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Post by nikkortorokkor on Oct 24, 2007 1:44:36 GMT -5
Just last night, I was ready to cancel my membership, consign the cameras to a box and forsake camera collecting altogether. Yesterday I totally screwed up an otherwise restorable Flexaret II and it really P*ssed me off, as I'd got to really admire the Czech TLR's quality: thick chrome and very tough screws. It took some doing to stuff it up the way I did. But I did, shame on me. Then I got a roll back from the lab, and it's obvious that the Toyoca has a light leak. Nothing unfixable, just another ho-hum camera experience. Worse though, the photographs were totally uninspiring, it's the kind of roll which makes me wonder what I was thinking - or maybe I wasn't. So it was time to call it quits, stop stuffing about and get on with what I'm meant to be doing (writing a thesis). Either that or search for a bit of inspiration from those more talented than I. Luckily I found this excellent essay by Gary Voch, featuring sage advice and stunning portraits. I hope others enjoy it as much as I have. vothphoto.com/spotlight/articles/forgotten_lens/forgotten-lens.htmMaybe I'll leave the Hi-Matic 7 in attaché after all. But I still gotta finish that durned thesis
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Post by nikonbob on Oct 24, 2007 4:25:22 GMT -5
Don't worry, you are not alone. I have several cameras that don't work because I screwed them up trying my hand at repairing them. Chalk it up to a learning curve and finish that thesis. Taking photos with old cameras is a relaxation hobby for me and I am pleasantly surprised with some results but the vast majority are so so. That can be annoying but I just keep plugging away. I glanced at your linked article and can say I am having a new respect for the 50mm FL myself. I find it hard to use as compared to the wides that I usually like. It slows me down and makes me think more, not such a bad thing. It is hard to develop an eye for seeing a shot, pre visualizing, but I get inspiration from people such as GeneW on this site in that matter. Enjoy your Hi-Matic 7.
Bob
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PeterW
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Member has Passed
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Post by PeterW on Oct 24, 2007 8:50:55 GMT -5
Don't get blue, Michael. It happens to all of us who wield screwdrivers. I've accumulated half a box full of buggered-up 'repair' attempts. They form a useful source of small screws and other bits. Write it down to experience, and finish your thesis.
Thanks for the link. A timely reminder about why 50mm became the accepted standard lens for 35mm.
PeterW
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mickeyobe
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Posts: 7,280
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Post by mickeyobe on Oct 24, 2007 9:07:50 GMT -5
You three have just made me feel a whole lot better. Perhaps we should start "Basket Case" museum.
Mickey
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Post by kiev4a on Oct 24, 2007 9:21:42 GMT -5
Same with me. The first time I put new curtains in a Zorki it took three weeks. I must have taken that camera apart and put it back together two dozen times. The next curtain replacement I did took two hours. Now, however, it has been two years since I did one so it would be a lot like doing it for the first time again. I've pretty much retired from that portion of collecting and send everything to Oleg to be fixed. Even with the postage and time involved in sending a camera Back to the USSR (former), it's a better deal. When you are learning something new it's challenging and rewarding. But after you have learned the new thing, doing it a second, third and fourth time is just work!
All but about two of my FSU cameras on display work as they should work. I do have a box in the garage full of inoperable Zorkis, however.
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Post by herron on Oct 24, 2007 9:27:41 GMT -5
Ditto.
I used to fix (or botch) all my own repairs. When the botching got to outnumbering the fixing, I decided to find services to do the harder stuff...figured the simple things would still be OK to tackle.
Nowadays, I'm not so sure. Eyes aren't as sharp, I get tired easier, and my patience has disappeared! That last is particularly true when it's yet another repair on the same camera! What disturbs me most, I think, is having collected so many I hardly ever have time to actually use them all!
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galenk
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Post by galenk on Oct 24, 2007 12:05:21 GMT -5
Yea! I have 2 or 3 in pieces in a box under the bed also WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! Oh well like everyone else has said I now what i can't do ;D
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Post by nikkortorokkor on Oct 24, 2007 12:35:41 GMT -5
Thanks all for the support.
I must add that I too find GeneW's picture's here a source of inspiration. He proves that the eye to see is the most essential photographic tool of all. I'd buy the book.
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Post by herron on Oct 24, 2007 15:54:50 GMT -5
Thanks all for the support. I must add that I too find GeneW's picture's here a source of inspiration. He proves that the eye to see is the most essential photographic tool of all. I'd buy the book. Amen!Are you listening Gene? You haven't commented lately...hope you're OK. Or maybe you're just editing that book!
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Oct 24, 2007 21:44:23 GMT -5
Guess I must lead a charmed existence since every repair I've attempted works better than new and worked properly the first time, no broken screw heads, stripped holes, lost springs, or anything. Oh yes, I'm 6'5" tall, 250 lbs. of bronze toned rippling six-pack abs muscle, a full head of thick black hair and a Harvard graduate from a hugely wealthy old money family. Ok, so I lied, I'm only 6 ft., LOL.
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Post by nikonbob on Oct 25, 2007 4:12:21 GMT -5
Thanks all for the support. I must add that I too find GeneW's picture's here a source of inspiration. He proves that the eye to see is the most essential photographic tool of all. I'd buy the book. Amen!Are you listening Gene? You haven't commented lately...hope you're OK. Or maybe you're just editing that book! I have been thinking of GeneW and wondering about his absence too. I second the hope you are OK Bob
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Oct 25, 2007 4:40:29 GMT -5
I sent Gene private message on the 21st. No reply yet.
Mickey
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Post by Just Plain Curt on Oct 25, 2007 6:11:19 GMT -5
Sure hope he's ok. Gene, if you're there I hope you're feeling better soon.
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