The camera I always promised myself
Discussion
I mentioned to my eldest that way back when I was a kid, I'd saved up for months to buy a particular camera, the one below, but when I actually had enough, my taste changed to a twin lens reflex, although I always wished I'd had the Vito B, if only for a while.
Fast forward to yesterday and my lad gave me not only a pristine Vito B, but one with the f2.8 lens and the enlarged viewfinder. On top of that, there was an ever-ready case - immaculate - and, the cherry on top, a rangefinder. Plus the box it came in, complete with printed, yes printed, manual.
My first thought was how small it was. Second, how heavy; really solidly built.
It took me right back to when I was a kid. It handled just as I expected it to, with a certain reassuring solid feel. The viewfinder was pleasantly light, although the rangefinder was remarkably dingy.
A real treat, all the better for being unexpected.
Now where can I find some of that new-fangled FP3.
Fast forward to yesterday and my lad gave me not only a pristine Vito B, but one with the f2.8 lens and the enlarged viewfinder. On top of that, there was an ever-ready case - immaculate - and, the cherry on top, a rangefinder. Plus the box it came in, complete with printed, yes printed, manual.
My first thought was how small it was. Second, how heavy; really solidly built.
It took me right back to when I was a kid. It handled just as I expected it to, with a certain reassuring solid feel. The viewfinder was pleasantly light, although the rangefinder was remarkably dingy.
A real treat, all the better for being unexpected.
Now where can I find some of that new-fangled FP3.
One of the advertised advantages of the BL (Mk II nowadays) viewfinder was 1:1, which means I can keep both eyes open.
I've got an exposure metre app on my phone but using it betrays the Vito. I'll buy the exposure metre I always promised myself - the Weston Master V. I helped a friend who was a wedding photographer and he looked the part with the Weston around his neck. But it was too pricey back then and I'd just invented sex. It took precedence.
I'm having fun with the camera. Nostalgia's great. I'll save up for a colour print film. The prices! No wonder digital caught on.
I've got an exposure metre app on my phone but using it betrays the Vito. I'll buy the exposure metre I always promised myself - the Weston Master V. I helped a friend who was a wedding photographer and he looked the part with the Weston around his neck. But it was too pricey back then and I'd just invented sex. It took precedence.
I'm having fun with the camera. Nostalgia's great. I'll save up for a colour print film. The prices! No wonder digital caught on.
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