My first camera
on the 14th of March 1959 I went to Woolworths and spent all my 15th birthday money on a Bencine camera, it looked complicated and was made metal, I was now a photographer ! I had a lot of rubbish shots and it took a month at least to get photos I was pleased with, I had expected the camera to produce good shots all the time, it never entered my mind that I had to do more than press the shutter. 56 years later I am just as keen , but able to take decent photos now. on my 71st I have just ordered a Canon 5DS R(50mp) its been my hobby for a long time, I still love to go out into the country for photography, I have had lots of SLRs but the best one was the Yashica/ Contax139, beautiful design by Porche and handled brilliantly, Zeiss lenses.
superb, dedication for you. i`m loosing my mojo if i`m honest but would love to hear about the 5DS when you get it
My first camera of very own (prior to this I always nicked my dads) was a Zenit E bought in 1973. However, in 1974 a local camera shop in Doncaster had a Canon EF with a 28mm lens that he just couldn't sell and that became the first camera paid for with my own money.
What I really wanted was an Olympus OM-1 but the price was way out of my league. Even the Canon took some doing at 13 years old.
What I really wanted was an Olympus OM-1 but the price was way out of my league. Even the Canon took some doing at 13 years old.
I started in 1951 with a 'Kodak Brownie Box' camera similar to this one -- My Mum had saved up 'Black cat' Cigarette coupons for it -- as she didn't smoke it took a LONG TIME !!
I started by using my parent's Kodak Cresta, 12 exposures on 120 film. It had a slide in front of the lens with a close-up lens on one end and a yellow filter to 'bring out the clouds' on the other. Then I bought a Zeiss Ikonta 16 exposure on 127 folding camera. Followed by a Voigtlander Vito B, my first 35mm camera. I still have the same Zeiss Ikophot exposure meter from those days and it still works.
A Zenit B with 58mm Helios lens. Shutter ground to a crunching halt last year. 
My first camera was a Halina 126. I loved that camera and still have it 
My next was an Olympus P&S which was a good little camera. I didn't venture into digital until 2010 when I received a Fuji bridge for a special birthday. That revived my love of photography and I resolved to take better photos....I'm still trying 
I now have a Canon 600D with various lenses and due to upper back problems have gone for the lighter option with a mirrorless...Fuji X-T1.
My next was an Olympus P&S which was a good little camera. I didn't venture into digital until 2010 when I received a Fuji bridge for a special birthday. That revived my love of photography and I resolved to take better photos....I'm still trying I now have a Canon 600D with various lenses and due to upper back problems have gone for the lighter option with a mirrorless...Fuji X-T1.
Brownie 127... Won me a guinea for an "unusual view" of the Eiffel Tower, in the "Boys Own Paper"..stood under one of the legs and pointed it straight up..
Also dabbled with contact prints (black and white of course..) and was fascinated...the rest is..fairly expensive...history..!
Also dabbled with contact prints (black and white of course..) and was fascinated...the rest is..fairly expensive...history..!
