Illogical wants

For some reason, I was surfing the usual haunts where I look for used cameras. Don’t know why for despite the anxious moments trying to develop the film this time, it seems that I had finally figured out what to take with me when I head north and east. I had ignored the siren calls of those about me who are now ga ga over the new Panasonic/Leica point and shoot digital camera thinking that I worked pretty well with film and the good folks at dominion. The Mamiya 6 comported itself well.

But there it was in a site that will remain nameless in case I give in, there it was a Plaubel W67. the camera that fits my psyche perfectly, it compacts to the size of a paper back allowing it to be stowed and carried with me constantly. Since I see what I do as constant note taking, the camera fills the role perfectly. Here in the states it is the camera that I carry most of the time. it simply didn’t go north and east as it is on its last legs. Being 20 years old – something that we will never see again in photography as new cameras are outdated semi annually – the bellows are duct taped to cover the holes and there is so much of it the lens won’t lock when it is retracted into the body, the focus scale is missing, more tape is used to keep out light where light baffles used to be – think the type of camera Red Green would use. The Mamiya was bought when the Plaubels were discontinued and I couldn’t really justify $600 repairs with the camera away for months at a time as repair shops searched for parts.

The Mamiya while small is bulky. It doesn’t compact as well. It makes an indentation in my back it is difficult to get out of the bag – as I noticed in the airport at the first sighting of a Newfoundlander awaiting the plane that seemed would never come.

So here it is a worthy replacement at only double the price the camera sold for new – actually 2 1/2 times. I trust the person who is selling it but do I trust that there are parts for a 25 year old camera that was discontinued 15 years ago? What I am hoping for here is that my indecision will resolve this. It is still there, however, taunting me from the site. I am surprised it has lasted this long.