Found it!

2011.02.12

While searching for a sleeping bag yesterday I found something I’ve been trying to find for months – my very first camera! There it was sitting in its case at the bottom of the wardrobe in the spare room, buried under a duvet – the one place I hadn’t yet searched. My parents gave me this Ricoh 35FM when I was about ten years old and I used it until I got a more modern, automatic model in about 1994. Since then it’s been neglected, complete with a film inside – I can’t wait to see the pictures when I get it developed – I have no idea what I was taking photos of back then! It’s a very basic model. There’s a dial to set the film speed and one to set distance from your subject (nothing so fancy as a focus ring!) and then you press the button. Inside the viewfinder there’s a scale with what I now recognise as f numbers, although of course I had no idea what these numbers meant when I was a child. The battery is long since dead and I fear it won’t be completely light tight (the seals look decidedly perished) but I do fancy sticking in a new battery and film to see how it compares in reality with my fond memories of it. Watch this space.....

nice find Helen

ilikethat · 2011-02-12: 04:03

Hope you get it working again - I still have my kodak instamatic - the start of my journey. I always like your posts with white backgrounds - they are always so crisp - you inspired the glass flower post this week

cariad · 2011-02-12: 04:05

I've no more mine for a very long time but I remain admiring in front of the good state of yours

josy63 · 2011-02-12: 04:11

Nice shot. Curious to see what shots it still might have inside.

Lynda · 2011-02-12: 05:57

Great photo, well done!!!

demarc · 2011-02-12: 05:58

Congratulations on your rescue of your poor neglected friend. Shame on you Helen. Great shot to make up for the poor treatment however. I hope we get to see some great shots of Lucy or "You" on the recorder!!!!

danrav · 2011-02-12: 08:00

We wait with abated breath...

yellodog · 2011-02-12: 08:28

Great find, Helen....priceless!! Do we get to see the shots?

lookagain · 2011-02-12: 08:32

Great I'm curious too to see what your last photos were in that camera please post them here.

MoMac · 2011-02-12: 09:07

really cool! wish I would find something this great. :)

snowpie · 2011-02-12: 09:27

Now thats a classic, looking forward to the shots

mystic1 · 2011-02-12: 11:37

What a precious memory reclaimed! Little did your parents know all the joy they were giving you when they presented you with your first camera. I, for one, am pleased that they did, because I've enjoyed your work so much here on PB! Great shot, BTW!

djnana · 2011-02-12: 11:53