The camera time machine
Nov 30, 2021 18:41:20 #
It is possible to travel back in time but there is a catch.
All you can do is go back in time and buy one camera body brand new from any period in the past.
What camera would you buy?
I'd buy the Nikon F4s.
First pro Nikon I ever held. The Nikon body that made me a Nikon user for life.
I never bought one, never owned one. It's the camera I will always wish I had.
I'd buy one used but I want literally a flawless camera and they are just impossible to find.
I do have a F4s brochure from back in the day and I value it. I guess it's better than nothing.
All you can do is go back in time and buy one camera body brand new from any period in the past.
What camera would you buy?
I'd buy the Nikon F4s.
First pro Nikon I ever held. The Nikon body that made me a Nikon user for life.
I never bought one, never owned one. It's the camera I will always wish I had.
I'd buy one used but I want literally a flawless camera and they are just impossible to find.
I do have a F4s brochure from back in the day and I value it. I guess it's better than nothing.
Nov 30, 2021 18:46:23 #
smussler
Loc: Land O Lakes, FL - Formerly Miller Place, NY
I'd rather be able to get tomorrows technology than yesteryears.
Nov 30, 2021 18:47:10 #
wide2tele wrote:
It is possible to travel back in time but there is... (show quote)
Look at highly rated sellers in Japan. Everything I have bought from there is excellent to minty. I bet you will find just the perfect camera if you are patient. Every so often one comes up "new" in the box. I was fortunate to have and use the Nikons from F Photomic Tn on up. The 4 and 5 in the digital era.
Nov 30, 2021 18:59:02 #
wide2tele wrote:
It is possible to travel back in time but there is... (show quote)
Nikon F2AS. I had one new but stolen from me. Hard to find one as good as the one I had used. Sorry but out of all the Nikon F series I want the F4 (any version) the least.
Nov 30, 2021 19:11:57 #
I had a couple Nikormats with plenty of lenses that I loved.
I do not want film, darkrooms and chemicals ever again. It was fun when it was the best there was, but no more. I used to have a mild cough after a few hours in the darkroom!
I do not want film, darkrooms and chemicals ever again. It was fun when it was the best there was, but no more. I used to have a mild cough after a few hours in the darkroom!
Nov 30, 2021 20:33:56 #
wide2tele wrote:
I'd buy one used but I want literally a flawless camera and they are just impossible to find.
With enough diligence and patience, you can find almost any camera produced within the last 50 years or so in nearly flawless condition. No need to waste a time machine trip to get one.
Nov 30, 2021 21:04:52 #
Short trip, but if you didn’t get one just several years ago they are kinda scarce today. I had no trouble getting my first one but the twin was harder to find. No camera older than this has any interest for me, and I’ve used all the good ones.
The camera that ended the film era for me was a 5D2 and I still have it altho I never use it, so no nostalgic time trips needed to visit the old SLR graveyard.
.
The camera that ended the film era for me was a 5D2 and I still have it altho I never use it, so no nostalgic time trips needed to visit the old SLR graveyard.
.
Nov 30, 2021 21:43:41 #
The future is not made of the same stuff as the present (nor the past), the future does not have mirrors.
Nov 30, 2021 21:54:39 #
The future ain't what it used to be. Yogi Berra
A far wiser man than some here.
There are things, cameras for some, that are talismans, links to another time and stacks of memories. Many devices of many kinds, still very capable.
A far wiser man than some here.
There are things, cameras for some, that are talismans, links to another time and stacks of memories. Many devices of many kinds, still very capable.
Nov 30, 2021 22:12:32 #
Nov 30, 2021 22:27:13 #
Simplistic for sure. Factual, not so much. Data is everywhere, parsing it requires an open mind and a grain of wit.
Dec 1, 2021 06:22:49 #
I believe you can still find a near-new condition F4. If you find it, go ahead and get it. Shoot some film! My original Kodak Signet 40 stopped working below 1/200 sec., so, I bought a pristine, every-shutter-speed-works, in original box Signet 40 for $25. I'm also tempted to buy a Nikon F with the low-profile prism for $100, just for its historic value and classic-look. Of course, I'll also use it as a shooter with my vintage lenses.
Dec 1, 2021 06:58:24 #
If I want to go back 50 years, no problem. I'll just pick up my Nikon F/Photomic FTN/50mm f/1.4. I received this as a Christmas present in 1971. If I want to go back 58 years, I'll use my Hasselblad. Back 70 years, my Leica IIIf. Older than that, my Graphic View II 4x5. I still use all of these. Though the Graphic has been shelved in favor of an Arca Swiss F Line 4x5.
--Bob
--Bob
wide2tele wrote:
It is possible to travel back in time but there is... (show quote)
Dec 1, 2021 07:23:40 #
wide2tele wrote:
It is possible to travel back in time but there is... (show quote)
I bought a Zeiss Icon Contaflex in Vienna in 1968 and it was one of the best cameras I ever owned. The Zeiss optics were terrific and if I were to buy another camera of that vintage, I would probably go for a Leica of equivalent age. Leica because their lens designs and manufacturing were equal to Zeiss (IMHO).
Dec 1, 2021 08:06:30 #
You leave a lot of wiggle room there. I would go back in time a very short distance and pre-order a Z9.
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