I grew up shooting film, and while I still do today, the hobby has become increasingly expensive. I know I can edit photos to ~look~ a certain way, but I like the idea of photos organically having certain characteristics instead of editing them in in post. Last month I became captivated with the idea of older digital cameras. I don't know how the idea didn't occur to me sooner-- I've been taking photos since I was a kid. I know how cameras work. In today's world of modern, high-tech cameras and the cult following that ~actually old~ film cameras have, I completely overlooked an entire era of digital cameras, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Fast forward about a month and a half, and I'm sitting here surrounded by wires, batteries, adapters, and memory cards from yesteryear. This is my new normal.
I'll provide a quick note about each camera, but expect mostly photos. I won't go into the specifications of each one, as that's not really the point. I have to emphasize that I got these cameras to have fun. I got them because after the hours of research I put into each one, I decided that each could give me something I wanted. I saved these cameras from thrift stores, estate sales, and eBay sellers looking to clear out their attics. Most of the cameras that I've picked up are from the mid-2000s or early 2010s. The oldest one I own was released in 2001, while the most modern one I have was released in 2012. Most have CCD sensors (my favorite), but one has an older CMOS sensor. I've accumulated quite a few cameras, so I'll be breaking this series down into two or three parts. I've been having so much fun over the last several weeks, so let's jump into it!
Olympus Camedia 5050 Zoom (2001)
This camera is built like an absolute tank, and I'm so excited to own it. It's really fun to use and to see what this 21-year-old camera and its 5 megapixels can do. As with any older piece of tech, you have to have the patience to learn its quirks. It required me to pick up a specific card reader as it takes either Compact Flash and/or an xD picture card. Luckily, getting ahold of a CF card isn't difficult or expensive, so I've been able to use it with relative ease. The only limitation I've faced is that the camera can't handle "high" capacity memory cards, so I have to unload my 256MB card fairly often when using the camera for any prolonged period. Regardless, I love the photos it takes and the character they have, and I think having something from this time period in camera history is really, really neat.
 |
| This is a closeup of a black cherry tree using the camera's optical zoom on a particularly windy spring day. I was standing several meters away and each of these closeups of the trees are just as crisp. I was so impressed! |
