Equipment
and Philosophy Equipment
and Philosophy I have always been photographing my world since I was about 12 years old. My first camera was a Kodak 126 Instamatic -- and I still have all the negatives from those early days. My first "real" camera was an Exakta Exa 1a that I was given during my junior year of high school (1973). I used that camera for 10 years before I bought a Pentax MG slr, which I used for 16 years before I seriously renewed my interest in photography and in cameras.
Most of my 35mm shooting is now done with Nikon cameras. I primarily use a Nikon FA, FM2N, F2, or F-4s for 35mm SLR color work and B&W work. Nikon's older bodies are workhorses, and my Nikon F2 will probably outlast me. The F2 just feels good to use! The range of lenses and accessories are fantastic -- far more than I'll ever need or use. My primary lenses for shooting macro work are a 200mm Micro-Nikkor, 60mm Micro-Nikkor, and a 90mm Tamron macro. Beyond that, my most-used lenses are a 50mm 1.4 Nikkor, a 35-105 Nikkor zoom, a 105 2.8 Nikkor, and a 300mm Nikkor. Late in 2002, I acquired a Nikkor 70-180 macro zoom. That's a really neat lens that I am just starting to explore the possibilities of.
Since I don't like to rely too much on microchips for my photography, I also enjoy using a Canon QL-17 35mm RF camera -- it has a great lens and works much better after I replaced the light seals -- what more can I ask from a $10 thrift shop purchase? It's a wonderful camera for carrying on walks around town and in the car. Another favorite pocket camera is an Olympus XA. That is one gem of a camera. However, the hands-down winner for compactness, super-sharp optics, and ruggedness, is my Rollei 35TE!
I have also been using some Minolta cameras - the X-700, X-370, and the XE-7. Minolta has made some great cameras and fine lenses, and I think the XE-7 and X-700 are certainly as good as anything Nikon has made for non-pro cameras. I took the X-700 and 3 lenses on a trip to NYC in April 2004, and got great results.
My medium format shooting only started in the winter of 2000. I acquired a Rolleiflex TLR with a 3.5 Xenar lens, and it is a very easy-to-use 6x6 cm camera.I have also shot with a Pentax 6x7, a Holga (fun!), and a variety of folders and box cameras. In Feb. 2003, I purchased a Kiev 60 on ebay. The camera is a bargain, and easily used. I'll eventually put up a page on here.
As you can tell from these pages, I enjoy playing with cameras (especially older ones), and during any given week, I may shoot with a variety of cameras, depending on what mood hits me. Most of my stuff is 35mm, though, as it is my preferred format. I have been acquiring Argus and some other cameras just because they are interesting, old, and still useful. My old cameras page has some images taken with them.
As far as digital imaging goes, I used to own an Apple Quicktake 200 that I mostly used for ebay purposes. I now use a Nikon Coolpix 775 for web content. My employer recently purchased a Nikon D-100 which I am experimenting with. I have a Minolta DualScan II for my slides and negatives, and an Epson 1260 scanner for prints and other items. My personal cheapo digicam is a Vivitar 2.1 MP camera. In 2004, I'll probably acquire a Nikon D-70.
As I really only seriously started doing macro work in the summer of 2000, I have some catching up to do. However, thanks to the generosity of my friend and mentor, Bill Brudon, I have been able to use a lot of nice macro equipment.
In December 2002, we moved to a new home -- one owned by my friend and mentor, Bill Brudon. He and his wife Margaret had lived there for 30 years, and were ready to downsize. They were moving to a retirement comunity in Chelsea MI, and we purchased their home in Ann Arbor. I now have my own darkroom, and Bill left me a lot of materials and equipment. Amazing how things work out.
As far as favorite photographers -- a few really great ones inspire me -- Edward Weston, a man that did so much with so little; Walker Evans, Ansel Adams, Margaret Bourke-White, Imogen Cunningham, and Brett Weston, among others.
You can see my portfolio on photo.net
last updated June 21, 2004
