On the Windowsill – One Shot Story

Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

OK, sorry, I see the 1-shot stories have all been recent. Your post about the Bessa-L almost had me pulling the trigger on one.

Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

I used to shoot mainly slide film, but since the lockdowns put my lab out of business and the rise in film cost it's too expensive - so it's mainly digital for colour. I can't use print film

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

It’s true that I’ve got a few more years under my belt. To be honest, you can tell a bit when it comes to my activities compared to how things used to be. I’m doing less and less. I haven’t developed my own photos for ages, and I only ever had a black-and-white darkroom in the basement. I haven’t ventured into colour photography; I’ve mostly used slide film. My lab costs are kept to a minimum. I pay €8.50 for 36 colour shots and €10.50 for 36 black-and-white shots, including development and a 4K scan. I mainly take digital photos; I also own a Nikon D200, as well as a number of other cameras. Yes, I’ve uploaded three ON SHOT articles since the Bessa-L piece. But in just over a week, there’ll be another article here featuring five photos taken with my Zorki-1. Thanks for your feedback, Gary! .

Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

I'm 72 and I retired from working full-time just as Covid hit and put a dent into my ability to travel and do things out of the house. I just got new hearing aids. I need a new prescription for my reading and long-distance glasses. I take upper and lower partials out at night before bed, and it seems like I'm always achy. At least I'm still mobile and continent. Be well!

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

That makes the age difference 6 years. My teeth, hearing and eyesight are fine; 7 years ago I had an artificial heart valve fitted – it was touch and go, but I’ve been feeling much better ever since. Thanks for the good wishes. All the best to you too, Gary!

Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

I had a heart stent put in a few years ago, had a carotid endarterectomy and as a result of that lost partial retina acuity in my left eye. As they say: Growing old ain't for sissies but it beats the alternative! My father passed when he was 62.

Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

Oh dear! this is starting to sound too familiar for comfort. I'm half-way between you and Gary. A musical medical friend of mine says " get a few old people together and you always get an organ recital". I'll refrain from going there.

Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

I didn't mean to turn it into "Days of Our Lives"...

Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

George Cole was brilliant in the adverts “auto focus? Hocus pocus!”

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

Perhaps I’ll get round to posting a few photos of Wuppertal here, taken with an analogue camera. A lot will have changed since 1955. The suspension railway is still running. There were accidents in 1917 and 1999. It’s a safe mode of transport that I enjoy using when I’m there. I usually get off the train at Vohwinkel and carry on by suspension railway to Elberfeld or Barmen. Here in Germany, I haven’t found any information about the ‘9manufacture’. Developed by Olympus, it was manufactured by Olympus in Japan throughout its entire production run, which was a very long time. I have a few of these little Olympus cameras; they’re very handy for a stroll through town like this. They’re unobtrusive, quick, and the photo quality is good. Thanks, Tony!

Tony Warren replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

My apologies, it must have the wrong information Walter. It came out when I was researching a lens I believe. Good cameras though. As to Wuppertal and changes over time, that is so true. Looking on the maps program, the junior school house I stayed at in Ronsdorf seems to have disappeared and my trip to school involved a tram and the funicular taking me down into valley at Töllerturm down to Elberfeld. I couldn't find the funicular either. It was very good transport system with one ticket serving for the whole journey, however many changes were involved.

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

I got my information from two different AI research programmes. I’ve never read anything about it anywhere else either. I’m a fan of these little Olympus viewfinder and rangefinder cameras, alongside the OM-1n, OM-2n and OM-4Ti. But none of this may be accurate; the Japanese have always been reticent about sharing information on their products and collaborations. I’m sure you’re referring to this railway; I don’t know if you’re familiar with the entry – it’s only available in German: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barmer_Bergbahn

Tony Warren replied:

Comment posted: 30/06/2026

That is interesting, thank you. I had no idea it had been part of a larger system. And memory failing again, the lower terminus was not Elberfeld.

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 01/07/2026

I couldn’t agree more. It’s just that train journeys are becoming increasingly unsafe due to fellow passengers. As a result, I now only travel in first class. In urban centres, there are only advantages, as you’ve pointed out. I don’t always carry such simple cameras with me – they only offer 1/40s and 1/200s in aperture priority mode – but I make sure they’re unobtrusive and quick to use. The image quality is usually fine too. As for your question, I think the owner decides what’s on offer. Perhaps he takes regulars’ preferences into account when making his selection. Thanks, Geoff!

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 02/07/2026

Thank you for your comments. I’ll try to address such needs in future articles.

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 03/07/2026

Everything you’ve written is true, including the carrying case. But it does protect the selenium cells. I hadn’t heard of David Bailey before, but he used to take photos with this brilliant, simple camera, amongst others. No one in Germany has ever approached me about a camera. These days, you can actually get into trouble here just for holding a camera in your hand – for fear of having your photo taken, whatever camera it might be. Thanks for your comment, Paul.

Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 03/07/2026

This camera was manufactured for over 15 years from 1968 onwards and sold 10 million units. I can well imagine why. You quickly learn the right settings for the distance – after a few missed shots – and then all that’s left to do is find your subject, frame the shot and press the shutter. The lens is very good; the 40mm focal length is ideal for most shots. Or you can simply get a bit closer. As you say, “simply more time for taking photos”. It’s all much quicker than with a rangefinder and makes you even less conspicuous. Thanks for your best wishes and all the best, Omar.