My Hassy Jam Story

I just got my feet wet hassy-wise last month, buying an old 500C on

Ebay. I did all the research and learned about the jam and unjam-

ology before the camera came, so I was ready to not break it first

time out. I took it to Harvard Square saturday to do some street

shooting- saw a great street performer I wanted to shoot, and I

backed up against a storefront to get my uncoated lens in the shade.

 

Next to me, about 3 feet away, was a grungy looking old guy with wild

hair, a white beard, some dirty khakis and a stained blue T shirt

stretched across his considerable belly. Im holding the camera at

waist level, head bent down, and he's giving me the eye... in a

minute, he sidles over and says "Um, can I ask you a question?"

 

"Sure" says I.

 

He says "Coupla months ago I bought a 500CM, and the first time I

took it out, I was trying to change the EV, and it jammed... the

mirror's down, the dark slides in..."

 

Only in Harvard Square!

 

chris

and where's the guy's picture?!?!?

About two years ago, I was doing some early-morning shooting in downtown Phoenix around the time that the local shelters dumped their overnight guests back onto the street. As they fanned out across the streets, one guy pushing a shopping cart stopped to watch what I was doing then without any prompting from me, started to discuss the days when he owned a portrait studio. At first, I was skeptical but after talking with him for a few minutes, it became clear he knew his stuff, photographically speaking. I decided to be diplomatic and didn't ask him why he now lived in the streets but this episode reminded me once again that appearances <I>can</I> be deceiving...

>and where's the guy's picture?!?!?

 

in my head, but good point. I flashed that he'd make a good shot, he really had the face for it, but a) he was in the shade and i was EV'd for the sun, and that freakin' EV lock is a hassle... b) I think I didnt have the heart to imply that a fellow photographer was that "picturesque"

 

great story about phoenix-

>>>....."I backed up against a storefront to get my uncoated lens in the shade."<<< Just curious, but which uncoated Hassey lens were you using? I used 3 500C Blads for over 20 years, and never had a jam, nor ever saw an uncoated Blad lens that Iknow of.

coated lens: right, should have said "single coated.." gotta keep up on my hass-ology....

<i>>and where's the guy's picture?!?!?

<p>

in my head, but ...</i>

<p>

For a number of times I have only kept the good picture

in my head. I understand the sadness, but, fortunately like you, I have

often also kept good stories in my mind...

Post the old dude's pic & we MIGHT believe this diatribe...

<p>Best I can do: the Harvard Square Angel Guy. He's the performer I was shooting. He stands stock still till you put some money in his jar, then he turns slowly, beams down at you, and gives you a benediction that will knock your socks off.. I told him later in my best Jimmy Durante- "Kid, you got a hell of an act!"

 

<p><IMG SRC="http://www.chrisyeager.com/z/angel.jpg">

 

<p>Not that I care if you believe me....</p>