Originally posted by sameagle I have a bunch of pentax film bodies now ... my own K1000, my aunts Pentax Honeywell, 2 MEs, a Super Program, 1 silver Spotty, and ...
Yesterday I hit a yard sale and grabbed a black spotty + 50/1.4 + 135/3.5 + an MC 28/2.8 + macro lens things (just cheap screw ons) + a couple doo-dads. $80. I should probably sell some of the kit off ...
I *love* how well-used the black spotty looks:
Aww, yeah. One reason I like old black cameras: they show where they've been, which is pleasing if it's honest wear and not abuse. (Never hurt as a gal trying to make her start in a male Nikonians' world, either: 'chrome' cameras were then associated with rank amateurs, in probably silly-ways that only count when like *you* need an impression like you've been around a while. I learned early on that 'shiniest' isn't always the 'most impressive' depending on the impression you want to make, and sometimes 'Been around the block a few times' is just that impression, when people are inclined to assume otherwise. Funny thing about it is, there was a time where, after the 'imitating pros' thing and plastics made almost *all* cameras black, people would see a chrome body and think, 'Ah, old school. Serious.'
That caught me a bit by surprise at times. )
I am, however, somewhat displaced in time photographically, so, I still like to see old black bodies with some brass. I've got a Super A for my Pentax stable, who's endearingly-rubbed-around the edges, I think. One well-worn creature of the 80's to another, I guess.
Though that Spottie's going to look (and possibly sound) more *freshly* ill-used if those dog-clips don't get isolated or replaced. They originally came with leather links, (I think you can actually still find them,) and you probably don't want metal on metal happening.
I'd at least cut another piece of leather to match the one on the right-hand side there.
(And also at least face that clip so that it can't be pushed open against the camera body as it is. The old 'brass and glass' is all very nice till you nearly drop one from three stories onto a tour group of kindergartners. I assure you, even properly-arranged, I'll never trust one of those again, and I'll thank Who Looks Out For Poor Canon FD Shooters that the lesson didn't turn out to be at the expense of others. Almost going over the railing and realizing that the 'second body' that was off your shoulder a half-second ago, but is now hanging in your hand by the flying end of the 'hippie strap' is a deadly *weight* that nearly plunged onto a gaggle of *children* (or made one of *you*) is about more than a taste for vintage gear. Made an impression on *me,* I assure you, one I won't soon forget. Remote chance, of course, but that doesn't mean things don't happen: I've used the same model of camera to cold-cock someone, too, Those 'hippie straps were usually poorly-made to begin with, and they haven't been getting any newer in all this time, even if it's only the camera you're thinking of. Secure your gear.
)
And be nice to the old feller: that Spottie deserves it by now, anyway.