The Old Stuff

Vonder · Apr 14, 2008

I was shooting pictures of my kids this weekend with a Chinon 35mm camera, the "SLR" model. This was at "The Children's Museum" in Iowa City IA. A passers-by noticed my gear and commented "Nice to see the old stuff getting used" and it made me smile.

Isn't it funny how the least bit of flattery makes it all worthwhile? From lugging around a big LF camera and having someone ask about it, to someone saying "Wow, that's a nice picture, what camera did you use?" and getting to share the magic of film with a potential re-convert, it always makes you stop and thank the film gods out there.

RoNinHeart · Apr 14, 2008

Yup, the "old" stuff always draws comments.

A few months ago I was taking photos in a park, I sat down under a tree and pulled a Nikon F3 out of my bag. Within 5 seconds, a man (with a big digital Canon around his neck) came running up to me exclaiming, "Wow, is that a F3! I haven't seen one in years." I couldn't believe he spotted it so fast from where he was.

In this day of planned obsolescence and cheap crap, I think people are as amazed that old cameras still work as they are that people still choose to use them.

Kind of fun to see the reactions!

bobwysiwyg · Apr 14, 2008

I've noticed this reaction isn't limited to just vintage cameras. I get the same reaction when out on my vintage Honda MC. I think the older folks get, they reminisce more, occasionally longing for what they perceive were the good, or better old days.

PhotoJim · Apr 14, 2008

RoNinHeart said:
A few months ago I was taking photos in a park, I sat down under a tree and pulled a Nikon F3 out of my bag. Within 5 seconds, a man (with a big digital Canon around his neck) came running up to me exclaiming, "Wow, is that a F3! I haven't seen one in years." I couldn't believe he spotted it so fast from where he was.

I'm disappointed - no one has ever stopped to talk to me while I've used my F3HP. Sniff.

I was in a fairly public place two weekends ago using a Speed Graphic and a Calumet monorail, and nobody thought that was all that interesting, either.

Oh well.

RoNinHeart · Apr 14, 2008

But PhotoJim, you live in Saskatchewan.

As I recall from my 15+ years in Alaska, people there were usually more concerned with what got the job at hand done than what the media was pushing that year. Also people who lived there were expected to be well, a little oddball. I'd imagine Saskatchewan is a little like that?

PhotoJim · Apr 14, 2008

It's not quite like Alaska. People here love technology and new things. Regina is a big enough city that there is this definite sense of what is "in" and what is "out". Film is assuredly out.

Thanasis · Apr 14, 2008

PhotoJim said:
I'm disappointed - no one has ever stopped to talk to me while I've used my F3HP. Sniff.

I was in a fairly public place two weekends ago using a Speed Graphic and a Calumet monorail, and nobody thought that was all that interesting, either.

Oh well.

They probably thought you were a little crazy carrying 2 LF cameras!

jp80874 · Apr 15, 2008

"Nice to see the old stuff getting used"

At the start of the conversation I am never sure whether they are talking about the camera (five year old 7x17 built by RH Phillips) or the operator (68 year old 5' 10" built by MaryJane and Jack Powers).

John

arigram · Apr 15, 2008

I personally find calling my Hasselblads old, when they are not even three years old, to be insulting.
Sure they have the design of the 40s and they are fed with film, but I so often need to explain that
just because they don't have fancy screens and buttons, autofocus and digital sensors don't mean they
don't carry the latest technologies where it matters: lenses, shutters, construction materials, TTL.

PhotoJim · Apr 15, 2008

Thanasis said:
They probably thought you were a little crazy carrying 2 LF cameras!

Not enough lensboards (yet). Easier to use the camera where the lens fits, than to be moving lenses from board to board in the field.

rjphil · Apr 29, 2008

I had a similar experience with my Mamiya C330. Not only did I get the "nice to see someone using film" comments, people actually moved out of my field of view. (I was photographing a railroad engine amongst a crowd of scenic tourists). When I have the 8x10 out, people have even stopped their cars and watched or come over to comment. Usually something along the lines of "I guess that's not a digital camera."

Paul Goutiere · Apr 29, 2008

PhotoJim said:
I'm disappointed - no one has ever stopped to talk to me while I've used my F3HP. Sniff.

I was in a fairly public place two weekends ago using a Speed Graphic and a Calumet monorail, and nobody thought that was all that interesting, either.

Oh well.

It must have something to do with us being in Canada. Maybe we're too polite or something.

They do movies around here sometimes. We've had Burt Reynolds, Tom Berringer and Anthony Hopkins wandering around town... no one seems to notice. No one approaches them for autographs etc.

Ian Grant · Apr 29, 2008

You get it even more when you use a field camera. I've had my Wista 20+ years now when told it's an old camera but still can't resist saying "there great you know latest Japanese technology camera and state of the art German lenses."

The idiots shut up at this point, but often people are interested and stop & talk, it's remarkable how many people you meet have actually used medium format & large format cameras.

Ian

Removed Account · Apr 29, 2008

Paul Goutiere said:
It must have something to do with us being in Canada. Maybe we're too polite or something.

They do movies around here sometimes. We've had Burt Reynolds, Tom Berringer and Anthony Hopkins wandering around town... no one seems to notice. No one approaches them for autographs etc.

Don't you have some guy named Mike living in Canmore? I think I've seen him on TV a few times.

Paul Goutiere · Apr 29, 2008

Justin Silber said:
Don't you have some guy named Mike living in Canmore? I think I've seen him on TV a few times.

Mike didn't get noticed either, so he left.

The Old Stuff

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