My lucky day

[colray]

Reckon it was my lucky day. The other day on the local community radio there was info about items down at the auction house. My ears pricked-up " Vintage 5x4 camera" .. so a quick trip into town and check it out.. Looked great so I placed my bid $450AU and won!.

The condition is very nice the only defect I can find is a bit of the vinyl trim is missing and on the wide-angle lens it wont lock on 'B' also the cable release post has been broken off.

This camera has a bit of history it was once owned by one of the photographers at the Albany Advertiser . Besides his work at the Advertiser back in the 60's he did freelance work for the Whaling station.

[Berndt]

Congratulations !!! Nice camera

[camerastoomany]

Hi Col

I assume the camera belonged to the late Ed Schmitt. If so, I first saw it in 1990-1 at about 3am.

I wore a uniform then and whilst on patrol had stopped to check out a vehicle in bush near Muttonbird Beach. It was Ed, about to set off through the bush with his 5x4 gear to be on a particular rock before sunrise. A dedicated photographer.

[colray]

Hi Geoff that's correct

[daveh]

Interesting. Do we have any of Ed's pictures, particularly of that session.

[camerastoomany]

My first post incorrectly spells Ed's name. It should be Smidt. I realised it but didn't make the change as I didn't expect a continuance.

Dave ...... No idea on that but here is an obituary to go on with.

thawinedarksea.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/guest-post-by-chris-pash.html

[daveh]

Geoff, thanks. I knew a Smidt, he was Dutch as well. I have 'found' some of his photos at Whale World www.whaleworld.org/View_Attractions/Art_and_Photographic_Galleries/default.asp. Unfortunately they don't seem to have any on show on the internet (at least those they have there aren't credited to him if they are his).

Dave.