Not liking being a camera curator

Ko.Fe. · Aug 29, 2017

jnanian said:
+1 !

This guy really pissed me off with his fear of brassing.

My FED-2 was taking pictures of USSR with me, my school, university friends. I made attempt to photograph our wedding. I took plenty of street candid pictures with it. It went for service in Siberia and I serviced it by myself (curtain replaced) in 2016.
My most used film camera is M4-2 and it is at its third service. I took even more pictures with it across Canada, in USA and in 2016 it went with me back to motherland. These two cameras brings plenty of memories, because they were taken with me.

Family FED-2 and some history behind it.

Moscow Trip Prints.

fstop · Aug 30, 2017

Ko.Fe. said:
I have nothing to do with beat and don't care. You made false assumptions from my comment. My family FED-2 is in use by me since eighties and here is no brassing.

No I didn't I made an observation based on what you said.

darkroommike · Aug 30, 2017

Cameras are tools, made to be used, if you put a camera in a glass box it ceases being a camera. Use the hell out of it.

John51 · Aug 30, 2017

BrianShaw said:
all they want to know is if a real camera is any better than a cell phone, or "can you still get film for that?"

I love that question when I'm out with my Kodak Medalist.

'They stopped making film for this camera about 20 years ago.'

Cue very puzzled look.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 30, 2017

BrianShaw said:
Oh... I take that back. I did have someone once mention "Nikon" when I flashed it in their face... but only once. A few years ago an acquaintance gave me his Dad's FE. A few months ago we were at a party together and I was using it. He was not only surprised that I was still using a film camera but very happy that I was using his Dad's Nikon.

Oh, the FE; those were the days...

CMoore · Aug 30, 2017

Yeah, the brassing phobia seems weird.. "All" my cameras have Some Amount. It would be like seeing a guy with a 40 year old rifle that had ALL The Bluing, and not a scratch or dent in the wood stock. How is that possible.?

Sirius Glass · Aug 30, 2017

By not using nor touching the rifle. Leaving it in the trophy case [Keeps the rifling pristine too].

Theo Sulphate · Aug 30, 2017

CMoore said:
... It would be like seeing a guy with a 40 year old rifle that had ALL The Bluing, and not a scratch or dent in the wood stock. How is that possible.?

Oh, easy: the rifle is used at the range and rarely if ever for hunting. It's either in the safe, in its carrying case, or on the bench propped up with sandbags.

Target shooting (or formal benchrest competition) is an end in itself and provides value. I don't think it's the equivalent of using cameras just to photograph test charts.

summicron1 · Aug 30, 2017

years ago i bought a leica IIIf, Red Dial, Self timer, from a guy who bought it at an army px in Germany and never used it.

$200. Deal, right? Well, except the lens had fogged, and the camera didn't work because it had sat for 30 years, so i bought it and had it serviced.

The service lasted about 5 years, then it needed another, and another because the second guy didn't do it right, so that's three services -- 3 -- on a supposedly mint Leica.

At which point I said to hell with it, no way I can sell this for what I've paid for it, you are going to earn your keep. And so it does, and it is a fine camera, now missing a smidge of leather, now with some scratches and scuffs, but it's fulfilling it's life's meaning as a Leica.

I long ago gave up any fantasy of getting rich off cameras -- I use them all, now. Why not? Gonna die and can't take it with me, and the prices are all dropping anyway.

CMoore · Aug 30, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
By not using nor touching the rifle. Leaving it in the trophy case [Keeps the rifling pristine too].

That IS Funny.....
...Bullets, through MY Guns.?.....Hell No. It wears down the rifling.!
Film, in MY Cameras.?.....Hell No, it sacks out the shutter mechanism.?

Theo Sulphate · Aug 31, 2017

My understanding is that the lubricants in an unused camera will not get distributed properly. Only through usage is the mechanism lubricated properly.

Bill Burk · Aug 31, 2017

I would be happy to buy a "mint" camera, get it serviced and then use it. As if I set the clock back 30 years to when it could be bought new. But I would use it. I bought Rick A's OM-4 that had John Hermanson servicing and had it shelved for a short while but now I have been using it. Took it with me everywhere this summer.

removed account4 · Aug 31, 2017

Eagle Blue said:
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?

i guess you can do as john cooke did ...
he used to write about his beautiful ebony camera on a tripod
and having a romantic candlelight dinner with glasses of white zinfandel
infront of a fireplace ...

or since you are afraid to use it, you can wear it* around your neck like "bling"
( or like " animal" the press photographer in the show "lou grant" since you have more than 1 )
and use some other camera/s to make pictures instead.

* i'm not sure what camera it is you are talking about anymore because you have mentioned
a few nikons in this thread, so maybe it is "them" ?

