truls
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Post by truls on Aug 6, 2014 2:42:56 GMT -5
As collectors, is it very important to get cameras in full working order, or, can a camera for display be sufficient? What is your view on this. For me, a working camera is important, as I also do photographing for fun, to get the feeling and result they had in that time.
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hansz
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Hans
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Post by hansz on Aug 6, 2014 3:37:35 GMT -5
I sell my defective cameras for next to nothing (or nothing...) and keep the working ones (still over 120). Actually, the cosmetics of a camera don't interest me at all, as long it is working nicely - I can do without a working meter, though.
Repairs are only attempts here, mostly they end in the round archive:-)
Unnecessary to say my displays are very unattractive...
Currently in use (besides digital Canon 350D, 20D and NEX 3) are a Canon A1 and a Zeiss Ikon Signal Nettar. Like you siad, more for the sheer fun of it!
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Post by belgiumreporter on Aug 6, 2014 3:49:44 GMT -5
I used to buy cameras in a non working condition just to fill the gap on the shelve. Now i know this isn't a wise decision. I guess it's OK. to buy a good looking camera with issues, but it has to be dirt cheap, as experience has tought me that there's a 50/50 chance that the problem can be solved easely, so what ever the seller is trying to tell you like "just a little problem" unless you are familliar with that little problem, don't assume everything will work out fine. For me a camera dosn't have to look perfect out of the box new, but it has to work to some extend as the reason of my collection is mainly to use every camera so i can make up my own mind of wat they are worth (to me) and not depend on often biased camera tests in magazines or on the net. That having said brings me to another problem, if you've got a large collection it becomes more and more difficult to maintain all the cameras in your collection to a perfect working condition, over time and sooner or later things will break down just by standing on the shelve, rubbers and dampers will detoriate,some electronics will fail over a longer period of non use( a notoriuous example is the dreaded EEEE fault in the canon T90 wich seems to occure in cameras that haven't been used for over a longer period, i've had it not only with the T90 but also with some high end canon video stuff and don't forget the squicky shutter syndrome on the A series) . Maybe it's a good thing to know that even if some cameras in your collection have stopped operating, they can be brought back to live with a CLA if you should wich to get them working again, this goes for most of all mechanical cameras, as long as you don't need spare parts ( hasselblads are higly repairable but the time has come that some parts for the early models are getting scarse)electronics is a diffrent story, if you've ever opened up a Minolta XM then you'll know some things just can't be mended . I can imagine if you've got a small collection of top cameras, say leicas or alpas or even early nikons they can be held operational within reason, but there's one little hatch, especially with rare and very expensive cameras, collectors will check every little part of the camera and if they find a screw has been turned to CLA(or whatever) the value will go down ( a lot).
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 6, 2014 10:59:43 GMT -5
I guess I am odd man out
I have no desire to use every one of my 250 plus cameras or any of them. If I could purchase film and chemicals in reasonably (small) quantities at reasonable prices I might go back to using them to see what they can do. But such is not the case. My fairly well equipped darkroom is now used only for display and to practice dusting.
I would like to have them all operational but if some are not and I can't fix them I lose no sleep. I have never sold a camera since I started collecting.
I do like my cameras to look good and I enjoy making cosmetic repairs. if they are going to be displayed I would rather they be peacocks than peahens. I do, however, want those repairs to be as authentic as possible and they are not made to deceive anyone. I can and do make those mechanical repairs that I know I can do successfully. But through experience I know how pitifully few those effective repairs are.
Mickey (Just another kind of Camera Collector)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 12:20:07 GMT -5
Even though I haven't shot film in several years I like my film cameras to be in operating condition. I have maybe three FSU cameras that aren't in working condition. I think all the other cameras I have (somewhere about 80 total) are in working condition.
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Aug 6, 2014 14:21:25 GMT -5
It's always nice when things that are meant to work do work. However I'm more inclined to go along with Mickey. Other than as an "interesting experiment" I don't see the point of using an old camera and/or lens if (and it is almost always) a new one does the job easier and better (and far cheaper too).
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 6, 2014 14:44:35 GMT -5
It's always nice when things that are meant to work do work. However I'm more inclined to go along with Mickey. Other than as an "interesting experiment" I don't see the point of using an old camera and/or lens if (and it is almost always) a new one does the job easier and better (and far cheaper too). Okay. Peace in our time. Mickey
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hansz
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Hans
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Post by hansz on Aug 6, 2014 16:50:41 GMT -5
Ah, nostalgia.... the main reason for using my older equipment.. and the quality of the Contarex lenses of course:-)
But truth is, digital is so much more handy, and cheaper...
And I love the sound of a REAL shutter in stead of the sound coming out of a tiny loudspeaker!! Or am I mad, old and ready for the dustbin? Not in the opinion of my lady - he smiles.
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Post by genazzano on Aug 6, 2014 17:23:47 GMT -5
In the 300 or so cameras in the collection, a few don't work and they always bother me. Generally I try to find the best example I can get. If I find a better one, I get it. Ocassionaly I find that the "minor" repairs turn out to be basket cases and I chalk it up to experience.
