How did everyone get started???

Aeryk01 · 25-03-2005, 14:18

Just trying to spark some interesting conversation... I was wondering how everyone got started in this hobby/profession?

Here's my story...

I got my girlfriend a Minolta DiMAGE Z-10 this past Christmas. She specifically requested this camera due to the fact she makes jewelry and wanted to be able to take close macro shots and the Z-10 allows this. So I got it for her and it basically just sat around until a month or 2 ago when I asked if I could use it to take some photos of a family function. Ever since then, it's safe to say, I've been using it a heck of alot more than her. Now... I have had quite a few SLR's in the past (Pentax K-1000, Canon EOS Rebel, & currently a Canon FTb), but I mainly used them for dabbling in Astrophotography(Yes...I'm a die-hard amateur astronomer). But I must say I'm quite impressed with what this Point & Shoot camera is capable of. As you all have seen, it does take a decent picture, but rest assured, I'm hoping for a DSLR VERY soon in my near future.

I always try and let everyone know, I'm literally just a beginner in this arena, and I find I REALLY enjoy the creative outlet it provides and the fantastic various forms of self-expression it gives me. I've never before quite understood what it means to actually create a form of art, other than music, but I'm finding that many of the shots I take & others I see here, are NOT merely just folks taking snaps, but instead, we're all actually trying to enhance our love for the craft & are forever in search of that "perfect shot". I often use the term "capturing magic" when I refer to my photography. And I sincerely believe that every REALLY good shot out of the hundreds we all shoot, contains that "magic"... that special element or combination thereof, that sets that one photo apart from the rest of the frames we shoot. Happy hnting and thanks to everyone here for exceptional words of constructive criticism & guidance.

Kindest regards,

Eric

Adrian · 25-03-2005, 15:40

I started when I was at junior school, with the wonders of a Zenit B, a 50mm lens, and a pokey little darkroom that had formerly been a cleaners cupboard.

Steep · 25-03-2005, 16:38

The first camera I used was my fathers Voigtlander Perkeo II rollfilm camera (I still have it) and it got me hooked. The first camera I owned was a Zenith E (I stilll have it) and moved on to a Pentax ME Super (! still...you get my drift)

I've never been a good photographer though I try and the trying is what it's all about after all.

Matty · 25-03-2005, 18:50

nothing so traditional for me, i got a cheap a crappy little 1.3mp camera, didnt use it but then one day there was a williams F1 car at legoland, and it all kind of spiralled after that, started to show an interest, but the camera was rubbish, then i got a casio qvr40 and really got into it, have lots of books on photography techniques and theeory that i really must read, i found the casio to be not enough and bought a fujis5000 but then that too was not enough, i now have the 300D and loving it....

I really want to do some portraits, but need to find some willing victims first!

BerraSM · 25-03-2005, 19:08

I originally bought a Fuji 602z and had lots of funs with it, its only when i noticed everyone on another forum talking about the 300d and how cheap they are now, i decided to buy one. The results are ALOT better from the Canon, and plus i can change lenses for different situations.

silkstone · 25-03-2005, 19:31

Started at age of 9 with something called a 'Fulvue' TLR. Hopeless - both it and me.

Progressed to an Iford Sporti (yes, OK, I still have it), a Halina 126 thingy (still have...), a succession of dubious 35mm cameras which were the pride of the Soviet Union, and then a Canon A1 which is still my favourite camera of all time. I wish they did a digital version. When it finally broke, I got an EOS 50e and a Fuji MX1700 digicam. Later bought a G2 (still have...), then had a 300D for six weeks before swapping to the 10D. Recently bought a Sony P200 to keep in my pocket.

In the A1 days I used to do a quite lot of Cibachrome printing from slides, which was expensive and occasionally frustrating. Did I mention that I still have the darkroom equipment?

Anyway, I gave up film altogether last year, and I'm not missing it at all. I have to concentrate on taking huge numbers of shots so I can save lots of money compared with the cost of film. :P

Steep · 25-03-2005, 20:13

Silkstone - close?

silkstone · 25-03-2005, 21:18

LOL! Spot on! I never thought I'd see one of those again. I'm not sure what happened to it - it was my Dad's really. It came in a cardboard 'suitcase' with a bolt-on flashgun (magesium bulbs, of course).

Thanks for posting that - it brings back memories of 43 years ago

Is it yours, BTW, or did you just have a pic?

Adrian · 25-03-2005, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

LOL! Spot on! I never thought I'd see one of those again. I'm not sure what happened to it - it was my Dad's really. It came in a cardboard 'suitcase' with a bolt-on flashgun (magesium bulbs, of course).

Thanks for posting that - it brings back memories of 43 years ago

Is it yours, BTW, or did you just have a pic?

I nearly bought one of those at my local flea market a couple of weeks ago but resisted as it was a bit shabby. Perhaps you might be tempted by this decent-looking example? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

Steep · 25-03-2005, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

Is it yours, BTW, or did you just have a pic?

