My Life on the Net

I happenstanced upon your “A Photographers Obsession” when googling “Yashica MF-2″. I too am obsessed with cameras. At any given time on eBay I’ll “Watch” upwards of forty at a time, often with no intention of bidding, but just to see what a particular camera will go for at auction’s end. I can’t tell you what my first camera was, only that it was acquired by redeeming Bazooka Bubble Gum comics when I was a little kid. My beloved grandfather gave me a Kodak 110 instamatic (the model with the green button) for my high school graduation in ‘74 and I was thrilled. (Times have changed; few teens today would be impressed by such a low cost item.) I took it to the White Mountains of New Hampshire that fall and still have a framed bald eagle at sunset shot that serves as a reminder of my humble photographic beginnings. I don’t shoot 110 anymore but I still have the camera, still in mint condition. I love cameras: New models, vintage ones with shiny chrome, miniature ones, big ones, 35mm, medium format, TLRs, SLRs, Rangefinders, APS, manual, auto-exposure, etc. and etc. I also love gadgets, darkroom equipment, frames, camera bags, photo art books, textbooks — anything photography. I recently admired a wonderful W. Eugene Smith print taken when Smith was covering the Viet Nam War on eBay selling for $4,000.00 and remarked to my son standing over my shoulder at the time, “It’s worth every penny.” He thought I was nuts. He might be right. I’ll know I’ve “arrived” when, God willing, one day I take an 8 X 10 field camera back to the White Mts along with a paid assistant to carry it for me. Smile!