My memory isn't what it used to be - sadly, to be brutally honest I have to admit it never has been, ha! - but I think I turned up in 2004 or 2005. I know my profile claims 2008, but I distinctly recall posting in 2006, maybe even before. I Didn't post all that much until after 2007 when I returned to The Real World after one of my periodic retirements from everything usual in my life. Off and on as usual for me, since my last (and current) retirement in 2012. Now back again after a two-year sabbatical. That's me in one paragraph.
Like some (even many) here I was an early member of photo.net, but left after I fell foul of one of their Nazi moderators who during his too-long tenure there did untold damage to the site. Now long gone. Both of us. I never went back. Far happier here.
I have a lifelong reputation for coming and going in all things, web site participation being one. Left and returned here several times but one salient fact has always drawn me back, the kindness and above all else the intelligence of many RFF members I have dealt with over the years.
More so than any other site, the amount of good and accurate information I've had from RFF posters, has uncooked my goose many times, especially with darkroom difficulties.
Am still a rangefinder 'shooter' but nowadays due to age and a dislike of carrying heavy camera gear, more into digital rangefinders than film. Also the high cost of film in Australia, a brick of anything by Kodak or Fuji involves selling a kidney and I doubt anybody would buy either of mine...
Back in the day I had Leicas (1980s), then Contax G1s (1990s). The Leica M2 and M3 kits are long gone (and still missed), sold of necessity when my architectural practice ran into cash flow problems and we needed money to cover the basics. I kept the Nikkormats and the Rollei TLRs and now the digital Nikons, so I'm more a 'fringe' lurker than a rangefinderholic. Like so many of us, my film days are mostly past history. I still have a G1 and a 28-45-90 kit, but I seldom use it. My Fuji XE2 and four Fujinons do everything it all for me. I can put them in a backpack and go out all day without risking back pains. I would love a Leica M6 and a 28 Elmarit or even a Voitlander as my last ever minimalist kit, but for me that ship has sailed, financially and physically.
Nobody or nothing has ever cured me of writing too-long posts. It's how my brain works. The words flow and the fingers tick away. Ditto the memories. From my Kodak Brownie snapshot days (1950s) to my first "real" camera, a Yashida D TLR, in 1962. And them Leicas...
Many posts here so accurately reflect my thoughts. I too have learned much from RFF members and writers over the years, and I remain to this day, profoundly grateful and thankful for my time here. Long may we all go on.