August 13, 2005

Some Gear Talk

Boat

So lately I've been shooting with my first camera again - a Nikon FM which my dad gave me 15 years ago. I thought it might be interesting for people to talk about what gear/film/etc they are using lately, and what they like about it, and perhaps even link to some good examples.

The photo above is of my brother, on a fishing trip to Canada in 1992, taken with my FM. I wasn't paying attention to pile of filters becoming visable in the lens!

posted in Film by WetGecko

TrackBacks

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://chicago.photobloggers.org/cgi-bin/MT/tbchi.cgi/81

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Some Gear Talk:

Comments

Besides my toy cameras (the Dianas & Holgas), I've been experimenting with some homemade brew lately. I've created some tilt/shift homemade lenses using loupes and enlarging lenses for my two rather obsure medium format cameras: a Chinese-made Great Wall DF-1 120 camera and a Pentacon Six TL 120 SLR camera made in the former East Germany. I simply attach the "lens" to a heavy duty garbage bag via a thick rubber band. I attach the garbage bag at the other end (by various means) to the camera. I push the "lens" in and out to focus. As far as film is concerned, I've lately been shooting almost exclusively with Fuji Neopan Acros 100 for b&w and Fuji Velvia 100 for color. I process my own b&w at home but send out the Velvia to my local lab for cross-processing.
Posted by: mr bill | August 13, 2005 04:21 PM

I've also pulled out my first 35mm, a Honeywell Pentax which I bought new back in 1975. It's a tank. A Hummer could roll over it and it would still take pictures. No batteries ('cept the light meter) I love the focus and the beautiful sound it makes when the mirror movesand I love pressing that lever to advance the film...old habits die hard. The long lens however, weighs as much as a newborn baby. I'm also experimenting with the Rolleiflex, purchased on Ebay after Nick starting posting all his fab stuff. I've still got to process those rolls, the first of September I'll have access to a dark room. The Rolleiflex is a crowd stopper anywhere you go. People are so fascinated by it that they forget to be uncooperative when it comes to photography. Got a little spy cam and I'm having fun with that. The Casio Exilim stays in the purse always, just in case. It takes really great pics. The D70 and lenses remains a "destination" camera get up. The one that is always reliable for a decent shot is the Fuji S5000, gotta love Fuji color. And now Mr. Bill has me slinking around looking for a Holga, after those wedding pics. Enough!!!
Posted by: the farmers wife | August 13, 2005 08:58 PM

For the last 2 years I've been shooting fuji S2s. I briefly used a D70 - which was great for being light and fast, and the battery lasts forever - however I liked the RAW capabilities and better range of the S2. Shooting film again reminds me of how nice it is to have more tonal range, and smoother transitions into highlights. Also I missed shooting 400CN. It has this distinctive smoothness, with just enough grain to give it some bite. If you aren't developing your own its a great choice for B&W. I'm also playing around with 400 speed slide film :) And I just got a 'cord: http://wetgecko.net/?date=20050816 Anyone shoot any of the 6x9 folding cameras? I think next on my list might be to find a nice pocket sized 35mm -Erik
Posted by: Erik P | August 16, 2005 04:27 PM

I cut my teeth on a Nikon D1H working for a newspaper at University of Illinois. I got to play with all of the $$$ zooms they had - I was spoiled. These days I primarily use my Nikon N80 + 50mm/1.8 with some b&w film (primarily Tri-x), lomo with reala, superia, or outdated slide film, or my new (old) Yashica D TLR with any film I try. Getting everything lined up in that TLR is pretty tough. A few weeks ago I picked up everything I need to develop my own b&w at home. I've had a lot of fun doing it.
Posted by: roderick | August 29, 2005 10:44 AM

I recently bought a Nikon D70. After working with it for a couple days I had the urge to do something I haven't done in a while. I picked up my trusty Pentax 6x7 and did some fun black and white photography. It was good to get away from the computer and back into the dark room. As for the D70, I think it might be gathering some dust for a while.
Posted by: ThatDonGuy | September 19, 2005 03:45 PM

Over the last few years I have been moving away from 35mm work and shooting mostly with 645 and 6x7. I do like that big viewfinder. B&W film is choice, is there really color film? Who knew? Anyway I just found this site and soo far it looks good...
Posted by: ChrisL | September 30, 2005 03:59 PM

For the past two years I've only been shooting 6x6 with my Rolleiflex 2.8. Love the TLR's, Zeiss from the early 50's is still crystal clear. While in NYC, I decided to try Agfa APX 100 - love it. Works well, as one would guess, with Rodinal. Fell in love with the Holga a few years ago, but havent used it in a while. Only shoot dig. on vacation...I dont see myself picking up a digital camera for pro work for a long time, if at all. My only exception would be a Leica Digilux II. Film for life...
Posted by: BrianD | October 4, 2005 05:01 PM