Not liking being a camera curator

Eagle Blue · Aug 28, 2017

This post is not a left-handed attempt by a non-subscriber attempting to post an item for sale without paying dues. It's a "what should I do" question. For a little over a year, I have in my psosession a camera given to me by someone on this forum and I have no idea who. But they gave it to me on the stipulation that it be mine to enjoy, and not for flipping. It is a Nikon FTN ser 7255502 with original 1.4 lens. The problem is that it is in 99.975 mint pristine condition. So do I put it in a showcase, or use the heck out of it and let it suffer the knocks? Because I'm sure as heck not going to coddle a camera all its life like a nut, with knots in my stomach about some faint scratch. I'm amazed one of these has lasted this long to end up in my hands. What are you supposed to do with a 46 year old classic camera of this historical significance in such condition? Its operating condition is flawless. So the question is, would you get out there and use it and forget about the knocks and scrapes it's bound to get?

MattKing · Aug 28, 2017

Use it!
It isn't a rare prototype or something similar, so you aren't cheating historians by using it.
If you hadn't received it with stipulations, you could consider selling it and using the money to buy a less "pretty" version, but I wouldn't do that unless money was really a challenge.
I bought the camera shown below new in the late 1970s. Clearly, it doesn't bother me that it shows wear!

Eagle Blue · Aug 28, 2017

Thank you for replying. But I forgot to mention even the passed sticker is absolutely pristine 100% condition, and not a reprint. And downgrading to a used one is not worth the trouble for the money. That's not the point. If I put it in service, it will get used. And that will be the end of the matter. I'm not going to coddle it.And the world will be out one museum piece. Fair notice to the world. I think the guy who gave it to me was probably dying, and meant for me to have it. But it's no use to me if I don't just go on and use it.

AgX · Aug 28, 2017

If you think it is showcase item then put it there and and get yourself the same model or else used as a user camera, if you not already own such.

By they way, the first thing for me to do is to remove the "passed" stickers even from mint samples:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/index.php?threads/jcii-sticker.118585/

Jerevan · Aug 28, 2017

Like you say - it is useless if you don't use it.

So use it, by all means! First scratch or ding is the worst ... after this, hey ho!

Eagle Blue · Aug 28, 2017

A last note on the problem. I TRIED shelving it and buying another. I bought an F2, thinking it was a good user grade. But it showed up at my door in mint condition also. Now I have both of the finest 35mm SLRs ever made. Now I'm a curator of both. I disavow knowledge of the existence of any post 1977 model. Why do I have the desire to forget all this stuff and go back to my Nikkormaat FTn? There's gobs of them out there and you can't tear one up. And I don't have to act like a snob when I point it at people to take their picture and they see the great "Nikon" name in their face. Who in the heck ever headr of a Nikkormat? I don't take people's pictures to flash off my fancy bling.

darkosaric · Aug 28, 2017

When I got my Leica M6 and my M3 - there were both in superb condition. Not they are ugly, M3 has duct tape on many places where vulcanite fell off, scratches on both cameras ... but I am using them all the time.

twelvetone12 · Aug 28, 2017

Can't you just use them? Between destroying your cam with heavy use and touching it only with gloves in a temperature controlled vault there is also the option of using them with care...

Theo Sulphate · Aug 28, 2017

MattKing said:
Use it!
It isn't a rare prototype or something similar, so you aren't cheating historians by using it.
...

My feelings as well. Use the camera. It was designed to be used. The creator of the camera would be disappointed that it was not being used and enjoyed. By using it, it will create memories - both with the photos it makes and also with your memories of using it in all sorts of places and situations.

chip j · Aug 28, 2017

They're both FUN to play with--Play with them, but don't USE them>

E. von Hoegh · Aug 28, 2017

Eagle Blue said:
This post is not a left-handed attempt by a non-subscriber attempting to post an item for sale without paying dues. It's a "what should I do" question. For a little over a year, I have in my psosession a camera given to me by someone on this forum and I have no idea who. But they gave it to me on the stipulation that it be mine to enjoy, and not for flipping. It is a Nikon FTN ser 7255502 with original 1.4 lens. The problem is that it is in 99.975 mint pristine condition. So do I put it in a showcase, or use the heck out of it and let it suffer the knocks? Because I'm sure as heck not going to coddle a camera all its life like a nut, with knots in my stomach about some faint scratch. I'm amazed one of these has lasted this long to end up in my hands. What are you supposed to do with a 46 year old classic camera of this historical significance in such condition? Its operating condition is flawless. So the question is, would you get out there and use it and forget about the knocks and scrapes it's bound to get?

Use it carefully, keep in a case, it won't get damaged.
I spent a year searching for a good Contax II. I found one, complete with all the original accesories, manuals, etc. Maybe had 50 rolls of film through it, not a mark anywhere, and it came with the bill of sale dated 3 July 1937 from Foto Franke, Potsdamer Straße, Berlin Germany. I stripped it to the bare body casting, cleaned all the 80 year old lubricants out, and reassembled with the best modern synthetics available.
I use it, very carefully, in situations where it will not get damaged. It would be sacrilege not to.

BrianShaw · Aug 28, 2017

Eagle Blue said:
... museum piece.... But it's no use to me if I don't just go on and use it.

The quick way to resolve the dilemma is to offer it to a museum. You'll likely find that they won't take it. Not that it isn't a nice camera... of some vintage and in great condition... but it isn't a museum piece. Go use it!

