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What is the oldest equipment you use regularly?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by David D. Busch, Sep 22, 2008.

  1. David D. Busch

    David D. Busch Subscribing Member

    383
    Apr 30, 2006
    Midwest
    Heck, a lot of us have old equipment lying around that is in working condition but never used. I'd have to look up when my Leica IIIa was made, sometime between 1935-1940.

    But the oldest piece of photographic equipment that is used on a regular basis is more interesting.

    I have a 40-year old 55mm f/3.5 compensate Micro-Nikkor that I use several times a week. My 16mm f/3.5 fish-eye of similar vintage has been in constant use, but has seen even more use now that I've gone all FF. I used my 40 year old 85mm f/1.8 lens about once a week until I recently got the Cream Machine. My two Bowens Monolites are 40 years old and were used several times a week until I got my Alien Bees this summer. My PIC lightstands and Bogen Husky IV are still in use, as are a couple 30-year old potato masher flash units. Bellows IV.

    Buy good stuff and you can use it forever.

    Dave
     
    David D. Busch, Sep 22, 2008
    #1
  2. ronnies

    ronnies

    1,639
    Jan 15, 2006
    Edinburgh, Scotland
    Two non AI Nikkors. A 28mm f/3.5 that I managed to find an AI kit for and an 85 f/1.8 that I've never yet found an AI kit for. I don't know how old they are but I suspect very early 1970s. The 85 is in fact my favourite lens for my F4.

    Ronnie
     
    ronnies, Sep 22, 2008
    #2
  3. jjdesanto1

    jjdesanto1

    1,200
    May 1, 2005
    Warwick, N.Y.
    John DeSanto
    My brain....

    (when it's working, that is.)
     
    jjdesanto1, Sep 22, 2008
    #3
  4. seabee1999

    seabee1999

    4,350
    Nov 12, 2005
    Norman, OK currently; from York, PA
    A 20mm f/3.5UD lens from around the very early 1970's.

    God Bless,
    David
     
    seabee1999, Sep 22, 2008
    #4
  5. randyr5

    randyr5

    530
    Jan 14, 2006
    Michigan
    55/3.5 AI Micro

    Kodak Carousel slide projector - circa 1970ish
     
    randyr5, Sep 22, 2008
    #5
  6. Lurker

    Lurker

    5,262
    Jul 21, 2007
    NJ
    Lenses don't "age" as quickly as other equipment. Shouldn't we limit the challenge to "non-lens" equipment as well? That would make it even more exciting :smile:
     
    Lurker, Sep 22, 2008
    #6
  7. rotxlk82

    rotxlk82

    4,047
    Jul 20, 2007
    UK
    Lens: My 1979 Nikkor 50mm F2 AI

    Non-Lens: My 1983 Nikon FA 35mm SLR

    Both older than I am!
     
    rotxlk82, Sep 22, 2008
    #7
  8. Julien

    Julien

    7,873
    Jul 28, 2006
    Paris, France
    I'll have to answer the same as in the other thread, that my Hasselblad kit that's now 38 years old is the oldest gear that I use ( well maybe not everyday but I shoot with it every week ).
     
    Julien, Sep 22, 2008
    #8
  9. BarryS

    BarryS

    666
    Dec 12, 2006
    Narberth, PA
    Haha i guess its all relative to how old you are but i use my n8008s and n75 oftenish, they aren't that old but i am only 23.
     
    BarryS, Sep 22, 2008
    #9
  10. TahitiTiger

    TahitiTiger

    301
    Sep 20, 2007
    Salinas, CA
    since I am Nikonless for the moment I use my mid 90's Minolta Maxim, and my fathers mid-70s Minolta as well. I do have a 50's Wardflex TLR camera that I like to play with as well, but film is hard to find for it.
     
    TahitiTiger, Sep 22, 2008
    #10
  11. Gray Fox

    Gray Fox

    554
    Jan 12, 2007
    London Ontario
    PC Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 from about 1968. Great lens for architecture, but useful as a 35mm prime as well.
     
    Gray Fox, Sep 22, 2008
    #11
  12. rbsinto

    rbsinto

    3,489
    Mar 31, 2007
    Thornhill, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto
    1958 Nikon S3 rangefinder body. Nothing to look at, but everything works, and that's all I care about.
     
    rbsinto, Sep 30, 2008
    #12
  13. Bradford O

    Bradford O

    137
    Feb 16, 2007
    Olympia, Wa
    Three: 105 f2.5 Nikkor P.C, originally purchased for a non-metered Nikon F and used in conjunction with a Gossen Luna Pro meter. Excellent portrait lens, though a bit too much reach for portraits with the D200/300. Also, Nikkor 80-200 push-pull.
     
    Bradford O, Sep 30, 2008
    #13
  14. rbsinto

    rbsinto

    3,489
    Mar 31, 2007
    Thornhill, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto
    And a late 1950s Nikon SP rangefinder. Again, body has the usual scrapes and scratches, but everything works and the rangefinder is clear and bright, so it shoots like a champ.
     
    rbsinto, Oct 1, 2008
    #14
  15. PhilDPho

    PhilDPho

    493
    Jul 9, 2008
    Warrington, England
    Oldest equipment that I use regular are a couple of SB-28's

    But I do have an old refurbished 10x8 view camera.
     
    PhilDPho, Oct 1, 2008
    #15
  16. AFS

    AFS

    3,001
    May 1, 2005
    Minnesota (formerly Florida)
    28/3.5 early AI. Very nice little lens, the smallest wide I own.
     
    AFS, Oct 1, 2008
    #16
  17. GonzoBernelli

    GonzoBernelli

    5,125
    Nov 11, 2005
    Houston, TX
    My 3 GHz P4
     
    GonzoBernelli, Oct 1, 2008
    #17
  18. nancyr

    nancyr

    1,136
    Feb 14, 2006
    La Jolla, CA
    105/2.5 AI, best guess is late '70s.

    I love the idea of shooting with a lens older than I am, but I'll have to go back a few models...
     
    nancyr, Oct 1, 2008
    #18
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