Ces1um · Aug 31, 2017

darkroommike said:
Cameras are tools, made to be used, if you put a camera in a glass box it ceases being a camera. Use the hell out of it.

couldn't agree more!

faberryman · Aug 31, 2017

I don't understand the issue. Use it or don't use it. It's up to you. Query: do you use your new shoes or just leave them in the box?

BrianVS · Sep 3, 2017

Buy a fitted case for it- then use it. Look for a Nikon CH-1 or CH-2 fitted case, strap is built into the case. The case is leather over metal.

nikkor_55 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Nikon F2 in a CH-1 case.

The person wanted YOU to have and use the camera. Seems best to respect those wishes.

Theo Sulphate · Sep 4, 2017

BrianVS said:
...
Nikon F2 in a CH-1 case.
...

Beautiful.

Eagle Blue · Sep 5, 2017

After having created a ridiculous thread whining about which camera to use because I happen to find myself with too many fine cameras, I've decided. It can only come down to 2 of the 5, with the rest to end up as collection or emergency pieces. Of my 3 Nikkormats, an FTn, 2, and 3, I've decided the FTn wll continue in its service as my flash camera for family gatherings. And the Nikon F2 DP-1 as my general purpose B&W shooter. The F2 is in excellent + condition, has no sentimental attachment to worry about, and measures exactly 46.5mm at the film gate. And it's an F2. Only a complete dummy would consider any other 35mm. What was I thinking?

BrianVS · Sep 5, 2017

Eagle Blue said:
And it's an F2. Only a complete dummy would consider any other 35mm. What was I thinking?

Nikon_4decadesB by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

I'm a complete dummy...(Humor, insert Mork Laugh here)

E. von Hoegh · Sep 5, 2017

CMoore said:
Yeah, the brassing phobia seems weird.. "All" my cameras have Some Amount. It would be like seeing a guy with a 40 year old rifle that had ALL The Bluing, and not a scratch or dent in the wood stock. How is that possible.?

By taking very good care of it. My late 30s BSA heavy target Martini looks like new. So does my 1936 Contax II, my 1966 Nikkormat FT, my 80s OM3, my 1925 Waltham Vanguard 23j wind indicator/Lossier, my 1908 Waltham Riverside Maximus, Linhof ST IV 4x5, and so on. All of these items see fairly regular use, I've not put a mark on any of them. I've had the Linhof since 1987, some of the other stuff longer.
Pristine items can be used, if you are mindful of them. It seems many don't know where they are themselves, much less their camera/watch/rifle etc..

Eagle Blue · Sep 5, 2017

I'm a complete dummy...(Humor, insert Mork Laugh here)[/QUOTE]
I guess you know I was pulling your leg. I really do like my nice F but one thing drives me crazy about using it. Having to look up to see the meter. My eyeballs do not point up very well, and to do so completely takes my vision off the framed scene. Whereas with the F2, my eye naturally sees the scene and the meter. It's a natural motion for my eyeball. I have no real complaint about the shutter release at the back of the camera with the F, and I have no problem with having to remove the back and having to find a place to lay it when changing film. All that is just part of the legendary Nikon F. I really like the camera, except for the looking up bit. They really did get it right when they came out with the F2.

blockend · Sep 5, 2017

Eagle Blue said:
They really did get it right when they came out with the F2.

By contrast my Nikon F2AS never replaced my plain prism F, and I sold it fairly quickly. I also like my Nikkormats. Perhaps if I had a meterless F2 I'd feel differently, but the early Nikon pro cameras were a lot of real estate for the simple task of light metering.

BrianVS · Sep 5, 2017

Eagle Blue said:
I'm a complete dummy...(Humor, insert Mork Laugh here)

I guess you know I was pulling your leg. I really do like my nice F but one thing drives me crazy about using it. Having to look up to see the meter. My eyeballs do not point up very well, and to do so completely takes my vision off the framed scene. Whereas with the F2, my eye naturally sees the scene and the meter. It's a natural motion for my eyeball. I have no real complaint about the shutter release at the back of the camera with the F, and I have no problem with having to remove the back and having to find a place to lay it when changing film. All that is just part of the legendary Nikon F. I really like the camera, except for the looking up bit. They really did get it right when they came out with the F2.[/QUOTE]

I prefer the F2 layout over the F Photomic. There was a technician in the 1970s that wired the Nikon F to use the F2 Photomic meters. He used the area under the SN plate to house a battery. That would be an interesting Mod to do, I have a spare F2 meter.

I ended up using the F2AS and F2SB most for the fast metering. Picked up the DE-1 as a "throw-in" buying an F2 Photomic when the meter had problems when testing it at the store. Later I fixed the meter. Now that I'm 60, can Audit courses at the Local community college. Thinking will be a great way to back into this. I could supply the entire class with F's and F2's.

Not liking being a camera curator

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