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
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
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:
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 ).
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.
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.
PC Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 from about 1968. Great lens for architecture, but useful as a 35mm prime as well.
1958 Nikon S3 rangefinder body. Nothing to look at, but everything works, and that's all I care about.
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.
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.
Oldest equipment that I use regular are a couple of SB-28's But I do have an old refurbished 10x8 view camera.
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...
