Hi from Indiana

[88E30M50]

Hi folks!

I'm just getting back into film photography after a long hiatus. Back in the late 70s, I shot a lot of film while in high school and on into the 80s. As my family grew, my time for photography shrank. When I first purchased a digital camera somewhere back in the 90s, my trusty old Canon A-1 went into storage. A few years ago, I gave it, and my modest lens collection to my 24 year old son.

In September of this year, I decided that I wanted to get back into shooting film again. As a kid, my dream camera was an F-1. I found what looks to be an unused F-1N for a good price and the passion was reignited. I picked up a couple of old Canon FT and FTbs out of curiosity only to find that I really like the old mechanical stuff. In early November, I found another A-1 for $110 and found that it shoots quite well. I've put 5 rolls through my F-1N and love that thing more with every shot. The A-1 feels like old times to me and I'm really wanting to put more film through that in the coming years as well.

Today, an early F-1 body showed up in the mail as well as 3 parts camera A-1s. That give us 2 working A-1s in the family and 3 more for parts support should it be needed.

I'm happy to have an old camera back in my hand again and look forward to getting out and shooting as much as I can.

Tim

 

[mshchem]

Welcome! I was into Nikon stuff in the 70's I love playing with this stuff. This is a fun group here, from all around.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcomeback to photography and to Photrio, Tim!

 

[koraks]

Welcome aboard! Enjoy those FD cameras, and smart of you to get some spares, too.
There's someone currently very active in repairing (among others) FD-era stuff; you might want to check out his posts. It's @Andreas Thaler . I don't think he's published much on FT's, FTb's and A1's yet, but maybe that's still in the stars.

 

[88E30M50]

Thanks everyone. I'll look for his posts koraks. I appreciate the point in his direction.

 

[Molli]

Hi Tim, welcome to Photrio from the other side of the globe!

Possibly I've hit the curmudgeonly phase of my existence, but there really is nothing better than a mechanical tool you can tinker with and a hold-in-your-hand and admire by daylight negative/positive.

Some things are never obsolete. ☺

I hope you enjoy your return to the more tactile world of film photography and enjoy the rabbit hole! You'll have a darkroom in your basement/attic/laundry before you know it!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Thanks everyone. I'll look for his posts koraks. I appreciate the point in his direction.

A warm welcome also from my side!

I'm currently working on Minolta X, but should also be able to say something about the Canon A series in the near future.

However, basic things about camera maintenance and camera repair always come to my mind

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to Photrio

 

[88E30M50]

Hi Tim, welcome to Photrio from the other side of the globe!

Possibly I've hit the curmudgeonly phase of my existence, but there really is nothing better than a mechanical tool you can tinker with and a hold-in-your-hand and admire by daylight negative/positive.

Some things are never obsolete. ☺

I hope you enjoy your return to the more tactile world of film photography and enjoy the rabbit hole! You'll have a darkroom in your basement/attic/laundry before you know it!

I've already been eyeing a spot in the basement that has running water and no windows

 

[88E30M50]

A warm welcome also from my side!

I'm currently working on Minolta X, but should also be able to say something about the Canon A series in the near future.

However, basic things about camera maintenance and camera repair always come to my mind

My goal right now is to learn the craft of camera repair. To that end, I've picked up 3 Canon FTs and 2 FTbs, all in need of something. I've been downloading the course material on Gene Pate's site and going through it as I would have back in the day too. Back in the 80s and 90s, I was an aircraft mechanic and have always enjoyed rebuilding stuff. Camera repair and photography in general are good things to get back into as I approach retirement.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you can say about the A series. Once I'm sure I'm capable, I'm planning to do a CLA on the pair of A-1s that I have and maybe even revive one or two of the other 3 A-1 parts cameras. Those are a world apart from working on an old FT or FTb though.

 

[btaylor]

Hi Tim, welcome to the forum. My path was similar to yours, after many years raising the young ‘ens I got my darkroom back. I never let go of the OM1 I got after graduating, but I did buy one for each of my kids.
On another subject it looks like you are some sort of BMW enthusiast from your user name. I used to PDI those E30’s back in my days at the dealership, and they paid the bills for years after I went independent. We had a ‘91 318is 5 speed the kid learned to drive with. I miss that car.

 

[images39]

Welcome to Photrio (almost said APUG, it's original name). Yes, those older mechanical cameras definitely have a nice feel and heft to them. Glad you're shooting with them.

With a basement, you can get a darkroom going, no problem! I miss that aspect of midwestern homes; we mostly don't have basements here out West

Dale

 

[mtlc]

Hi folks!

I'm just getting back into film photography after a long hiatus. Back in the late 70s, I shot a lot of film while in high school and on into the 80s. As my family grew, my time for photography shrank. When I first purchased a digital camera somewhere back in the 90s, my trusty old Canon A-1 went into storage. A few years ago, I gave it, and my modest lens collection to my 24 year old son.

In September of this year, I decided that I wanted to get back into shooting film again. As a kid, my dream camera was an F-1. I found what looks to be an unused F-1N for a good price and the passion was reignited. I picked up a couple of old Canon FT and FTbs out of curiosity only to find that I really like the old mechanical stuff. In early November, I found another A-1 for $110 and found that it shoots quite well. I've put 5 rolls through my F-1N and love that thing more with every shot. The A-1 feels like old times to me and I'm really wanting to put more film through that in the coming years as well.

Today, an early F-1 body showed up in the mail as well as 3 parts camera A-1s. That give us 2 working A-1s in the family and 3 more for parts support should it be needed.

I'm happy to have an old camera back in my hand again and look forward to getting out and shooting as much as I can.

Tim

Welcome! I have an old A-1 that I really like also.

 

[88E30M50]

Hi Tim, welcome to the forum. My path was similar to yours, after many years raising the young ‘ens I got my darkroom back. I never let go of the OM1 I got after graduating, but I did buy one for each of my kids.
On another subject it looks like you are some sort of BMW enthusiast from your user name. I used to PDI those E30’s back in my days at the dealership, and they paid the bills for years after I went independent. We had a ‘91 318is 5 speed the kid learned to drive with. I miss that car.

Good eye on the login name. I did that conversion years ago and it's run another 60,000 and counting since.

I just dug out my old developing tanks earlier today. It's amazing how good it feels to reignite a dormant passion.

 

[88E30M50]

Thanks again everyone.

 

[JulienPictures74]

Welcome to Photrio!

 

[bdial]

Welcome from an ex Hoosier.

 

[bluechromis]

There is little lacking in image quality with the FD lens. With FD bodies, it's nice there could also be other options. The short flange distance of FD bodies makes them amenable to using the lens of other mount systems using adapters. The most notable of these are the M42 screw mount lenses. One would need to use stop-down metering with these but it is pretty easy with preset-style lenses. Why would anyone do this when there are so many great FD lenses? Well, there might be a screw mount lens that has a unique personality or quirkiness that is desirable. The screw mount lenses can be affordable.