Yahooo!

[largely]

I'm new here so I thought this was a good chance to say hello.
I got into photo in high school and then drifted away. Old story. Job, family etc. Came back to it in late seventies. Built a darkroom got Canon stuff, took classes. Drifted away again due to new home, career,etc.
Having reached geezerhood (and single status) at last I'm back to stay.
Now I've gone off the deep end into MF. Today I bought a Yashica 635 (with Yashinon 3.5 lens) from a member of this board and yesterday I ordered a Holga.
I'm sure I'm doomed. Is there a Betty Ford Center for folks like me?

 

[B&Jdude]

It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that you have succumbed to G.A.S.* Although it is generally not considered fatal (some married sufferers would beg to differ on that point), it has been found to be incurable. The best you can do is, as gently as possible, feed those urges occasionally and hope for the best.

Smiff

* G.A.S. = Gear Acquisition Syndrome

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I'll greet you at the Betty Ford Center!

Jeff

 

[winger]

Is there a Betty Ford Center for folks like me?

I think this place is it. Unfortunately, since we all seem to be "recovering" from the same thing, we aren't too good at curing it (if there even is a cure).

 

[papagene]

First, there is no cure... only momentary setbacks like lack of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Secondly, MF is just a little deeper than the shallow end. You have to go through LF first before you get to the deep end of ULF.
Enjoy the Yashica, you're gonna have a blast with it.

gene

 

[Whiteymorange]

Cure? we don't need no stinkin' cure! Revel in your geezerhood and shoot, shoot, shoot.

 

[Katier]

*chuckleS* you beat me to the 635 but I just got a yashicamat LM on ebay so still joined the club. Guess we'll learn how to use our new 'toys' at the same time.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Largely;

Ah, the joys of geezerhood. Yes, Virginia, there is life after child support.

Welcome to a motley collection of people who do appreciate some of the finer things in optical and mechanical (and even some electronic) systems. Sometimes just taking a camera out of the case and looking at it can be satisfying and calming. No, it might not replace exactly the photographic gear that just somehow "disappeared" when the day arrived for the escorted trip onto the property that was once yours to pick up the things that you did not have access to for several months while the court was forging through its processes. There were a lot of memories associated with that early equipment.

Then there is also the point that now I have not only replaced most of the lost gear, but I have augmented it with so much of the equipment that I wanted to have for it back then. It is a little different, but it has its own charm.

While my own early gear was mainly 35 mm, now I too have moved into 2.25 Square and even 4 by 5. With the larger formats, I am learning photography all over again. This is fun.

 

[jamesgignac]

"Welcome to a motley collection of people who do appreciate some of the finer things in optical and mechanical (and even some electronic) systems. Sometimes just taking a camera out of the case and looking at it can be satisfying and calming."

--Here here Ralph!!--

'Largely' shooting medium? Seems a little contradictory. Welcome to the fold, I'm also quite new to medium format and have been immensely loving every moment of it - I'm sure you'll get as carried away as all of us, and though we may not have a cure you've at least found a very good support group.

So just be reassured that we're all in it together and ENJOY!

 

[Claire Senft]

There is a fraternity...and a sorority...that can help. You can google them. It is Fraternal Alliance Regarding Temptation. It is a one step program. It will work for you too but others may not wish to be around you during the cure.

 

[tac]

My MF GASeous career so far:

I was always an slr man; I bought a RZ67 set-up when they were relatively new on the scene, '83 I think, which served me throughout most of my professional career.

Retired in 94 to pursue other interests (IAAL)

Recently (about a year ago) for reasons never fully explicated, I bought a tlr off ebay, a Rolleicord Vb. Hooked, I quickly followed up with a Mamiya c330, another rolleiflex, a Yashica Mat, another Vb, a second lens for the c330, A Minolta Autocord, a Yashica EM, and another Yashica Mat (absolutely pristine).

(And I'm not even going to go into the 35mm gear, lighting equipment, etc. over the past 30-odd years!)

Blasphemy to some, but I really prefer the Yashica Mat- it's just beautiful and a delight to use.

Doomed? Absolutely. But what a way to go! Welcome to the club.

 

[mamiya_madman]

Look at my age, whats gonna happen to me? I am sure to rot in this world of wonder and bliss. Can't wait to be an ol' fogie of Film.