Last Updated on October 3, 2015 by Red Nomad OZ
Dear You
We first met 19 years today – love at first sight, and we’ve been together ever since. We’ve been inseparable through all my Aussie adventures and you’ve been by my side at all life’s important events. I never dreamed you’d bring me so much pleasure over the years – better even than … Well, never mind about that!
You’re so important to me that I rarely leave home without you and I can’t imagine life without you. I always thought we’d grow old together, that you’d be with me through the frightening realities of old age – the scooters, the walking frames, the lifestyle village, the old folks home!
BUT … now it’s time for us to part.
You’re too old for me, they say. Too old fashioned. Too unreliable.
Your performance isn’t up to scratch, I know, with parts that don’t always work properly. But I never thought that there’d be anything wrong with you that couldn’t be fixed. A quick service, bit of a tune up, you’d be right as rain.
But no. They say you’re too far gone.
My pleas that I don’t want to abandon you fell on deaf ears. They say there’s no point trying to fix you. Better get used to it and move on, they say.
Time to stop being sentimental.
Sentimental? Sentimental?? Puhleeeeese!! What’s sentimental about not wanting to part? What’s sentimental about trying to make it work – you still work brilliantly most of the time!
‘Sentimental’ indeed! I call it practical and sensible.
It’s not like it’s just between you and me now anyway. Our relationship has been recorded on this blog! People know about us. They’ve seen – and commented on – how well we work together! So why would I just toss you in the trash because they say you’re too old fashioned?? And unable to be mended??
Sure, they laughed when I brought you in. That old thing, they said. It’s not performing? You want the problems fixed? Don’t bother even trying on something of THAT vintage!
I begged and pleaded. I don’t care how much it costs, I said. Whatever it takes, I said.
They laughed again. Yeah, whatever. Sure, we’ll check if it’s even possible, they said. The alacrity with which they returned meant either a resounding ‘NO’ or that they hadn’t bothered to even ask the question.
Sorry, no can do, they said.
So who are ‘they’, anyway? And who are ‘they’ to dictate the terms of our remaining life together??
Those evil bastards at the camera shop, that’s who! Who presumably are speaking for Pentax when they tell me that Pentax won’t repair – or even service – a 19 year old ‘Zoom60-X’ camera in perfect working order but for a sporadic shutter button sticking problem!
What a shame things were built to last back in 1991 (yes, SOOOO long ago!!). You’ve lasted – and would last a helluva lot longer, but not without the support services to keep you going. What’s the point, they say. There’s virtually no processing centres left, or shops that sell film.
I guess we learned that lesson – Pilchard’s 2 year old camera (that NEVER worked as well as you) is now not worth repairing because it’s ‘old technology’.
By an incredible coincidence, however, the head camera shop bastard just happened to have a brochure handy that just happened to have an offer on ‘the best camera I’ve ever had in 35 years in the business’!! Amazing, huh?!?! What kind of a lucky break is that? I get to throw you away AND spend a mere $439 on a replacement with a number of amazing features that I’ll probably never use …
Of course I declined. BUT … I fear I’m just delaying the inevitable. So I took a brochure.
‘Ideas for life’ it said. Huh? Give me a break!! It’s not a time share in the Whitsundays, or a Xmas flight over Uluru, its a CAMERA!!!! And it’ll probably be expendable in about 6 months …
Weirdly, I don’t actually consider myself a photographer, but I’ve had a number of lovely comments about our photos from my kind readers – so maybe, just maybe I can start calling myself a happy snapper! Well, that’s one step up from rank amateur! I wonder do our readers realise your amazing achievements – you’re responsible for ALL photos on this blog (other than those credited elsewhere)!!
So, goodbye my faithful friend – I wonder will our readers notice a difference in photo quality when you’ve finally been replaced with something I don’t want?
Only time will tell.
I love this as much the second time round — thanks for joining in!
