Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #81: You Should Have Been There

By Kevin Lane

Once upon a time, there was at least one camera and photography shop in most every city and large town. If you had an interest in photography as a hobby or as a professional, the local camera shop was the place to check out the latest gear, stock up on film, have your film processed and printed, and even hang out with like-minded people. I can vividly remember going to the shopping mall with my parents and getting permission to walk over to the camera shop to hang out, even if I was in no position to actually buy anything. Later when I was older and independent, the local camera shop was rivaled only by the local record shop and the musical instrument shop. I spend hours hours hanging out looking at the cameras on the shelves and behind the glass cases. Finally when I had secured my first post-college full time teaching job, I went to Crown Camera in Atlanta to spend part of my first teacher paycheck on a brand new Minolta XG-1 and a 45mm f2 lens. And that was just the beginning, as I went through film and processing at an astounding rate. It was truly a magical time, and I can remember so much of it. All sadly gone now, however, unless you live in a major city.

Crown Camera on Piedmont Road in downtown Atlanta, where
Kelley and I purchased our first real cameras with our first teacher
Paycheck, September, 1980.

So when I met Wayne and learned that he not only worked in a camera shop but also owned one, I couldn't help pestering him with questions about the "good ol' days," and he has some great stories to tell. Part of Show #81 is dedicated to a trip down memory lane to the local camera shop, and I hope that it either brings back pleasant memories or impresses you as to what a magical time it was. Like many things these days, it's days have come a gone and will not return, but we can reminisce.

Meanwhile, summer is right around the corner, and that means making summer travel plans. I have to confess that my main reason in wanting a camera as a young adult was travel photography, and I simply could not get enough of photography magazines that featured articles on distant places and photographs that made me want to go there. I would easily have dropped everything I was doing and pursued a career as a travel photographer - if could convince myself that I had the talent. 

However, now I do get to travel more, and my camera always goes with me. In fact, next month I'm visiting California for the first time, so it's time to choose a camera and film. My choice? I'm taking a camera that I didn't have this time last year, my Leica M2. With both a 50mm and a 35mm lens, I think it's the perfect choice for photography on the move. I'll be shooting black and white film only, most likely Kodak Tri-X, and I couldn't be more excited.

My Leica M2 with 50mm f2 Summicron (collapsible) and Elmer 35mm f3.5 LTM with adapter. 
I'll use my AstroHori shoe mount meter, with rechargeable battery. Try-X is my go to 35mm film.

Meanwhile, Wayne has been trying out a new-to-him camera, the Fuji GS645 Professional Wide 60, which is a medium format rangefinder camera. As you probably know, Wayne likes his negatives to be as large as possible, so 6x4.5mm frames, while not as large as his Plaubel Makina 67 makes, are still significantly larger then 35mm frames. Wayne has already shot a test roll, and the experience was a very positive one. Could this be Wayne's new travel camera?

Could this be Wayne's next favorite travel camera?

The Fuji GS645 Professional Wide 60 makes crisp and large negatives  - just the way Wayne likes them.

We want to thank each and every one of you for listening to our podcast, and we would love to hear from you. Whether it be your current camera and film of choice, your favorite subject matter, your questions, comments, tips, or stories, we really enjoy the interaction between us and you. So, if you have a minute, please drop us a line at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram and leave your feedback there. 

Happy Photography!