A motherload of pre-Christmas 'stuff'.

This morning, I become the benefactor of a pile of boxes (about 20) from the son of a recently deceased photographer friend.

Methinks it is going to take me quite some time to 'carefully examine' the contents. However.... just found within "box #1" the box a Century 46 camera (in really good condition) three wooden film holders and an unopened box of 4x5 Tri-X ortho (1979). The second item is one I have heard of but never used... an SEI exposure photometer in like new condition... (but there is some dust inside). A few Kodak #1 cameras etc. On quick inspection of box #2 there seems to be quite a few 'envelopes' with view-finder parts, winder knobs that may have been 'harvested'. Boxes and boxes of Gepe slide mounts (who used these anymore?) and the 'carriers' that they put into slide projectors.

I have to admit I do NOT really feel like a kid on Christmas morning... but more somewhat sad that much of what I received will probably end up in the garbage after hours of creating an inventory of 'what might be useful to me'... what could be sold or of use to others (Free...) and what would probably be better to send to the dump since I don't have either the desire or the space to "save everything"

Ken

Sounds like an intersting bunch of stuff. I completely understand your mixed emotions. Disposing of accumulations like that is very time intensive and often not very satisfying in the end.

failure

I would suggest it is a failure of our little analog cult that there is not some central clearing house that could/would go over odd bits and parts and catalog them and make them available to those who really need a widget to finish rebuilding their fabulous olde film camera or whatever.
It looks like when I go to that great Photo Op in the Sky somebody will shovel out 75-plus analog cameras, Lord knows how many lenses, darkroom stuff and stuff in general by the carload. I've got 98 percent of a Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 zoom lens, for instance. But nobody in my family and friends would have a clue.

I don't think the batteries for the S.E.I. Photometer are still available.

snapguy said:

I would suggest it is a failure of our little analog cult that there is not some central clearing house that could/would go over odd bits and parts and catalog them and make them available to those who really need a widget to finish rebuilding their fabulous olde film camera or whatever.
It looks like when I go to that great Photo Op in the Sky somebody will shovel out 75-plus analog cameras, Lord knows how many lenses, darkroom stuff and stuff in general by the carload. I've got 98 percent of a Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 zoom lens, for instance. But nobody in my family and friends would have a clue.

Click to expand...

Swell idea, but who would implement it, and how? I brought up the same idea about literature a few years back. There is just no real way to make it function in house, it might work if someone volunteered to do it, but then how to fund it.

Coincidentally I'm in pretty much the same situation here. A friend of mine who is shutting down his camera repair shop has given me pretty much his entire supply of old cameras, ranging from some that work just fine to bodies stripped to the point that I cant tell what make/model they even are. Boxes and boxes of the stuff. My intent in taking it all was to try and see whats there and then pass along what I can to those that can use it but man what a job. I've been in the position of needing a part for one of my cameras and in the end was really happy to find a junk body for sale on Ebay. I'm sure others out there could use some of this stuff but how to get it all inventoried? I go in the room where I stashed it all, look at the floor completely covered with it all (hardly even a spot to sit), and my brain just locks up!

Perhaps, you can post a list and some high resolution pictures of different items and ask if someone likes to buy them - or, free stuffs to give away. If you don't recognise any item, I'm almost certain that APUG gurus will be able to identify them, even without any cosmetic. I don't like throwing stuffs either.
For e.g., if I had a slide projector, I would have been very interested in those Gepe mounts.

Bests,
Ashfaque

I'm sorry to hear about your friend.