Michael_Stones
Member
You know that delirium about getting a new toy. Like it kid in a store, you look at this, pick up that, then see something else; putting off the moment of decision because the process of deciding is too much fun, procrastinating to prolong pleasure. Then the Ah Ha! moment comes at last: the toy really you wanted all along but just didn't know you did. All doubts and delectable torment swept away because that toy is about to become your toy come what may.
Nine years ago, a photo shop in a neighboring city had a baby gray Rolleiflex TLR for sale at about $350. It was cute and looked in like-new condition. It spoke seductively to my heart, promised to be a good and faithful camera, pleaded for rescue from its oblivion. Then reason raised its ugly tentacles with questions about the availability of film. Sadly, an an internet search showed that 127 film was sold only from the Ukraine. Reason overcame desire and I left the camera on the shelf.
This summer found me with a few excess dollars in my pocket and thoughts about a photographic purchase. After thinking hard about large format, the eventual outcome (despite excellent advice from members of this forum) was another medium format lens and a few dollars still left over. But in perusing the internet for film cameras, I'd found that 127 film was again available in North America. An outfit in Calgary cuts down Kodak film (I'm guessing Portra 160) and sold through a US affiliate. Whoo! Maybe, just maybe, I hoped, that baby Rolliflex never sold and still languished on the photo store shelf.
Sure enough, when I visited the neighboring city next, there it was. Still crisp and cute, but freshly reconditioned by the store and with a lower price tag. The store clearly wanted it gone, so it was opportune to bargain over the price. There was no need to haggle a lot and we quickly agreed on $175, which with the Canadian dollar now worth more than its American equivalent seemed a good deal indeed. With several rolls of film mail-ordered, I'll post pictures as soon as I have some.
Nine years ago, a photo shop in a neighboring city had a baby gray Rolleiflex TLR for sale at about $350. It was cute and looked in like-new condition. It spoke seductively to my heart, promised to be a good and faithful camera, pleaded for rescue from its oblivion. Then reason raised its ugly tentacles with questions about the availability of film. Sadly, an an internet search showed that 127 film was sold only from the Ukraine. Reason overcame desire and I left the camera on the shelf.
This summer found me with a few excess dollars in my pocket and thoughts about a photographic purchase. After thinking hard about large format, the eventual outcome (despite excellent advice from members of this forum) was another medium format lens and a few dollars still left over. But in perusing the internet for film cameras, I'd found that 127 film was again available in North America. An outfit in Calgary cuts down Kodak film (I'm guessing Portra 160) and sold through a US affiliate. Whoo! Maybe, just maybe, I hoped, that baby Rolliflex never sold and still languished on the photo store shelf.
Sure enough, when I visited the neighboring city next, there it was. Still crisp and cute, but freshly reconditioned by the store and with a lower price tag. The store clearly wanted it gone, so it was opportune to bargain over the price. There was no need to haggle a lot and we quickly agreed on $175, which with the Canadian dollar now worth more than its American equivalent seemed a good deal indeed. With several rolls of film mail-ordered, I'll post pictures as soon as I have some.
