It's just not MY camera.

[Worker 11811]

I started out shooting pictures about 26 years ago when my mother bought me a Pentax Super Program for my birthday. It was an expensive toy for a high school kid but she gave it to me on condition that I learn how to use it correctly and that I take care of it.

I went away to college and studied photography as an elective and that Pentax was the camera I used. I got good marks from my teacher and I entered a few contests. I won a prize or two. I never did anything earth shattering, by any means, but it was satisfying for ME. That's what counts. Right?

I was out of college and I came home to live. Now, I had to be responsible so I didn't have as much time for photography. The camera sat in the closet for years. I hardly ever touched it. I bought some digital cameras and I liked using them but I never really liked photography in the same way as before. I just didn't have time to get into it. Digital photography doesn't have that "tactile" aspect I love.

Right after the New Year, I decided to think about shooting film again. I was interested in shooting better pictures but I didn't want to spend the big bucks on a digital SLR. I thought my old Pentax would be the thing to use. It served me so well all those years ago.

I took it out of the closet and it didn't work. I don't know what's wrong with it. I changed the batteries. I checked all the things that are possible to check without disassembling it. No dice! The thing is out of commission.
I called around to a few places and, out of the ones I could find who would work on it, the cheapest price I could get was $130 to $150. That assumes no parts are needed. (It begs the question whether they can even get parts.) I figured there's no way I can get the camera repaired at a reasonable price.

I got the bright idea to look on eBay and, as luck would have it, I found a camera just like mine... even in better condition... for only $50. I snapped it up. It came in less than a week. It works great. I'm back in business and I'm re-learning photography as I used to do it 20-plus years ago.

Here's the problem. I just don't have that good feeling about this new camera. It's the EXACT SAME thing as the one I already have! It's IDENTICAL! I'm even getting back to the old habits of using it. I know right where the controls are and I don't even have to look. I just "know."
If I was blindfolded, aside from the fact that one of them doesn't work right, I couldn't tell the two apart.

But it's just not MY camera...

It feels weird. Not the camera but the feeling I get when I think about it. It almost feels like there's part of my spirit inside that old camera. The new one just doesn't feel like it's "part of me" like the old one did.

Am I being silly? Or, does anybody else ever get feelings like this about their cameras and things?

(Before you ask... Yes, I took my medication today! )

[jd callow]

you are being silly, but if getting your mojo back requires the original pay the 150 to get it fixed. Give them your ebay impostor for parts.

[Worker 11811]

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear.

Yes, the reason I bought the camera from eBay was as a parts donor. But when I discovered that the new camera was in better condition than my old one I decided to just go with that one instead. If the second one ever breaks I can send them both in for repair and have them make one "Franken-camera" from the two of them.

I've been thinking about this. I do understand it is a little silly to feel this way. After all, it's just a stupid camera. However, I promised my mother I would take care of the camera. It was an expensive gift. I feel like I let her down when I allowed it to fall into such disrepair.

I suppose the best antidote would be to get off my sorry but, go out and shoot some film. Eh?

[pellicle]

I suppose the best antidote would be to get off my sorry but, go out and shoot some film. Eh?

exactly ... or perhaps better yet, try something different as well.

do you develop black and white at home?

do you scan??

try one of these for $20

http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2008/05/holga-at-6x12.html

a pinhole in 6x12 can make nice prints:


and can teach you lots about your craft.

its a nice 'in' into larger formats ... as much as I like 35mm I felt that I learnt a lot from going to 4x5 (many years ago). After 6 months of only 4x5 when I picked up a 35mm it was like having an assistant along with me. It was insanely easy to take a picture.

I still use my 35mm, use digital most of the time and the 4x5 more than the 35mm

I think you need to move past "the camera" and get to "the photograph"



sometimes using challenging processes can lead to mistakes which actually work out better :-)



unless of course its all about "memory lane" and your camera reminds you of times and places ... in which case disregard all the above

[livemoa]

A camera is a tool. It is that simple. And being that simple it is very complicated. My father was a craftsman cabinet maker by training and a public servant by necessity, (a family and a regular wage go together better than a family and insecure work).

He had tools he would replace with new and better ones all the time. He also had others that he would never stop using, even though he had repaired/replaced parts of them numerous times. I'm a little the same with my photo gear. Some gets used and replaced, upgraded, others get held together with prayer, camera tape and a great local repair guy.

So, if it makes you work better, get if fixed, get out and use it, and enjoy yourself.

[Worker 11811]

My first class in photography was in high school. Our very first assignments were done with pinhole cameras which we made ourselves using Quaker oatmeal boxes. (The cylindrical, cardboard containers.) We were not allowed to sign out a real camera until we passed muster with the pinhole. We were required to take three photos of different subjects then make contact prints and turn them into the teacher. If he signed-off on them we were allowed to move on to the K-1000 cameras he had locked in the cupboard in his office. If not, you were stuck with the pinhole camera until you could produce three good prints.

I had no problem producing three prints. I was allowed to use the cameras right away. But, as was common in public schools, there weren't enough cameras to go around. That's why I wanted my own camera in the first place. When my Mom saw that I was actually taking pictures she gave me a camera as a combined Christmas and birthday present. (I was born in December.)

You are right. It's just a tool. My father would have done the same. If one of his tools broke he would not think twice about buying a new one. (He passed away when I was 17.) The main reason I felt bad was because of my promise.

That idea of shooting with a pinhole camera sounds intriguing! I just might do it if I can find time to set up a darkroom.

Right now, I am shooting with the Pentax and developing the film in the bathroom and scanning the negatives. I'm starting to get back in the groove again. If I shoot a few more rolls, I think I'll be all right.

I'm going to put the old camera back into the closet and store it in case I need a parts donor for the new one.

Thanks! It was a silly thing to have a mental block about but I think I can get over it.

If the weather is good on Sunday I think I'll go out and shoot two or three more rolls. If I get anything decent I'll let you all know.

[pellicle]

Hi

That idea of shooting with a pinhole camera sounds intriguing! I just might do it if I can find time to set up a darkroom.

Right now, I am shooting with the Pentax and developing the film in the bathroom and scanning the negatives. I'm starting to get back in the groove again. If I shoot a few more rolls, I think I'll be all right.

that's exactly what I do ... I just load the tank with the bathroom door closed at night and then turn on the lights. I use a $2 laundry plastic undies hanger for hanging the negs (with a heavier metal paper "dog clip" on the bottom to prevent curl).

works great for everything from 35mm to 4x5

go at it I say :-)

[walter23]

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear.

Yes, the reason I bought the camera from eBay was as a parts donor. But when I discovered that the new camera was in better condition than my old one I decided to just go with that one instead. If the second one ever breaks I can send them both in for repair and have them make one "Franken-camera" from the two of them.

I've been thinking about this. I do understand it is a little silly to feel this way. After all, it's just a stupid camera. However, I promised my mother I would take care of the camera. It was an expensive gift. I feel like I let her down when I allowed it to fall into such disrepair.

I suppose the best antidote would be to get off my sorry but, go out and shoot some film. Eh?

Hey, it makes sense. If it's a trusted old friend, it could be worth it to repair it. Symbols can be powerful things.