Chan Tran · Aug 28, 2017

Use it! Unless you are very rough it would suffer very little wear and tear. You could sell it and donate the money to Photrio. It's best to send the money to the original owner but since you don't remember donating to Photrio is the second best.

peter k. · Aug 28, 2017

Have you ever done film photography before?
Most likely, soooo they were made to be used, go fer it... SURRENDER... find a new friend in your hand, that will take you to places you never been, outside and in!

OptiKen · Aug 28, 2017

Wonderful cameras. Worthless on the shelf.
Use them. Enjoy them.
Less they be like having the perfect spouse, only to stare at.

Europan · Aug 28, 2017

From the standpoint of the makers you should be using it. Since WW II most things are made for consumption.
After having deliberated that you can turn your attention to serviceability. If the thing is an easily maintained one,
use it. As a technician, repairman, and professional user of cameras, printers, projectors, viewers, and more only
one point counts: usefulness. Things that are of no use are not my cup of tea. I get rid of them instantly. I do admit
that I bought myself a Kodak Disc 4000 once. I shall never do anything the like again. The camera was garbage
already when shipped to the dealer.

Full-metal construction, a certain amount of ruggedness, a practical design, that’s what has a future.

rrusso · Aug 28, 2017

My curiosity is forcing me to ask...

Is the camera a Nikon F w/an FTn prism, or Nikkormat FTn? And...

Could you give any more details about your acquisition of the camera?

It's just interesting that you've been a member for less than two months, but another member of the forum, over a year ago, gifts you a virtually mint and untouched camera...and you have no idea who he is/was?

Surely you must have communicated to the extent that he felt comfortable enough with you to trust that the camera wouldn't be flipped for a profit...you did say that the guy who gave it to you was probably dying and meant for you to have it...if he was a member here, why wouldn't he have gotten in contact with another member and made similar arrangements?

You obviously don't want to use the camera, or you would be doing so already. So...

I suggest you offer it for free to someone here with the same terms applying (no, I'm not interested), or...

Become a subscriber and list it for sale w/the proceeds going to Photrio, buyer pays shipping costs. The buyer can make a donation to Sean, Sean can verify the transaction, and then you can send it out when you receive the shipping costs.

Win: You are relieved that you're keeping your promise to the original owner, and can sleep at night.

Win: You become a subscriber, Sean gets more support for his efforts, and you can sleep at night.

Win: Another member gets a nice camera which will be used, the way it was meant to be.

That's three wins!

MartinCrabtree · Aug 28, 2017

Use them or sell them to someone who will. They were never meant to be museum pieces.

Sirius Glass · Aug 28, 2017

Why don't you ease your conscience and just sent the camera to me?

jim10219 · Aug 28, 2017

Use it or sell it. Or maybe throw it in the river. Who cares? It's not an exceedingly rare camera. The world won't care one way or another if there's one less example out there. And it certainly won't care if you scratch it. In the long run, it's gonna fall into disrepair and get thrown out. Does it matter if that happens now or in 100-1,000 years? No. Not in the long run. If you're not enjoying it, then send it to someone who will. Things are temporary. If you don't enjoy them, then they're wasted.

Eagle Blue · Aug 28, 2017

I guess I stand corrected and have had the camera a little longer than i though. I believe it was off the photo.net site I got it. It was when that site was going seriously downhill and they changed it, and I quit going there. Then I quit the computer for a long time because all that election crap everywhere, and on FB and the media, so I only started back on the computer a couple months ago when I signed up here. Anyway I don't know what I'll do. When I bought that F2 a couple weeks ago, it came here just as mint as the F, so all I had was twice the problem. But this F is so much smoother and quieter the the F2. Plus the fact that you don't walk around with the meter on all day. I can leave the advance lever out and the meter stays off. BTW, for the poster who asked, it's a Nikon F Photomic FTN, made only a couple months before the Apollo models. In fact it IS an Apollo model in all but serial number. I guess they made them before the "official" designation. Nice camera. I ought to be using it and not worrying about it.I'm getting older quick and I know they're not going to let me through the pearly gates with it.

removed account4 · Aug 28, 2017

MartinCrabtree said:
Use them or sell them to someone who will. They were never meant to be museum pieces.

hey martin
shouldn't he GIVE IT to someone that will, seeing it was GIVEN to him
under the stipulation that he didn't flip/sell it ?

i think the OP should just use it, and not worry about if it gets a nick or bruise.
and if it does, its just a physically recorded memory just like when he clicks the shutter button
but instead of being recorded on film, its recorded on the skin of the camera.
its like this scene in Jaws

BrianShaw · Aug 28, 2017

I know this isn't your intent, but I'm curious... how many offers (or requests to be gifted) have you received thusfar?

wy2l · Aug 28, 2017

You wrote "gave it to me on the stipulation that it be mine to enjoy, and not for flipping"

Easy. Offer it to someone on this forum for shipping costs. Every one happy!

Ian Grant · Aug 28, 2017

I was given a mint but non functional Rolleiflex 3.5E2 I'd guess 20 yeras ago, I just left in a drawer for about 10 years, it wasn't broken but the lubrication had dried out the original owner had bught it while in the RAF in Singapore and only put 6 films through it. He used an Autocord much more heavily.

I had the Rolleiflex serviced at the same time as a a shutter CLA on a Yaschicamat 124. I like both cameras but keek that Rooleiflex for more special occasions, I guess like having a basic car for every day use and a sports car for those special days. I now leave the Yashicamat in Turkey as i dound a nice Rooleiflex Automat at a flea market.

What I'm really saying is it's good to have reliable but less precious cameras for every day use, use the mint FTN on those days when you know you're morelikely to be making your best (or more important) images. You must use it though

Ian

Not liking being a camera curator

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