I donated some of my older film cameras to my wife’s niece who wants to learn photography, to include my original Pentax ME Super 35mm film camera and 3 lenses which I used back in high school (mid to late 80’s). It is my hope that she learns more about camera settings, lighting, staging, posing, framing, etc. from shooting with a film camera vs. the spray-and-pray style shooting which is so common with today’s digital photographer. I still shoot with film, myself, using my Nikon F5 which is a 35mm camera. What I love about this camera is that I can interchangeably use my several lenses with my Nikon D810 digital camera, which I also really enjoy shooting with. I primarily shoot commercially (for paid corporate advertising/marketing projects), in addition to being a fine art photographer and portrait photographer. In my ministry work, of which there are countless opportunities, I have shot several baptisms (among my favorite shoots), as well as other church-related events, but I also enjoy shooting subjects which can be used in faith-themed digital composite images that I create.
So pleasant to be able to pass on the tools. Nothing quite like watching the latent image appear in the developer. My D-70 went to the youngest granddaughter when she made the “Mom, I need a real camera” statement. Perhaps she will decide to try film.
Welcome to the group. We are quite quiet. Perhaps meditative…
George Leaf – I think it is awesome that you develop your own film. I donated some cameras to my niece, as well, but I asked her about them a few months back and she said she hasn’t used them at all due to classes being shut down at her school due to this COVID nonsense. I always wanted to learn to develop my own film, but, although I tried my hand at it, I found it much easier to take my film to be processed at one of two local pro shops or else sending them off to someone I trust on the east coast. It is very important that I get my original film media back, which is why I am very selective of who develops my precious film. I don’t shoot with my film camera near as much as I used to since moving to digital in my professional work, but I still enjoy film personally. I have had clients request film for their shots, which took me by surprise, but I was happy to comply with their wishes for their special day. I think that if young photogs and adult newbies to photography would first learn on film cameras, then they will learn how to properly setup, plan and slow down for “just the right image” vs. “spraying and praying” with a digital camera.
Lisa Nelson – I have used Canon, even owned a Canon T5i, which took phenomenal photos. I had a few kit lenses for it, purchased several extra battery packs and other equipment for it, including a remote shutter, leather hand grip, etc. I used it for a few promotional photoshoots for a Hollywood celebrity (retired) and author who I help to promote. It worked fine for a while, but I was saving for a better setup, which I found in the Nikon D810. I already had quality glass for the Nikon FX (Nikkor) SLR cameras, such as my Nikon F5 which I absolutely love using, so it was a logical move to the D810. I sold my Canon equipment (at a loss) to someone needing a full setup for traveling throughout Japan (he was actually leaving that week for Japan and wanted an introductory DSLR and lenses). I hope you enjoy your Canon and really put it through its paces and, most importantly, have fun taking photos of God’s beauty all around us. God bless!
Rev. Daryl W. Wilson, Divine Grace Ministry, Denver, CO
Grave photos for Find a Grave, Nikon D7000. For myself Rolliflex T 6×6 cm, Crown Graphic 4 x 5 press camera, working toward view cameras 4 x 5 and 8 x 10.
Seventy four now, time to plan for the photo, set up and wait for the light and shadow to be right.
Next project will be the messages from the stones. There are survivors messages to the departed such as ‘Rest in Peace’ and the more interesting to me messages from the departing such as….
Remember me as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me.
Michael Mooney – I think everyone has one or a few “favorite lenses and we can each agree to disagree on which would be the next bests lens (or camera) to “upgrade” to. However, your choice of lens depends on the type of photos you are looking to take. Somem photogs swear by zoom lenses, others by fixed lenses. Soe prefer an 85mm for portraits, others 50mm and still others…well, you get my point.
By “larger lens”, what do you mean? Do you mean a lens with a longer focal length, a wider aperature, larger compatibility, larger price tag? If you find that your current lens is creating the types of images you want, then why find a new lens? If, however, you need a lens which allows more light to your digital sensor (or film) for night shots or dimly lit room shots, maybe you should change lenses. If you mean that you want clearer images because you have a densely-packed sensor, such as 36MP or higher, but your lens is just not able to keep up and prevents clear images on the high-end sensor, then, yes, you should consider a new lens. If you want to take shots from a greater distance away, then maybe you should consider a zoom lens or a 3x multiplier, or else a lens such as a 300mm or greater to take shots of wildlife from a safe distance or a bird species without spooking it, or to capture the sweat on the athlete’s brow from the stadium’s media box area.
I have seen very impressive images coming from smartphone cameras, even full movies recorded and edited on a smartphone. I have see cheap cameras which produced stunning images and expensive cameras which produced images that looked like a 3-yr old took the shots. I think that too many people put too much focus on equipment, especially the latest equipment. Some of my lenses are 20 years old, but quality glass is priceless, in my opinion. When new photogs ask me what camera or lens to get, I tell them to invest in quality glass first, stick with one platform (Nikon, for example), test out as many cameras as you can, same for lenses, and save up your money until you can get just the right combination for what you want to shoot.
So, which lens should you consider, Michael? That is up to you to decide. More information may be helpful in coming to a decision on this. Are you sure you actually should get a different lens?
Good luck with your decision and God bless, brother!
Rev. Daryl W. Wilson, Divine Grace Ministry, Denver, CO
For photography I will use a variety of equipment including a Canon EOS Rebel T5i digital camera along with a few lenses and accessories, an older Canon Digital Rebel, and my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, a smartphone that delivers outstanding performance.
Photoshop, Adobe Spark are amongst the apps that I will use in processing as necessary.
I use and old Pentax 35/105 – great lens, and fabulous photos – cumbersome to run around with while on mission trips, so I started using I-phone – they take pretty amazing photos as well..
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