My first camera was a Minolta SRT-200, which I still have. It's a great camera, and I learned all about exposure, f-stops, shutter speeds with it.
Years later, I 'upgraded' to a Nikon N-70 35mm - a good camera, but the layout of the controls left quite a bit to be desired. Despite the N-70's auto focus and other features, I found myself often picking up the old Minolta. I loved the idea of the aperture ring on the lens and the shutter speed dial on top - wish the camera makers would still do that. (Hint to anyone from the camera manufacturers here...)
When I went digital, I bought a Nikon D-70 - a fantastic camera.
It does everything I want it to do.
A few other cameras I've aquired from yard sales and thrift shops... Two TLR's - a Yashica MAT124, and a Graflex TLR.
Another find was an Argus C-44 with a normal and a short telephoto lens. A very strange camera, sort of based on the old Argus "brick," but with interchangeable lens. I ran some film through it, and was shocked at how well it worked. It was an amazing find for maybe $10.00.
I don't know what it is, but there is something 'special' about the old mechanical cameras - the sound of gears whirring, springs springing...
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