It isn't interesting to me if a camera is cosmetically excellent but does't work and cannot be easily fixed. My cameras aren't displayed anyways.
As others have mentioned, I don't shoot film anymore. I do run film through some cameras but I find that the images are or are not interesting based on the image and not the camera. I do run film to test and compare old lenses but for those I use my Nikon bellows setup with a digital camera. My photography is strictly digital. After 40 years of doing darkroom work, I don't miss it at all.
I simply love old cameras of all types and the history behind them. I don't have much in common with collectors who acquire only the finest pristine examples. To me that means the most expensive. If a collection simply displays the collectors wealth, he/she wouldn't understand the thrill of finding that special old camera in the box of junk at a garage sale, or listening to that crisp snap of a shutter that you just cleaned.
David
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Post by richard45 on Aug 6, 2014 21:57:30 GMT -5
Even though digital is easier, cheaper and more convenient to use a well designed film camera asks to be used. Some cameras are to collect and look at and occasionally to be used as they were meant to be. My problem comes with buying film and developing cheaply...time to learn how to develop.
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Aug 7, 2014 2:11:50 GMT -5
I can understand anyone wishing to find out how things were done in the past. For me, I've done developing and printing: that was how it had to be done when I started, unless the film was taken to a chemist's shop to be done. There was always something of a thrill watching the image come up in the developing bath. What was also true is that is was easy to spend several hours in a darkroom and come out with very little that was worth keeping.
Cameras should always be in reasonable condition, but, for me, they should also reflect their age and use. One that looks as though it hasn't been out of the box probably hasn't been out of the box. In its day every camera should have been used for what it was meant to be used for, not kept pristine so later on it would become a nice museum piece.
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Post by philbirch on Aug 7, 2014 6:40:30 GMT -5
I love old cameras and yes digital is easier but I love to use the cameras I have. I guess I'm lucky that I have a supermarket almost on my doorstep that develops and prints films to a high standard. I can get my negs scanned to CD, of reasonable quality. Best of all it's cheap. £3 for developing and CD and £7 with CD & 24 prints. Quite affordable. I suppose if I didn't have this facility I would use more B&W film and dev it myself then scan to PC.
I like to have fully working clean examples of SLR's (my Minoltas) the meter isn't important unless its a battery dependant model. But my 50's collection, I like clean, as near to new as possible. If it doesn't work properly I attempt to repair or find a working example but this isn't important. If I do have a working model I will run at least one film through it on a day out.
Someone once mentioned 'patina' on an old camera and how he preferred it to stay rather than being cleaned off. I understand that, but often the 'patina' is years of nicotine, pets and dust. I couldn't possibly use a camera like this nor display it as the smell gets everywhere. No these, and their cases, get a bloody good clean inside and out with a toothbrush and are left outside with the back open for a couple of days.
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matty
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Post by matty on Aug 8, 2014 5:53:15 GMT -5
I like to get working cameras where possible, I will try minor repairs but know my limits. Also, I stick to film formats that I can get readily and get developed easily, 35mm and 120. As with Phil the local supermarket does d and p for 35mm at a reasonable rate, 120 is a little more pricey but the print shop in the nearest big town does do d and p, last roll I put in was £10 for black and white.
I keep saying that I will use all the cameras that I buy but realise that this is not very likely as the collection grows faster than I can shoot. I think there are about 5 cameras with part used rolls of film in them at the moment.
As to visual condition I am not too bothered, I am happy to live with rubbing and brassing on a camera, normal signs of use. Everything does get a good surface clean but I don't like restoration unless it is to enhance the working of the camera, blacking inside of a lens hood, etc. The last lot of gear I bought has had an extra scrub, some of it has gone on ebay as surplus to requirements but the previous owner had been a smoker and having given up many years ago I find the smell really uncomfortable now. The Praktica I'm keeping has had a good rub down and is sat on the table by the back door and will be recleaned later on today. The camera box it came in will be scrubbed down and repurposed by the wife into a work bag for when she does the local craft fairs, the compartments will be really handy for her jewellery tools and as it is a hard case bag will make a handy worksurface/coffee mug holder.
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Post by genazzano on Aug 8, 2014 16:57:38 GMT -5
Patina and worn from use, yes, I love those cameras. My favorite Leica isn't a pristine one. It's the IIIa that has been upgraded by the factory several times, has worn chrome, but a special shutter sound that is smooth and quiet. This camera had been well used by some avid photographer who loved it enough to upgrade it repeatedly over 20 years of use.
And though I shoot digital, I would love to shoot film again. However, they don't sell film in the local shops nor is it easy to obtain chemicals and safe disposal is difficult. A darkroom is out of the question as well since we have been in construction and renovation for some time now. Projects like this move slowly here in Italy, I suppose.
David
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Post by julio1fer on Aug 8, 2014 20:45:28 GMT -5
I try to keep my small collection working 100% and to use the cameras. Now I will have to start selling or giving away a few, because She who Must Be Obeyed is starting to complain about space...
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