Before ever using a Leica, or understanding the brand’s value to collectors and photographers, I discovered several vintage film cameras for sale in an Ocean Beach, Calif. antique mall. None sold for more than $100; I possibly passed up an unexpectedly good opportunity.
That was November 2010. Fastforward to Nov. 10, 2024, when I walked by more vintage gear—this time for projecting videos and more, outside a camera store along Adams Avenue in the grey zone where a sliver of North Park separates Normal Heights and University Heights.
I know absolutely nothing about shooting or projecting film footage. Our apartment is clutter-central; we can’t absorb any more unnecessary stuff. A camera store presumably wouldn’t give away for free something inherently valuable. For those three reasons, I gawked and wondered, then pulled out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to shoot the Featured Image and companion.
Vitals: f/1.7, ISO 12, 1/160 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 10:44 a.m. PST. The other: f/1.7, ISO 32, 1/125 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 10:42 a.m. In post-production, I applied the Film filter from Windows 11’s Photos app. The look feels right for the photos’ objects.