Camera Swaps

checking out the wares
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

This past Sunday, Oct. 23, Marjorie and I spent the day at the 34th Annual "Photographica Trade Show" which is sponsored by the Michigan Photographic Historical Society (MiPHS), and held in Novi, MI. I'm a board member, and the two of us ran the MiPHS table, selling used gear and items that had been donated. In all, we sold nearly $200 worth of old cameras, parts, accessories, flashes, and darkroom equipment. Rock-bottom prices, because we are interested in selling the stuff for the organization, and not hauling it all back home. I wish some of the vendors would do the same. For some types of collectible cameras, yes, there are some minimums, once should not go lower on. But, there are several sellers there with their tables filled with the same items that I have seen them cart around to shows for the last 5 years, and it's probably been longer than that. With the same prices, of course. I don't know about them, but my hobby is not hauling photo gear back and forth. If I'm taking something to sell there and not on eBay, I'll be selling at a good price.
Some other sellers had some great prices on things because they obviously feel the same way. I ended up buying only a couple of cameras -- a Zeiss Ikon Contina (35mm) in really nice shape for $40. A bit on the high end, but I know the seller, and felt it was worth it for me to buy it from him. I also bought a $5 Imperial Reflex (plastic crappy camera, but cool), and a few other non-camera items. Marjorie bought an olive Argus A...

A new Argus book!

A new book!
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

This is the new book by Henry Gambino -- Argomania. A much-welcomed addition to classic camera literature, and especially nice to see a book on Argus cameras.
So far, it's been very informative, enjoyable, and well-illustrated.

You can get a copy from Aeone Communications, 73 Old Dublin Pike #181, Suite10, Doylestown, PA 18901 or contact percy@tradenet.net. ISBN#0-9770507-0-X; price is $39.95.

Spotmatic Spot

Mill at Mt. Victory, OH
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

You have seen the term, a "Kodak Moment." I just thought of a new one - A "Spotmatic Spot" Why? Well, I shot this photo with my old Pentax Spotmatic with its 50mm f1.8 normal lens. It's a classic camera by any definition. This Purina Mill in Mt. Victory, OH is also a classic spot. The image is almost timeless. It could have been taken 30 years ago or 30 days ago. Actually, I took it in June of this year on a photo safari trip with Marjorie through northern Ohio.
I spent at least 30 minutes, if not longer, shooting here, using digital, medium format, and 35mm. The Spotmatic is so nice to use -- nothing complex, almost an extension of myself. No meter. Used sunny 16 rules and common sense with the filter. It was one of those times that the subject was so right, and I just happened on it -- sun was perfect, and all I had to do was point my camera.

I used an orange filter to accentuate the sky just a bit, and the film was Ilford FP4+. Developed in HC110B.

Senior Portraits

trying to decide
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

If you are the parent of a child that is a high school senior this fall, then you have undoubtedly received mail from local photo studios looking for your dollars. A LOT of dollars. Some unabashed lines such as "the most important photographs of your life" had my daughter Marjorie cracking up. She sees through the charade of salesmanship to know that you do not have to spend between $500 and $2000 to get your senior portraits done. She's lucky, and so am I, since I am a photographer, and so is Marjorie. I don't wish to demean other photographers -- they are in a business to make money, and that is their only job. So, whatever angle they put on taking senior portraits to make a buck and support their families is fine. But, I know I can take portraits, too.

I spent a few hours over two days shooting her in several locations. She wanted b&w only. I shot mostly with digital -- in b&w, too. She could look at the screen afterwards while I was shooting and decide if she liked what I was getting. For the most part, I was amazed when I saw the images on my computer and then printed out. She was no longer the "kid" -- I was taking portraits of a young woman at the beginning of a new phase in her life. So, maybe they are not the most important photographs of her life, but as I look at them, I know they are the photos that demarcate the girl from the woman.

Dave, We Miss ya!

The end of an era
Originally uploaded by argusmaniac.

For many years, we had Dave Kozyra in town, either at Studio Center Photographic, or later, when he bought the business, and it became Dave's Photo Emporium. It was a sad day back on April 16, his last day of business. It was the best place to exhibit photographs in town, as well as a fun store to buy used and antique camera gear, talk shop, or rent a Hassleblad...

I realized I had not posted this earlier, when it was more timely, but I forgot that I had taken this shot of Dave in front of the store. Nonetheless, Dave left a void that has yet to be filled... both in camera gear and in having an accessible gallery.

Whatever Dave is doing now... I hope he is happy not to be minding a store, but he is missed by many of us!