Bye cam
Our dear camera was stolen from Pom in Mindanao recently. Yes, the camera we saved up for in years; the camera I dreamed of while feeling envious of the other photographers in rallies; the camera that gave us much joy; the camera that I wiped clean after every coverage; the camera that took many good pictures and affirmed my uncle’s suspicion I could be a photographer when he gave me an old Petri decades back.
My family, friends and comrades know how much I loved that camera. Aside from its kit lens, it had three other lenses from my old film cameras and another lent one from Onin Tagaro. When my friend Leighton Wood gave us money to buy a top-of-the-line flash, a proper tripod and a wicked battery grip, I still bought more accessories for it. I bought rechargeable batteries for the flash. I bought Onin’s Tamrac camera-laptop bag for it on top of two others I bought from Ron Papag and Henry Sy. I bought lens polarizers, hoods and caps. I bought a wrist strap for it in Hong Kong.
I taught photography workshops with it. I earned another media card with it. I never earned from it but I got praises for some of the pictures I took with it. It was more than just a toy; it helped me a lot in my chosen political work.
This is depressing as hell. I miss that camera so much.
Despite efforts to find out who stole it from my in-laws’ house, I am no longer hopeful we’d get it back. Even if we can get it back, in what condition would it be? Did the bastard make sure it was dry where he keeps it? If already fenced, didn’t the asshole buyer play with it too much already? I don’t think many people where it was stolen know how to figure it out quickly without its manual.
So we are left with four lenses, a flash and the other peripherals, in addition to one film and one APS SLR cam bodies. I don’t know when and how we can get a DSLR replacement but I will do my best. It might take months, even years. But remembering how much fun I had taking pictures, I will do my best, for sure. I am thinking of asking donations from friends and family but am a bit shy about doing it. (But if my friends and family are not shy about commiserating by donating, that’s okay by me. All they have to do is hit me so I can send them my bank account details. Hint! Hint!)
Bahala na. Canon’s new live view feature seems nice. Hosto services, anyone?
