I remember when I was working at ‘BJ’s’ (It really was called that in the early 80’s) in London, that of ALL the cameras at the studio, including the very swanky Canon EOS 1, the one that I coveted most was the Nikon F3 HP.
The camera at the studio had been used for press photography for years when I worked there and it was HAMMERED.
But in spite of this particular models short comings, this was an absolute beauty to me.
Was it the fact that you could remove the prism and shoot waist level with it? Was it the absolute unit of a motor drive, the MD4, that you could easily use as a weapon at a pinch? Was it the looks, the performance, who knows?
I don’t think it’s any of these, I think this particular camera just spoke to me… “Hey there. You and Me, we could go on some adventures together.”
I did still to this day don’t really know what the specs of the camera are. I can’t remember if it has a cloth shutter.
This is a real “heart wants” purchase. There’s no more to it than that.
I expect you’re probably wondering… “Well, why haven’t you? They’re not exactly expensive, especially if you’re happy with a beat up camera.”
Firstly, tastes change. I’m no longer that teenager who wants the beat up aesthetic, I want a nice mint condition Nikon F3/T.
There, I said it. May be I’ve become a camera snob, but I think it’s more that I just want a really nicely cared for example that doesn’t break, is beyond economical repair and just becomes another doorstop. I have too many of those as it is.
And secondly, well, the problem is that this IS a heart purchase. I have no project that needs it, I have no Nikon fit lenses… I just want it.
So it has always come second, third or more often than not FOURTH fiddle to a camera I NEED for work.
Maybe one day, but there are a few cameras I think I need to get first.
Possibly I should go back to buying and selling again?
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