The first 35mm manual film camera I started to use was an Asahi Pentax S1a.
I used an exposure meter to take light levels as the camera did not have any meters built in. It was very hands-on then and it taught me a lot. The lenses were interchangeable, so you could go from your 'Portrait' lens to a long tele-photo lens by just unscrewing one then screwing in the other one. Flash attachments were also separate pieces of equipment, so by the time you have all your bits with you for a photo shoot, you're laden down like a pack-horse.
I purchased this equipment whilst working in my first job as a photographic assistant/salesman in the Photographic Department of the Co-operative store in Stockton.
As a way of gaining experience in the use of cameras the Manager would give me assignments around Stockton. Photographing architecture and street scenes using black-and-white film, then developing them myself.
I used colour film for my own personal use, but had these developed in a photo lab (it was too expensive to do your own film processing in those days.)
I later purchased another Pentax, this time it was the MX model. It was still a manual 35mm camera but it did have a built-in exposure meter. The light readings were taken from the read-out through the viewfinder. The shutter speed was set with a dial, given speeds from 'Bulb' (fully open) up to 1,000th of a second. The aperture (or f-stop) was set from between f2.8 to f16.
By careful manipulation of the shutter speed and aperture, you could control your depth of field. This was the area that was in focus from just in front of the subject being taken to the area behind the subject. The larger the aperture setting, e.g. f2.8 (this giving the largest opening and allowing the maximum amount of light in), the less depth of field you got. Ideal for taking portrait shots of people or animals as this enabled the main subject to remain sharp and stand out more clearly, by putting the background out of focus.
With a setting of f16 (the smallest opening and letting the least amount of light in), pretty much all of your scene from near to far would be in focus. This setting was useful for taking landscapes.
I still have those two cameras right up to this day, in mint condition. Those were the days.
This now brings us to the digital era.
I now only shoot with my digital camera which is a Nikon Coolpix 8700, 8 megapixel, with built-in flash.
It is classed as a semi-professional camera with a fixed lens. The professional models with interchangeable lenses are much more expensive. Maybe one day I'll 'upgrade', but for now mine does the jobs I want.
(
Edited with updated equipment info - see Nikon D60 - My New Little Baby.)
The settings for shutter speed, aperture, etc., are now all menu driven. It took a bit of getting used to at first, having been weaned on manual cameras for such a long time. It takes perseverence and taking lots of photos to get used to all the different settings, and discovering what works best for you in certain conditions. Once you've done this, you then don't have to think too much about getting the camera into the correct mode when it's most needed, and risk missing that all important moment.
With your photos being digital, you don't have to worry about wasting rolls of film any more and the expense of getting them developed. You can now take as many pictures as you want, and choose the best one/s for printing yourself, so saving a lot of money.
Your photos can also be shared amongst your friends and relatives much more easily. With most households now having at least one computer, you can take a picture and have it on the Internet within minutes to show people.
This gardening forum is a perfect example of the two mediums coming together for the greater good.
You already have your computer (otherwise you would'nt be here
) and armed with your trusty digital camera you can take photos of your prized plants and gardens, and share them with other Forum members. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. It's so much easier to show a photo of a favourite plant, than trying to explain what it looks like.
It would be nice to hear from other members about what equipment they use, and what experiences they've had getting to know it.
Laurie.