@Kath Lockett – I’m still holding on with both hands! Pilchard is about to attempt a clean/repair job – the latest film I had developed has more pix ruined because of the shutter problem so I’ve got nothing to lose. But I’m kinda hoping I don’t have to lose anything …!!!
Lovely story – I had to farewell my first ‘real’ love a couple of years ago after having won ‘him’ on ‘a Wheel of Fortune’ back in 1988. I was too tearful to throw him out, so Love Chunks had to do it!
@Lisa E – Yeah! Well I am, in a way!! And I feel your pain – just didn’t realise what a ‘dinosaur’ I have until things started going wrong!!
@RJ Fry – Absolutely not! I suspect the camera shop bastard was trying to shock me into feeling guilty in order to make a quick sale! Sadly (for him!) I don’t often do guilt …
Great post…made me laugh! I thought you were writing about a regular type of break-up! 🙂
That was a long relationship, by the way. Must have been a great one! PS: I’m going to have to break it off with my FujiFilm FinePix E900. After 3 years, he’s just not able to meet my needs anymore. Sad, huh? 🙂
There’s nothing wrong with sentimentality 🙂
@greeneyes616 – Welcome! Couldn’t agree more – it’s a sad fact of modern life!! Hope you visit again real soon!!
What a lovely story and you’re so right things were made to last and be our friends now things are made for money and without pride…If it last 5 years you got a great deal…how sad really….wonderful stuff Happy new year and God Bless Patricia
@TOG (Ron!) – Why, thank you!
@Carolyn – thanx for your kind commiserations! And LOOVE your graphix!
@Andrew – YEAH! My writing strategy worked then!! And my 19 y.o. camera pix are far superior to Pilchards 2 y.o. What a pisser!
@TRR – At least you found someone to repair it! I can’t get anyone to even LOOK at mine!!
@boromax – but no happy ending for me 🙁
@Jayne – maybe I’m just too low-tech for my own good!! Merry Xmas to you too!
@Nikki – Long time no see! By an incredible coincidence the Panasonic Lumix is the exact same camera the head evil camera shop bastard recommended to me … HHHMMMmmm… maybe it’s a sign!
@Toni – ME TOO!!! IT SUCKS!!! But a faint glimmer of hope – with nothing to lose, Pilchard’s offered to try & clean it out when I’ve finished the current film! Who knows? Maybe it’ll work good again like your washing machine!! Until ‘they’ all stop developing film …
I HATE this ‘throw away’ society. I had a washing machine repairman advise me to chuck out my 2 year old machine one time, because it ‘wasn’t worth fixing’. Hubby took a look, removed the lollipop stick from it’s filter, and the thing is still going strong 5 years later.
I don’t get it how we’re supposed to recycle our milk containers, but throw away anything vaguely useful (and expensive).
Wow, 19 years.
I have changed my camera four times in the last ten years alone and when I went to Israel and New York I had two so I wouldn’t miss anything. 🙂
I always had Canons but my current camera is a Panasonic Lumix. There are lots of features I don’t use but two easy point and shoot options too.
I hope you find something you enjoy using.
Although I have a DSLR which is almost the bees knees I’m still in love with my sometimes-working-with-just-a-sticky-lens-shutter point and shoot digital camera and refuse to toss it.
Merry Christmas, Red!
Wonderful story, RN! Relationships can be SOOOOoooo challenging sometimes, eh?
Merry Christmas!
Blimey!!!!!! I though you were heading towards your car, partner maybe, but a camera. phew!!!!!!!!
I had a tear in my eye, thinking about my Val. No never will part with that one, even after 36 years. Its last expense just a measley 3 grand, but she is as good as new again.
They will bury me with the Val.(he he!!!)
CYA
Us
I was really worried about where this was going. I think my five year old camera took better snaps than my two year old one. Best seasons wishes.
I loved this blog. Have had dramas with most brands of cameras and not being able to get them repaired for a reasonable cost. I am also a happy snapper but like getting the best results I can.
★Merry★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★Christmas★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門｜ ˚And a happy new year:’)
I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.
God Bless You 🙂
~Ron