My friend recently let me borrow a film camera, definitely an old one, without me even asking. It's been sitting in my drawer for three months, but after reading this, I'm definitely taking it out and making some pictures very soon! :)
Wow! That’s so cool. Please, please start using it! You’ll make a lot of mistakes, probably even burn some money but trust me, even if you get just one good photo developed, it’ll feel like the most important photograph you’ve ever shot.
The joy of shooting on a film camera is unparalleled.
Lovely stuff! In that first photo, of the camera laying on it's back, it looks like it's brand new, just taken out if it's box... Your friend from Mumbai is a very dear one indeed. What a wonderful gift.
Thank you so much for reading the newsletter Ralph and for taking out the time to write here. It’s 50+ years old and still in such brilliant condition. And you’re right, I am super lucky to have this friend. Did you get a chance to go through the photographs I shot with the film camera? :)
I did, indeed. Some very nice views. I hope you don't mind me mentioning, though, it may be worth having the camera serviced, as one or two shots here are suggestive of an occasional shutter issue. I reckon these old beauties are worth it if it can be done (especially with that wonderful 50mm f1.4 lens) . I had my Father's Spotmatic serviced a little while back. It works like new now, silky smooth operation.
Of course, if the camera hasn't been used for many years before being given to you, you may find it frees up with use. However things pan out with it, it's a wonderful gift 🙂
Loved the photographs!!! What a beautiful archive.
I’m really curious to ask you: How do you make sense of the transition from analog to modern/smart machines these days?
I’m a 90s kid, and even for me, I sometimes miss those simpler times so much when technology helped me enjoy life, rather than, like today, taking away from it and making my life revolve around it.
Such fascinating observations with the film camera! And such a treasure! The gallery of photos from the film camera is so good too - with almost a mesmerizing quality to i.
Beautiful Beautiful Beauuutiful photos... they have that beautiful yesteryear nostalgic charm..like the feeling you get when you are going through family pictures taken by parents!.. And thank you so much for the song recommendation!! It is now my favourite, Shilpa Rao's voice is exactly what I needed, the composition is so soothing ....additional bonus is Youtube is now recommending similar ones !!! Lots and lots and lots of love to you, Rishabh !
My friend recently let me borrow a film camera, definitely an old one, without me even asking. It's been sitting in my drawer for three months, but after reading this, I'm definitely taking it out and making some pictures very soon! :)
Wow! That’s so cool. Please, please start using it! You’ll make a lot of mistakes, probably even burn some money but trust me, even if you get just one good photo developed, it’ll feel like the most important photograph you’ve ever shot.
The joy of shooting on a film camera is unparalleled.
Yesss, very very soon! Can't wait to make all the mistakes and find that one good photo!
So beautiful! And a very timely reminder.
Thank you.
Thank you so much Gopal sir.
Bahot khub, bhaisaab! Loved every photo - especially with the kids, trees, Mumbai's beach and sky. I need a friend like yours. Keep shooting.
Thank you so much Shweta!!!!!
Lovely stuff! In that first photo, of the camera laying on it's back, it looks like it's brand new, just taken out if it's box... Your friend from Mumbai is a very dear one indeed. What a wonderful gift.
Thank you so much for reading the newsletter Ralph and for taking out the time to write here. It’s 50+ years old and still in such brilliant condition. And you’re right, I am super lucky to have this friend. Did you get a chance to go through the photographs I shot with the film camera? :)
I did, indeed. Some very nice views. I hope you don't mind me mentioning, though, it may be worth having the camera serviced, as one or two shots here are suggestive of an occasional shutter issue. I reckon these old beauties are worth it if it can be done (especially with that wonderful 50mm f1.4 lens) . I had my Father's Spotmatic serviced a little while back. It works like new now, silky smooth operation.
Of course, if the camera hasn't been used for many years before being given to you, you may find it frees up with use. However things pan out with it, it's a wonderful gift 🙂
That's a very valid observation! Thanks Ralph. I will surely get it tested soon.
Would love to see some of your photographs as well :)
Have a pleasant week ahead!
Thanks, Rishabh, you too!
If you're interested, here's something I posted about my old 'Spotty' a few months back:
https://substack.com/@faffytee/p-156112470
Loved the photographs!!! What a beautiful archive.
I’m really curious to ask you: How do you make sense of the transition from analog to modern/smart machines these days?
I’m a 90s kid, and even for me, I sometimes miss those simpler times so much when technology helped me enjoy life, rather than, like today, taking away from it and making my life revolve around it.
Would love to know what you think.
This is sooo beautiful! Every newsletter you write takes me on a whole trip. The destination of this one was nostalgia!
Such fascinating observations with the film camera! And such a treasure! The gallery of photos from the film camera is so good too - with almost a mesmerizing quality to i.
Beautiful Beautiful Beauuutiful photos... they have that beautiful yesteryear nostalgic charm..like the feeling you get when you are going through family pictures taken by parents!.. And thank you so much for the song recommendation!! It is now my favourite, Shilpa Rao's voice is exactly what I needed, the composition is so soothing ....additional bonus is Youtube is now recommending similar ones !!! Lots and lots and lots of love to you, Rishabh !
P.S : Please don't ever stop what you are doing .