Photography

who are willing to share their first attempts at photograpy?

My recent scans of very old photos.

Regards

Edward

Thanks for the reason to look back thru the archives... spent a couple of very enjoyable hours scratching the surface...  Found a couple that were kind of mile-stones rather than very first.

The Paris photo was taken in the summer of 1969 using (most likely) a Pentax and (definitely) Kodacolor-X Safety Film.  My brother and I went to London and Paris that summer... both under 20 years old.

Kodacolor-X was a color negative film manufactured from 1963-1974.  Developed using the C-22 process (predecessor to the C-41 process).  I was using the 35mm format and most likely ISO 80 version (version 1 of the film was ISO 64).

The portrait couple are Simon and Jennifer from the UK, taken in Alberta, Canada in the summer of 1973 (most likely).  Film unknown (I think it was Kodachrome and there might be a slide around somewhere), camera was a Pentax.  They were hitching across Canada that summer and we spent a few days together in the Canadian Rockies.

First attempts at photography...  no way I will ever find any remaining results...  the photo-gods are kind in that regard ;-)

Casey

photography , don't you just love to refresh your memories like that.

And it is worth sharing too.

Thank you for that.

Below a postcard from a trip to New York in the summer of 1998, to celebrate me earning my post graduate college diploma.

Regards.

Edward

and straight !!! and I like the subtle tones...

belated congratulations on the post graduate diploma ;-)

Casey

For your positive feedback. Because of your observations my love for photography just got reborn.

Don't you love when your  photo turns up like this.

I hope to contribute occasionaly, once I shoot a deserving picture.

Regards

Edward

photos from my 1998 New York trip.

Thank you for looking.

Regards

Edward

I noticed that you were scanning prints...

Do you remember what camera set-up you were using?

Casey

recall the camera settings etc.

This is what i remember :

The camera:

- Nikon F100 or Nikon d90 (i do not have it any more)

Film:

- Kodak color 200 or 400 ( back then i used either)

Settings:

- Set manually for individual photo , all photos done without tripod.( it might of been on outofocus).

Kodak paper matte, developed locally.( likely a local pharmacy).

You can take good pictures with almost any camera nowadays, but i hold Nikon in very high regards.

But truly my beginings go back even further , till I was twelve years old , I got my first camera back then as a gift , very expensive equivalent of  3K today, (That camera I still have in working condition, huge sentimental value)

 I always have done it very casually, but not without passion. Sorry to say, very little lately.

Regards

Edward

and agree that their film cameras and lenses are top notch... the used equipment was very affordable until recent years when a lot of the stuff started get snatched up to be used with adapters on the new small digital cameras and/or being purchased by regional tourists.

For historical reasons my dSLR is from Canon, so can't really comment on Nikon digital from personal experience.

How about a photo of your first camera... ;-)

Casey

This Camera has been in my hands for so many years, but the photos taken with it did not survive.  Maybe my family members still have some.

You are using Canon , even though there are so many choices in cameras . I think Canon is also one of the best.

Regards

e

According to my understanding, the "Zenit (Зени́т) TTL" is a Russian made camera with (in the model shown) Through-The-Lens-metering and a M42 thread mount.  The 6-element 58mm f/2.0 "Helios" is based on the pre-war Zeiss Biotar lens.

One note: I assume you have removed the battery for storage, and you might consider storing the leather case (body & lens case) separate from the camera to help prevent fungus... leather seems to help in the growth of fungus.

I down loaded the user manual for the details... strange but that's what I do... hahaha.  This is a very usable camera.  The manual indicates that the film speed settings are shown in GOST rather than DIN, ASA, or ISO, and favor the slower speeds of that time.  The battery is listed as Mallory "PX-13" type... which is not sold over the counter due to the use of mercury...  Rather than the WeinCell MRB625 Replacement Battery for PX13/PX625, I have been happy using a MR-9 Adapter and a standard SR43W battery in my Pentax Spotmatic F.  As an option, you can always use an hand held light meter...

If the lens mount is a true M42-mount, you have a huge selection of very nice lenses from Pentax (and others).

The Zenit TTL you have looks to be in great shape...  and I would love to see it used again at some point in the future ;-)

Casey

my Zenith is with me since childhood .

I did not now about adapters , and I intend to do research. I assume you can turn your 35mm film camera in to digital camera, with an adapter?

Thank you Casy tor the tips on the battery , there is one inside the body of the camera. The one on the picture is a spare. I need to remove it right a way, and take the Zenith for cleaning if necessary!

Leather casing is treated by me with moisturizer periodically to prevent drying, no sings of fungus.Despite some natural cracs it is in good shape and until few years ago still had this new leather smell. Top Quality.!!!

Right now my antique equipment serves as a decoration and it is very unlikely i will use it again, but you never know.

I saw the photo of  You as a young photographer on your photo collection, and I was very impressed , You look  9 or 10  on that Florida picture, humble beginings i must say.

Or you almost have the right to say: " I was born with a photo camera in my hand"

It does not get any closer.

Regards

Edward.

The user manual that I found stated that the Zenit TTl camera uses a mercury battery...

Sorry if my comments were confusing.  The PX13/PX625 mercury batteries are a different voltage and they loose power at a different rate than modern batteries.. The MR-9 adapter is used to regulate a standard SR43W battery in order to have the same effect as the PX13/PX625 battery... this needs to be done in order for the internal light meter to work properly....  Just goggle MR-9 [battery] adapter and it might be clear...

If you leave a battery in any device for a long period it will corrode and can damage the device... It may need cleaning, depending on the condition... but, yes take the battery out for long term storage....

Leather cases are organic material that can trap and hold moisture... Some lens mfg. recommend that you not use containers made of leather, textiles or wood for storage.  Depending on your climate storage can be a problem... better to store equipment with care.

Casey

thank you very much.

Regards

e