I was trying to remember back to my first camera – it was a hand me down that either my parents or another relative had. I’m not sure how it came to be in my possession. Growing up, I was very accustomed to mom taking our photos with a Kodak Instamatic with the rotating disposable flash cube on top. I also remember her following the advice in the instructions at the time – have the sun to your back as you are taking photos of your subject (that’s why there are so many photos of squinting family portraits!)
However, the camera I was looking for was some kind of Kodak Brownie camera. In my search, I found this neat website: Camerapedia.org, a wiki site that “is a free-content encyclopedia of camera information, a repository of information about all still camera brands and models.”
So, there I found my first camera – when I first fell in love with the media! The Kodak Brownie Starflash.
Brownie Starflash, in black
by Hillary Stein (image rights)
Other significant cameras in my life can also be found there:
My first 35mm SLR – the Nikon FG – a real workhorse of a camera all through my college years and the “dark ages” where my photography was not front in center in my life.
My first semi-pro camera/modern 35mm SLR – the Nikon N80 – the re-awakening of the passion.
My first professional DSLR – the Fuji S1 – I’m still convinced this camera had the best color of a digital camera that I’ve ever owned. New possibilities!
Followed by the Fuji S2 and Fuji S3 – my work with models expands with these cameras.
And that brings me to my current “workhorse” the Nikon D300. A wonderful camera that brought in the sharpness lacking in my previous Fuji cameras. That sharpness necessary for stock work – although, I just don’t think you can beat Fuji color!
My next cameras? Who knows – but I do still want the Fuji S5 (Fuji color built on the Nikon D300 body – the only camera I don’t find on Camerapedia.org) for my work with models/brides. Perhaps it will be the Nikon D700 for even more sharpness and resolution. Or if I win the lottery, I’ll be able to get the flagship Nikon D3 (or whatever Nikon comes up with next!)
Not sure if this is of ANY interest to you – but it was a fun distraction for me today! Fun to think back to the equipment on my journey.
I’ll return tomorrow with some more photos.
Until then! PJ
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Great entry of you Journey Patrick. I would love the D3 too.. I dont see that happening. So I will wait and enjoy all your Images . Dreams can come true I think. :)Have a great night.
ReplyDeletePolaroid Swinger Model 20: or something close to it. Grade school.
ReplyDeleteLet\'s see: I remember saving my allowance way back in the \'70\'s and buying a used Polaroid Instamatic (had a gray case and lens mounted on a bellows). Later I got the bug back (that being the shutter bug) and took over a Canon TX (SLR) from my parents. It was an all manual deal...select the ASA and get the needle into the loop metering. From there I moved onto an Canon AT-1, another manual camera, Rollicord 2 1/4. Once in college at SIU (you guessed it....Southern Illinois University - Carbondale) things got out of control. Plastic Diana Camera, wooden field 4x5 camera, later a Nikon F2, then a Leica M3-Double Stroke, Graflex 4x5 Press Camera, another 4x5 wooden field camera. Now so many years later, I got the bug again and went digital. Nikon D90......not bad, but not where I want to be.....just need a little time to get the Nikon D3..........so much for that.
ReplyDeleteCheryl and Joseph - thanks for sharing! I\'m glad I posted this and then get to see where others have been.
ReplyDelete