Europe with a Nikon M & FM
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In May 2006, Linda and Wes traveled to Austria and Switzerland (and a few other countries in between) in order to attend the 10th biannual convention of the Nikon Historical Society. Since this was a meeting for old camera collectors (the cameras, not the collectors) and photo technology historians, I figured I had better bring and use the oldest operational camera I have. So, here are a few images, many taken with a Nikon M rangefinder camera that dates back to January 1951. Please enjoy.
Photo by Bill Krauss
Part 1: The Bridge at Andau
In 1956 a small bridge still crossed the canal that marked the border between Austria and Hungary at Austria’s closest point to Budapest. Through November and December 1956 and into the new year, thousands of refugees crossed here in the aftermath of the October rebellion against the communists and Russians. Those events made a vivid impression on Wes’ young mind, as did James Michener’s account of these events, entitled The Bridge at Andau. So we drove there from the Neusiedler See. In 2006, the quiet farm road that runs from the village to the border is marked by countless sculptures, memorials to those who fled, and those who died fleeing tyranny. A new bridge stands at the site of the old, and now anyone can walk freely between Austria and Hungary. In some parts of this world, it is a better place.
Linda on the new bridge
Part 1: