Paul Moshay Loc: Los Angeles, CA

WOW, you are the champ Nikon collector! There are some great ones there, enjoy!

ruzbynik Loc: Victoria BC

The darkroom smells, I can do without, but the Pentax 6x7 was my favorite. The Shutter sound could be heard a block away, so not a stealthy beast.

baer

Thanks very much for your comment! I use a lot of film along with digital. For film I use a 4x5 speed grafted, a medium format fuji rangefinder, and for 35 mm my old Nikon Fan and a Nikkormat (both in mint condition). for Digital I use a D500. I just got a Durst enlarger and darkroom accoutrements that I need to set up a home darkroom.

Perhaps we could talk or meet sometime. I can be reached at my office voicemail at (personal info removed), 1 or by texting me at (personal info removed).
Thanks,
Baer

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

Yes, I do have a few favorites.
The f100 and f5 were my last used 35mm film cameras, and they just felt “right” to me. I actually favored the f100 over the f5.
I bought my first camera, when I was 12, (1970) a nikkormat FTn. I have such fond memories of using that camera and working in the darkroom, all through my elementary school years
And at 18, when I started to shoot weddings and bar/bat mitzvah’s, I bought 2 Hasselblads, because the studio I worked for, required them.
I used those two hassy’s for almost 10 years, with big Tony Armato brackets, and Metz flashes, before we all started shooting events on 35mm, and then digital.
They are on display, along with a Bronica sq-a, in my living room, as well.
But, in reality, I have used every one of the cameras on display, and I enjoyed using each and every one of them, at the time.
What is impressive, is that each and every camera still works perfectly, a testament to how well they were made.
These days, I shoot with a z9 and D850. And I know that in only 20 years, more or less, they will be worthless paperweights, the software won’t be updated, and the electronics will eventually fail, batteries won’t be made, etc.
but the film cameras will still most likely continue to work, but who knows if film will still be available??
But,
Whatever is next,
I am ready and excited for it!!

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

Wow, almost 95!!!
That’s impressive and enviable. I hope that 30 years from now I am still alive, and still shooting people!!!
(I tell my clients, that “I shoot people for a living, and if I don’t like them, I cut their heads off!!! And, if I do like them, I take them home and “blow them up”!)

whfowle Loc: Tampa first, now Albuquerque

My photography journey began with the family Brownie box 616 during the 50's. In those days, I wanted to get a Kodak Retina III but could not afford one. Waited until I had some money of my own while in the service overseas and bought my first Nikon F. I still use that camera.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

For those who like a good read, try “Making Kodak Film,” by Robert L. Shanebrook.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I began with several Kodak cameras, and ‘graduated’ to 35mm rangefinders only when I began Grad School, then SLRs only about the time I finished Grad School.

clemente21

And if you are in the Rochester N.Y. area, don't miss the Eastman Museum and Mansion.
https://www.eastman.org/

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A great day for all!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

It is hard to believe that Eastman began with the more inexpensive cameras that long ago. Thanks to all for the memories this thread has brought to the fore for me. --Richard

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Kodak cameras always were ‘cheap’ - no aperture adjustment {typically set at the equiv of F/16 in 35mm}, other than very close ‘in focus’, no shutter speed adjustment, expecting ‘latitude’ to take care of ISO.

BE KIND

I'm 77 and have similarly fond memories of the film days but I gotta tell ya, digital cameras, editing software, and printers are absolutely awesome and fun to work with. IMO, it's hard to make a bad photo with today's technology...unless one is totally inept.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

I'd have a great time nosing around your collection. I imagine you have examples of images from many, if not most of your cameras. You are right about the old film cameras continuing to work. You didn't buy a camera back then and immediately start wondering what would be the first glitch or even when the first update would be coming down the pike. As a regular reader this forum you have seen time and time again where someone has written that they have this or that model of a digital camera and this or that function is on the "fritz" and please help them. Either that or they have got themselves into a setting they can't get out of. I am sure that there would have been problems with the film cameras that folks would have posted had the "hog" existed back in those times, but not nearly as many. Thanks for a great post.