Old school cameras are still cool

When my mom asked me what I wanted to get as a present when they get back from the US, I immediately scoured the internet for a good digital SLR camera or something comparable.  I finally settled on a Lumix LX3 and told my mom about my preference.  She emailed two days later and told me that it was just outside her budget.  Great.  I can’t complain though.  It’s their prerogative to buy me something.  It’s not like it’s required… although I do feel entitled to at least a little token or two for taking care of business at home while they’re away…

So with my LX3 dreams trashed (at least for now that is), I tried to quit thinking about cameras for a moment.  Unfortunately, I was quite unsuccessful especially when all I could think of was shooting pictures over the weekend at UP with a friend.  While in the midst of my frustration, I suddenly remembered my dad’s old camera.  It was a Nikon FM10 and I knew it was just lying around the house somewhere.  I went over to their room and rummaged through their stuff and finally found it inside one of the topmost cabinets.

The camera was still in perfect condition.  There was still a couple of shots left in the film that was loaded and I used that as practice.  I also searched the net for an instruction manual and easily found one with all the details I needed.  With that done, I headed over to the mall to buy some film, pick up my companion, and went straight to UP.

First shots we took were at the Oblation.  It was a nostalgic feeling holding a camera that still needs film.  The sound of the shutter, the winding of the film after the shot, the smell of the old leather casing… it just brought back some good memories.  We took more shots as we went around the university and the camera just felt perfect in my hands.

The most pleasing part of using the camera was the sound that it makes.  There’s nothing like the sound of the reel as it clicks its way to prepare for your next shot.  I’m just finishing my second roll of 36 exposures before I take them to be developed.  The excitement of finally seeing my shots is almost unbearable.  This is definitely not for those with low emotional quotients!  For now, I’m just happily clicking away with this old but newfound friend.