Hi all!

[SuperDeluxe]

My name is Federico and I'm in Manitoba, Canada. Even though I've been shooting in what seems like forever, I haven't shot with a film camera since I got my first DSLR back in 2007. I'm a fan of design in general, and of industrial design in particular, so it was only natural that at some point I would start collecting vintage cameras. (Plus, film cameras – at least those designed prior to 1980 – are much more beautiful and timeless than DSLRs in my opinion.)

It's been about a year since I picked up my first oldie (a Bilora Boy) and I haven't looked back. My collection is about 40-45 cameras strong, so basically I've been buying a camera a week. (It's a cheaper addiction than smoking, and it doesn't hurt my lungs.) Most of my stuff doesn't have collector value at all (Polaroids and Kodaks), but that's not really why I got into this – I just love the look of old cameras, especially those made from the forties to the seventies.

A few days ago I lucked into a Mamiya Prismat (early version, the one with the curved nameplate), then stumbled upon this forum while looking for some background information on it. I'm sure that reading and posting here will do wonders towards curing my addiction ;)

[mickeyobe]

Welcome Federico.

As a collector you have come to the right meeting house.
We look forward to seeing some of your collection.
You can usually find answers to most of your collector's questions here and enjoy yourself as well.

Mickey
Toronto

[col]

Welcome Federico.

40-45 cameras thats good going.

My collection is a tad on the small side about 33 cameras .

Colin Albany Western Australia

[Randy]

Welcome to the Camera Collector, have a great time.

[Peltigera]

"I'm sure that reading and posting here will do wonders towards curing my addiction "

I have found it has helped my addiction but not in the sense of curing it. I have 27 cameras and that few is generating comments. Can't imaging what would happen if i bought one a week. As for collector value (in money terms) I am so pleased to be able to afford those cameras I drooled over in my youth - and only pay peanuts for them. Patience has its benefits.

[vintageslrs]

Welcome!
Glad to have you aboard.

Enjoy!

[daveh]

Federico, welcome here.

Dave.

[SuperDeluxe]

Aug 6, 2012 6:54:58 GMT -5 Peltigera said:

Can't imaging what would happen if i bought one a week.

I'm not really buying one a week, but I've stumbled upon a couple collectors retiring from the hobby from whom I purchased several cameras at once. I felt dirty doing so – in my short period collecting I've realized (much like in other fields in life) that the thrill is in the hunt, and buying by the lot from other hunters kinda negates that thrill.

Aug 6, 2012 6:54:58 GMT -5 Peltigera said:

As for collector value (in money terms) I am so pleased to be able to afford those cameras I drooled over in my youth - and only pay peanuts for them. Patience has its benefits.

Ain't that the truth :)

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

[herron]

Welcome, Federico!

Told you I'd see you here!

Can't wait to have you post some images, since I've already seen a few outstanding ones!

[daveh]

I felt dirty doing so – in my short period collecting I've realized (much like in other fields in life) that the thrill is in the hunt, and buying by the lot from other hunters kinda negates that thrill.

That sentiment is absolutely correct, I believe.

[SuperDeluxe]

Aug 6, 2012 16:52:25 GMT -5 herron said:

Told you I'd see you here!

You're everywhere

Aug 6, 2012 16:52:25 GMT -5 herron said:

Can't wait to have you post some images, since I've already seen a few outstanding ones!

Thanks much! I do a lot of work out in the field, but the type of images I'd be posting here (made in a light tent, etc.) I always feel lazy about making. That'll have to change, I guess.

Thanks, gentlemen.

[mickeyobe]

Aug 6, 2012 18:31:15 GMT -5 daveh said:

I felt dirty doing so – in my short period collecting I've realized (much like in other fields in life) that the thrill is in the hunt, and buying by the lot from other hunters kinda negates that thrill.

That sentiment is absolutely correct, I believe.

Federico.

No need for shame.
You should feel proud of yourself for having rescued those cameras from an unknown fate and now being able to pass them on to future generations.
You are a hero!
The Camera Collector is chock full of us heroes.

Mickey

[pompiere]

Aug 6, 2012 16:00:57 GMT -5 SuperDeluxe said:

Aug 6, 2012 6:54:58 GMT -5 Peltigera said:

Can't imaging what would happen if i bought one a week.

I'm not really buying one a week, but I've stumbled upon a couple collectors retiring from the hobby from whom I purchased several cameras at once. I felt dirty doing so – in my short period collecting I've realized (much like in other fields in life) that the thrill is in the hunt, and buying by the lot from other hunters kinda negates that thrill.

Aug 6, 2012 6:54:58 GMT -5 Peltigera said:

As for collector value (in money terms) I am so pleased to be able to afford those cameras I drooled over in my youth - and only pay peanuts for them. Patience has its benefits.

Ain't that the truth :)

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

I like the thrill of the hunt, but I hate going home emptry handed at the end of the day. I also like the feeling of a kid at Christmas when I open a boxed lot and sort it out to find what treasures weren't in the description. Once I got a bunch of Cokin filters in a grab lot that weren't in any of the photos or mentioned in the ad. They were worth more than I paid for the whole lot.

[Deleted]

Federico: welcome. I hope you understand that you are now associating with a lot of people of questionable character and limited means. Heck, if I had more money I would buy myself some better friends! ;D

Wayne

[33dollars]

Hiya and welcome Federico to the Camera Collector forum.
You will have to bung a roll of film through one of those beauty's on day.

I like your website. Nice.