2017 The Year of Responsible Camera Ownership

Stock image purchased at 123rf.com.

Every year I make some New Year's Resolutions for the following year regarding my photography.  I must admit that I average about 50% successfully accomplished however the one resolution I never achieve is to not buy new gear! So 2017 was different, I decided to forego that pesky resolution and adopt another one....to be a responsible camera owner!

My film cameras were all bought used. Someone, or some people owned them before me and took care of them. They all came to me working in ok condition. So, I decided that 2017 would be the year I focused on getting these cameras some tender loving care.

I began with my Nikon F2, which was sent for a rebuild and CLA. The light meter, which was working, was replaced with a new one to reset its lifespan. It came back in wonderful shape and has been working like a champ! This cost me about twice what I paid for the camera but it is such a joy to use now!

Next came my Olympus OM-1 which I sent off to have the meter voltage changed to accept new batteries, a CLA and new seals. This was estimated at roughly the same amount it would cost me to buy another OM-1. Unfortunately when it was being CLA they found that the chassis was cracked. Several economical options were given to me including another OM-1. This was my father's old camera so none were acceptable to me. They then warned me they could replace the chassis but it would not be cost effective....I went ahead and asked them to do it. The camera should be back tomorrow.

Finally the Hasselblad was next. It had seized up during my "One Day in London" project and I was missing it. I took it in, had it fixed, CLA and new seals put in. I picked it up today completely fixed and it is VERY smooth. Cost? Well about ⅓ of what it is worth. Still VERY expensive.

So far I have invested a great deal of money in getting these cameras back up to standards. I would like to take my Leica M6 next for a CLA. This price is reasonable at about 1/15th the value. The camera is working great but it was built in 2000 so after 17 years having a CLA is reasonable. 

This will likely end my investment in getting these babies back to working standards. It nearly broke my bank but I wanted to be able to enjoy them knowing that I have done my job in taking care of them.