The Good Old Days: I have been reading the postings about mirrorless over DSLR, size, handling, battery life, sensor size and all that good stuff that one has to worry about today. I...

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I have been reading the postings about mirrorless over DSLR, size, handling, battery life, sensor size and all that good stuff that one has to worry about today. I was thinking....back in the day when I got my first good 35mm camera I didn't have to worry about any of that. It was all manual. My Petri range finder camera would take great photos and slides as long as I used the proper f stop and shutter speed The only battery was in my light meter. The good old days required a little more effort on my part but it was a simpler time. I still have that range finder camera. Today it sits in a display case with about 30 other film cameras I have collected over the years. Sometimes it feels good just to take it out and hold it in my hands.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

I too remember those old manual cameras however, I also appreciate the additional capability of the new cameras (instant feedback, night sky shoots, to name a couple) & I'm taking better photos these days, some of which may be wishful thinking ... or maybe the result of practice ... not to mention what the gear brings to the table. So my vote is for new & improved. Besides, it gives us something either to learn ... or complain about. ;)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Mike, that's similar to my observation. Film cameras were easy to understand and use. The effort of the manufacturers today to provide a means of people to get "great" photographs has led to more complicated menus, etc. My digital cameras are set to Manual usually with ISO 400. That's it. I concentrate on photography and not whiz-bang settings. This tends to lead to camera operators instead of photographers.

Oh, I still shoot film pretty much 50% of the time or more.
--Bob

Bigmike1 wrote:

I have been reading the postings about mirrorless ... (show quote)

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

rmalarz wrote:

Mike, that's similar to my observation. Film cameras were easy to understand and use. The effort of the manufacturers today to provide a means of people to get "great" photographs has led to more complicated menus, etc. My digital cameras are set to Manual usually with ISO 400. That's it. I concentrate on photography and not whiz-bang settings. This tends to lead to camera operators instead of photographers.

Oh, I still shoot film pretty much 50% of the time or more.
--Bob

I agree, Bob. Todays camera makers are all into "more-is-better". Ya know, it just isn't always.

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

Bigmike1 wrote:

I have been reading the postings about mirrorless ... (show quote)

Kinda miss the smells of my old darkroom

BebuLamar

Bigmike1 wrote:

I have been reading the postings about mirrorless ... (show quote)

I don't have to worry about anything more than what you did with your rangefinder camera using my DSLR.

Quixdraw Loc: x

No reason not to occasionally shoot any of your old favorites that work properly. On casual photo trips I sometimes take one Nikon DSLR and one SLR and a couple of rolls of film. Results are interesting, fun to use an old friend again. Should do it more often.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Speaking of darkrooms, I have an enlarger, trays etc, etc in a footlocker and they have been there for years. I have never used that particular enlarger. I just ain't got the gumption to set up a darkroom.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Bigmike1 wrote:

Speaking of darkrooms, I have an enlarger, trays etc, etc in a footlocker and they have been there for years. I have never used that particular enlarger. I just ain't got the gumption to set up a darkroom.

Get it out of the box. Set it up and use it. I lost everything when a pipe burst in the basement. There is magic watching an image appear in the tray.

Bill 45

Just this morning I use my Nikkormat FT with a Vivitar 85-205 lens to get two pictures of rabbits in my back yard.

Quixdraw Loc: x

boberic wrote:

Edit....There is magic watching an image appear in the tray.

One of the unforgettable photo experiences!

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...I’m not a professional...and I loved the way images look on film...but...being able to see images immediately...using a computer to “develop” photographs...makes life so much easier...oh...and being able to share images digitally...priceless

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You got that right. I've never lost that sense of amazement when I pull film from the wash and see images. It's like magic. I'll be doing that tomorrow, but just for a test.
--Bob

boberic wrote:

Get it out of the box. Set it up and use it. I lost everything when a pipe burst in the basement. There is magic watching an image appear in the tray.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Bigmike1 wrote:

I have been reading the postings about mirrorless ... (show quote)

Back in those “good old days” my better 35mm cameras started with a Nikon F2, then I added an FE. When the F3 came out I had to have one of those too which I think was the last time I gave in to a ‘GAS’ attack, I eventually sold it. The FE was the camera I used the most, it was reliable and easier to pack than the F2. When digital came around I stayed on the sidelines still using the FE, but when it became obvious that digital was the future, I moved to a Nikon D600 and it is used like it was an FE! Ap priority or manual and ISO 100(for the most part). That camera has a lot of bells and whistles I’ve never bothered with but in all honesty, AF using BBF and the live view screen help keep me in the game with failing eyesight.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

Yeah, that screen comes in quite handy. I also have a problem with failing eyesight due to glaucoma.