secondhand
Camera Junkie: “I Just Need One More…..”
Surely everyone NEEDS one of these, right?
Stu’s recent discussion about the trials and tribulations of being a flickr addict got me thinking about all of the other things I find myself obsessing over and with, in relation to photography. I’m rapidly being led toward the conclusion that photographers are, in general, extremely obsessive individuals…
One of my most recent and over-riding addictions (and one that I know I’m not alone in suffering from) is buying second hand cameras. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to get enough of them.
I find myself searching on eBay for neglected bargains, convincing myself that by buying this one I’m plugging a gaping hole in my current collection. The trouble is, there’s always a gap in any collection – the holes get smaller but more plentiful, the larger a collection becomes.
I love cameras. Especially film cameras. I love the way they look and feel. I love the history they carry with them. Pick up a camera from the 50s for a few quid – what sights has that lens seen? Isn’t there something inherently romantic about cameras and photographs? I think there is… (watch Stephen Poliakoff’s incredible TV drama Shooting The Past if you disagree – and you’ll soon change your opinion!)
But I’m starting to think… will I ever have enough of them? Will my appetite ever be sated? Will my collection ever be complete?
At least I’m not just sitting them on a shelf though – like some sad collector – every single one of my cameras gets used (although maybe only once if the results really suck!!). And, at the end of the day, surely there are far worse things to be collecting? I mean, at least I gave up train spotting when I was 13. 
There is a (pseudo) scientific name for this condition: Gear Acquisition Syndrome (or GAS, for short). As you’d expect, there’s also a flickr group to go with it (Camera Junkie) where you can share your latest treasures and pick the brains of like-minded individuals. And while there are lots of people on there hoarding and coveting digital equipment, it seems that the need to acquire old film kit is the most telling trait of a camera junkie.
Maybe we’re all rush-buying, afraid that the bottomless well of secondhand analogue goods will one day run dry? That this might be our last chance to pick up an Olympus Trip35, a Yashica Samurai or a Canon A1.
Hmmm… speaking of which, excuse me – my spider senses detect an imminent auction ending…
CameraFile: Olympus XA2
Olympus XA2 (in front with A11 flash, rear: XA1 and XA3)
Camera Model: XA2
Manufacturer: Olympus
Format: 35mm film
Type: Zone-Focus Compact
Price: second-hand (anything from £5 to £30)
Reasons to Buy: Much cheaper than the XA (also slightly smaller and lighter). Built-in self-timer and battery test function (such a simple idea, but so effective). Wonderfully sharp and vivid images – indeed the results from the XA2 are very similar to those from the Lomo LC-A, making the XA2 a great low budget alternative. Easy to find functioning second-hand models (the XA2 was produced from 1980 to 1986) – and loads of online community support waiting to answer questions and help troubleshoot any problems that may occur (which are rare). Great wide angle (35mm) lens. And that clamshell design is a classic look (and stops you having to worry about losing the lens cap!) All in all: robust, unobtrusive, cheap, great results – the perfect street camera!
Processing: The XA2 shoots standard 35mm film, so can be processed absolutely anywhere. Most developers will be willing to cross-process as well, although some of the high street stores/supermarkets might require a bit of talking around – as it is true that if you process lots of E6 film in C41 chemicals it will affect the chemicals and make them less effective when processing C41 film. However it’s perfectly safe (apparently) to cross process one E6 film for every 10 or so C41 film. Just tell them I said it was okay 
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