Yes it's mine, for my sins I'm a bit of a collector of old tat...erm...I mean old cameras

MyPix · 25-03-2005, 22:41

I started at the age of 6 with a folding Kodak 1A , it was my dads camera , he was also a photographer for the local paper at the time , i think he had a 35mm Canon something or other,

as time went by i went through all the formats including a disc film camera and an aps camera ( fantastic camera but the film was way too expensive to use ) and a medium format unit,
then got into 35mm with a Canon AT1 ( like the AE1 but non electronic ) , this served till i got a Nikon F401 AF unit , then a Nikon F601 ( my first Brand new camera!!!! ), both 35mm, then bought a couple of Nikons ( an F50 and F60 ) ,
before that i had a 1.3 meg Fuji, then the Fuji 4800Z, and then the Fuji S7000 , which was replaced a few months back by my Nikon D70

on top of this i did collect old cameras for a while amassing a total of 115

MyPix

btw, its great here in Oz, and have taken over 1200 shots in less then 2 weeks taking up 7 gig on my 40 gig viewer/HD, lol, EosD has seen a few of them so far 8)

silkstone · 26-03-2005, 00:52

@ Steep: I bet you don't have the cardboard suitcase!

I have a small collection of old stuff, but not this. Slightly jealous, if only for sentimental reasons.

@ Adrian: Ta muchly for the link - it's mine if the price doesn't go too high!

@ MyPix: I have a Kodak 1A Autographic if you'd like to reminisce.

MyPix · 26-03-2005, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

@ Steep: I bet you don't have the cardboard suitcase!

I have a small collection of old stuff, but not this. Slightly jealous, if only for sentimental reasons.

@ Adrian: Ta muchly for the link - it's mine if the price doesn't go too high!

@ MyPix: I have a Kodak 1A Autographic if you'd like to reminisce.

i still have one to , lol

the best vintage camera i have is an Erniman Flim K, this Leather covered mahogany box camera is in mint condition and i have run film through it a few times, it was made in 1898 , and is valued around $200 according to the McOwans Guide i have from 2002, got it for a fiver at the local carboot :wink:
most of the kodaks are only worth a fiver or so in mint condition, and the ' fulview ' there is about the same value if memory servs, but its always best to check, lol

MyPix 8)

Arkady · 26-03-2005, 14:43

First camera was a Pentax Spotmatic that my grandfather gave me when I was 12. He also showed me how to dev and print my own stuff.
That was 1975 and I never looked back.

My mum lost the Pentax after I lent it to her for a Spanish holiday - she left it on a bar somewhere and forgot all about it until I asked for it back!
And she still wonders why I got annoyed...

AndyD · 28-03-2005, 01:10

Started with a Zenith E; progressed to a Nikon EM; then got me a Nikon 401S; P-Ex'd that for my first Canon - an EOS 100, inherited another EOS 100 along with a 10 and a 5 from my dad, along with a Hassleblad (500cm) P-Ex'd the 'blad for the EOS10D. Added the 20D and some L glass over the last few months. Along the way I have picked up a few oddments that I just can't get rid of (nor wanted too!) they include a Zorki; a Yashica T4 (lovely sharp little Zeiss lens on it) and an MPP Microflex. I nearly had a Reid with a 2inch TTH lens, but couldn't afford it at the time :cry: .

My godfather was a semi-pro back in the early 60's he stopped for a while and I got him back into it when I got my Zenith. He taught me how to process my B&W stuff (Ilford ID-11 etc) and I still have the Smith's timer he bought me! Had great fun in the school darkroom, printing my own stuff and anything I could lay my hands on (including some glass negatives laying around the school d'room!) Now I "process" on my homemade PC!

ppuga · 28-03-2005, 18:55

Photography for me its a hobbie.

I started with a Kodak with 110 roll, when I was a kid, then I have one with a huge roll, don't remember wich one was, but I remember that camera uses some funny flashes, in a little square, with 4 shots, one each side, then you have to throw it away. It was fun.

Then I have my first 35mm point & shot when I was in highschool, a PENTAX, I still have it, great for travel.
Some time later I started some classes of photography in school and my mom lend me his Canon A1 with a 50mm lens, great camera to learn the basics. Later my mom give it to me as gift.
Then I decided to study Graphic Desgin, and there in University I have Photo Class, and I needed some lenses, so a friend lend me his NIKON N6006, with some lenses, I don remember wich ones specifically but the kit has a FishEye, A telephoto, and a zoom lens. Actually with that camera I spend a lot of time taken B&W and color photos in class, in the dark room, printing, etc. It was great. But I have to give it back.

Then I buy a Canon Rebel XS with kit lens 35-80, of a friend who give it to me so cheap I couldn't resist, and then a Photographer friend of mine, sold me the lenses and the flash (75-300 USM, 28-105 USM and a Speetlite 430EZ), the same way, sooo cheap that now I have all that. I buy this stuff may be 2 years ago, for only may be US$400 all.

A few months ago, I get my first digital a Canon S70, and now I'm saving to get the 20D. (hopefully soon...)