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You know, back in the early 60's I needed some money and wasn't really doing any processing anymore since I didn't have the room and was working mostly nights. I sold my Mamiaflex C II to a local wedding photographer. He used it for a number of years. I got to missing it, since I was now doing darkroom work again, and also living in a different town. I approached the photographer and he told me that he had retired the MamiaFlex. I offered to buy it back and he agreed. So I brought it home, cleaned it up and made some minor repairs, re-leathered it and put it back into use. I wouldn't sell it again, even if I never use it again because I love handling it and looking at it on my shelf with my other antique cameras.

Wow I wish I had not sold my old gear when upgrading now, it must be great to handle those old beauties.

No my first camera was a Minolta SR1 which lasted me about a year. After 6 weeks on the equator the shutter started to squeak so when I got back to Japan I traded it on A Topcon RII which I still have. Also while I was in Japan I purchased a Mamiaflex C2 two and a quarter by two and a quarter twin lens reflex. Along with that an 80 mm, 135 mm, 180 mm and a 65 mm lenses, also which I still have and love. I didn't get my first Pentax till well after I got back here. It was sometime in the late 70's or early 80's. I really got my start in photography in the hobby shop on base in Tachikawa, Japan.

Hi JimH,
Was that first camera a Pentax.

You got a start in photography a little before me, I started in about 1965 when I got my first camera when I was in Japan in the US Air force. Been at it off and on ever since.