I am a college professor (statistics) and am definitely

a bit of of an anachronism and a packrat. On the RFF, one of my favorite places, we describe the continual need to collect and use older cameras as "GAS" (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). Regardless of what you want to call it, I love old cameras, particularly, restoring them and using them. I've been an amateur photographer since receiving my first Brownie camera at about age six. My uncle was a photojournalist for the old Brooklyn Eagle and served as a mentor of sorts as I grew up. When he passed on I inherited his equipment. As a result, I have equipment ranging from 4 X 5 to Minox. I'm primarily a film guy, but was dragged into the digital realm by my son, who is a photojournalist. When he upgraded to a Canon 5D for his backup camera from his 20D he passed the latter on to me.

As a confirmed rangefinder guy, I found it a bit unwieldy, and when the Epson RD1 came out traded up. Some might describe going from an 8 MP camera to a 6MP one trading down, until they see the quality of the Epson. I realize there has been a great deal of controversy around quality control for the camera, but I lucked out and received a good one. Prior to the Epson, my two main cameras were the Mamiya 6 (purchased new in the late 80's) and a variety of fixed lens rangefinders (Yashica GSN''s, Yashica 14e, Olympus XA and XA4, Olympus 35SP, and a wonderful Mamya 330F TLR, not a rangefinder, but a wonderful image maker!). followed most recently by a Leica M6. I love all forms of photography, but as a former hunter must confess a passion for outdoor photography. My latest project is to become more involved in photographing "animals" [i.e. people :<) ] as Winogrand used to say.

I tend to use my medium format and 35mm rangefinders primarily, but have definitely been recently seduced by the ease of use of the Epson (acquired 5/06). I love photography (some day I might even learn how to make a decent image) and am blessed with an understanding bride of 28 years. That's about it.