A fascination with cameras initially drew me to photography and I remain excited by the precision, design and operation of all cameras.
If my wife ever reads this I only have 2 cameras! In reality I’ve collected a range of the cameras I’ve loved for years. The challenge now is keeping these old machines in working order.
I have a couple of Olympus 1/2 frame Pen Fs with various lenses. Great economy as I get 72 shots per roll. They are small and discrete and I can easily carry 3 lenses in my pocket.
I had to get a Canon F1 – I do love a system camera and all the possibilities that involves. And I still use my original Canon AE-1. My 35 mm set up is completed with a couple of Nikon viewfinder cameras. And maybe one or two others but who knows?
Real quality comes with larger formats and I have some medium format cameras including folders, twin lens reflex cameras and my personal go to, a Mamiya 7 rangefinder. I’ve recently become slightly obsessed with the Nagel (later Kodak) folding cameras of 100 years ago. These cameras can take cut sheet film, roll film and 35 mm. Coming up next, who knows? But I do have a 5 x 4 enlarger so no one should be surprised…….
Oxford Darkrooms 