hi from Toronto

[nate]

hello everyone!

what is a 24 year old recent graduate doing on APUG?

i guess i could start my self intro with how i started photography.
its not a long story...i started about a week ago.
my friend's father is really into cameras and saw me browsing on ebay <shudder> one day and asked if there were any good cameras to be had there. i told him i could look. he ended up buying an old Canon AE-1 for under $100 with my help. the camera arrived last week and i've been loaning it for the last little bit.

i'm 24 this year and never really got into taking pictures. i blame it on being born into the digital age where images come and go with a click of a rodent who happens to be attached to strange box by its tail. the idea of a digital image was entertaining but that was about it.

but i have to admit, since i've started playing with the Canon i've gotten hooked. the idea of film and the deliberate(ness) of it is a big change from the carefree clicks of a digicam.

unfortunately the camera must go back to its rightful owner. BUT i am not without recourse. i did something rather silly (imo) and dropped myself into the world of 127 film and scored a yashica 44 off the same dreaded website. its portable, small, and hopefully capable (once i learn how to use it).

for now i'm looking for some 127 film and learning as much about fstops and shutter speeds as i can before i totally foul up expensive rolls of film.

and that brings us full circle to what am i doing on APUG? i'm here to learn as much as i can and hopefully, make some good pictures.

here are a few samples of my fidgeting with the AE-1: (i took some indoor ones but haven't figured out how to meter those properly so they came out rather ghostly).

 

[copake_ham]

Welcome from NYC

 

[PhotoJim]

Welcome from Regina. I get to Toronto a couple of times a year and it's becoming like a second home to me.

127 film is hard to find (but not impossible), so get yourself a 35mm (or a 120 film) camera that you can use most of the time. Do try to get a bunch for the 127 camera though - it'll be fun.

 

[Mike Wilde]

greetings from the west end

Theres a lot of people on this site from all over the world to help you learn. I happen to be a bit closer to you than many - I'm all the way from Mississuaga.

I shoot a twin lens as well - they are a lot of fun. Google for 'the ultimate exposure computer' - by Fred Parker. It is a good article to help you understand exposure , and if you understand it, then you will not be tricked by when a light meter tells you something that doesn't make sense.

127 is a bit rare for that camera you bought. I would point you to a guy in calgary calls himself the frugal photogrpagher, who sells it, but I have not bought from him in order to consider this pointer a recommendation. There is also film for classics as a us resource for film , but i find them a bit pricey.

When you start buying film, ask the lab who processes it (if you are not doing it for yourself - not too hard for a beginner to do if it is B&W) to return the spools and backing paper, because the day will likely come in a few more yeaars, where you might find yourself cutting down wider films and rolling them yourself to save money, or just get the wanted product.

I shoot 120 film which is a good deal more common thann 127, but I still am considering the day when I will want to slit down 100' of 70mm aerial camera stock to get a good old fashioned silver rich B&W film once the day comes when most vendors will want to sell us only t-grian black and white film.

 

[nate]

hey guys thanks for the welcome

george: one of the things i'm wanting to do now that i'm learning about cameras is to visit your city and shoot new years! craziness i know but it would be fun if i survive the night! i have a friend living there soon so i mite be in your corner of the woods soon.

jim: glad you like our city. i actually hope to get a small range finder or older SLR to compliment my photo taking needs for when 127 film is short (which i suspect will be often).

mike: i actually lived in 'sauga for a year. i found it extremely boring due to my lack of transportation. but now tht i have a bike and use it daily i miss the calm streets and open spaces. thanks for the film recomendations. i've read the ultimate exposure computer and its a bit confusing still but i'll figure it out once i play wit it enough!

anyone know where i can get my Yashica 44 CLA'd in toronto or nearby? and about how much will it cost me to get it back to tiptop condition.

 

[Mike Wilde]

A CLA in TO? try Commercial or TCS

I would try Commercial Camera Repair - 5311 Yonge St. (416) 233-2257
info@commercialcamerarepair.com

alternately,
Toronto Camera service centre 131 Jefferson Ave (416) 516-6331 tcs@torontocameraservice.com

These contacts come from cards I have found passed out at camera shows; I have never actually used them. Most of my work is on 'junker' cameras, but they come back in service the same or better shape than when I started on them.

Why not just clean the external osmetics yourself if it is dirty. You would be surprised what a q-tip dipped in a dilute solution of dish detergent will do to clean the grungies out of leather and the inside corners of chrome. If you are getting near movements, or seams, make sure it it only damp, not wet, before wiping.

Listen to the shutter; does it seem to run smoothly at all speeds? The 1 second is usaly the one that shows most challenges as cameras age. Sometimes you can hear that the escapement is slow to get going, or oops out near the end.

For the aperture blades, leave the camera back open, and shutter on bulb (B) to hold the shutter open (or 1 s if no B) and look outdside or at a strung light. As a TLR the taking lens aperture blades dont stay open until just before exposure, like in modern SLR's. So you can see how they move (smoothly or not), and can ajust the aperture while the shutter is open to confirm this.

Unless the camera is really grunged, or the focus knob is stiff to move due to rack mechanism lubes drying out. I would shoot a roll and see how it performs, rather than CLA it right off the bat.

 

[Earl Dunbar]

Welcome, Nate. 127 film is still made, I know that Kodak produces Portra in 127, and I believe Fuji has a colour 127 film, too.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Hi Nate, I am from Oakville (just west of Toronto) and welcome to APUG.

Just a clarification, commercial Camera moved downtown from North York to 111 Church St, two doors south from Henry's.

Bill

 

[ricksplace]

Welcome from Thunder Bay.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I love the photos of the school yard and the snow boulders. Also the Bike. Welcome.

 

[Buster6X6]

Welcome Nate from down the road in London Ont. Enjoy your stay.

Cheers eh!

Greg