I am an amateur photographer living in Tucson, Arizona. I have worked sporadically as a professional over the last 35 years starting in 1970 when I was assigned as a photographer with the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi,Viet Nam. I worked as a freelance photo-journalist and a commercial color printer during the mid 70's but did not return to photography until the mid 80's when I worked with a commercial photographer locally for a few years. My primary work focus has been in the audio/electronics fields and it wasn't until 2004 that I decided to return to photography as a hobby. I have no burning desire to return to the field as a full time occupation but I realized in 2004 that I missed the photographic process and the results. My timing was pretty good as most professionals were dumping their expensive film cameras for pennies on the dollar and moving into the digital domain. Thus I have been able to purchase one of every type of camera I thought was useful or desirable for a fraction of what they would have cost when film was still the dominant format. It gives me great satisfaction to use these wonderful examples mechanical/optical precision. Below are a collection of images using the various cameras in my collection. I do have a few digital shots within the gallery and I am not adverse to using a digital camera but my focus is primarily toward cameras which use film. I am abashed to say that I do not have at least one example of every camera I own posted as yet. That is not to say I have not used them all. I have. But I only want to post images that I think stand out as good examples of the photographic art/science. As most photographers will attest not every shot we take is worthy of seeing the light of day.
My collection
View Cameras
I own three 4x5" view cameras. Two Omega mono rail
models ( E and D) and a Graflex Crown Graphic. I have three lenses for
them which can be used on any of the bodies. A Schneider 210 mm and
Super Angulon 90
mm and an Optar 150 mm. These cameras produce a negative 13 times
larger
than a 35 mm. They have long been the staple of the commercial studio
photographer.
They can produce an image that can be enlarged to a high degree without
obvious grain or sharpness drop-off. Most of the commercial/product
photographic
work I did in the 80's was done using this type of camera. They are
big,
heavy, hard to handle and require a fair amount of technical
understanding
to use correctly. I love them.
120 Roll film format
Also used quite a bit in commercial photography.
This
is my second favorite format. With modern films they produce an
astoundingly
sharp and clear image also capable of great enlargement. I have four
cameras
of this format. Three in the 6x6 cm (2 1/4x2 1/4") format and one in
the
6x4.5 cm format. I have a Rolleicord 1V, a Mamiya C-3 and a Mamiya 6 in
the 6x6 cm format. I also have a Mamiya J model 6x4.5 cm with four
lenses.
The Rolleicord is fixed lens camera using an excellent Schneider Xenar
80 mm lens.
The Mamiya C-3 is an interchangeable lens camera and I have two lenses
for that system (105 mm,180 mm). Both the Rolleicord and the Mamiya C-3
are "TLR"'s or Twin lens reflex cameras. The Mamiya 645 is an"SLR" or
single
lens reflex camera. The Mamiya 6 is a folding type range finder camera
built in Japan just after the W.W.II. I also have two 120 roll film
backs
for my 4x5" cameras in 6x7 cm and 6x9 cm formats.
35 mm
I have 8 35 mm cameras. Don't ask me why because I
don't have a good answer for you. It is the format that I use the
least.
They are handy for news/journalistic type work, are easily carried and
quick to have ready to shoot. The image can be enlarged to 11x14" and
beyond with
care though 8x10" is a better fit for the negative size in my
opinion.
The most modern of my 35 mm's is the Minolta 7000 w/ a 28-200 mm zoom
AF
lens. The 7000 is an auto focus/manual motorized 35 mm system with
program,
aperture and shutter exposure modes as well as manual. I used one of
these
quite a bit in the 80's and it served me well. Now they can be had for
less than $100.00 with a good lens. I also have two Minolta X-700
bodies
and several lenses for that system. They have about the same exposure
automation as the 7000
and can also used in a full manual mode if desired. Both of the X-700
bodies
have motor winders on them so they are very good for situations were
speed
is an issue. They are not very quiet however making a fair amount a
clacking
and whirring sounds as they expose and then advance the film. If I want
make less noise I use my oldest camera. A 70 year old Leica IIIa. It is
my favorite 35 mm camera because it is so well made. Such a precision
instrument.
My next favorite is a 40 year old Yashica Electro GS 35 mm. A fairly
inexpensive
fixed lens range finder type camera with a surprisingly good lens. I
also
have a Pentax MG which was a gift from a relative and a Zorki 2C which
is a Russian copy of the Leica and a Canon EOS Rebel.. All are good
cameras
but none of the three is what I grab first if I wanted to quickly
take a photograph.
