I am a computer science student, and that means spending most of the day in front of a screen, doing things related to computers for school, and spending most of the night in front of a screen doing things related to computers for my own interests. This seems to be typical of even people who aren’t in computer science fields. We work desk jobs and then come back home to be consumed by another screen. Its because of this phenomena, I believe, that the trend of vintage and bespoke and artisanal things have resurged. Especially amongst the young urban professional demographic.
I believe the YUP demographic is the best way to gauge zeitgeist. They’re always going to be, the pool refreshes every couple of years as they get married and start families, and most importantly, they’re irresponsible with their money and make impulse purchases that truly reflect them.
In the 80s and 90s, young urban professionals, which from here on will be referred to as yuppies, spent their money on living lavishly. That included things not limited to but including technology. Their escapades, as embellished and immortalized in the film American Psycho, illustrates the differences between the yuppies of yore to the yuppies of today. Today’s yuppies seek out bespoke, handcrafted goods. The reason being that their urban jobs often have them do things which are virtual. These transactions and approvals, which are almost all digital these days give no visceral experience. More and more, hobbies like quilting and calligraphy are starting to appear and the reason behind it is because people want a more human touch to their lives. I too, have fallen to the satisfaction of pressing a button and having a mechanical “thing” do something. I collect cameras, not obsessively, but only those which catch my eye. Cameras nowadays are not reactive. I can pull out my phone and shoot a shot that, quality wise, is up to par with most DSLRs. But the cameras I like are the one that make noise. In front of me now, is a Voightlander Vitomatic II. It’s a rangefinder camera, where you have to line up a ghost projection over the viewfinder to get the correct focus. It was made in the late 1950s and it’s an experience to use. 
Picking it up, it’s at least two pounds, very heavy. The lense has a collection of three rings, one for aperture in the middle, which when you turn, opens and closes the aperture circle. If you look at the front, through the lense, you can see as it does its job. Behind the aperture ring is a shutter speed ring. This ring clicks into its positions, the numbers all engraved. The shutter and aperture ring are linked, twisting one past a certain point will twist the other, a kind consideration for shooter back then, as the two are linked. The front has the focus ring, it rotates smoothly, for ease of use.
Taking a picture with it is a whole process all on its own. A built in light meter shows the lighting conditions. Then you adjust the aperture ring to the correct position, this is shown on top, with a line showing the amount of light. The aperture ring moves a hand also in the lightmeter display, adjust it the line goes through the hand, and then you’re ready to focus. Holding it up to your eye, there is a true color image and a ghost image from the rangefinder. The focus ring will move the ghost image left and right. Move it until the ghost lines up with your target. Compose, then squeeze the shutter. A satisfying noise comes as the shutter opens and then closes, all done mechanically, with near perfect time.
Progressing the film, there's a lever on the back, as you pull the lever to advance the frame, there’s a ratcheting noise, tktktktktktktk-chk, as you thumb pushes it all the way. Removing the film in itself is another process, that includes various switches, knobs that pop out, bits that fold out and turn and lock.
My point is, maybe there's just something about doing and actually see it being done than it having magically do it for us. Think about that next time you take a picture.
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