45 years too late!

[bindex]

I've just been looking at an Exa 1a on the dreaded fleaBay.

I can remember lusting after the "exact" (pun intended) same model when I was 16. The daft thing is, as far as I can remember it's the same price that it was then, £40 ! (at least that's the starting bid, and it doesn't look like there's much interest).

The trouble was that back in those days I was earning £4 a week so I'd no chance of ever being able to afford it. 10 weeks wages wasn't really an option back then. The owner of the local camera shop knew this of course, but it didn't stop him letting me handle it and giving me a full demo. He was an enthusiast too, and it wasn't all about money back then.

I know it's just nostalgia. but I'm really tempted to buy it. I can't justify the purchase in any way, It's not the money as I wouldn't really miss it, but I've never any intention of going back to film, and it's probably awful in todays terms even if I did. So it would be totally useless to me.

What do you think?

 

[awp]

I used to have one of these - I couldn't afford the Exacta - this was it's little brother. Must have been around 1965? I started with a Halina 35x - these are still around too! Mine are long gone though.

 

[bindex]

I think this one dates from 1964 Andrew. I can remember the Exacta... that actually had a pentprism

I started out with a Yashica rangefinder. Long gone as well I'm afraid.

 

[Steve Smith]

I know it's just nostalgia. but I'm really tempted to buy it.

Get it then!

but I've never any intention of going back to film, and it's probably awful in todays terms even if I did.

Not quite sure what you mean there but film has never been better. Kodak recently introduced Ektar 100 which is claimed to be the world's finest grain colour film.

Get the Exa and some Ektar 100 and I think you will be surprised.


Steve.

 

[bindex]

Oh I didn't mean awful in terms of the media Steve. I meant in terms of the hardware.
Film still has the edge for some things! But I've been seduced by the ease and immediacy of digital I suppose.

cheers

 

[Knikki]

Go on you know you want to

Go get the Exacta then some Ektar and post it in the Film and Conventional thread

Its never to late I have just got hold of a Contax IIIa and looking forward to sticking some film throught that at the weekend

 

[Ziggy]

Buy it.

I have bought and still buy the old video games that were around when I was younger. I always wanted one but could never afford one back then. I have now loads of them , frogger, asteroids, etc etc , is a good feeling to finally play them , takes me back...

I also still have comics I collected when I had a lot of spare money, they are just in a box somewhere, never seen the light of day for years, some are quite valuable but I cannot bring myself to sell them.

 

[bindex]

Well I've bought it!

I shouldn't think I'll ever use it seriously, but I'm certainly going to run a couple of films through it. It's going to feel very strange... totally manual of course, no meter (good job I still have my Minolta IVF), shutter button of the left hand side etc.

If by any fluke I manage to get anything worth viewing I'll post it and let you have a look

cheers all... and thanks for the advice.

 

[awp]

Look forward to seeing them!