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<p>I moved from New Mexico to the Southeast in the late '90s. I'd love to go back and be able to make a living like that. </p>

<p>Takes guts, though. Guts I don't quite have right now... 'specially since I'm employed full time in a not-so-great economy.</p>

<p>I was working out how to jam my old XSi into the bag with my 60D, spare lens, flash, etc.<br>

I gave up, and noticed I did have enough space for my EOS-M, so I slipped that in there and it's <br>

a 22mm semi-wide-angle second body. I've found that the autofocus performance seems to depend <br>

on contrast (duh, right?), and don't have any problem focusing when there's suitable content in the frame. <br>

Some of my favorite stock background type shots, though, like the undersides of an overcast, has the poor thing <br>

hopelessly confused.<br>

I've taken to leaving it set to manual focus, and it's actually a fun little camera that way. I may even buy an adapter so it can share some of my EF glass.</p>

<p>I recently picked up the NEX3n as an Amazon Deal for ~$280. It was on my short list, but when that popped up, it pushed me over the edge.<br>

It's nothing like my 60D, or even my old XSi, for speed, but it do take some nice pitchers.</p><div></div>

<p>It kept accusing me of using profanity. Go figure. ;)</p>

<p>I bought a "box of camera stuff" last year at local trade event, for 40 bucks. It included an AE1P, AE1, a couple of lenses, and a whole lot of studio lighting and other stuff I haven't even really inventoried yet. Awesome deals on some very nice cameras!<br>

Anyway, the crud you're seeing in the viewfinder and on the mirror may be bits of rotten mirror buffer material. The camera could almost certainly use a good CLA and re-sealing. </p>

<p>The Bronica ETRS I "accidentally" picked up on eBay (bid 150 early on, and nobody else bid) came with a Polaroid back. Though I probably wouldn't have gone out of my way to pick up such a back, I decided it would be cheaper and easier to pick up some fp100 packs to test the camera, as opposed to exposing, developing, and printing 120.<br>

Aha!!! Works fine! My first image was shot with what I figured was Sunny 16: f16 at 1/125. It came out a bit dark, though I could probably scan it in and work it up some. <br>

The second shot (after I lost Zoe's interest, so the bare porch), was shot with the figures I'd gotten from my light meter phone app: 1/125 at f4. I metered outside, then backed into the porch, so it did come out a little brighter than would be ideal, but very fixable in post. <br>

All in all, I'm well pleased, and I figure I should be able to trust this camera with "real" film now... and I've also decided that this packfilm stuff is pretty fun on its own!</p>

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<p>I may second the Polaroid back thing. My "new" Bronica came with one, so I ordered a couple packs of FP100, and plan on shooting it tomorrow. I figure it'd end up being cheaper and easier to test the camera that way than going through the rollfilm process.</p>

<p>Oy. Good to know. I have about 3 cameras that I'd considered re-leathering. My first thought was finding some interesting thin leather at swap meets or thrift stores (purses, etc.), but his prices seemed reasonable enough for pre-cut kits that I was considering 'em.<br>

<br />I guess I'll wait a bit and see what happens.</p>

<p>...camera fondler and overall fan of things that go "click". But, I'll admit, my film cameras are gathering dust more these days. Sad, but since all my local processing options (save for my modest un-set-up b&w equipment at home) have gone away, I've been shooting a lot more digital.<br>

I can be found on facebook under the same name, and at Instagram at http://instagram.com/velojym<br /><br /></p>

<p>http://instagram.com/velojym</p>

<p>Just started it not long ago, so not a lot there yet.</p>

<p>There appears to be a pretty decent little market, folks who enjoy using outdated film/paper/chems for the not-always-predictable results they get. You know, the "toy camera" crowd.<br>

If you sell it fairly cheap, I'm sure some of those guys and gals would have a ball with this stuff.</p>

<p>I have a pretty large selection of 35mm cameras, and love most of them. I really hate to see them lie dormant, and take them out for 'exercise' every few months even without film, just to get the moving part moving. I know I should probably get them all together and try to find homes for them, but with the current market, I wonder if maybe I should create a "museum wall", and mount them to it with descriptions.<br>

The 35mm camera I do still use is the old Canonet, because it's just so danged handy. </p>

<p>Here's something I've had churning around in my wee noggin:<br>

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/04/sony-qx100-qx10-lens-cameras/<br>

<br />Mount one of these, cleverly disguised depending on your tinkering ability, as the lens, and pair it up to a tablet mounted as a virtual ground glass in the back. </p>

<p>For a serious enthusiast in the period gear, I'll agree with using period technology. But, if you're wanting to maintain appearance while still being able to take/share a lot of photos, I can see this being an easy way to do it. </p>