Hello.
My name is Brian Schmidt. I come from Waterloo, Iowa, US.
I have been interested in photography in some way since I was quite little. It may have been more the fun of getting images of places and things I was used to than from any technical or artistic standpoint (this was a little before you could go on Google Images and find hundreds of images of the most obscure thing). I really got interested in film photography and old cameras in particular when I was probably eight or so. I mostly attribute my interest to my grandma who would take me to antique shops quite often. Eventually I got a good look at what was probably an old folding vest-pocket camera and the one thing that really captivated me was that little lever you pressed to take the picture with.
Yes, it was an odd fascination, I know, but I just wanted to take photos just like they did in the old days. Eventually I managed to get my hands on a Kodak Starmatic with the flash holder for M3 bulbs. My dad bit his lip and bought a few rolls of Efke film for them. I did get pictures, though I had Porters in Waterloo (or was it Waldens?) develop it for me. I also got a red Kodak box camera that used 120 and had light leaks. Then I had a myriad of little consumer cameras from that time period. I also got a basic darkroom setup (stainless film tank, pans for prints, enlarger, etc.) from a garage sale for $12. I bought the chemicals and some Ilford paper, and, surprisingly, managed to get some decent images. I lost interest when I was fourteen or so after a bad-luck Isolette with their bellows issues. At that point I made a friend who lived in what was basically a junk yard so you can guess where my attention was diverted to.
Then, about a year ago, some random inspiration struck. All the photo supply stores in the area had closed but I managed to come across Freestyle Photo. I went ahead an bought a Voigtlader VAG and a Zeiss Ikon Volta off weebay, which included a Rollex and Rada film back. I cleaned up the Ibsor shutter on the VAG and got the Rada to work after a long and drawn out battle with the plush velvet light seal where the darkslide goes. Then I decided to go ahead and get a Voigtlander Avus which I also cleaned and oiled the shutter on. That has been working well for me.
Other cameras I own are my Grandpa's Canon AE1, a Praktica IVFB (which I payed $2.50 for, which is why I go to sales so often), a Zeiss Contina that I am just finishing as I type this, a 40's speed graphic which I haven't used yet, a Keystone K8 which I have big plans for, and that old red box camera.
Aside from that, I have a couple old motorcycles that I ride most places (a 1966 Triumph T100SR and a 1962 Puch SGS250), I ride bicycles quite a bit, and I fix and sell small engine related items. I am currently going to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo and will transfer to UNI for their Metal casting program. I am 20 years old.
I would post photos but I haven't had enough posts yet...
Thanks
Brian
My name is Brian Schmidt. I come from Waterloo, Iowa, US.
I have been interested in photography in some way since I was quite little. It may have been more the fun of getting images of places and things I was used to than from any technical or artistic standpoint (this was a little before you could go on Google Images and find hundreds of images of the most obscure thing). I really got interested in film photography and old cameras in particular when I was probably eight or so. I mostly attribute my interest to my grandma who would take me to antique shops quite often. Eventually I got a good look at what was probably an old folding vest-pocket camera and the one thing that really captivated me was that little lever you pressed to take the picture with.
Yes, it was an odd fascination, I know, but I just wanted to take photos just like they did in the old days. Eventually I managed to get my hands on a Kodak Starmatic with the flash holder for M3 bulbs. My dad bit his lip and bought a few rolls of Efke film for them. I did get pictures, though I had Porters in Waterloo (or was it Waldens?) develop it for me. I also got a red Kodak box camera that used 120 and had light leaks. Then I had a myriad of little consumer cameras from that time period. I also got a basic darkroom setup (stainless film tank, pans for prints, enlarger, etc.) from a garage sale for $12. I bought the chemicals and some Ilford paper, and, surprisingly, managed to get some decent images. I lost interest when I was fourteen or so after a bad-luck Isolette with their bellows issues. At that point I made a friend who lived in what was basically a junk yard so you can guess where my attention was diverted to.
Then, about a year ago, some random inspiration struck. All the photo supply stores in the area had closed but I managed to come across Freestyle Photo. I went ahead an bought a Voigtlader VAG and a Zeiss Ikon Volta off weebay, which included a Rollex and Rada film back. I cleaned up the Ibsor shutter on the VAG and got the Rada to work after a long and drawn out battle with the plush velvet light seal where the darkslide goes. Then I decided to go ahead and get a Voigtlander Avus which I also cleaned and oiled the shutter on. That has been working well for me.
Other cameras I own are my Grandpa's Canon AE1, a Praktica IVFB (which I payed $2.50 for, which is why I go to sales so often), a Zeiss Contina that I am just finishing as I type this, a 40's speed graphic which I haven't used yet, a Keystone K8 which I have big plans for, and that old red box camera.
Aside from that, I have a couple old motorcycles that I ride most places (a 1966 Triumph T100SR and a 1962 Puch SGS250), I ride bicycles quite a bit, and I fix and sell small engine related items. I am currently going to Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo and will transfer to UNI for their Metal casting program. I am 20 years old.
I would post photos but I haven't had enough posts yet...
Thanks
Brian
