The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras

Subject: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 0:13

Good Morning,

We are faced with another beautiful fall day in the Washington DC metropolitan area. I'm tempted to slip off to the city today to on a photo outing. My wife has other plans for my time today.

My first real camera was a Ricoh Auto 66, pictured below. I have not used it for many years and would have to go to a photo specialty shop to get film for it. I bought it in 1965 while stationed in Germany for $36.70. It produces 2"X2" negatives, ideal for my budding darkroom talents in the mid 60's . (Pictures posted of Calais, Stonehenge, and Chester were taken with this camera).

My next camera, the one I used in Viet Nam was a 35mm Minolta. This was a manual camera where f-stop and shutter speed had to be manually set. One had to have a good feel for lighting. This was my favorite camera in its ease of use and portability.

I replaced the Minolta with a 35mm Topcon single lens reflex that came with a set of lenses. I used the Topcon for many years before upgrading to an Olympus, a fully automated 35mm single lens reflex, in the early 80’s.

Several years ago, I migrated to the digital world buying an Olympus Camedia 4 mega pixel camera. It has a good lens, in my mind just as important if not more so then number of mega pixels. I'm thinking a new camera for Christmas might be nice.

For Ben’s wedding, my wife wanted videos of the event. So I was ‘forced’ to obtain a camcorder. It works very well, but I am still mastering its use. I’m currently editing the clips trying to assemble a final product. (I’m using Adobe Premier Elements 3.0 and any tips would be appreciated). It’s a bit challenging stumbling through a new software package with one’s wife wanting an exceptional video – yesterday. At this point, I think I prefer still photography.

Now the question for the day,

What is or was you favorite camera?

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 11:48

Hola Don!

You leave me speechless Don! silent

Well, not quite. You see, to me, a camera is just a thing that you point and it takes a picture. That is all I really understand about it.

In the past I often used to buy 'disposable' cameras in the country I was visiting because they were designed for use where I happened to be. That tactic seemed to work quite well! However, when the grand children came along I wanted my own camera and my husband bought me one for my birthday that thought for itself!

It was a 'Boots' camera (chemist chain store) and suited me very well!!

Now I have a digital camera and the criteria for purchase were:
it was light
it was small
it was cheap.
It fits in my handbag and I can work out how to use it MOST of the time.

Happy snapping, Gillian

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 18:40

Hi

It might sound strange but I've never owned a camera. When I was married my husband had one and now my daughters have digital ones. It's never been one of my strong points taking photos, I never seem to get it right. So I let others take the photos.

wave

JFS

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 21:04

Hi all.
In Tanzania I bought a Russian 35mm SLR off my friend who I worked with. It had a zoom lens and as Don said with his, manual light and shutter control settings. Travelling across Serengheti (still can't spell it) I just used the one lens as by the time I changed the lens the shot had gone.
At Ungorogoro crater the shot is so wide that I had to line up on a tree to the right side of the lens and then take another shot lined up with the tree on the left.
I will tell you about that another time.
Love to all
Daz
xxx
_________________
My family are like stars in the night sky of my life.
Always there at the end of the day.
The light of their love forever constant as the Northern star.
Safely guiding me home.
Dreams are the realities of tomorrow.
Everyone is in tune with the spirits of their ancestors. Unfortunately some are tone deaf.
Copyright. Daz.2008.

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 21:09

Hi again.
I said for a long time that I didn't pictures and all my memories are stored in my mind. I was completely wrong.
As you get older memories fade in your minds eye and a quick look at a picture brings them all flooding back.
Keep taking the photo's.
Love to all
Daz
xxx
_________________
My family are like stars in the night sky of my life.
Always there at the end of the day.
The light of their love forever constant as the Northern star.
Safely guiding me home.
Dreams are the realities of tomorrow.
Everyone is in tune with the spirits of their ancestors. Unfortunately some are tone deaf.
Copyright. Daz.2008.

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 22:30

Gillian Love it and when i get a new one that will be my critera as well. I used to say to Ivor i just and one that i can point and press as he still uses film in his fidly thing that has changerble lenses and you have to do something to focus it, see theyare just not my thing at all. I use my phone one more than anything Embarassed

Sorry Don....
_________________
Maxine
Friendship~
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Fri 12 Oct 2007 - 23:00

Hi Maxi.
You just use what you want girl. If you get the picture you want that's all that matters.
Love to all
Daz
xxx
_________________
My family are like stars in the night sky of my life.
Always there at the end of the day.
The light of their love forever constant as the Northern star.
Safely guiding me home.
Dreams are the realities of tomorrow.
Everyone is in tune with the spirits of their ancestors. Unfortunately some are tone deaf.
Copyright. Daz.2008.

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 12 October 2007 - Cameras Sat 13 Oct 2007 - 2:23

My wife takes jfs1952's approach - I'm the designated photo taker.

For on the fly occasions I have a small point-and-shoot digital camera. Its amazing the quality one can get in a camera that's easy to use for a fraction of what cameras cost not so long ago. And, these cameras take excellent pictures.
_________________
Don