Ode to the Camera

I’m starting to accumulate a small collection of cameras. I have ten, yes 10, cameras. I’m not including the one on my phone, which I just don’t use. I have standards. Some are old; many have sentimental value and a few I don’t even use. The Pentax K 1000 was my first camera and first love. It is my father’s camera and I used it for my first photography classes. It broke and so I had to get another camera. I purchased a Canon Rebel. Not quite the same as the K 1000 so I purchased a K 1000 on Ebay. Still not quite the same, but a very good camera. My father’s K 1000 was eventually fixed. Next up, my parent’s Polaroid Land Camera. I’m not sure if it was given to me or if I just kind of “borrowed” it. I’ve used it a few times, but it mostly hangs out on my shelf.

A few years ago I decided to make the switch to digital and I purchased a Rebel XT. I still miss film and the darkroom, but digital was just more practical and cost effective. Plus, it offers that instant gratification that my photography instructor was always talking about. Actually, he was talking about the lack of instant gratification that comes with film. About a year ago my grandmother gave me her No. 2A Brownie. I can’t do too much with it, but it looks great sitting on my shelf. Last year I received a Digital Elph from my husband, so that I will always have a camera with me.

Several months ago I purchased an Argus 75 on Ebay to try TTV photography. I love it. I love it so much that for Christmas this year my mother sent me a Duaflex. She even made me a TTV contraption, which looks something like this. Each camera has its own characteristics, its own dust and scratches. Actually, this year I hit the camera jackpot. My husband bought me a Holga, which I’ve wanted to test out for years. I really like the idea of not having to fuss with the camera too much. The Holga doesn’t really offer much control and I’ve heard it can leak light. For some a problem, for me, this offers endless artistic possibilities. And last but not least, my mother-in-law sent me her Kodak No. 1 Diomatic (Please correct me if I'm wrong). I don’t know much about the camera; it’s a lot different from my other cameras. And it looks great on my shelf.