Wayback Machine

Before I bought digital camera back in 2006, I was using a Contax G1 rangefinder for shooting film. A few weeks ago I ran across this old camera in a closet. Taking it out to look at it, I noticed that there was a roll of film in there - and only 8 shots had been taken. Hrm... what were those photos? I was thinking the last time I really used that camera was at a friends wedding. Maybe there were a few shots left from the trip home (the wedding was up on Cortez Island). Only one way to find out... So, when we went to the University Street fair last weekend so I took the Contax along.

First, it was nerve wracking taking a picture on film again. Once you press the shutter, there's no delete button and you only have 36 goes before you need to reload. Second, I forgot how much fun this smaller camera is to use compared to a honking big D300s that I use now. I'd switch to a digital rangefinder if they were as capable as the DSLR but they aren't quite there yet. Leica makes a nice one... for $7,000. Anyhoo, I'll get in trouble if I type any more about cameras. Maybe in a few years when they are cheaper and there are more rangefinder like options.

So, it was very surprising to see pics of Meg that first summer she was home. The quality had degraded as the film had sat in the camera since 2007. I think we may have been hanging out at Greenlake.






What was even more surprising (and brought a tear to my eye) were to see these photos next to ones I took that weekend.


She went from a 9 to 10 month old little baby trying to eat a flower she just picked to a 3 foot tall little girl eating a doughnut and an ice cream cone.




I think I'll put another roll of film in that camera, take 8 shots and then put it away for a while. It's nice to be reminded just how much can happen in three years.