Built-in meter? Har! I didn't have one of those until I bought a used K1000 in 1996.
Subsequent cameras included an Exakta and a Rolleicord. I still have both, but sold the Pentax years ago. Stupid of me, huh?
While doing a year at San Francisco City College I used a 4 x 5 view camera. I don't want one today, but it was an experience to learn what it could do. Also did B&W darkroom work in those days. San Francisco Parks & Recreation department operated a public darkroom, with enlargers, that one could use for a small subscription. I wonder if it's still in operation?
I remember Kodachrome II, Kodachrome 64, early Ektachrome, Agfachrome 50 (my favorite in those days), Panatomic-X, Plus X, and early Tri-X. I played for a while with Anscochrome 400. Ansco sold a chemical kit that allowed one to develop positives without the need to hold the film strip to a light source. But subsequently I learned to do that too.
Despite all this, I love my *ist D, Photoshop, Nikon LS 2000 scanner, and Epson 870 printer. I have some nostalgia for the old days, but I keep it under control.
Joe
