Sentimental Gear.

[Chako]

With all the "Old Day" threads in here. it got me to thinking way way back when I first got into photography. It might be nice if we could post some photos of our most sentimental gear (if we still have it) and give a brief description of why it holds a special place in our hearts.

Well here is mine.

Folks, meet the Kodak Retinette 1A.









This is the camera that I learned photography with at a very young age. It was my fathers until he gave it to me on my eight birthday. It was my faithful companion until I reached grade 9, when I bought a used Olympus OM10.

It is the best camera to learn on (I am biased) because it forced you to be carful with your composition (like all rangefinders). There was no built in meter, so an external hand held light meter was a must unless you used the sunny 16 rule. The winder is on the bottom of the camera. It actually works far better then a top winder because I could wind the camera and still keep my finger on the shutter.

So there you have it, my most sentimental piece of equipment that I will never part simply because of all the good memories of my youth that surrounds this simple little camera. Luckily enough, I was always super careful with this camera, and although I used it for years, it is in awesome shape.

[J.Scott]

Wow! Are you sure that camera has ever been used? It is in mint condition! Oooooo .... it has a hot shoe, too! Most of my antiques are cold shoe with PC on the camera. Very, very nice! Nice pictures and a great story.

Do you know what Type it is - 35, 42 or 44? I guess the serial number will help determine that.

[Chako]

It is a type 42 with a Schneider-Kreuznach Reomar f:2.8/45mm lens. My aunt bought it but quickly gave it to my father when new because she found it too complicated to use.

Yes, it is well used...but both my father and I are so gentle on our photographic gear. I learned from him to not abuse equipment.

Hmmm..come to think of it, I was an odd 8 year old. Most boys I know would have used it to hammer nails.

Well I hope others will post their sentimental gear and stories. This could be interesting and fun

[Stratman]

My first ever camera, bought in 1980 i believe, has been a lot of places with me, and is tough as nails