happened, I was holding her in my hand as usual, with the wrist strap being used in the standard manner.. and as I started to bring her up to my eye, I lost my grip just for a moment.. she twisted in my fingers and fell at precisely the same angle my wrist and hand were pointing.. the strap slid over my fingertips and I felt our connection release.. it was a sickening feeling

then, 9.8 meters per second (squared) later, I heard the crash.. at first I thought she would be ok.. aside from the cosmetic damage, everything seemed to function fine.. but she just wasn't the same anymore

 

[BrianShaw]

.. and as I started to bring her up to my eye, I lost my grip just for a moment.. she twisted in my fingers and fell at precisely the same angle my wrist and hand were pointing.. the strap slid over my fingertips and I felt our connection release.. it was a sickening feeling...

Sounds to me like she jumped, perhaps in a moment of misplaced desparation. It's not your fault Brett. But you do need to start paying better attention to your women... equal attention is rule #1 among polygamists (so I hear).

 

[GeneW]

Very sad... give yourself a couple of days to adjust, then pick up a new one at the camera pound...

 

[zuikologist]

the strap.. well, I used the original wrist strap with Viv.. it didn't have any adjustment to tighten it and it was always slightly loose

it hurts to talk about this, but I'll try..

when the... incident... happened, I was holding her in my hand as usual, with the wrist strap being used in the standard manner.. and as I started to bring her up to my eye, I lost my grip just for a moment.. she twisted in my fingers and fell at precisely the same angle my wrist and hand were pointing.. the strap slid over my fingertips and I felt our connection release.. it was a sickening feeling

then, 9.8 meters per second (squared) later, I heard the crash.. at first I thought she would be ok.. aside from the cosmetic damage, everything seemed to function fine.. but she just wasn't the same anymore

That just brought a tear to my eye. You may need counselling.

 

[Michael I.]

the only camera that died on me was a slr(praktica mtl3) and that after much abuse so I know how it feels when an old warhorse dies

 

[dadsm3]

It's obvious you're in responsibility denial for this event, caused by typical male inattentiveness to her emtional needs. Wouldn't be surprised to see you both on Dr. Phil very soon.....

 

[pesphoto]

Sorry for your loss. Any pics available of the deceased?

 

[BJ Bignell]

Sorry for your loss. Any pics available of the deceased?

Morbid, morbid, morbid!


And, uh, yeah... do you have any war pics? 😱