'Coolest' Medium Format Camera?

[Sean Mac]

I would consider the possibility that Harry is not quite as serious about this as he might appear.

The english sense of humour doesn't always cross the Atlantic that well....

I was laughing reading his post.

 

[Roger Cole]

And I once complimented someone on here who had told of an incident where he exhibited great patience with the questions of a child about his large format camera by saying he had more patience than I do and I'd have probably mumbled something like [begin Foghorn Leghorn voice] "Go, I say, go away son. You bother me." [/end FL voice] And I MIGHT, but so far I HAVEN'T.

 

[Harry Stevens]

Yes, I do see. And it's not a pretty sight...

My approach is to try to be a good ambassador for film photography. I don't solicit questions. But I don't abuse people who pose them either. In fact, in today's intellectually stifling Internet culture I consider anyone willing to stop and ask a question of a stranger to be a wonderfully refreshing throwback to the days when being a human meant something more than sitting in the dark and staring at an LCD screen all day.

Questions about my cameras are a perfect opening to discuss the merits of the medium, including the critical point that it still exists at all. And such discussions benefit all of us in the bigger picture. Even you. I never fail to pause and answer questions or acknowledge positive observations.

When I part ways after answering a few questions I want the questioner to be so impressed and intrigued by what they just saw and heard that they might call up mom and dad to see whatever happened to that old Minolta. Or log on to KEH to see if film cameras really are as inexpensive as that fellow claimed. Or even pull that old SX-70 out of the attic and order up pack of Impossible film to give it a go at their kid's upcoming weekend birthday party.

What I don't want is for them to walk away muttering under their breath "Wow, what a jerk that guy was...", while at the same time still believing that film is dead. These days things really are about more than just me.

Ken

Good people you miss the point. Firstly they always do it while I am composing a shot,`secondly I am not running a pointless over priced workshop on the merits of MF photography for the mentally retarded and thirdly I don't care if Fred goes home and gets his great uncle Albert's Kodak brownie out the attic (yes the same one Albert was carrying when he got all his teeth blown out by a German 500 pounder during WW11) and then goes looking for film to put in it from a camera shop that closed down in the 1990s.All I want from the Fred types is to leave me alone and he can mutter what the hell he wants as long as I don't have to listen to it. .......Not too much to ask is it??

 

[Sean Mac]

Harry,

I think a perfect solution for you may exist...

 

[michr]

now that's a cool camera!

 

[michr]

Good people you miss the point. Firstly they always do it while I am composing a shot,`secondly I am not running a pointless over priced workshop on the merits of MF photography for the mentally retarded and thirdly I don't care if Fred goes home and gets his great uncle Albert's Kodak brownie out the attic (yes the same one Albert was carrying when he got all his teeth blown out by a German 500 pounder during WW11) and then goes looking for film to put in it from a camera shop that closed down in the 1990s.All I want from the Fred types is to leave me alone and he can mutter what the hell he wants as long as I don't have to listen to it. .......Not too much to ask is it??

You must look like a lovable old grandpa. If you find yourself in that situation again, you might try telling the other party to piss off. That should disabuse them of the notion quick and you can get back to work. No sense in being charitable and friendly when you have important work to do.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... All I want from the Fred types is to leave me alone and he can mutter what the hell he wants as long as I don't have to listen to it. .......Not too much to ask is it??

This isn't you then, is it?

 

[Harry Stevens]

I suppose I should be grateful that they cant hassle me in my dark room.